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I Just Ran My Sixth Marathon, and This Shoe Has Become My Go-to for Any Kind of Run

It even helped keep my plantar fasciitis at bay.

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(Photo: Kristen Geil)

Between running multiple marathons, earning my running coach certification, and testing running shoes professionally for a decade, I’ve cultivated a reputation as a Runner with a capital R. And, as a proper-noun Runner, I find myself having a similar conversation over and over again.

Friend: “I think I want to try to get into running—what kind of shoes should I get?”

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Me: “Well, it depends…” (Goes into highly specific questions and recommendations, hemming and hawing over heel-toe drop and overpronation while my friend’s eyes slowly glaze over.)

The irritating truth is that there’s no shoe that’s absolutely perfect for every single runner. We all have different anatomy and different gaits, and the concrete surfaces I run on in Chicago are vastly different from the comparatively low-impact trails of Colorado. All of these factors (and more) will ultimately impact what running shoe is best for you.

While I’ve been training for the Berlin Marathon this fall, however, I’ve come as close as I’ve ever come to discovering the Holy Grail of running shoes. The is a running shoe that works for most people, on most runs, most of the time, and one that I’ve personally used for over a dozen runs in my ten-week training cycle.

adidas Evo SL Running Shoes

The kicker? At $150, the Evo SL is less expensive than many of the running shoes we’ve tested and personally recommended. Here’s what makes this an auto-recommend to my aspiring running friends.

Meet the Quiver-Killer

The adidas Evo SL is a lightweight trainer with a midsole layer of adidas’s LIGHTSTRIKE PRO foam. Eagle-eyed runners may recognize that foam from the brand’s signature racing line, the (now on its fourth edition and my preferred marathon shoe). Translation: The Evo SL isn’t a shoe you’ll sink into like quicksand, but it will propel you up and out with each step.

In fact, the somewhat firmer foam worked for me in a surprising way. I started marathon training with a bout of plantar fasciitis, and my physical therapist recommended running shoes with more arch support. The stiffer sensation helped prevent my plantar fascia from feeling any strain, and I was able to complete every training run as planned (while sticking to my physical therapy exercises). Plus, the wide toe box let my forefoot splay out in a more natural position, keeping my toes aligned and distributing weight evenly around my foot. Of course, talk to your own physical therapist or podiatrist for shoe recommendations, but in my experience, the adidas Evo SLs were clutch in maintaining my running and rehab-heavy routine.

At about 6.6 ounces for my women’s size 7, the Evo SL feels like a feather compared to some of my chunkier, max-cushioned shoes. That was a huge asset when I began rocking the trainers for my weekly speed workouts. The light weight kept my strides feeling easy, even when my cadence picked up. They were even better on recovery runs; my legs were already feeling heavy, and I was delighted that my shoes didn’t add to my load.

The front end of the sole has a slight rocker shape that accelerated my toe-off, but it wasn’t so exaggerated that I felt wobbly or at risk of twisting an ankle. That mild give is probably because the Evo SL lacks a carbon or plastic plate or rods—a typical feature of super shoe racers or super trainers. The result: a shoe that flexes with my foot, and one that easily adapts to different paces and strides.

A lot of the shoe’s lightness comes from the engineered mesh upper, which gives these the feel of race-day shoes, without the super shoe price tag. The downside? Your socks will instantly get drenched if you’re caught in the rain, and I won’t be wearing the Evo SLs without a thick, thick pair of socks during wintry Chicago runs.

MVVS: Most Versatile, Valuable Shoe

The most dedicated runners often have a shoe for each kind of run: a shoe for long runs, a shoe for recovery runs, a shoe for tempo work, a shoe for when it’s Saturday and the weather is predicted to be 67 degrees but it also might sprinkle a little and you want to wear a shoe that matches your (mostly kidding on that last one). But here’s a secret: It’s actually totally, completely fine if you only have one pair of running shoes (although three is ideal).

That adaptability is where the adidas Evo SL shoes really shine. I wore them for easy runs, speedwork on a track surface, and even some of my longer training runs. Heck, I even wore them for dog walks and outdoor concerts; the clean aesthetic with the simple blue racing stripes just happened to go with nearly everything in my closet.

Its versatility and value is why the Evo SL is my go-to rec, especially for friends and family who are newer to running. The last thing I want is to recommend an expensive, tech-heavy shoe that won’t meet new runners where they’re at—especially if they ultimately decide running’s not for them.

At $150, the adidas Evo SL trainers aren’t cheap, exactly, but they’re a reasonable price for a shoe that covers almost any running scenario, save for attempting a BQ. (For reference, the shoes we covered in our guide to running shoes cost an average of $178, and carbon-plated shoes like the adidas Adizero Adios Pro typically cost $250 or more). Worst-case scenario, you’d now have a stylish pair of comfortable walking shoes. Best-case scenario, you run the shoes into the ground over months of enjoyable miles.

adidas Evo SL Running Shoes

The Finish Line on the adidas Evo SL

No matter what your pace is, or whether you’re training for a marathon or to keep up with your dog (or both, like me), the adidas Evo SL is a versatile, crowd-pleasing shoe that feels as great as it looks. Its springy foam and barely-there feel make it a joy to run in, and its price point is ideal for anyone just starting their running journey. It’s become a staple in my running shoe closet, and I can’t wait to bust it out for easy post-marathon recovery runs.