Look at the adidas Adizero Evo SL from the side and the three stripes almost take over the entire shoe. The oversized branding, sculpted midsole and lightweight upper draw directly from adidas's racing footwear, particularly the record-breaking Adios Pro Evo 1. That influence goes much deeper than appearance. The Evo SL uses genuine performance running technology, which makes it a rather different proposition from the low-profile classics elsewhere in the adidas range. Today's women's adidas Evo SL trainers bring that distinctive design into everyday footwear, with several versions to choose from.
adidas Adizero Evo SL: Lightstrike Pro Cushioning
The original Adizero Evo SL uses a lightweight engineered mesh upper, with reinforcement in key areas and a substantial Lightstrike Pro foam midsole beneath the foot. It's the same premium cushioning technology adidas uses throughout its Adizero performance range, developed for lightweight cushioning and energy return.
Unlike the carbon-plated Adios Pro racing shoes, the Evo SL uses a small nylon stiffening element through the midfoot. There's no full-length carbon plate, allowing a different degree of flexibility through the shoe. Continental rubber provides traction beneath the forefoot, with additional rubber protecting other areas of the outsole.
Those details explain much of the Evo SL's appeal. The deep foam sole and lightweight upper come straight from running footwear, while the oversized stripes give it a design that stands apart from adidas Originals' traditional suede and leather trainers.
adidas Evo SL vs Woven vs EXO
The original Evo SL keeps its construction relatively straightforward, with breathable mesh and minimal upper reinforcement. The Evo SL Woven revisits that design through a new woven mesh upper, using targeted stretch and support across different areas of the foot. It retains the familiar shape and Lightstrike Pro cushioning, with a different finish and upper construction.
The adidas Evo SL EXO takes the idea further. Its EXOSKELETON fit system adds visible reinforcement around the upper, while a protective woven shell provides additional structure. The oversized three stripes and distinctive sole remain, but the more technical arrangement of panels makes the EXO recognisable alongside the original.
If you're choosing between them, start with the upper. The original offers the familiar engineered mesh construction, Woven introduces a different combination of stretch and support, and EXO adds a more structured external fit system. They're closely related designs, although the differences around the foot are worth considering.
Women's adidas Evo SL Colours and Sizing
Black and white adidas Evo SL trainers show off the oversized stripes particularly well, especially when the branding contrasts against the upper and midsole. Grey and silver editions bring out the sweeping shape of the sole, while colours such as Putty Mauve, purple and yellow offer different finishes across the standard and Woven releases.
Materials also affect the appearance. The original mesh has a relatively open construction, while Woven and EXO editions introduce different textures and reinforcement. Check the individual product details when comparing colours, as two pairs of Evo SL trainers won't necessarily use identical uppers.
adidas recommends ordering your usual size for the standard Evo SL, Woven and EXO listings checked. However, the different upper constructions can affect how each model fits around the midfoot and forefoot. Check the individual UK size guide, particularly if you're between sizes or moving from a different adidas trainer.
adidas Evo SL for Everyday Wear and Running
The Evo SL remains a genuine performance running shoe, despite its place in the Lifestyle collection. Its lightweight construction and substantial cushioning give it a very different profile from flatter adidas designs such as the Samba or Gazelle.
For detailed advice on training, running performance and choosing the right shoe for your mileage, explore our adidas Evo SL running shoes collection at Pro:Direct Running.
Browse women's adidas Adizero Evo SL trainers at Pro:Direct Lifestyle by colour, style and UK size, or explore our wider women's adidas trainers collection.
