Adizero EVO SL 1 vs Endorphin Speed 4

The Adizero EVO SL is adidas taking its marathon race foam, stripping out the plate, and giving you a lightweight speed trainer you can actually run every day. At 224g it feels closer to a racer than a daily shoe, and that is the whole point. This is a running shoe for the runner who wants one pair for tempo sessions, strides, parkrun and the odd long run, without the rigid, all-or-nothing feel of a carbon racing shoe. You get lively, propulsive cushioning and a low 6mm drop that keeps you up on your forefoot. At an RRP of £150 it undercuts most super-trainers and plated tempo shoes, which is a big part of why it has been so popular. In our view it is one of the most versatile shoes adidas has made in years. If you want the plated race-day version, the Adizero Adios Pro 4 is the sibling to look at.

The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 is the do-everything plated trainer, and one of the most complete running shoes in its class. At 233g with an 8mm drop it sits in the sweet spot between a cushioned daily trainer and a stripped-back race shoe, so one pair covers your tempo days, your long runs and the odd parkrun. The plate gives you a gentle nudge through toe-off without the aggressive, all-or-nothing feel of a full carbon racer, which is exactly why so many runners keep coming back to it. We rate it as the shoe to reach for when you want speed without committing to a dedicated marathon shoe. It is not the cheapest tempo option at RRP, and the plusher Endorphin Speed 5 has since taken over the line, but the Speed 4 remains a brilliant buy when it drops in price. If you want the plate but not the price, this is the one to watch.