Article by Nils Scharff
adidas Adizero EVO SL ($150/150€)
Introduction
The time has finally come: the Adizero EVO SL has arrived! I've been waiting a long time for this shoe, which adidas announced at the Berlin Marathon in September. It could also be that I have annoyed my dear contacts at Herzogenaurach more than once about this - sorry! But the Adizero EVO SL is just such an exciting shoe. adidas themselves have fueled the hype even further with the early announcement, coupled with extremely limited, small releases. Extended availability is not expected until March. It remains to be seen whether they are doing themselves a favor. On the one hand, the EVO SL is being talked about everywhere - on the other hand, the voices are not always positive, especially regarding the release strategy.
But back to the shoe itself: It is being touted as the supposed little brother of the Adizero Pro Evo 1, which set the women's marathon world record just over a year ago and made headlines: Extremely light, extremely fast but also extremely expensive. Fortunately, the Evo SL does not share the high price tag with its big brother, but it does share the successful design. The classic three stripes not only look stylish, but also convey speed. In addition, the geometry of the midsole is based on that of the Evo 1. The forefoot rocker sits at 60%, i.e. in exactly the same place as the 500-euro competition shoe. In the course of this test, I will find out what this means for propulsion and running feel in the EVO SL.
Pro & Cons
Pros
- Midsole: The full-length Lightstrike Pro midsole offers excellent cushioning and energy return.
- Rocker geometry: The rocker, which is set at 60%, supports efficient forefoot running and ensures a comfortable ride at higher speeds.
- Versatility: The shoe is suitable for both slow recovery runs and faster tempo runs.
- Design: The classic white and black design with the three adidas stripes not only looks stylish, but also conveys speed.
- Heel counter: The well-cushioned and stable heel counter offers comfort and security.
Cons:
- Upper: The thin mesh upper does not provide enough support, especially at higher speeds or on uneven terrain.
- Fit: For runners with narrow feet, the shoe may offer too much room, resulting in a loss of efficiency.
- Off-road limitations: The shoe is not ideal for tight corners, gravel, light trails or cobblestones.
Stats
Weight: Official: 224g (men's US9) Test shoe: 238g (men's EU 44 / US 10) Drop: 6.5 mm (38.5 mm heel / 32 mm forefoot) Release: Available on adidas.com and in the adidas app - Price 150€ Link to all RTR reviews: HERE
First impressions, fit and upper
At first glance, the Adizero Evo SL is one thing above all: stylish. The design language in classic white and black with the three large black adidas stripes is very successful and looks fast. With its classic look, it is not only a promising training shoe for daily training, but potentially also a lifestyle shoe that will certainly find many fans outside the running community. adidas contributes to this by showing everyday situations in the marketing shots, such as walking the dog or carrying shopping bags home.
The upper material is a rather simple, thin mesh material, with which adidas takes the price of the Evo SL into account. For just €150, you get a lightweight performance shoe with a very energetic midsole made from Lightstrike Pro. As this midsole materiaL is supposedly expensive, the upper material is correspondingly economical.
First of all, unlike all other adidas shoes, I tested the EVO SL in my regular running shoe size US 10.5 - half a size larger than my regular size. In terms of length, however, the EVO SL fits perfectly in this size. However, the shoe offers too much air for my feet, especially in the area above the midfoot and over the instep. There is also too much space above the toes, so that they almost float. The lacing can only be adjusted well at the instep.
Over the forefoot, however, there is not much that can be done with the help of the lacing, which means that the excessive volume cannot be compensated for. As a result, the shoe unfortunately doesn't feel very secure on the foot on uneven terrain or cobblestones. In my opinion, this is not due to the fact that the EVO SL is half a shoe size larger than my other adidas shoes. Rather, I think the upper material is too bulky - regardless of which size you wear the shoe in.
Another cost-saving measure is the tongue, which is very thin and competition-like and not stitched to the rest of the upper. As a result, it slips back and forth, and after every run I've had it somewhere on the side of my foot instead of where it belongs - on the instep to protect from the laces.
