The adidas Adizero Evo SL is an uptempo trainer that suits a broad range of runners. As part of adidas' premium Adizero line, it offers elite-level features like adidas' premium Lightstrike Pro foam, and it's very lightweight, blurring the line between a trainer for high-end racing and everyday running. Adidas designed it to be versatile enough for daily training and even race day, but it's best suited as an unplated option for tackling tempo intervals.
Our Verdict
The adidas Adizero Evo SL is a decent choice for marathon racing. Its impressive foam responsiveness, light construction, and very good cushioning significantly benefit marathon runners looking to maximize their performance. While it lacks a carbon plate, the shoe incorporates a plastic shank across the midfoot, providing some structural support.
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Impressive energy return.
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Lightweight build.
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Enough protection for longer distances.
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No full-length carbon plate.
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Lateral stability is only okay.
The adidas Adizero Evo SL is a decent choice for shorter races, offering a snappy forefoot and impressive energy return. Its full-length Lightstrike Pro midsole delivers a springy and responsive feel, enhancing propulsion during faster-paced efforts. However, runners seeking maximum explosiveness might find it less dynamic than fully plated competitors.
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Impressive energy return.
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Lightweight build.
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No full-length carbon plate.
The adidas Adizero Evo SL offers impressive energy return for its class, thanks to its premium Lightstrike Pro foam, typically reserved for adidas' highest-tier racing models. This foam delivers a highly responsive and springy sensation, efficiently converting each step into forward propulsion. It's ideal for runners who want efficient and energetic strides, whether for fast interval sessions or simply to inject some dynamism into their daily runs.
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Impressive energy return.
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Bouncier than some super shoes.
Cushioning is a clear strength of the adidas Adizero Evo SL, providing very good protection for extended runs. The well-balanced combination of heel and forefoot cushioning ensures comfort and sustained performance, making it a reliable companion for both shorter sessions and longer workouts, though it's not exceptionally plush.
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Well-balanced cushioning.
The adidas Adizero Evo SL demonstrates adequate lateral stability, though it isn't its strongest suit. Its wide heel base and relatively firm forefoot offer reasonable support. However, the softer heel foam, stabilized only by a partial plastic shank, may limit its suitability for runners who rely significantly on lateral support.
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Unique partial plastic shank across midfoot.
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Wide heel base.
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No full-length carbon plate.
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Foam is notably soft towards the heel.
- 7.3 Marathon Racing
- 7.4 5K/10K Racing
Performance Usages
- 8.4 Energy Return
- 7.9 Cushioning
- 6.5 Lateral Stability
- Updated Apr 02, 2025: Converted to Test Bench 0.8.
- Updated Apr 02, 2025: Review published.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the adidas Adizero Evo SL in men's US size 9, as indicated on the label. The color we tested is Core Black/Cloud White/Core Black. This model is currently available in a couple of additional colorways: Core Black/Iron Metallic/Core Black, Wonder White/Cyber Metallic/Warm Vanilla, Cloud White/Core Black/Cloud White, and Lucid Lemon/Core Black/Matte Silver. Wide versions aren't available for this model. Most of our review results are valid for all variants. The design section applies only to the exact model we tested, but we expect other size and gender variants to perform similarly.
Compared To Other Running Shoes
The adidas Adizero Evo SL is a versatile, lightweight trainer uniquely combining high-performance features and exceptional value. Its midsole provides energy return comparable to elite-level super shoes like the Nike Alphafly 3. In addition, the Evo SL's cushioning is in the realm of max-cushioned daily trainers like the Brooks Glycerin Max, offering good protection despite its lighter and lower-stack build. While it lacks a carbon plate, the Evo SL is still energetic enough to comfortably handle uptempo efforts or even racing.
Within the adidas lineup, it sits neatly between daily trainers like the adidas Supernova Rise and top-tier super shoes such as the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1, making it an ideal choice for runners looking for true versatility.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best running shoes.
The adidas Adizero Boston 12 and the adidas Adizero Evo SL are two versatile options from the German giant, but despite the Boston 12 being named after a major marathon, you're probably better off racing one in the Evo SL. This is thanks to the Evo SL's superior cushioning, lighter build, and more responsive midsole. The Boston, however, remains the better choice if you highly value stability and prefer its full-length ENERGYRODS.
The ASICS NOVABLAST 5 and the adidas Adizero Evo SL both deliver impressive versatility, but each shines in different areas. The NOVABLAST 5 provides deeper, more protective cushioning, making it ideal for long runs and daily training, particularly if you prioritize plush comfort. Meanwhile, the Evo SL is lighter and offers more energetic responsiveness, allowing for snappier workouts and even racing.
The adidas Adizero Evo SL and the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 offer surprisingly similar performance. The Evo SL delivers comparable cushioning and energy return, making it an exceptional value option for those looking for race-ready features and true versatility. However, for peak racing performance, the Adios Pro 3 holds a slight edge thanks to its marginally lighter weight and full-length carbon fiber rods, enhancing efficiency.
The adidas Adizero Evo SL is better overall than the Brooks Hyperion 2, offering more versatility for different kinds of runs. It delivers significantly better energy return, making for a more responsive ride when picking up the pace, and its more cushioned midsole makes it a better fit for longer efforts as well.
Test Results
This model is very lightweight, especially for a trainer. Its minimal weight enhances agility and helps maintain comfort over extended distances, making it suitable for both daily training and competitive racing scenarios.
The shoe's advertised 6 mm drop aligns roughly with our measurements. However, in practice, the shoe feels like it has a higher drop, likely due to the aggressive rocker.
This model features a partial plastic shank across the midfoot to help stabilize the softer Lightstrike Pro foam underfoot.
This shoe returns an impressive amount of energy at the heel, meaning it feels very bouncy and dynamic upon each foot strike. This makes it particularly versatile for a wider range of workouts, from faster-paced work to easier miles when you need that extra pop.
The forefoot energy return is another standout feature of the adidas Adizero Evo SL, showcasing the performance of the premium Lightstrike Pro foam. This midsole material returns substantial energy during toe-offs, making it a dynamic choice for runners who rely on efficiency at faster paces or during intense training intervals.
This shoe provides good cushioning at the heel, absorbing impacts well. Although the foam isn't exceptionally plush at lower pressures, it becomes increasingly effective at higher impact forces, offering sufficient protection and comfort. This makes the Evo SL well-suited for runners seeking a moderately cushioned ride without sacrificing performance.
This model offers great cushioning at the forefoot, absorbing impacts effectively without feeling overly soft. Its consistent cushioning profile ensures comfort while preserving a responsive and lively feel, catering to runners who want protection during faster-paced runs and longer distances alike.
The heel is quite soft overall but still delivers decent stability under lighter impacts. However, at higher forces typically experienced by heavier heel strikers, the heel foam will feel less stable. This makes the shoe more appropriate for runners who appreciate comfort balanced with moderate support rather than outright firmness.
The foam under the forefoot is quite firm, contributing positively to its stability and snappiness. It provides secure footing and efficient transitions, particularly appreciated during higher-speed runs and dynamic intervals. However, as the pressure increases, the shoe will feel softer than other models like the Nike Vaporfly 3.
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