adidas adizero Evo SL Shoe Review
Meet the Evo SL: The Speed You Need and the Comfort You Crave
Likes
- Lightweight
- Soft and bouncy foam
- Aesthetically pleasing design
- Makes fast feel easy
Dislikes
- Tongue is too thin
What's New
The adidas adizero Evo SL is a lightweight, fast, and versatile trainer built for runners looking to excel in both long tempo runs and faster intervals. It strikes a balance between the race-focused design of the adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 and the everyday functionality of models like the adizero SL 2 or Boston 12. The shoe features a full-length Lightstrike Pro midsole—an advanced superfoam that delivers a responsive, cushioned ride while keeping weight down.
Unlike its carbon-plated counterparts, the Evo SL uses a nylon shank in the midfoot to maintain a smooth mix of flexibility and support. The absence of major midsole cutouts further enhances stability, while a thin Continental rubber outsole in the forefoot and clear rubber in the heel provide excellent traction without adding unnecessary bulk. A breathable mesh upper paired with a padded, supportive heel ensures a secure and comfortable fit for both everyday miles and fast workouts, making the Evo SL a true super trainer.
The Bottom Line
Our reviewers, Becky and Risa, had great things to say about the Evo SL. Becky loved the breathability and comfort of the upper, though she did experience slight irritation from the tongue during one long run—an issue easily resolved by switching to higher socks. Both reviewers appreciated the shoe's fit, with Risa praising the lightweight and minimal design, which still provided a secure lockdown.
When it came to performance, Becky highlighted the midsole's soft, bouncy feel, making her long road runs feel smoother and her legs fresher, even on a 30 kilometre run. She found the Evo SL perfect for both long runs and speedwork. Risa, meanwhile, found the midsole more snappy than bouncy, which suited her faster efforts. She particularly enjoyed the lightweight feel during a race, where she managed to set a new personal record.
Durability-wise, Becky had no complaints after putting 160 kilometres on the shoe and praised its grip on the road. Risa noted that while the outsole rubber is thin, it's typical for lightweight shoes and didn't cause any issues with grip. Overall, both reviewers were impressed with the Evo SL's versatility, comfort, and affordability, with Becky calling it her "Goldilocks shoe" and Risa praising its performance, style, and great value at $240.
Specifications & Fit
| Weight | Men's: 8.1 oz (size 9) | Women's: 7.2 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 37 mm (Heel), 30.5 mm (Forefoot) | 6.5 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to size |
Our In-Depth Look
Upper
Becky: "I love how breathable the upper is, and the mesh is really comfortable. The fit is accommodating but secure on foot. The only issue I had was during one long run, the tongue was irritating on the front of my ankle when wearing no-show socks due to the thin material. This issue was resolved by wearing different socks."
Risa: "I loved the Evo SL's upper. I found it to be lightweight and minimal, yet comfortable. I easily got a secure lockdown. I also liked the clean aesthetic (before my shoes got a little dirty a couple dozen kilometres later.)"
Midsole
Becky: "This is my favorite shoe for long road runs thanks to the midsole being the perfect balance of soft and bouncy. It makes those later miles during the long run feel easier and keeps my legs feeling fresh. They also feel great when doing strides, and they work well for faster runs and workouts too. Outside of the Adios Pro 4, this is the softest adidas shoe I have worn, which I love."
Risa: "To me, the Evo SL had a balanced midsole that wasn't too soft or too firm. I would describe the underfoot feel as snappy, but I didn't find it to be super bouncy. Overall, the Evo SL felt lightweight and made fast running feel easier. I personally did not notice rigidity from the nylon shank, but I never felt unstable in the shoe, which was appreciated."
Outsole
Becky: "I have had no durability issues after around 160 kilometres in my adizero Evo SLs. I cannot comment on how they perform on trails, but they grip the road well."
Risa: "I didn't have any issues with grip, but the rubber was not very thick, and there was a decent amount of exposed foam. I thought it looked standard for a lightweight shoe like this. The Evo SL is a lightweight shoe, so I don't think it will hold up for as many miles as a standard daily trainer."
Comparable Shoes
adidas adizero Evo SL vs. New Balance Rebel v4 and HOKA Mach 6
Risa: "I think the Evo SL is among the best options in the lightweight running shoe space right now. It competes amongst the likes of the super popular HOKA Mach 6, Saucony Endorphin Speed 4, and New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4. It's a fast shoe that I'm sure plenty of runners will use for their daily training as well. The hype of the record-breaking adidas adizero Adios Pro Evo 1, which this shoe is inspired by, has translated into lots of excitement for the Evo SL."
adidas adizero Evo SL vs. Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 and HOKA Mach X
Risa: "The Endorphin Speed 4 is another fast shoe with superfoam that can also be used for daily training. It has 1 mm more foam and is 85 grams lighter than the Evo SL. The Endorphin Speed 4 features a nylon plate while the Evo SL has a nylon shank. Both features should add some rigidity and stability, but neither the plate nor the shank was very noticeable to me. I think both shoes serve the same purpose, and which one is 'best' will just be a matter of personal preference. I do think the Evo SL wins when it comes to style."
Becky: "I'd consider the adizero Evo SL a supertrainer because of the foam and the nylon shank, which are great for faster training but also work so well for long runs. This shoe is really versatile. It would be similar to the HOKA Mach X and Saucony Endorphin Speed, but it has a more comfortable upper than the Mach X and a faster ride than the Endorphin Speed. It's also only $240, making it the best value in this category of shoes."
Individual Thoughts
The Evo SL is one of the most pleasant surprises added to my shoe rotation for 2025. I have done up to 30 kilometre long runs in them and would love to use them for a road marathon in the future. They feel just as fun at kilometre 30 of a run as they do at kilometre 1. It's the combination of how soft, bouncy, lightweight, and affordable they are that makes them the perfect Goldilocks shoe for me.
The hype is real! Inspiration from the adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 translated into an awesome experience as a trainer. My first impressions of the Evo SL were that I liked the clean aesthetic—obviously not the most important aspect but this is something I could wear with any outfit—and the shoe felt super light. I ran more than 50 kilometres in the shoe, including an 12 kilometre race (which I PR'ed in, yay!), easy runs, and workouts. I looked forward to lacing it up every time. I did probably enjoy it the most on my fast efforts, but I'm sure many runners would use it for all their daily miles too. I cannot think of anything I'd want to change in the shoe. I think it's an amazing value at $240 and something I would purchase with my own money. The designers at adidas are killing it lately!