On the subject of shoelaces - you'll find this request in almost every one of my Adidas reviews. Please, please adidas - say goodbye to the cheap-looking shoelaces you've been using for what feels like 20 years. There are so many better alternatives on the market, especially in the performance sector. Take a look at what other brands like ASICS or Nike are doing in this regard. It won't be rocket science to source from the same supplier.
The heel counter, on the other hand, is nicely padded, which is just right for a speed trainer. There's not too much or too little padding, it's comfortable and my heel doesn't slip. A rather stiff, internal heel counter provides a certain amount of stability. The so-called heel sling, which has found its way into other Adizero models and always caused me irritation in the Achilles tendon area, has disappeared here. I can only approve of this, because the classic heel construction holds the heel securely without causing problems.
Midsole
The midsole of the Adizero Evo SL is without question the highlight of the shoe. It consists of a continuous mass of Lightstrike Pro, the cushioning material that adidas also uses in its competition shoes. It is presumably a TPU foam, although adidas remains silent on this even years after the material was introduced. During an interview that I was able to conduct with Simon Lockett, who was responsible for the project, it was specified that it is the same Lightstrike Pro formula that is also used in the tried and tested Adios Pro 3, the Adios Pro 4 having a slightly different formulation of the same.
What makes the Evo SL special is that in all other adidas models this Lightstrike Pro foam has been combined with either a firmer foam or stiffening carbon or plastic elements. This is not the case here for the first time, which could lead to a more energetic, but perhaps also more unpredictable running experience. I'm very curious to see how this will play out during my test runs.
In conversation with Simon, however, it also became clear that the Adizero EVO SL is not entirely without reinforcement. There was talk of a small "dog bone" that would serve to stiffen the shoe against torsional moments. In search of this plastic element, I removed the slightly glued-in insole of my test pair. This revealed a dark-colored element in the midfoot area that didn't remind me of a bone at all and was also larger than it sounded in the descriptions.
The midsole has a high stack height: 32 mm in the forefoot and 38.5 mm in the heel, resulting in a drop of 6.5 mm .
Außensohle
The three-part midsole has two different rubber compounds. While the large rubber application under the forefoot features the Continental logo, the product page speaks of CL rubber for the two rubber strips under the heel. The latter is somewhat firmer in the comparative thumb test and serves primarily to stabilize and protect the midsole foam. The Continental rubber under the forefoot is mainly responsible for traction. Exciting! adidas specifies the rubber compound even further (for the first time?) - it is "Conti Winter", which suggests good traction in cold and wet conditions.
Unfortunately, I have to partially disagree with this. The rubber compound performs well on asphalt even in the wet, but as soon as it gets even slightly uneven, there are wet leaves on the road or similar, you can no longer speak of skid resistance. This is probably more due to the lack of tread than the properties of the rubber. The integrated, pill-shaped cut-outs are simply not enough to bite into the ground. adidas does this better in other models and this aspect definitely offers potential for improvement.
In terms of durability, however, everything is the same at adidas. After a good 60 kilometers of testing, even the micro-profile on the sole rubber is still visible. And apart from the unavoidable discoloration, there is hardly any wear to be seen on the exposed Lightstrike Pro foam.
Running feel
So how does the Evo SL perform? I have to say, I see a lot of light here, but unfortunately also shadows. On the one hand, as already suspected, the midsole is really great. The rocker, which is set at 60%, works very well for me in combination with the energetic Lightstrike Pro foam.
The shoe doesn't get in the way at slow speeds, such as recovery runs or daily kilometers. On the contrary, it runs smoothly, just as you would expect from a daily trainer. However, it clearly shows its strengths when a little more speed comes into play. At paces approx. 25 seconds slower than my marathon pace up to half marathon pace, it feels really comfortable and is a real pleasure to run in (4:15 - 3:40 min / km). The Lightstrike Pro midsole can then play to its energetic strengths and I have the feeling that the rocker explicitly guides me onto the forefoot. Exactly how I want it on these tempo runs.
