Adidas Adizero SL2: MASSIVE SCORES!! Full Review

Considering the Adidas SL2 for your next running shoe? Check out this detailed review to see how it rates for value, weight, upper, ride and outsole.

Scores out of 10 are awarded in the following categories:

Weight
Value/Price
Upper
Midsole/Ride
Outsole

HPS is 50.

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Disclaimer: These shoes were purchased entirely with my own money and my thoughts on the shoe are not influenced in any way by adidas or any other company.

#bestrunningshoes #running #adidas #marathontraining #runningshoes #adidasrunning #adizero

[alexkhan]

I have many - actually TOO many - running shoes but I was lacking a non-plated medium-stack daily trainer. I have all these speedy carbon-plated race shoes for going fast and max-stack shoes for easy comfortable runs, but I realized that I should have a low-cost non-plated daily trainer that I can put on a whim and put in different kinds of runs. I had the Novablast 3 and Mach 5 in the past but didn't really care for them, so NB4 and Mach 6 weren't on my radar. One gets spoiled by super trainers like PXS v1/v2, Deviate Nitro 2, Boston 12, and SC Trainer v2 as well as all the race shoes so it's easy to ignore the "boring" daily trainers.

When I saw the SL2 with full LSP footbed at $130 here in the US and a sales event at the Adidas site that brought it down to $100, I said "Why not?" and gave it a shot. Well, it is now one of my favorite shoes of the year now and I got another pair half-size up as TTS is on the snug side but still works fine for a racy fit. I use the TTS for the peppier runs and half-size up which is a little roomy and noticeably heavier but great for easy runs. As much as possible, I avoid going up a size because doing so adds weight and in the case with the SL2, going up half-size added nearly half-ounce or 14g.

The value is awesome. You get a lot for $130 and it's one of those Adidas models you'll frequently find on sale, so you should be able to get it for near $100 and probably for even less during the holidays. The ride is really pleasant and it's versatile enough for some faster paced runs as well as easy runs. Half-size up, I've taken it on 10+ mile runs without any issues. With the snug TTS fit, I'd use it for tempo and some mid-distance intervals but is a bit soft underfoot for threshold and all-out-speed workouts. For those, I may as well use the Takumi Sen, Adios 8, DNE2, or light race shoes like VF3 and Metaspeed Edge/Sky Paris.

It took Adidas long enough to finally come out with a "real" daily trainer in the Adizero lineup. I read/saw the reviews about the SL being too firm and thought that Adidas wasn't interested in the all-round daily trainer segment. Really glad that they got it right with the SL2 because I just love the feel and ride of the LSP foam. And, yes, it looks really good too, retaining that sleek, speedy, and agile Adizero look. The only negative is the laces, which isn't difficult to fix. I swapped them out with longer and thicker laces and that's the finishing touch these shoes needed. And the fit is definitely a little off. The Boston 12 and Adios 8 run big at TTS but I can make them work with thicker socks and the SL2 runs small. The PX2S also runs a little big for me at TTS and I had to go half-size down, as I did with PXSv1.

Overall, very happy with the SL2 and it's the surprise shoe of the year for me as I didn't see it coming and I had given up on getting a "normal" and "boring" non-plated low-cost daily trainer. Nice review as always and fully agree with your assessments and scores.

[kuriosites]

I took the SL2 on a 2-week vacation as my one shoe and it was great. Like you said, step-in comfort is so great so I didn't mind wearing it all day. I've got about 125 miles on them now and there are no signs of wear on that outsole. I think durability is going to add to that value.

I've been saving for the Noosa Tri 16 now to alternate these as my daily trainers. I'm curious to see your full review on those, too.

[i.p]

Only one problem. SL2 is the only Adidas I have to size up half a size. Upper (tongue) hot.. Great value. Excellent traction and durability. Good for wide midfoot 👍🏻

[MyFatAdaptedLife]

Waiting for the Adidas Adizero SL2 vs Asics Noosa Tri 16 shoe(t) out.

[FlorianaLions]

Great review and spot on with all of your observations...I would however add another extra point for the 'coolness' factor, as all the models look really awesome on the foot.

[olli-perttikojo]

Yes, should have gone up in size, toebox height very low. Otherwise great shoe, but under the big toe there is no LSP foam. So that toe-off is harsh, while it is otherwise soft. Makes my big toe hurt. Going up would have helped this a bit, because a bit further back there is LSP.

[MrRadhiEmhail]

i bought it for 126 with my Adidas points discount, what an amazing shoe if i run longer distance i switch to Boston 12

[Bodhished]

Unfortunately sizing was a big issue. I have 3 adizero shoes, Boston 12, ts8 and Prime X Strung 1 and all perfect 11 US. Went 11 US in this and probably did about 30k hoping it would stretch before I gave them away. Then bought 11.5 US and still felt small so returned and gave up. Maybe have to wait for the sl3.
Rebel v4 is a better fit as is Hyperion 2.

[VictoriaLee-reex]

Great point about the slapping - haven't found any other YouTuber who has brought this up! Found the SL2 to be uncomfortable as a fore/mid foot striker. Guess the lightstrike pro only comes into play for heel strikers?

[tehhalia]

i find it too narrow for my wide foot, sizing was not true to size. im guessing tri16 is wider than sl2 in forefoot?

[crazyhok]

I wear size US 12 2e in shoes would this be true to size or do I need to size up?

[slyguy]

These are A FULL HALF SIZE TOO SMALL don't listen to what anyone says

[JRuns]

Without a dought best daily trainer for value and pop..except long runs can do anything....and I don't need to put caron under my feet..😊

[femaciel]

Where are Noosa 16 and Mach 6 in your leaderboard?