Adidas Adizero SL2

This is the Adizero SL2. And while it gains more lightstrike pro midsole foam than last year, it also gains a bit more in price. So are the upgrades worth the cost? It’s time to lace up the Adizero SL2 and take it for a run.

0:00 intro
0:51 Disclosures
1:13 Specs
3:28 What’s it Like
6:35 Adidas Running Lineup Explained
10:04 Buying Guide
10:21 vs Velocity Nitro 3
11:13 vs Tracksmith Eliot Runner
12:09 vs Adizero SL (v1)

disclosures: Adidas sent these shoes to review. However, no one paid for me to make this video or to include their shoe in this video. No one will preview the video before it goes up on YouTube.
Thanks for watching! Leave a comment to let me know you stopped by!

Running footage shot on:
GoPro Hero 12 (paid link)

Disclosure: It's 2024, so I think we all know how affiliate links work at this point, but for regulatory compliance or affiliate program purposes, I must state that affiliate links do not increase cost to you, but:
"As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

Also, you do not need to use these links. You can also search for these same items in amazon or on any search engine/shopping site of your choice and buy/research them that way.
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end card music:
Jim Yosef - Checkered

[SagasuRunning]

We (mostly) agree again on the SL2. I disagree that the B12 is a max cushion shoe. It is still a tempo shoe, but is now eclipsed by the SL2 and the TS10 combo for all but a dedicated long run training in a marathon build if you are racing in the Evo 1. Otherwise...we are on the same page for this shoe... what a world! 🤙🏻

[mannyd]

Ppl must remember... Your weight will have a significant impact on your experience.

Kofuzi is a light weight runner. Keep that in mind. The B12 might be a max cushion shoe based on his preferences. It makes sense that he prefers the Takumi for anything at faster paces and finds the B12 cumbersome for slower speeds and would prefer the SL2.

[MightMike]

I like that you started talking about where a shoe fits in that shoe brand's lineup in your videos. Very useful information!

[jorgemedina]

Love the new approach in which you show the shoes for te brand and explain how them fit in the rotation.

[yohankusuma]

I'm enjoying the new lineup detail segment that you do recently, it's a great way to clear out confusing/overlapping shoes function ❤

[brainkale]

So glad you're, like, the only reviewer who's vocal about "neutral" shoes getting wider than hokas, it's bloody aggravating and makes things feel sluggish! The Ride 17 would be an S-tier daily trainer if it weren't a boat

[lordstalker]

Really love the 5 shoes rotations systems suggested, Mike. 5 shoes rotation is the sweet spot & cover everything. More than that, is just excessive. Unless throw a trail shoes in there, that might be acceptable. Truly appreciate it. Keep it up! Keep ‘em coming in the future!

[davidmcquade]

What a beautiful looking lineup of shoes Adidas has put together in their Adizero line. Fun comparisons too and not the usual Mach/Rebel script.

[bobwundaye]

I was so impressed with the cost vs value of the first SL. While I don't want another daily trainer right now, as I just got the Rebel v4, I really want to try the SL2. Hopefully in a few months a good deal comes out. Thanks for a great review.

[robertoflores]

SL2 daily trainer.
Boston 12 long run and workouts.
Adios Pro 3 Half Marathon and Marathon racer.
Takumi Sen 10 5k/10k racer.

[DZero_Aperture]

Such an intriguing shoe. So far I'm doing well on not buying any new shoes this year, but it's difficult lol.

[realgrilledsushi]

This is the inovation I’m excited for from Adidas. I hoped the company continues to produce its banger running shoes.

[alexkhan]

This is the daily trainer that the Adizero lineup sorely lacked and the difference is Lightstrike Pro. The SL2 has become the non-plated/rodded workhorse daily trainer that I've been wanting and never thought Adidas would come out with in the Adizero lineup. Not a fan of Mach 5/6, Novablast 3/4, and the Rebel v4 didn't quite do it for me as a daily trainer. The Boston 12 and Deviate Nitro 2 are more super trainers for tempo runs although they could work as a daily trainer and the SC Trainer v2 is more of an easy long run shoe that can also pick up the pace a bit. I just wanted a simple (and low-cost) no-plate/rod daily trainer and the SL2 fit in perfectly. Love it for all kinds of runs and mixing them up. Great value as well. Surprise shoe of the year candidate for me.

[raphaelmartins]

Just got these a few hours ago today. Looking forward to lace them up. And a rather good looking shoe in this colour way…

[CriticalThinker]

I ran a few miles in these yesterday and they are anything but firm! They are lovely, svelte, soft & bouncy, and very comfortable on foot. Just wear some thin socks. I personally hate the Boston 12… to me they feel like bricks and the toe rocker is way too aggressive for plodding. The B12 is anything but max cushion and if I had to do a 20 miler in that thing I’d lose my mind.

[namebutler]

Can you start discussing toe box width/size? Some shoes are way to "pointed" in design.

[Shipwreckruns]

I see why you’d put the Boston closer to a max cushion/long run, I think it’s way snappier than any max cushion shoe I’ve run in (not withstanding the Superblast.) I’d put the SL2 as the training partner to takumi sen and the Boston as the training partner for the Pro. It seems adidas is trying to create a long and short distance “track” with their offerings

[FitLawyerK]

The adidas SL2, with its Lightstrike Pro magic, shines bright. But let’s talk about the Boston – it’s not exactly max cushion material. It’s firm, ridged, and has a strong forefoot bend. As a daily runner, I needed a replacement for my trusty SL1s (which were too hard but very dependable), and the SL2 seems like the perfect fit!🎉

[GakeiLiang]

My sl1 has worn for 800km.I wear it for going school，1km and 5-10km jogging in 5min/km.though it's a big hard for me，its reation is fast.I am pleased with it.I am looking forward to buy sl2 in winter holiday😊

[laalaastl]

Late to the party, but appreciate your throwing more gasoline on the B12 bonfire. 😁It remains my 2nd favorite shoe for mixed terrain routes. (#1 is the DN2). Too many other shoes in my collection already to absolutely need this one, but I'd grab a sale-priced AP3 or PXS in that awesome colorway in a heartbeat.