I have many - actually TOO many - running shoes but I was lacking a non-plated medium-stack daily trainer. I have all these speedy carbon-plated race shoes for going fast and max-stack shoes for easy comfortable runs, but I realized that I should have a low-cost non-plated daily trainer that I can put on a whim and put in different kinds of runs. I had the Novablast 3 and Mach 5 in the past but didn't really care for them, so NB4 and Mach 6 weren't on my radar. One gets spoiled by super trainers like PXS v1/v2, Deviate Nitro 2, Boston 12, and SC Trainer v2 as well as all the race shoes so it's easy to ignore the "boring" daily trainers. When I saw the SL2 with full LSP footbed at $130 here in the US and a sales event at the Adidas site that brought it down to $100, I said "Why not?" and gave it a shot. Well, it is now one of my favorite shoes of the year now and I got another pair half-size up as TTS is on the snug side but still works fine for a racy fit. I use the TTS for the peppier runs and half-size up which is a little roomy and noticeably heavier but great for easy runs. As much as possible, I avoid going up a size because doing so adds weight and in the case with the SL2, going up half-size added nearly half-ounce or 14g. The value is awesome. You get a lot for $130 and it's one of those Adidas models you'll frequently find on sale, so you should be able to get it for near $100 and probably for even less during the holidays. The ride is really pleasant and it's versatile enough for some faster paced runs as well as easy runs. Half-size up, I've taken it on 10+ mile runs without any issues. With the snug TTS fit, I'd use it for tempo and some mid-distance intervals but is a bit soft underfoot for threshold and all-out-speed workouts. For those, I may as well use the Takumi Sen, Adios 8, DNE2, or light race shoes like VF3 and Metaspeed Edge/Sky Paris. It took Adidas long enough to finally come out with a "real" daily trainer in the Adizero lineup. I read/saw the reviews about the SL being too firm and thought that Adidas wasn't interested in the all-round daily trainer segment. Really glad that they got it right with the SL2 because I just love the feel and ride of the LSP foam. And, yes, it looks really good too, retaining that sleek, speedy, and agile Adizero look. The only negative is the laces, which isn't difficult to fix. I swapped them out with longer and thicker laces and that's the finishing touch these shoes needed. And the fit is definitely a little off. The Boston 12 and Adios 8 run big at TTS but I can make them work with thicker socks and the SL2 runs small. The PX2S also runs a little big for me at TTS and I had to go half-size down, as I did with PXSv1. Overall, very happy with the SL2 and it's the surprise shoe of the year for me as I didn't see it coming and I had given up on getting a "normal" and "boring" non-plated low-cost daily trainer. Nice review as always and fully agree with your assessments and scores.
@@alexkhan2000 wow, thanks for sharing your experience. The old tradition daily trainer is getting left out of a lot of rotations these days with the super trainer trend going on. This shoe is certainly up there for shoe of the year!!
Oh my god man, That's a review! I am Brazilian and in doubt if I bought a Novablast 4 or a SL2. I am 90 kg and 190cm, I am a heavy runner with pace a 5:30 min/km. I not fast and run for joy, but like to challenge myself too. I was worried with SL2 support the weight. Sorry for my English and thanks for shared your experience
@@run-are Hey, my pleasure to contribute. I've come to really enjoy your channel and reviews. Yes, we should not let the traditional daily trainer die. There is something to be said for running the old fashioned way in which one is not too assisted by high-stack super foams and plates and rods. I'm trying to balance things out more by running in the SL2 and the Mount to Coast R1 and S1, which feel "natural" and I don't feel like I'm being pushed forward or too assisted by the latest shoe technologies. At the same time, I appreciate and will continue enjoying all the max-stack super-tech shoes as well! Haha. Just trying to balance things out more now.
@@felipemoura8166 Thank you. Happy to contribute and help. I haven't tried the Novablast 4 and I'm sure it's a very good shoe. I liked the Novablast 3 but found the heel to be bulky. I prefer narrower heels although I know that can affect stability. The SL2's heel is on the narrow side but the forefoot width feels fine to me. I think the SL2 should be fine as long as you are not a heavy heel striker.
I took the SL2 on a 2-week vacation as my one shoe and it was great. Like you said, step-in comfort is so great so I didn't mind wearing it all day. I've got about 125 miles on them now and there are no signs of wear on that outsole. I think durability is going to add to that value. I've been saving for the Noosa Tri 16 now to alternate these as my daily trainers. I'm curious to see your full review on those, too.
@@run-are The foam feels pretty much the same to me. It was soft out of the box and it's still soft. I even spent hours in the shoes on vacation that I didn't count in that mileage.
Great review and spot on with all of your observations...I would however add another extra point for the 'coolness' factor,as all the models look really awesome on the foot.
