Training through spring in Portland, Oregon, usually requires searching for motivation. The weather is fickle, from rain that seems to last for days on end to an unexpected scorcher that quickly burns your fragile, sun-deprived skin. Despite the ups and downs, I try to run more days than not—both because I enjoy it and, for the first time in a while, because I have some races on my calendar. Day after day, I've laced up and joined other determined runners in rain, wind and occasional sun. And, living in the PDX area—home to adidas' U.S. headquarters—it's hard to go out, look down and not see a pair of adidas on the feet of a fellow pedestrian.
For a while, I felt like the outlier as pair after pair flew by me. So, when the opportunity came, I was excited to take the adidas Adizero SL (SL stands for Super Light), a lightweight daily trainer, for a spin. The legacy German activewear brand describes it as designed for "achieving your goals." It's part of the Adizero line of high-performance running shoes, but unlike the other shoes in the line, doesn't contain the adidas proprietary carbon rods (the brand's answer to the increasingly present carbon plate Nike introduced to the mainstream in 2017, which gives racing flats above-average pop and energy return). Before the mid-2010s, most shoes didn't include carbon fibers and for a while, minimalism was the game.
These days, plush, high-stack, carbon-plated midsoles are popular and almost essential for performance in long-distance road-racing shoes. While running-shoe technology advancements pique my interest (I love a fast, poppy racing flat), I wondered if this more pared-down shoe—a relatively high-stack daily trainer without the pep of a plate—could fill a gap in my rotation. I had a few goals in mind as I prepared to lace up for several distances this summer, ranging from 5K up to a half marathon.
| Runner | Kamilah Journét |
| Years running | 17 |
| Average miles-per-week | 20-30—dependent on what's on the calendar |
| Preferred race distance | 5K—but have been known to jump up or down |
Preferred terrain | Roads—though you'll often find me exploring the trails |
Finding My Tempo
Whenever I try a new running shoe, I like to push the pace a little. Product testing, after all, is about seeing what that product can do. I wondered if the Adizero SL could be an option for a half-marathon race this September. I laced up and proceeded on my usual 5-mile route. Immediately, I noticed the SL was indeed super light! I almost forgot it was there as I hopped up and down sidewalk curbs in an effort to avoid bikers and meandering dogs. The shoe comes in at 7.4 ounces for a women's size 7, and I was pleasantly surprised that it maintained a light profile while also offering a hearty midsole. The adidas signature Lightstrike EVA midsole feels supportive and stable without adding unnecessary weight. This detail allowed me to feel light on my feet as I found the strength in my legs and my cadence increased. Secondly, I noticed the shoe was missing something I'd become accustomed to: the responsiveness of a plush cushion. On this day, firmness didn't hamper my experience: The shoe felt fast and snippy as I sped up and found my stride. If I arrived at the start line of a future long-distance race feeling confident and my legs fresh, the Adizero SL could definitely be an option for chasing a PR.
Fit and Feel
When it comes to fit, the perfect shoe for me is one I don't have to think about once I get moving. Like many of the Adizero shoes, this model runs a bit narrow—a common feature of racing shoes. Personally, it felt nice to have the shoe secured around my foot, with no room to slide around as my cadence ramped up. This close fit, combined with a cushioned tongue, provided me with a confidence-boosting lockdown. Runners with wide feet may want to think about roomier trainers, especially for long runs and races—the HOKA Mach 5, which I reviewed here, is a great alternative. And if you're loyal to adidas, the Ultraboost Light, reviewed by Alan Ortega, is worth considering for a roomier fit. There were definitely moments in the Adizero SL where I felt like something was missing. Occasionally, I searched for the feeling when my downstep was met with a plush cushion or the excitement of a carbon plate propelling me forward. As a daily trainer, I look for something I feel like I could run in for miles even if I only have 20 minutes in my schedule. I seek plush responsiveness to support and energize my legs when my body needs an extra nudge. But the Adizero SL simply isn't that type of shoe. It offers a ride that errs on the firmer side, and one with just enough cushion to keep you moving and grooving as you click off your miles—which, for most of my runs, was just fine.
| Finding Focus: One Tester's Thoughts |
Kalim Armstrong, a casual marathoner who recently ran the RBC Brooklyn Half, also took the Adizero SL out for various runs. Over two months, he logged 70 miles in the shoe while navigating Brooklyn sidewalks, clicking off long runs in Prospect Park and exploring paved roads in the Catskills. To his surprise, he found the shoe had "very little character," but not necessarily in a bad way. He explains, "After a few miles, the shoe disappears, requiring very little thought given how the shoe feels, allowing for the focus to be on pace, strike and wherever else your mind likes to wander. It was fast when I pushed and very non-imposing at slower paces." While the shoe held up well despite varying paces, Armstrong did share some misgivings. "It doesn't feel like a fast shoe and doesn't have that quality that propels you forward through time and space. It wasn't inspiring, but I kept going back to it for its predictable feel." |
Pep in My Step?
One Sunday morning, I found myself dragging a bit. My husband suggested I combine my run with our breakfast plans, and jog the couple miles to the bakery and back. As someone who is motivated by carbs, I obliged. I laced up, and out the door I went, but my legs felt heavy. After a week of loading on the miles, and a lot of squats and lunges in my hybrid yoga and strength training class, I was not only mentally but physically sluggish. Naturally, I longed for a bit of pop in my stride and I imagined it would come from my new kicks. I was wrong. The shoe that had done me right on so many of my bread-and-butter miles simply didn't have it on an off day. I felt flat, bogged down, and unmotivated—even knowing a warm croissant awaited me.
I worried that if this was my race-day shoe, it wouldn't support me the way I've come to expect in the age of ultra-cushioned, responsive racing flats. As a runner fortunate to have multiple shoe options, I have definitely come to expect the extra pep in my step that a combination of carbon and cushion provides. But with the Adizero SL, the pep just wasn't present.
Final Verdict
Overall, the shoe is well-built, forms well to the foot and can handle a range of days, from easy neighborhood miles to longer efforts. When my legs were ready to hit the pavement, the shoe disappeared, allowing me to focus on my training. But on days when I was fatigued, I longed for something with a bit more support and cushion. That said, for someone who's looking for a competent do-it-all shoe, the adidas Adizero SL checks enough boxes to get you through a training plan, and could even be a pick for when you take to the start line, depending on your racing style and preferences. In the Adizero SL, you'll find a comfortable fit and a lightweight option built to keep your focus on those major running goals. And at the end of the day, it's those milestones that get us to lace up in the first place.
Honorable Mention
adidas Adizero SL Road-Running Shoes
Score 87
Weight 14.8 oz. (women's 7); 1 lb. 1 oz. (men's 9)
Heel-to-toe drop 8.5 mm
Stack height 35 mm
It's a mixed bag with the Adizero SL, but the highs are high enough that they warrant a mention. The signature Lightstrike EVA midsole is supportive and stable enough that our testers could easily find their gait on speedier days, and even forget about their feet as the miles ticked by. "It was fast when I pushed and very non-imposing at slower paces," reports one casual marathoner who just ran the RBC Brooklyn Half. When our testers had an off day, though, they couldn't rely on the pep of the SL to pick them up out of a sluggish stride. Still, they're reliably comfortable and the price is right.
