Adizero SL

The same story with the first Adidas SL. As a 89kgs runner I prefer them to my other shoes like Novablast 3 or Saucony Triumph RFG. The firmer foam really goes well for heavier builds, especially after the first kms of each run.

found out the hard way. I had plantar fasciitis in the past. I wasn't even wearing stability shoes, but neutral shoes from Adidas that time (Adios 7, Adizero SL1). They were neutral shoes, but the arch was high for some reason, they poke my flat feet, causing pain. Recent models including the Evo SL are free from these problems, I am free from PF as well. Are you having any issues currently? are you looking for a race day shoe?

I started running consistently in 2024 and the nike Pegasus were what helped me build my mileage until I was comfortable enough to really start pursuing speed work. I currently use the adios sl for speed work and new balance fuel cell v4 for long runs but I’m looking to grab 1080’s for long runs now that I’m marathon building. Good luck!

Adidas evo SL 1 and 2s are the best do it all shoe in my opinion and they are cheaper. They last and are pretty responsive. I'd highly recommend though having a race shoe and then a do it all trainer. It's hard to find a shoe that will be good for slow easy miles that will hold up and a really fast race shoe. The evos will be your best bet, but they won't be as fast as their carbon shoes. Same cushioning though

Love your shoe listing. My rotation used to be Boston 10, SL, and Adios 8. Boston 10s are now worn out, while the SL just felt kind of cruddy compared to my other shoes. Adios 8 are still waiting for my first 5k/10k official event. Boston 13 and I have had a bit of a falling out. Actually used the 10 as a daily, but the lower stack, arch cutout, and lower drop of the 13 got them relegated to the back of the closet. Did wear them for a tempo run last week (where they were better), but the new geometry of the sole was giving me some new and interesting pains. Honestly think they're a good tempo shoe for someone who is a forefoot striker, or a midfoot striker who tends more forward. If you like the 12s for tempo, then the 13s should be your cup of tea. The EVO SL are something completely different, however. I call mine fun "boing boing" shoes, as the LP midsole is literally like a trampoline. They also have nowhere near the normal midfoot secure support of my other Adidas, and the upper is sort of sloppy. All on top of a pretty high stack. I have used mine for slow paces (where they do struggle a bit due to the rocker) and tempo efforts. Shoe is very unstructured, so if you have any excess motion or weak ankles, you may find they start to irritate between 5-10 km. May be worse for me as I'm at 179 lbs right now, so do get some sink into the foam. I've actually been considering picking up a pair of the Adios 9. They are basically a short-stack EVO SL, as the midsole is completely LP as well. But the shorter stack, and gusseted tongue should make them a little less unstable than the EVO SL. Personally, I am disliking Adidas' uppers, arch support (or lack thereof) and lacing systems more as of late, so have started branching out to other brands. Unless you're an Adidas die-hard, it may be worth opening the lens to look at some of the interesting offerings Saucony, Asics, Nike, and even Salomon have been releasing lately.

I'd say depends on your weight, strike pattern, and if you need motion control. If you're a heavier runner, something like a Gel Cumulus or Nimbus may have a bit too much sink to them. Great for protecting the joints, but makes running a lot of effort. If you're a midfoot or heel striker, you'll likely want 6-8mm or drop as a minimum. If you need motion control (i.e. overpronate) then the suggestions will be much different. Personally, I am a heavier runner (12.8 st) so need a shoe that cushions, but that is not so soft that I sink too much. If you're lighter, you'll have a much greater seletion, and can get away with less cushioning. Cheers.

Three shoes I'm enjoying are the EVO SL, Salomon Aero Glide 3 GRVL, and Under Armour Infinite Elite 2. EVO SL is fun but not very stable. AG3 is a nice mix of cushion and stability. IE2 is still being evaluated, but at first wear is the most cushioned shoe I've ever worn that doesn't get mushy. Saucony Triumph is always a good shoe as well, and the previous version of the Ride (18) is on steep discount at the moment. Newer versions of the Ride look close in comparison to older versions of the Triumph.

Great suggestion for a shorter race distance, such as a 5k/10k. Have been tempted to pick up a pair myself as I love the bouncy feel of the EVO SL, even as I feel my ankles shattering. Another idea is a pair of Boston 13. Very responsive for midfoot/forefoot strikers, with the 13 being lighter, and lower stack than other models. The Energy rods on the Bostons are way less obtrusive than a plate, yet still give some snap to the shoe.

Wow, welcome to the confusing mess that is purchasing shoes in 2026. More models, more manufacturers, and now more shoes direct from China. I know how you feel about the Wave Riders. I ran for two years on some Air Zoom Elite 4s, and I still have never found a shoe that I thought I liked as much. I used my fairly firm Boston 10 as dailies for a few years, but they aged out and I had to go down this same rabbit hole this year looking for a new daily. What I did discover this round of shopping is that my needs continue to evolve as I am aging, and that there are a whole whack of pretty stellar shoes out there. What opened my eyes was a pair of EVO SL purchased on spec based on their amazing reviews. What I discovered was that responsive cushion is different that just cushion, and its "trampoline" effect was so much easier on my joints. Although the EVO SL are fun to wear, they are simply too unstable for me to use them as a daily. But there are shoes with Clifton-level comfort and (close to) EVO SL levels of responsiveness. I recommend going to the runrepeat website, and looking at shoes with both good shock absorption scores, and good scores in energy return. This is how I ended up with my current "test dailies", a set of Salomon Aero Glide 3 GRVL and Under Armour Infinite Elite 2. I've taken both straight out of the box on to the treadmill for a 5k run, and both have good bounce, yet decent geometry for dailies. Jury is still out, but my joints certainly appreciate the impact absorption more than I miss ground feel. Two shoes with larger fan bases as dailies are the Asics Novablast 5 and Nike Vomero Plus.

I've got Addias SL2s now and they are amazing!

I find the Triumph (at least the 22) nearing the max cushion shoe category which are often used for slow, steady cruising. If you want something at least that has some pop then maybe try the Saucony Ride 18s. If you want something from Adidas then the SL2. Nike also have the ever reliable Pegasus line which currently is the Pegasus 41 though it's a bit firm compared to its peers but at least it's a no frills, durable daily trainer.

I immediately bought a Nimbus 26 which was on sale when the Novablast 5 felt too fast for me when I was starting out. Excellent shoe for slow easy runs and building up your distance. My legs never felt beat up after each run on it. It gets a lot of flak for being heavy and clunky which it is but only when you're dipping down to 5:00/km territory, at least for me when I try do some short bursts of speeds on it. Otherwise for my usecase it's perfect.