Unfortunately, what limits the shoe is, as already announced, the upper. Especially at higher speeds, the best thing to do in this shoe is to run straight ahead. Tight corners or more demanding terrain such as gravel, light trails or cobblestones are not for EVO SL. I float in the upper material, the foot moves from right to left and I lose efficiency as a result. This may not be a problem for runners with a wide foot, but for me with my rather narrow instep, this shoe is something you have to be careful with.
Summary and recommendations
The Adizero Evo SL is an impressive running shoe that impresses above all with its innovative Lightstrike Pro midsole. It offers excellent cushioning and energy return, making the shoe a real pleasure to run in, especially at faster paces. The rocker geometry supports an efficient forefoot strike and ensures a pleasant running sensation.
The design of the Evo SL is classic and appealing, making it not only a high-performance training shoe, but also a stylish lifestyle shoe. The well-padded heel counter offers additional comfort and stability.
However, the shoe also has its weaknesses. The thin mesh upper does not offer enough support and the tongue, which is not stitched, slips back and forth. Runners with narrow feet may have problems with the fit, as the shoe offers too much room to move.
Overall, the Adizero Evo SL is a versatile shoe that is suitable for both slow recovery runs and fast tempo runs. For runners who are looking for a lightweight and energetic shoe, tend to run over the midfoot and forefoot and are comfortable with the fit, it is a clear recommendation. Especially as the price of €150 is more than fair for the performance on offer.
Personally, I will continue to run in the adidas Adizero EVO SL: The midsole is just so much fun that I can overlook the shortcomings in the upper.
Score: 9.10/10
Ride: 10 (50%) Fit: 7 (30%) Value: 10 (15%) Style: 10 (5%)
6 Comparisons
adidas Adizero SL2 (RTR Review)
The SL2 is the entry into the Adizero world, with a 10mm drop and slightly less stack height. In the SL2, a layer of Lightstrike Pro is encased in firmer Lighstrike material, providing stability but also a little less energy underfoot. The very classic upper material is better padded than the EVO SL, but caused me a little friction at one point or another. Both are great shoes and both offer great value for money. With the EVO SL you get the very smooth 60% rocker, the even more energetic midsole made of 100% Lighstrike Pro, Continental rubber and a lower weight for 20€ more. In addition to the lower price, the SL 2 offers a better fit and a more secure hold in the shoe. Adizero EVO SL EUR 44 ⅔ ; SL 2 EUR 44.
adidas Adizero Boston 12 (RTR Review)
With the current Boston, adidas has a very versatile shoe in its range which, like the EVO SL, has a relatively high stack height and a pronounced rocker. Thanks to the Energyrods incorporated into the two-layer midsole, the Boston has a little more snap at high top speeds. The upper material also fits me better and it is more secure. The EVO SL, on the other hand, is lighter, more agile and easier to run - it is more fun, even if, objectively speaking, it doesn't have as much going for it in this comparison apart from its lower weight. Adizero EVO SL EUR 44 ⅔ ; Boston EUR 44.
adidas Adizero Adios 8 (RTR Review)
The Adios is the fast training shoe from the brand with the three stripes. In contrast to the EVO SL, it comes with a clearly noticeable plastic midfoot reinforcement, which provides more stiffness and snap underfoot. Thanks to these factors, the Adios is ahead for me in terms of performance at high speeds (10k pace and faster). However, the EVO SL is not far behind in such sessions and makes up for this with more comfort, a smooth rocker and deeper cushioning. This makes it the better choice for everything except fast interval sessions and also the more versatile shoe. Adizero EVO SL EUR 44 ⅔ ; Boston EUR 44.
