Adidas Evo SL

Summary

In this video, Kofuzi reviews the Adidas Adizero Evo SL, a daily trainer that incorporates racing-grade Lightstrike Pro foam and a 60% rocker geometry, borrowed from the Adios Pro 4. Despite its similarities to high-end race shoes, the Evo SL is designed for everyday use, offering a blend of cushioning and responsiveness. It features a breathable upper and comfortable heel padding, making it ideal for recovery runs and uptempo sessions. Kofuzi compares it to competitors like the Pegasus Plus and New Balance Rebel V4, ultimately recommending it for those seeking a versatile daily trainer with racing foam.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Adidas Adizero Evo SL incorporates the racing-grade Lightstrike Pro foam used in the Adios Pro 3 for a more responsive daily trainer experience.
• 😀 The shoe features a 6.5mm drop with a 38.5mm heel stack and 32mm forefoot stack, offering a good balance between cushion and performance.
• 😀 The Evo SL includes a 60% rocker geometry borrowed from the Adios Pro line, providing a responsive and smooth ride during uptempo running.
• 😀 Continental rubber provides durability and traction in the outsole, with generous coverage in the forefoot and heel for improved grip.
• 😀 The upper of the Evo SL is breathable, minimalistic, and designed for comfort, with more padding around the heel compared to previous Evo models.
• 😀 At 224g (7.9oz), the Evo SL is lightweight for a daily trainer, maintaining a balance between performance and comfort.
• 😀 The shoe performs well in daily training, recovery runs, and uptempo paces, although it can feel unstable during slower, easier runs due to its aggressive geometry.
• 😀 The Evo SL’s upper materials tend to collect sweat, making it less ideal for hot, intense training sessions.
• 😀 The shoe's 60% rocker geometry feels aggressive at slower paces, but at higher speeds, it helps achieve a responsive, efficient stride.
• 😀 The Evo SL is a versatile daily trainer, capable of handling a wide range of workouts and distances, though it lacks the pop of a carbon plate for high-intensity sessions.
• 😀 Priced at $150, the Evo SL offers excellent value compared to competitors like the Nike Pegasus Plus ($180) and New Balance Rebel V4 ($140), offering similar performance at a lower price point.

Q & A

What is the primary feature of the Adidas Adizero Evo SL shoe?

The primary feature of the Adidas Adizero Evo SL shoe is its use of Lightstrike Pro midsole foam, which is the same foam found in Adidas's high-end racing shoes like the Adios Pro 3. This foam provides a high level of compression and decompression, offering great cushioning and responsiveness.

How does the rocker geometry in the Evo SL compare to other Adidas shoes?

The Evo SL features a 60% rocker position, meaning the curve of the shoe starts earlier compared to other models like the Adios Pro 3, where the rocker begins closer to 70%. This early rocker helps with smoother transitions, particularly at higher paces.

What kind of rubber is used in the outsole of the Evo SL, and how does it perform?

The Evo SL uses Continental rubber for its outsole, which provides good durability and traction. While the rubber coverage is wide in the forefoot and includes strips at the heel, it is relatively thin, yet still effective due to the high durability of Continental rubber.

How does the upper design of the Evo SL differ from the Evo 1?

The Evo SL's upper is more traditional compared to the Evo 1, which had a nearly transparent, very lightweight, and see-through design. The Evo SL has a breathable, minimalistic upper that still maintains a clean and sleek look but with more padding and structure, particularly around the heel cup.

What are the weight and cushioning properties of the Evo SL?

The Evo SL weighs 224 grams (7.9 oz) for a men's size 9, making it a relatively light shoe. Despite its light weight, the shoe offers a good level of cushioning, thanks to the Lightstrike Pro midsole, making it suitable for daily training as well as recovery runs.

How does the Evo SL perform at different running paces?

The Evo SL performs well at a range of paces. It is especially responsive at uptempo paces (slower than marathon race pace, up to half marathon or threshold efforts). However, it may feel unstable and less responsive at slower, easier paces due to its aggressive rocker geometry.

What makes the Evo SL a good choice for marathon or half marathon training?

The Evo SL is a great choice for marathon or half marathon training because it offers a balance of cushioning and responsiveness, allowing for long mileage runs and various paces. Its use of Lightstrike Pro foam and the rocker geometry make it a versatile option for different training efforts.

What are the drawbacks of the Evo SL in hot weather or intense workouts?

One drawback of the Evo SL in hot weather or during intense workouts is that the materials in the upper tend to absorb sweat. This can lead to the shoes becoming quite damp, which may be uncomfortable during long, intense sessions in warm conditions.

How does the price of the Evo SL compare to its competitors?

The Adidas Adizero Evo SL is priced at $150, which is considered a good value for a shoe that offers high-end features like Lightstrike Pro foam. Competitors like the Nike Pegasus Plus and New Balance Rebel v4 are priced higher, with the Pegasus Plus retailing for $180 and the Rebel v4 at $140.

How does the Evo SL fit within a broader Adidas running shoe rotation?

The Evo SL fits as a daily trainer within an Adidas running shoe rotation, ideal for everyday runs and recovery days. For racing, the Adios Pro 4 would be the preferred choice, while other models like the Boston 12 and Prime X2 Strong can be added for specific needs like long runs with speed work or extra cushion for longer distances.