Adidas SL2 Review: The Bargain Daily Trainer That Shouldn't Be This Good

Introduction

A simple do-it-all shoe for a bargain price. Isn’t that what every runner actually wants? Manufacturers rarely make it easy, constantly nudging us toward niche models so we end up spending more money. Every so often, though, a shoe comes along that just gets it right, and the Adidas SL2 looks like one of them. It joins Adidas’s legacy Adizero range of performance running shoes, sitting alongside the Adios Pro super shoe and the Boston uptempo daily trainer as a classic daily option where you can pick up the pace and have some fun.

This review covers what’s new, how it runs, and whether it deserves a place in your rotation.

Adidas SL2 Review

Compared with the outgoing model, the SL2 gets three meaningful updates. First, the upper is now more lightweight and more breathable. Second, and most importantly, there’s a full-length strip of Lightstrike Pro, Adidas’s premium foam, running the whole length of the shoe, surrounded by updated Lightstrike 2.0 acting as a carrier foam. That combination makes this model noticeably softer and more responsive than its predecessor. Third, the shoe is much lighter, coming in at 287g, which is genuinely impressive for a UK size 12.

On paper, this is a classic neutral daily trainer. Adidas positions it for 5K, 10K, and up to half marathon racing or training, and it works for marathon training easy days too, though it’s not really built for super long runs. Key specs: 36mm stack height at the heel, a 9mm drop, 287g weight, and no plate or rod in the midsole. The outsole is Adidas’s own rubber rather than the Continental rubber you sometimes see on the Adizero range, but it performs well at this price point. There’s a single standard width available for now, three colorways, and the fit is true to size for most, though if you’re between sizes, go half a size up.

Main Strengths

The first strength is sheer versatility. Traction is surprisingly good with the basic Adidas outsole, and this is a shoe that can handle the majority of your training runs and potentially some races too, whether you’re targeting a 5K, 10K, or half marathon, or building marathon mileage. More than that, it’s simply fun to run in. It’s poppy, engaging, and has just the right balance of softness and responsiveness. Heel lockdown is secure with no slipping, and there were no hot spots or blisters, even without heel-lock lacing.

The second strength is the lightweight, snappy ride. The midsole feels engaging and quick, and while it’s not as fast as plated or rodded super shoes from Adidas or other brands, it’s certainly no slouch for a completely unassisted, traditional ride.

The third strength is value, and it’s the headline here. Foams in this price bracket are usually hard, dull afterthoughts, but Adidas has put its premium Lightstrike Pro foam into an entry-level shoe, and it brings the whole ride to life. Durability should be solid; the shoe held up well through early runs, and the overall build quality at this price is exceptional. The laces feel a bit cheap and are worth swapping if that bothers you, but they worked fine in practice.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The main drawback is fit. The SL2 runs on the narrow side, in a traditional Adidas, quite European way, noticeably narrower than the Boston or Adios Pro. Adidas’s own website suggests going half a size up, and that’s a sensible recommendation if you’re unsure. But if you have wide feet, this is one to avoid for now, at least until a wider fitting option appears.

A couple of smaller nitpicks: a little more stability would help, largely because of that narrow platform, and the laces are the one part of the build that feels budget. Neither is a dealbreaker for the right runner.

Buying Advice

So, is the SL2 recommended? Very much so. At £98 in the UK, against a premium foam package and this level of ride, it’s arguably the best shoe you can buy around that price point. Compared with other strong budget options like the Puma Velocity Nitro 3 or the Reebok Floatride Energy, it simply offers a more engaging ride thanks to that small slice of Lightstrike Pro.

If you want an assisted ride or a wider fit, paying more for the Boston makes sense. But for most people after a traditional, unassisted daily trainer that’s light, poppy, and genuinely fun, this is unbeatable value. Pick up a pair before the price catches up with what’s inside.

Conclusion

The Adidas SL2 delivers premium foam in a lightweight, versatile daily trainer at a budget price. It’s narrow, so wide-footed runners should look elsewhere, but for standard-width feet wanting a fun, traditional ride for everything from easy miles to half marathon racing, it’s one of the best value running shoes available right now.