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Adizero EVO SL 1
5.0 (1 review)Today's tracked prices
- 01Direct RunningDEALLIVE£77.08£150.00−49%
- 02Run ActiveLIVE£91.00£150.00−39%
- 03365RiderLIVE£105.00£150.00−30%
- 04Foot LockerLIVE£129.99£150.00−13%
- 05AdidasLIVE£130.00£150.00−13%
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Price history
Our verdict
Few running shoes of the last couple of years got talked about as much as the EVO SL, and the reason is simple. adidas took the Lightstrike Pro foam from its race shoes, left out the carbon rods, and sold it at a daily-trainer price. At 224g with a 39mm heel, it's a light, bouncy tempo shoe that reviewers keep calling a bargain.
It shines when you pick up the pace. Tempo runs, intervals and goal-pace work are its home, and plenty of runners race half marathons in it. It's less happy at a slow shuffle, and it isn't a stable shoe, so it won't suit everyone as a do-everything trainer.
If you want a plate for race day, the Adios Pro 5 is the step up. As an unplated speed trainer, though, this is the one others in the category get measured against, and the few flaws people mention (laces, tongue, some early outsole wear) are small ones.
Key features
- Full-length Lightstrike Pro midsoleGives you adidas' race-shoe foam in a training shoe, so faster sessions feel bouncy without paying racer prices.
- No carbon plateKeeps the ride flexible and forgiving, so you can do long tempo work without the harsh, locked-in feel of a plated racer.
- Forefoot rockerHelps you roll through to toe-off quickly, which is why it feels most alive at tempo pace and above.
- Continental rubber outsoleGrips well on wet UK roads, although reviewers disagree on how quickly the thin rubber wears.
- 224g weightMakes it light enough for interval sessions and race day, while still carrying enough foam for longer runs.
Who it suits
Who should buy it
- Runners who want one quick trainer for tempo, intervals and parkrun without buying a plated shoe
- Half marathon racers who prefer a flexible, unplated ride on race day
- Budget-conscious runners after premium foam without paying racing-shoe prices
- Neutral runners with reasonably efficient form who like a light, lively shoe
Who should not buy it
- You overpronate or need support, as the narrow heel and soft foam offer very little
- Most of your running is slow and easy, where reviewers found the ride flat
- You want a carbon-plated shoe for marathon race day, where a dedicated racer will be faster
- You have wide feet or long toes, since the toe box tapers towards the front
Best uses
Extra information
Fit & sizing
Most reviewers call it true to size. One review's two testers split on it: one was fine in their usual size, the other went up half a size. So if you sit between sizes, the half-size up is the safer bet.
The fit is roomier than adidas' racers. RunRepeat measured a forefoot wider than many daily trainers, then a toe box that tapers towards the front, so runners with wide feet or long big toes may still feel the squeeze up front. The heel is fairly narrow, and one reviewer found the lockdown secure. If the taper bothers you, the Boston 13 is the obvious in-house alternative to try on, though reviewers found the EVO SL the more padded and comfortable of the two.
Performance breakdown
Ride & feel
Reviewers describe a springy, quick ride with a sharp forefoot rocker that rolls you onto your toes. It feels best from steady pace upwards. Fordy Runs found it flat and less enjoyable at slow easy paces, and livelier once the speed came up. Another review reported the foam feeling better after the first few runs. There's no plate, so the toe-off is snappy rather than stiff and propulsive, which makes it an easier shoe to run in for long stretches than a full racer.
Cushioning
The whole midsole is Lightstrike Pro, and with 39mm under the heel and 33mm under the forefoot there's plenty of foam for a shoe this light. Reviewers find it soft enough for the easy parts of a progression run and responsive enough to finish fast. It's not a plush, sink-in shoe, though. If you want maximum softness for slow long runs, a max-cushion trainer will look after your legs better.
Stability
This is a neutral shoe, and reviewers are clear that it's not a stable one. The heel is narrow and the foam is lively, so on long easy runs, when your form gets sloppy, it can feel a bit unsettled. One review points to a plastic shank in the midfoot, which gives it some torsional stiffness, but that's not the same as support. Overpronators and heavy heel strikers should look elsewhere.
Upper & comfort
The mesh upper is thin, light and breathable, with more padding around the ankle than the Boston 13. The weak points are small but they come up in almost every review. The laces are thin and fiddly, and the tongue is short and not gusseted, so it can slide about. Lab testing also rated the toe box fabric poorly for durability. None of these ruin the shoe, but spend a minute getting the lacing right before a session.
Reviews (1)
Great Daily Shoes
The Adidas Adizero Evo SL is just an easy, fun shoe to run in light, comfy, and with a nice bit of bounce. It’s great for everyday miles and can still pick up the pace if you want, without feeling too serious.
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FAQ
Specifications
| Category | Tempo |
| Surface | Road |
| Drop | 6mm |
| Heel Stack | 39mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 33mm |
| Weight | 224g |
| Carbon Plated | No |
| Stability | No |
