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Adidas first teased the Adizero EVO SL at the Berlin Marathon in September 2024 and a year later, the verdict is unanimous: the EVO SL might be the best value in running shoes right now. At $150, Adidas has managed to democratize technology that was previously locked behind $250-plus price tags, creating something that feels like one of the best running shoes of the year.
At first glance, the shoe looks almost too simple. It has a clean white mesh upper, black Three Stripes, and minimal branding. It’s the kind of restrained design that works equally well with technical running gear and your favorite white tee. The aesthetic is deliberately pared back. Some might call it boring, but there’s something refreshing about a shoe that doesn’t need to scream for attention.
The specs tell the story of a shoe that shouldn’t exist at this price point: 39mm of stack height in the heel, 33mm in the forefoot, weighing just 224 grams (7.9 oz) in a men’s size 9. For context, the average daily trainer weighs 265 grams and the EVO SL is legitimately featherweight without feeling flimsy.
The tongue situation is probably the most universal complaint. It’s thin and has a tendency to slide around during runs, instead of resting on your foot in a way that feels unnoticeable.
Stability is another consideration. While the shoe isn’t unstable per se, it’s definitely not the most supportive option for long easy runs, especially if you’re prone to overpronation. The foam is so soft and bouncy that some runners might prefer pairing it with a more structured shoe in their rotation.
Pharrell Williams and Humanrace dropped their own take on the silhouette with the Adizero EVO SL “’Earth”. This colorway released earlier this month for $160.
“Humanrace is about transforming the everyday into the intentional – by creating tools that champion a way of living where individual and collective well-being are inseparable. With the Adizero EVO SL, Humanrace and adidas are bringing intention to running and the act of recovery. Every run with the Adizero EVO SL is a chance to align mind, body, and purpose, creating moments of performance in service of being well,” said Pharrell Williams.
The EVO SL represents something that rarely happens in the running world at this price point: genuine disruption. It’s the kind of shoe that has the potential to shake up the running shoe industry. It’s priced like a daily trainer but performs like something that should cost twice as much.
In an era where running shoes increasingly cost over $200, the EVO SL feels like a reset, or proof that innovation doesn’t have to break the bank and can be accessible. For $150, you’re getting access to racing-level technology in a package that handles everything from recovery jogs to marathon training. The EVO SL works for beginners looking for their first serious running shoe, experienced marathoners seeking a versatile trainer, and everyone in between.
In a crowded everyday running shoe market, the Adidas Adizero EVO SL stands out by doing something different: being really good at the basics. Sometimes that’s all you need.
The Adidas Adizero EVO SL is available now for $150 at Complex, Adidas.com, and select retailers.
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