Who should buy the Adizero SL

Get the Adizero SL if you:

  • Are on a tight budget but want a high-performing Adidas running shoe.
  • Like firm cushioning on your daily trainers.
  • Need a runner that you can use for your tempo runs and interval training.

Adidas Adizero SL adidas-adizero-sl-upper-rearfoot

Who should not buy it

If you want a cheap daily trainer that can treat your feet more gently, check out the Puma Velocity Nitro 2. For heel strikers looking for a fast running shoe, try the New Balance Fuel Cell Rebel v3.

Adidas Adizero SL adidas-adizero-sl-upper-3stripes

Firmness on full display

Like the Adios Pro and Boston, the Adizero SL features a dual-density midsole setup—sans carbon rods and plastic shanks. In this shoe, a ‘puck’ of Lightstrike Pro sits enveloped in a bed of Lightstrike foam. Some reviewers thought that while this blend of Lightstrike is softer and “is an upgrade to the less-than-stellar performance” of its previous iterations, it still felt “overly firm and unforgiving.”

Adidas Adizero SL adidas-adizero-sl-midsole-lightstrike

You’d want to pick up the pace

In terms of ride, experts felt that the SL is more enjoyable for mid- to forefoot strikers who like going a little faster. The shoe “makes for a snappy toe-off at faster speeds but is slightly awkward at slower speeds,” said one runner.

This is due to its Lightstrike Pro insert being situated under the ball of the foot—the added responsiveness and propulsion in the forefoot is just the Pro “doing its superfoam thing.”

Adidas Adizero SL adidas-adizero-sl-toe

On the other hand, heel strikers and more leisurely paced runners might find the shoe “a bit blocky and hard to get into a rhythm with.”

Conventional, not Continental

Testers missed the inclusion of a Continental rubber outsole in the Adizero SL. What they got instead is a “more conventional rubber,” which to their surprise, has pretty good traction, is very durable, and has a cool “colorful design.”

Adidas Adizero SL adidas-adizero-sl-outsole

Mid-range upper in a low-priced shoe

According to users, the Adizero SL doesn’t have the “premium feel” found in higher-tier Adizeros—but for a budget-friendly trainer, its upper is “perfectly padded,” especially in the collar and tongue, and has terrific breathability.

Adidas Adizero SL adidas-adizero-sl-upper

Additionally, environmentally conscious runners will be delighted to know that the upper contains at least 50% recycled content.

Locking in is a chore in the Adizero SL

Several runners experienced some tongue slippage and found the lacing to be quite tedious in the SL. But after getting the fit dialed in, they had no problems with its “okay, but not amazing” foothold, adding that it had “no heel slip and zero hot spots.”

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The Adizero SL runs quite short

Most users felt that the SL runs “a tiny bit short” because of how low-volume the upper is at the forefoot. It does, however, have a slightly wider and more accommodating fit than other Adizero models, and they do not recommend sizing up.

Adidas Adizero SL adidas-adizero-sl-toebox

SL? More like RL

At 244g for a men’s US9, the Adizero SL is no doubt lighter than the 287g average weight of daily runners—but according to one shoe expert, while the SL means ‘super light’, it actually feels, and is, “just reasonably light.”

Adidas Adizero SL adidas-adizero-sl-heel-collar

Cheap entry into Adidas’ performance range

Adidas fans who’ve long been eyeing an Adizero runner should rejoice—when lined up against the Boston, Takumi Sen, Prime X, and Adios Pro, the $120 SL comes out on top in terms of budget-friendliness.

Adidas Adizero SL adidas-adizero-sl-tongue

Facts / Specs

Terrain: Road
Weight: Men 8.6oz / Women 7.4oz
Drop: Men 10mm / Women 8.5mm
Arch support: Neutral
Forefoot height: Men 25mm / Women 24.5mm
Heel height: Men 35mm / Women 33mm
Collection: Adidas Adizero

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Author
Jens Jakob Andersen
Jens Jakob Andersen

Jens Jakob is a fan of short distances with a 5K PR at 15:58 minutes. Based on 35 million race results, he's among the fastest 0.2% runners. Jens Jakob previously owned a running store, when he was also a competitive runner. His work is regularly featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, BBC and the likes as well as peer-reviewed journals. Finally, he has been a guest on +30 podcasts on running.