adidas Adizero Evo SL vs PUMA Velocity NITRO 4

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

adidas Adizero Evo SL
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4

Tested using Methodology v0.10

Updated Feb 13, 2026 07:14 PM

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Adidas.com

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Jan 22, 2026 08:24 PM

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Amazon.com
  1. Recommended in 3 articles:
  2. Running Shoes
  3. Women
  4. For Men

Our Verdict

adidas Adizero Evo SL

PUMA Velocity NITRO 4

The adidas Adizero Evo SL and PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 are both fun, bouncy trainers, but they land in different parts of a rotation. The PUMA is a classic daily trainer done right, feeling lightweight and lively for everyday miles with a moderate stack that keeps some ground feel and makes the ride feel engaging. The adidas is the more uptempo-leaning option, sitting even lighter on foot with higher energy return and more cushioning for faster, steady runs and workouts, even without a full plate. The PUMA feels more stable and planted, which makes it easier to trust at relaxed paces, while the adidas can feel a bit harsh when you're strictly cruising in recovery mode.

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Variants

  • Adizero Evo SL (Carbon/Lucid Red/Solar Slime - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Evo SL (Cloud White/Core Black/Cloud White - (Men - US 9))
  • Velocity NITRO 4 (Black - (Men - US 9))
  • Velocity NITRO 4 (Black/Dark Amethyst - (Men - US 9))
Read more

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

7.7
6.5

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

30.2 mm
26.1 mm

Plate 
 

Plastic Shank
None

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

8.4
7.8

Heel Energy Return 
 

8.1
7.1

Weight  

7.5
7.1

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

7.5
7.1

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Evo SL Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Evo SL Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

220.0 g (7.76 oz)
232.3 g (8.19 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Evo SL Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

36.9 mm
37.2 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

30.2 mm
26.1 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

6.7 mm
11.1 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

6.0 mm
10.0 mm
Show Text 

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
adidas Adizero Evo SL 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

84 mm (3.3")
85 mm (3.4")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

64 mm (2.5")
65 mm (2.6")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

114 mm (4.5")
103 mm (4.0")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.27
2.28

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.77
3.95

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
adidas Adizero Evo SL 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

276 mm (10.8")
278 mm (10.9")

Internal Heel Width 
 

61 mm (2.4")
62 mm (2.4")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

94 mm (3.7")
90 mm (3.5")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

7.6

Forefoot Width Photo  

adidas Adizero Evo SL Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

-2.2 mm (-0.085")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-6.4 mm (-0.253")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

8.5

Forefoot Height Photo  

adidas Adizero Evo SL Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-2.1 mm (-0.081")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

8.5

Arch Fit Photo  

adidas Adizero Evo SL Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

-2.6 mm (-0.103")

Length Fit 
 

10

Toe Clearance Photo  

adidas Adizero Evo SL Toe Clearance Photo

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Evo SL Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Non-gusseted
Semi-gusseted

Plate 
 

Plastic Shank
None
Show Text 
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

8.1
7.1

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Evo SL Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

81.4%
76.6%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

8.4
7.8

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Evo SL Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

83.3%
79.9%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

8.0
7.2

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Evo SL Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Evo SL Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Heel Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.46 J
3.56 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

10.03 J
8.90 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

17.07 J
14.28 J
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

8.1
6.2

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Evo SL Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Evo SL Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

5.16 J
4.12 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

8.87 J
6.66 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

12.68 J
9.39 J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

5.0
6.3

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Evo SL Heel Firmness
 Preview Graph
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Heel Firmness

Firmness At 550N 
 

47.8 N/mm
51.7 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

98.2 N/mm
130.5 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

234.4 N/mm
319.7 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

8.0
9.0

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Evo SL Forefoot Firmness
 Preview Graph
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Forefoot Firmness

Firmness At 800N 
 

96.4 N/mm
137.6 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

209.8 N/mm
297.8 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

459.6 N/mm
585.1 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

7.6
5.8

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Evo SL Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Preview Graph
PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

8.31 J
6.35 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

8.17 J
6.21 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

8.07 J
6.11 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

7.99 J
6.05 J
Show Text 

adidas Adizero Evo SL

PUMA Velocity NITRO 4

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