Adidas Adizero SL Assessment: Entry-Stage Efficiency

What You Want To Know

• Weighs 9.7 oz. (274 g) for a US M10.5 / oz. ( g) for a US W8
• Lightstrike midsole with a forefoot puck of Lightstrike Professional
• Stack top: 35 mm within the heel/ 26.5 mm within the forefoot (8 mm drop)
• Entry stage shoe into the Adizero (i.e. efficiency) line
• Obtainable now for $120

This assessment is sponsored by Bombas socks, which we’ve been utilizing to maintain us heat and comfy this winter (like the boys’s calf sock proven beneath). You purchase one, they offer one to somebody in want. Use code BITR20 to avoid wasting 20% off your first order!

The Intro

The legacy of Adidas is known. Two German brothers, Adolf (Adi) and Rudolf Dassler, began what would develop into the second largest sportswear firm on this planet after Nike. 

One foundational pillar of their firm was set in the course of the 1936 Olympic Video games in Nazi Germany. On the time, the brothers equipped German athletes with their footwear, however in addition they wished their new canvas and rubber spikes on the very best observe athlete. Adi tracked down Jesse Owens and offered him with the footwear, and footwear historical past was made when Owens responded that he would have Adidas on his toes or nothing in any respect. In fact, Jesse Owens went on to win 4 Olympic gold medals proper in entrance of Hitler’s bizarre toothbrush mustache, ruining his moth-holed idea of human genetics.

There are some blemishes to this heartfelt story; in spite of everything, each brothers joined the Nazi Social gathering and Rudolf was even despatched to a POW camp for a short while on suspicion of feeding info to the Gestapo.

Adidas has defended its legacy, noting that Adi Dassler wanting athletes to “carry out at their finest was extra essential to Adi Dassler than politics,” and that the corporate is “proud that Adi Dassler confirmed ethical braveness … on this darkest section of German historical past.”

So what does this all must do with the Adidas Adizero SL assessment? For starters, tales join us to manufacturers. Loyalty is an emotional attachment to the model. The story of Jesse Owens tells a story of a person understanding he had the very best product and stopped at nothing to get it on the very best athlete. That ethos of excellence in efficiency has been part of Adidas because the starting.

So when Adidas provides a shoe to the Adizero (i.e. efficiency working) lineup, they’re assured it might probably dwell as much as the model’s requirements. A sub-par product simply doesn’t (or shouldn’t) match into the Adizero line. Briefly, Adizero is the head of their working efficiency line.

Whereas we’re fairly conversant in the high-end footwear just like the Adios Professional 3 and the Takumi Sen 9, each line has an entry level, and that’s the place the Adizero SL is available in. Previously often called the SL20, the shoe is a light-weight coach made for all functions, and is focused at on a regular basis runners or highschool athletes.

At its core, the shoe has the elements of the Adizero line baked in with Lightstrike and Lightstrike Professional. Nevertheless, the fee financial savings come if you see the share of every foam and the weather ignored of it, like Continental Rubber on the outsole. That mentioned, for the $120 value, the Adizero SL performs like a full-range coach, which may have you saving your shoe allowance for the higher-end finish fashions within the lineup.

The Good

THOMAS: The Adidas Adizero SL appears modest. There isn’t something about it that appears particularly uncommon or hype-worthy. It isn’t a wallflower, but it surely doesn’t appear like the star quarterback. However like that child in highschool chances are you’ll not have observed, you discover out there’s extra to the shoe than meets the attention.

So let’s begin with the higher. The mesh higher suits true to dimension, and like different Adidas fashions, you’ll discover it isn’t particularly buddy to our wide-footed buddies. Nevertheless, it’s extra accommodating than the opposite fashions within the Adizero assortment. I had no heel slip and 0 sizzling spots. I did like that my black-and-white model had some old-school samba vibes. The lacing is the skinny lacing that Adidas appears to be enamored with. Adjusting the match with these is extra easy than in another fashions (speaking about you, Adios Professional). The tongue is primary with no gusset.

The midsole has the magic, at the very least compared to the SL20. Lightstrike has gotten a bum wrap from us up to now, however this model appears softer and fewer harsh underfoot. As well as, the Lightstrike Professional puck is exactly the place it must be, proper beneath the fats pad/ball of the foot. In the event you’re unfamiliar with the time period “fats pad,” it’s the space proper behind your toes and in entrance of your arch. For my foot strike, the position is ideal. In consequence, I get a bouncy really feel on toe-off and safety from impression. The firmer Lightstrike within the heel offers some stability as properly.

The outsole rubber is customary. I’ll say it’s “adequate.”

The working sensation within the Adizero SL is suited mainly to each day mileage, but it surely can also deal with sooner turnover. In consequence, the SL is a shoe I categorize as a “do all of it” coach. At $120, that falls into the great column.

My dimension 10.5 weighs a stealthy 9.7 oz./ 274 g with a midsole stack of 35 mm / 26.5 mm (8.5 mm drop).

Store Adizero SL – Males
Store Adizero SL – Girls

The Unhealthy

THOMAS: In the event you count on a premium really feel, the shoe might disappoint. That is an entry-level mannequin, for positive. Lightstrike, whereas seemingly higher than some previous iterations, nonetheless isn’t an excellent midsole materials. The puck of Lightstrike Professional undoubtedly helps the scenario, however once more– it’s restricted. 

The Continental rubber discovered on the higher-tier footwear within the Adizero line is among the finest grips on the market, however this shoe has a extra typical rubber. It’s not unhealthy, it’s simply not Continental. 

That mentioned, premium supplies are simply two areas Adidas saved cash on the SL. The straightforward mesh higher is the place yow will discover some price financial savings. It doesn’t have the identical high quality finishes you noticed within the different Adizero footwear. However, at this value level, it must be anticipated.

Store Adizero SL – Males
Store Adizero SL – Girls

Adidas Adizero SL Conclusion

THOMAS: The Adizero SL is a superb multi-use coach. At $120, the Adizero line is extra accessible to youthful athletes and runners on a good funds. The shoe is sturdy too. I’d examine the SL to the Nike Pegasus 39, Puma Velocity Nitro 2, Brooks Launch 9, New Stability 880, and Saucony Journey 15. 

Whereas $120 does appear loopy for an entry-level shoe, it’s simply the place we’re nowadays. However, the shoe is an improve to the less-than-stellar efficiency of Lightstrike within the final couple of years.

You may decide up the Adidas Adizero SL at Operating Warehouse (that includes free 2-day delivery and 90-day returns) through the use of the store hyperlink beneath.

Store Adizero SL – Males
Store Adizero SL – Girls