Only one problem. SL2 is the only Adidas I have to size up half a size. Upper (tongue) hot.. Great value. Excellent traction and durability. Good for wide midfoot 👍🏻
@@i.p2088 Have you got the Prime X 2? If so how do you find the fit? Both the SL2 and the Prime X 2 are the only Adidas that fit me TTS 🤣🤣 all the others are too big!
Yes, should have gone up in size, toebox height very low. Otherwise great shoe, but under the big toe there is no LSP foam. So that toe-off is harsh, while it is otherwise soft. Makes my big toe hurt. Going up would have helped this a bit, because a bit further back there is LSP.
Great point about the slapping - haven't found any other TH-camr who has brought this up! Found the SL2 to be uncomfortable as a fore/mid foot striker. Guess the lightstrike pro only comes into play for heel strikers?
I think it comes into play for the majority of strikes. Maybe the outsole rubber is taking away the lightstrike feeling on impact for you and that sensation of the outsole rubber radiates onto the toe off sensation, leaving you feeling uncomfortable? It is certainly softer through the heel.
Unfortunately sizing was a big issue. I have 3 adizero shoes, Boston 12, ts8 and Prime X Strung 1 and all perfect 11 US. Went 11 US in this and probably did about 30k hoping it would stretch before I gave them away. Then bought 11.5 US and still felt small so returned and gave up. Maybe have to wait for the sl3. Rebel v4 is a better fit as is Hyperion 2.
@@femaciel I haven't done the full review on the Noosa 16 yet. Mach 6 is lower down on the list. The leaderboard I displayed was only the top section. There are another 40 or so shoes underneath.
![[Sub Thai] APT. - ROSÉ & Bruno Mars](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/bYjhzP8x_uc/mqdefault.jpg)
I have many - actually TOO many - running shoes but I was lacking a non-plated medium-stack daily trainer. I have all these speedy carbon-plated race shoes for going fast and max-stack shoes for easy comfortable runs, but I realized that I should have a low-cost non-plated daily trainer that I can put on a whim and put in different kinds of runs. I had the Novablast 3 and Mach 5 in the past but didn't really care for them, so NB4 and Mach 6 weren't on my radar. One gets spoiled by super trainers like PXS v1/v2, Deviate Nitro 2, Boston 12, and SC Trainer v2 as well as all the race shoes so it's easy to ignore the "boring" daily trainers.
When I saw the SL2 with full LSP footbed at $130 here in the US and a sales event at the Adidas site that brought it down to $100, I said "Why not?" and gave it a shot. Well, it is now one of my favorite shoes of the year now and I got another pair half-size up as TTS is on the snug side but still works fine for a racy fit. I use the TTS for the peppier runs and half-size up which is a little roomy and noticeably heavier but great for easy runs. As much as possible, I avoid going up a size because doing so adds weight and in the case with the SL2, going up half-size added nearly half-ounce or 14g.
The value is awesome. You get a lot for $130 and it's one of those Adidas models you'll frequently find on sale, so you should be able to get it for near $100 and probably for even less during the holidays. The ride is really pleasant and it's versatile enough for some faster paced runs as well as easy runs. Half-size up, I've taken it on 10+ mile runs without any issues. With the snug TTS fit, I'd use it for tempo and some mid-distance intervals but is a bit soft underfoot for threshold and all-out-speed workouts. For those, I may as well use the Takumi Sen, Adios 8, DNE2, or light race shoes like VF3 and Metaspeed Edge/Sky Paris.
It took Adidas long enough to finally come out with a "real" daily trainer in the Adizero lineup. I read/saw the reviews about the SL being too firm and thought that Adidas wasn't interested in the all-round daily trainer segment. Really glad that they got it right with the SL2 because I just love the feel and ride of the LSP foam. And, yes, it looks really good too, retaining that sleek, speedy, and agile Adizero look. The only negative is the laces, which isn't difficult to fix. I swapped them out with longer and thicker laces and that's the finishing touch these shoes needed. And the fit is definitely a little off. The Boston 12 and Adios 8 run big at TTS but I can make them work with thicker socks and the SL2 runs small. The PX2S also runs a little big for me at TTS and I had to go half-size down, as I did with PXSv1.
Overall, very happy with the SL2 and it's the surprise shoe of the year for me as I didn't see it coming and I had given up on getting a "normal" and "boring" non-plated low-cost daily trainer. Nice review as always and fully agree with your assessments and scores.
@@alexkhan2000 wow, thanks for sharing your experience. The old tradition daily trainer is getting left out of a lot of rotations these days with the super trainer trend going on. This shoe is certainly up there for shoe of the year!!
