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The Adidas Adizero Evo SL ATR is the winterised version of the Adidas Adizero Evo SL, which is one of the best running shoes on the market. Adidas has tweaked the upper and outsole of the shoe to be better for runs in wet conditions, but kept the same great midsole setup in place.
While it’s not a trail or even a true road-to-trail shoe, the Evo SL ATR does provide extra protection and grip for road running in slippery conditions, and could be a worthwhile addition to your rotation if you love the standard Evo SL but don’t find it suitable for winter conditions.
Design & Key Stats
- Price: £140/$160
- Weight: 266g/9.4oz (men’s UK 9 / US 9.5)
- Drop: 6mm
- Upper: Water repellent woven ripstop mesh with added toe protection
- Midsole: Lightstrike Pro foam with nylon shank
- Outsole: Continental rubber with 1.5mm lugs
Adidas Adizero Evo SL ATR review
How’s The Fit
Nick and Kieran tested the Adidas Evo SL ATR for our review and found that it fit well in their normal running shoe size. Nick has also tested the standard Evo SL and found that the Evo SL ATR had a slightly longer design and more room in the toe-box.
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The Run Test: Likes
The new upper and outsole on the Evo SL ATR do improve its performance in wet conditions. While the upper isn’t completely waterproof, it does fend off light rain and splashes from puddles, and it also makes the shoe easier to clean than a softer, more absorbent material.
We found that the small lugs on the outsole of the shoe did improve the traction on wet pavements compared with the slicker Evo SL outsole, and the Evo SL ATR works well on very light trails like canal towpaths along with wet pavements.
As with the standard Evo SL, the midsole is the real star of the show though, with the Lightstrike Pro foam delivering a comfortable and bouncy ride. The Evo SL ATR is heavier than the standard Evo SL, but still pretty light, and it’s a shoe that can handle faster paces well.
We also found it felt a little more stable for easy runs than the Evo SL too, and the Evo SL ATR is comfortable for cruising long distances at a relaxed pace.
The Run Test: Dislikes
The fuller outsole and extra weight on the shoe do mean that it doesn’t feel quite as sprightly and energetic as the standard Evo SL, and the Evo SL ATR loses a little bit of performance for your faster runs as a result.
Despite the ATR in its name, we wouldn’t class this as a true all-terrain or road-to-trail shoe, because the outsole doesn’t offer much grip on anything but fairly hard, flat surfaces, and the soft midsole doesn’t offer protection from uneven, rocky ground.
While it can handle light trails reasonably well, the Evo SL ATR is more of a winter road running shoe, rather than one built to split time between the road and trail. As a result it’s quite a niche option, and many road running shoes already offer a similar level of grip without needing a winter version, like the Puma Velocity Nitro 4.
Verdict And Alternatives
The Adidas Evo SL ATR is not a shoe every runner will want or need, but if you’re a big fan of the standard model and live in a country with a wet, cold winter, it could be the perfect addition to your rotation for daily training in inclement weather.
If you need a shoe that truly is an all-terrain option, then great road-to-trail options we’ve tested include the Hoka Challenger 8 and New Balance Hierro v9, while shoes like the Hoka Speedgoat 6 and Merrell Agility Peak 5 are full trail shoes for technical tracks that can also handle some road running.
Other good lightweight winter options for road running include the Velocity Nitro 4 and really any Puma shoe, since they also offer great grip. The Velocity Nitro 4 comes in a Gore-Tex version if you also want a waterproof upper.