Topo Athletic Specter 2 (RTR Review)
Just like the EVO SL, the Specter 2 comes without any plate or similar, and - just like the EVO SL - can also impress with its energetic midsole. In this case, it consists of PEBAX. You have to like the anatomical fit of the Topo, but despite the wide toe box, it offers significantly better support around the midfoot than the EVO SL. The midsole material is a rather firm PEBA mix, but it is just as energetic as that of the EVO. The difference for me lies mainly in the geometry - while the 60% rocker of the EVO SL supports forefoot and midfoot running and therefore feels wonderfully smooth to me, the Specter 2 (unfortunately) has a little overweight towards the heel and therefore works somewhat against my running style. Therefore, my recommendation would be: Specter 2 for heel runners, EVO SL for forefoot runners. However, both are great shoes that can cover a very broad training spectrum. Adizero EVO SL EUR 44 ⅔ ; Specter 2 EUR 44.5.
ASICS Novablast 4 (RTR Review)
The Novablast has a higher stack height, a later but steeper forefoot rocker and more bounce. Like the EVO SL, it is light, agile and dynamic, but offers a little more comfort at lower speeds. I also find the upper material more comfortable. The EVO, on the other hand, is lighter, the forefoot rocker picks me up earlier in the rolling process and even though the midsole is not as bouncy, it is still very energetic and efficient. For faster stuff, the EVO is the better and smoother shoe, while the NB4 is more of an everyday daily trainer. Adizero EVO SL EUR 44 ⅔ ; Novablast EUR 44.5.
Nike Zoom Fly 6 (RTR Review)
The Nike equivalent of the EVO SL (or rather the Boston?). It has a two-part midsole made of EVA and ZoomX, paired with a carbon fiber plate. This means that everything is in place for performance and the Zoom Fly does indeed cut a fine figure on faster runs. Surprisingly, however, it is also comfortable to run at a moderate pace and thus forms a very similar range to the EVO SL. The adidas is of course more flexible without the plate, it is also lighter and the earlier rocker makes it a little easier to get rolling. The Zoom Fly, on the other hand, is clearly a training partner for the Alphafly with a steep rocker and lots of bounce. Its outsole is much more pronounced and has the bite that I miss in the EVO. The upper material also has more substance and correspondingly better hold - which is ultimately reflected in the weight of the two shoes. The lighter EVO is more agile, but once you've reached a certain pace in the Zoom Fly, you can maintain it just as comfortably. For me, the Zoom Fly is the more well-rounded package, but the EVO SL is not far behind.
Link to all RTR Reviews: HERE
Tester: Nils Scharff
I am 34 years young, born in Kassel, married to a wonderful wife and have been running around Heilbronn and its surrounding vineyards for 7 years now. I have practiced all kinds of sports all my life, often 5-7 times a week. In addition to running, I have been climbing and bouldering for a few years now. I have only considered myself a runner for three years. It all started with a company run that I didn't want to start completely unprepared for. From that point on, I just didn't stop. In 2017, I "only" ran just under 1000 kilometers, in 2018 I doubled that, and in 2019 I tripled it. The most important thing for me during all these kilometers, whether on the trail or on the road, is to switch off and exercise in nature. You will rarely find me on the treadmill or with headphones on. I've now run eight marathons, and I recently set my PB of 2:46:47h in Berlin. In competitions, I generally run all distances from 5km (17:29min), 10km (35:43min) and half marathons (1:17:29h).
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4 comments:
How does this compare to New Balance Rebel 4...seems like perfect competitor?
Den bin ich leider selbst nie gelaufen. Aber erfahrungsgemäß würde ich sagen, dass vor allem die Mittelsohle des EVO besser für lange Läufe geeignet ist.
Yep, the tongue is terrible. Slides down. I had to put another crossing of laces in the tongue loop to hold it in place better.
The price is reasonable but will provide a good miles to dollars return? Outsole durability is a concern. It's only 1.6mm thick and the hardness is 57 HA. I would expect a daily trainer to have a better outsole.
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