Sold!!!!!!!! and a DAmn good review mate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh my god man, That's a review! I am Brazilian and in doubt if I bought a Novablast 4 or a SL2. I am 90 kg and 190cm, I am a heavy runner with pace a 5:30 min/km. I not fast and run for joy, but like to challenge myself too. I was worried with SL2 support the weight. Sorry for my English and thanks for shared your experience
@@run-are Hey, my pleasure to contribute. I've come to really enjoy your channel and reviews. Yes, we should not let the traditional daily trainer die. There is something to be said for running the old fashioned way in which one is not too assisted by high-stack super foams and plates and rods. I'm trying to balance things out more by running in the SL2 and the Mount to Coast R1 and S1, which feel "natural" and I don't feel like I'm being pushed forward or too assisted by the latest shoe technologies. At the same time, I appreciate and will continue enjoying all the max-stack super-tech shoes as well! Haha. Just trying to balance things out more now.
@@felipemoura8166 Thank you. Happy to contribute and help. I haven't tried the Novablast 4 and I'm sure it's a very good shoe. I liked the Novablast 3 but found the heel to be bulky. I prefer narrower heels although I know that can affect stability. The SL2's heel is on the narrow side but the forefoot width feels fine to me. I think the SL2 should be fine as long as you are not a heavy heel striker.
I took the SL2 on a 2-week vacation as my one shoe and it was great. Like you said, step-in comfort is so great so I didn't mind wearing it all day. I've got about 125 miles on them now and there are no signs of wear on that outsole. I think durability is going to add to that value.
I've been saving for the Noosa Tri 16 now to alternate these as my daily trainers. I'm curious to see your full review on those, too.
@@kuriosites that's great feedback regarding the SL2. How is the foam after 125mi?
Noosa full review coming soon
@@run-are The foam feels pretty much the same to me. It was soft out of the box and it's still soft. I even spent hours in the shoes on vacation that I didn't count in that mileage.
Waiting for the Adidas Adizero SL2 vs Asics Noosa Tri 16 shoe(t) out.
@@Wings_nut That will be a good match up. I will put it on the to-do list. Thanks for the suggestion.
@@run-are of course
Great review and spot on with all of your observations...I would however add another extra point for the 'coolness' factor,as all the models look really awesome on the foot.
@@FlorianaLions agree 👍🏼
Only one problem. SL2 is the only Adidas I have to size up half a size. Upper (tongue) hot.. Great value. Excellent traction and durability. Good for wide midfoot 👍🏻
@@i.p2088 Have you got the Prime X 2? If so how do you find the fit? Both the SL2 and the Prime X 2 are the only Adidas that fit me TTS 🤣🤣 all the others are too big!
I have the Prime X 2, Boston 12, SL2 all same size TTS. SL2 has a snug fit but still good for me.
Yes, should have gone up in size, toebox height very low. Otherwise great shoe, but under the big toe there is no LSP foam. So that toe-off is harsh, while it is otherwise soft. Makes my big toe hurt. Going up would have helped this a bit, because a bit further back there is LSP.
@@olli-perttikojo4424 thanks for the insight!
Great point about the slapping - haven't found any other TH-camr who has brought this up! Found the SL2 to be uncomfortable as a fore/mid foot striker. Guess the lightstrike pro only comes into play for heel strikers?
I think it comes into play for the majority of strikes. Maybe the outsole rubber is taking away the lightstrike feeling on impact for you and that sensation of the outsole rubber radiates onto the toe off sensation, leaving you feeling uncomfortable? It is certainly softer through the heel.
i bought it for 126 with my Adidas points discount , what an amazing shoe if i run longer distance i switch to Boston 12
@@MrRadhiEmhail That's a great price!
Unfortunately sizing was a big issue. I have 3 adizero shoes, Boston 12, ts8 and Prime X Strung 1 and all perfect 11 US. Went 11 US in this and probably did about 30k hoping it would stretch before I gave them away. Then bought 11.5 US and still felt small so returned and gave up. Maybe have to wait for the sl3.
Rebel v4 is a better fit as is Hyperion 2.
@@Bodhished thanks for sharing your experience!
SL2 or Noosa tri 16? Great video!
@@ricardoreis3844 Noosa Tri 😉
Without a dought best daily trainer for value and pop..except long runs can do anything....and I don't need to put caron under my feet..😊
Thanks for the comment!
i find it too narrow for my wide foot, sizing was not true to size. im guessing tri16 is wider than sl2 in forefoot?
@@tehhalia903 width is about the same but there is more volume in the Noosa
Where are Noosa 16 and Mach 6 in your leaderboard?
@@femaciel I haven't done the full review on the Noosa 16 yet. Mach 6 is lower down on the list. The leaderboard I displayed was only the top section. There are another 40 or so shoes underneath.
These are A FULL HALF SIZE TOO SMALL don't listen to what anyone says
@@slyguy1798 full or half size down?
I don't have an issue with the size
How is it for daily walking shoes?
it will be fine for walking
Too narrow - they need a wide version
@@zanepritchard3600 maybe you can size up?