The adidas Adizero Evo SL is a very versatile shoe that suits a broad range of runners. While it sits at the same price point as many daily trainers, it offers elite-level features like adidas' premium Lightstrike Pro foam and a very light weight, blurring the line between using it for high-end racing and everyday running. Overall, it delivers great energy return and very good cushioning for a dynamic feel, whether tackling intervals, daily training, or race day itself.
Our Verdict
The adidas Adizero Evo SL is a good 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 a bit of structural support.
Impressive energy return from premium foam.
Lightweight build.
Enough protection for longer distances.
No full-length carbon plate.
Foam is notably soft towards the heel.
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 compared to fully plated competitors.
Impressive energy return from premium foam.
Lightweight build.
No full-length carbon plate.
The adidas Adizero Evo SL offers great energy return, especially for a trainer. This is due to its premium, TPEE-based 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.
Impressive energy return from premium foam.
Bouncier midsole than some super shoes.
Cushioning is a clear strength of the adidas Adizero Evo SL, providing great 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.
Well-balanced cushioning.
The adidas Adizero Evo SL demonstrates decent 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.
Unique partial plastic shank across midfoot.
Wide heel base.
No full-length carbon plate.
Foam is notably soft towards the heel.
Performance Usages
Changelog
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Updated Nov 24, 2025:
We have updated the Popular Running Shoe Comparisons box to include the adidas Adizero Prime X3 STRUNG in the lineup overview.
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Updated Oct 23, 2025:
We updated the review to include text for the Forefoot Long Run Cushioning test, which was recently added to our test bench.
- Updated Oct 23, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.9, which adds a Forefoot Long Run Cushioning test to our performance section. Read more in our changelog.
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Updated Oct 01, 2025:
We updated the Pros and Cons, Energy Return, Cushioning, Heel Energy Return, Heel Cushioning, Heel Firmness, and Forefoot Firmness boxes to align with the latest test bench, refreshed the Popular Running Shoe Comparisons section, and revised the side-by-side comparisons to keep the review accurate.
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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 shown here 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 are not available for this model.
Popular Running Shoe Comparisons
The adidas Adizero Evo SL is a versatile, lightweight trainer that uniquely combines high-performance features and exceptional value. It provides energy return comparable to elite-level super shoes like the Nike Alphafly 3. In addition, the Evo SL's midsole absorbs energy more than some higher-stacked daily trainers like the Brooks Glycerin Max, meaning the midsole compound is really good at dampening road impacts. While it lacks a carbon plate, the Evo SL is still energetic enough to comfortably handle uptempo efforts or even racing. If you're looking for a super trainer from Adidas that can handle fast paces with a snappy feel, thanks to its ENERGYRODS, and also delivers more stability, the adidas Adizero Boston 13 is a solid choice. Runners should note that for slower-paced runs, it can feel quite harsh, and a softer, less reactive option like the HOKA Clifton 10 can be more adapted.
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 2, making it an ideal choice for runners seeking true versatility. There's also the adidas Adizero Prime X3 STRUNG, which is a favorite for steady-paced long runs.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best running shoes.
The adidas Adizero Boston 13 and adidas Adizero Evo SL may sit side by side in the Adizero lineup, but they occupy very different spaces. The Evo SL is an uptempo trainer that's unplated (apart from a partial plastic shank), making it a playful option for steady miles. Its midsole is full Lightstrike Pro, giving it a soft, cushioned, and energetic feel underfoot—perfect for runners who want a forgiving, bouncy ride that's smooth and fun. In contrast, the Boston 13 is a super trainer that brings a firmer, more controlled experience to the table. Its dual-density midsole combines Lightstrike Pro with a stabilizing Lightstrike carrier foam. The full-length ENERGYRODS on the Boston add noticeable stiffness and snap, giving it the kind of firm, quick turnover that suits structured speed sessions or marathon-pace efforts for runners who like a classic responsive feel that's also very stable.
The ASICS NOVABLAST 5 and the adidas Adizero Evo SL both deliver impressive versatility, but each shines in different areas. They both offer 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 NOVABLAST 5 still has some bounce, but its overall design and geometry mean it's more geared towards easier runs.
The adidas Adizero Evo SL and ASICS MEGABLAST are both innovative trainers that blur traditional shoe categories, positioned as versatile, unplated shoes optimized for uptempo work. The Evo SL is lighter, narrower, and shaped with a more agile geometry, aided by a partial plastic shank that stiffens the midsole. Its foam composition feels a bit more energetic and snappy, making it appealing for runners who like a quicker, sharper response, though it comes across harsher at easier paces. The MEGABLAST leans more into cushioning and softness, offering a more forgiving ride with deeper protection. Where the Evo SL shines in speed and agility, the MEGABLAST prioritizes bounce and comfort, giving each a distinct personality for different training preferences.
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.
We've recently started buying and testing running shoes with a very data-oriented approach. While we're just getting started, our methodology already has dozens of tests to help you make the right purchasing decision for your needs. Not only do we use high-end equipment to gather objective data, but we also order multiple sizes of the same shoes for team members to be able to log in miles. This real-world testing is done at various paces and conditions, and with different types of workouts, to cover all the bases. This allows us to verify our results and ensure they align with what you might feel with a specific pair.
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 has an advertised 6 mm drop, which aligns roughly with our measurements. However, in practice, the shoe feels like it has a higher drop, likely due to the aggressive rocker, as pointed out by YouTuber kofuzi.
This model features a partial Plastic shank accross the midfoot to help stabilize the soft Lightstrike Pro foam underfoot.
This shoe returns a great amount of energy at the heel, meaning it feels 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 to help you transition rapidly towards your toes.
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 responsiveness at faster paces or during intense training intervals.
This shoe provides great cushioning at the heel, absorbing impacts very 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 adidas Adizero 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. This means that for most runners, regardless of pace and strike pattern, the heel foam doesn't feel very stable. This makes the shoe more appropriate for runners who appreciate comfort and plushness with moderate support rather than outright firmness in the heel.
The forefoot foam feels firm, which boosts stability and snappiness. It also provides a planted feel and smooth, efficient transitions, especially at faster paces and during intervals. Lighter or slower runners may still notice some softness because they load it less each step, but most will find it a bit harsh for easy recovery runs. That said, it isn't super stiff either, and at very high forces, it'll feel softer than other models like the Nike Vaporfly 4.
The adidas Adizero Evo SL maintains steady cushioning throughout long efforts. Its forefoot shows only a mild, gradual decline in energy absorption over the course of a simulated 50 km run, meaning protection remains consistent even deep into a session. While it doesn't deliver the plushest underfoot feel, the foam resists bottoming out and continues to absorb impact effectively. Runners can expect reliable forefoot comfort and stable protection over extended distances.