Adidas Adidas Adizero Evo SL Review

1. I have harsh mechanics
2. I am a neutral runner 
3. I have a standard to narrow, accommodating foot shape
4. My left foot turns out slightly (slight toe out), which leads to an awkward flow of my left heel and tends to rub the ground when my mechanics get tired.  This leads to outsoles dying quickly in combination with my harsh overall mechanics. 
5. I am a pro level sweat machine.  This is one of the reasons I have a good rotation of shoes, I like to let them air out. 
6. I started running at an older age, no proper training and my steady pace is in the mid 9 minute per mile range.

The shoe was originally introduced to influences at the Berlin marathon in 2024 to pump up the excitement of the shoe, which seemed to work.  Adidas followed by a Lottery release on their Adidas app in a very limited quantity.  They then did some limited releases at the end of November and to some limited store fronts globally during December.  Latest I have seen is that they are doing full release in March (subject to change).  I was lucky enough to get a limited release from Running Warehouse.  

I normally don't pay full price for shoes, but I had a hunch this shoe could work as a non-plated Marathon shoe for me, so stayed up late on a Saturday night refreshing Running Warehouse to see if they would be available............and they were. 

The good news is the shoe is priced at $150.00 for a shoe that has a large stack of premium foam and is very light.  This is a very good price in today's shoe market.  

I hope this is not a new wave of marketing and process of shoe release by shoe companies, but in this case it does seemed to have worked to this point.  I do think they are gambling a bit that the shoe will lose momentum by the time the full release is done, because then it will be in a wave of other new shoe releases. 

The upper is made of an engineered mesh.  Has a very nice heal collar, limited but effective padding and a style that looks very nice to me.  

The positives: The upper is breathable and stylish looking.  I got good lock down and plenty of room for the toes to wiggle and move without feeling to loose.  
The Negatives: The lacing structure and upper can bunch a bit if you need to tighten it up.   The laces are bla.  Nothing inherently wrong with them, but for a shoe with this foam in it..............I expect better.  The tongue is not gusseted. 
*this the only thing keeping this shoe from a 5 star for me

Notes: When I received the shoes, the lacing set up had the third loop being the furthest up to go through the lace loop connected to the tongue.  In my first run, the whole tongue slipped down and bunched up at the base of my toes.  I stopped the run, re-laced them to have the 4th loop be the top loop going through the lace loop and this solved that issue.  Not sure if all shoes come this way or not, but a note that you may need to adjust this to help with tongue movement since it is not gusseted. 

This is my first shoe with continental rubber, the SL's and SL 2's I have run in have the in house rubber brand.  I have heard good things about the continental outsole and was pleased to find it lived up to expectations. 

Surfaces I ran on: Pavement, loose gravel, dry pavement, wet pavement, wet pavement with wet leaves on it, track and some dry dirt.  The shoes performed great on all surfaces. 

The durability has been good so far.  I was concerned since it is more of a "flat" with ridges design, but to this point the only wear I am seeing is the "painted" exposed foam on the bottom.  The rubber has held up well.  For note, I had the majority of the left outside rubber on my altras worn off at 85 miles...

This is absolutely the star of this shoe.  For me and my mechanics, the rocker and foam are brilliant.  I had no issues picking up and most importantly, maintaining,  a nice tempo in these shoes.  My longest run was for 21 miles and I actually set a 30K PB for myself, which wasn't a target goal for me on the run. 

Based on my purpose for buying the shoe as noted in the beginning of this review, this shoe is now my frontrunner to use at the Houston Marathon coming up on the 19th of January, 2025.  

-I fully recommend this shoe for up tempo runs, long runs, fartleks, progression runs and race day for anyone who may not get along with plated shoes like me. 
-I would caution against using this shoe for easy/slow runs.  The rocker and foam inspire an up tempo pace.  Not saying it can't do a slower pace, but some people may struggle with that.  In my experience, this shoe wants to go. 
-I have seen people say these are potentially lifestyle shoes.  I'm not sure I see this.  The shoes aren't uncomfortable to walk in, but with the rocker and material of the upper I am not sure I see these as lifestyle/walking shoes.  That may just be a personal preference though.