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Adizero SL EVO to R.A.D Synth A/B Run Comparison Review: Very Similar Stats, Different Rides & Uses
Apr 27, 2026
In the video Sam compares the adidas Adizero SL EVO($150)) to the RAD Running Synth ($140) very similar in many respects but different in ride, fit, and potential uses
Full Synth written RoadTrailRun review here: https://www.roadtrailrun.com/2026/05/rad-running-synth-review-6-comparisons.html
Full SL EVOwritten RoadTrailRun review here:
https://www.roadtrailrun.com/2024/12/review-adidas-adizero-evo-sl-lot-of.html
Samples provided at no cost for review by #adidasrunning and #radrunning
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0:00
Hello everybody, Sam from RoadTrailRun.
0:02
Today, we're going to take a look at a
0:05
comparing and an AB run. I'm all set to
0:08
go. The original Adidas Adizero Evo SL
0:14
to the brand new
0:15
Rad Running Synth. Now, these shoes are
0:18
almost totally identical in stats. Both
0:21
have a 38 mm heel, 32 mm forefoot. The
0:27
Adidas is actually 38 and 1/2. So,
0:29
they're identical in that sense, really.
0:32
Um the Adidas weighs 5 g less than the
0:36
Synth. Uh but, you can see already it
0:39
has a more substantial upper. And it has
0:42
a gusseted tongue, whereas the original
0:45
Evo SL does not have a gusseted tongue.
0:48
I'll try to show you a little bit the
0:50
mesh here.
0:51
You can see that's the original. We now
0:53
have the woven. We have a review of
0:55
that. Whereas here, we have a bit more
0:57
substantial mesh. You can see more
1:00
substantial overlays, as well.
1:03
In terms of their midsoles, actually
1:06
some similarities. While Adidas doesn't
1:08
disclose it,
1:10
most people many people say that it has
1:12
a TP EE super critical foam. This is the
1:15
Lightstrike Pro. Or and
1:20
Rad does say what their midsole is. It's
1:23
60% TP EE and 40%
1:27
a bio-based EVA. The only other real
1:31
differences is the Adidas has a small
1:34
plastic shank at midfoot.
1:37
The Synth does not.
1:39
You can see the Synth has a
1:42
quite substantial outsole. I think it's
1:45
a CPU type rubber.
1:47
Whereas the Adidas has patches of CPU at
1:51
the heat at the heel and Continental up
1:55
front with a smoother profile. That's
1:57
probably in large part where the weight
2:00
difference comes from is the differences
2:02
in outsole. So, I'm going to take them
2:05
out AB on our brand new rail trail here
2:08
in Portsmouth and give you some comments
2:10
on fit and ride.
2:13
Stay tuned. Moving right along.
2:16
Some first thoughts of running both of
2:18
them.
2:19
But, uh
2:20
the Synth
2:22
is a little firmer.
2:24
Definitely more
2:26
stable.
2:27
Especially at midfoot.
2:30
Upper
2:31
has a better
2:32
lockdown than our original Evo. You
2:35
know, they've improved since then.
2:37
The uh
2:39
Evo has a
2:42
bit more dynamic ride.
2:45
Uh
2:47
kind of a
2:48
more
2:49
pronounced
2:51
toe-off rebound.
2:53
Whereas the
2:55
Synth is kind of steadier, more
2:57
consistent feeling.
3:00
I
3:01
struggle some in the
3:03
Evo SL.
3:05
I think because of the
3:07
little plastic plate right under the
3:09
sock liner.
3:11
Sort of a bit of a teeter-totter at
3:13
times, unless you're running
3:15
really, really fast off the front.
3:17
Not getting the same issues
3:20
in the Synth.
3:21
Although
3:23
clearly is a bit firmer.
3:25
This
3:27
what I'm thinking is
3:29
the Synth is a very good choice
3:31
for say
3:33
intervals
3:34
and workouts.
3:36
I would think it'd be very good
3:38
for the
3:39
high schooler track high schooler
3:42
college
3:44
track and cross country runner.
3:47
Pretty much can do about everything
3:49
in a nice steady
3:51
supportive way.
3:53
Whereas the SL
3:55
is
3:56
kind of lighter feeling on the foot.
3:59
Maybe more agile.
4:01
Not quite as locked down.
4:03
Well,
4:05
that's the end of the current
4:07
rail trail.
4:08
Going to head back the other In terms of
4:10
fit, they're both true to size in my USA
4:13
0.5.
4:15
Pardon the Adidas socks. I had to pick
4:16
something. Wasn't going to go mismatch
4:18
there.
4:19
You can see
4:21
a little less than a
4:22
finger's worth.
4:24
Uh because of the
4:25
little bit shakier hold, I'd stay true
4:28
to size here.
4:29
Uh
4:30
Synth, about the same. Maybe a bit more
4:33
toe box room in length.
4:36
Much more secure heel hold, though.
4:39
Uh kind of a steadier performer in that
4:41
sense.
4:42
Much better lacing system with a gusset
4:45
over here. It's kind of thin.
4:47
Little stringy laces. The Evo SL
4:51
ATR has rich laces and a gusset. Much
4:55
better setup.
4:57
Going to keep going.
5:00
Moving right along here.
5:03
Around 9:10 pace.
5:05
That's about when the
5:07
Evo SL
5:08
9:10 per mile. It's about when the
5:11
Evo SL
5:13
really starts to make sense.
5:15
Cuz you're
5:16
more forward.
5:18
The little plate
5:19
isn't sort of in the way as as it is at
5:22
slower paces.
5:24
Uh
5:25
the uh
5:29
the Synth
5:30
has a steadier
5:32
more consistent feel.
5:34
It is a bit firmer.
5:36
Might remind or
5:38
be a good replacement for
5:40
say a
5:41
Nike Pegasus
5:43
that's gotten heavier.
5:45
Uh
5:47
in those kinds of uses. Kind of all
5:48
around daily trainer.
5:51
Definitely
5:53
of the two
5:55
it's my choice if you
5:57
need a bit more
5:59
stability
6:00
underfoot.
6:02
They both have super critical foam.
6:04
As I said, the
6:07
the Evo SL has
6:09
Lightstrike all Lightstrike Pro.
6:13
I think it's a TP EE type foam.
6:16
Whereas the
6:17
Synth
6:18
has a
6:20
a disclosed
6:21
blend of TP EE and
6:24
uh
6:25
40% bio EVA.
6:28
All super critical mix.
6:31
Uh
6:32
and I think that's why the
6:34
the Synth with that EVA
6:37
has that
6:38
little bit firmer
6:40
more consistent feel
6:42
than the
6:44
kind of livelier
6:45
more dynamic
6:47
Evo SL.
6:50
I'm on this
6:51
fine gravel
6:53
and
6:54
definitely the Synth has a bit more
6:57
grip
6:58
than the Evo SL with that
7:00
smooth outsole.
7:03
So, for this kind of running
7:04
for its grip
7:06
somewhat of a better choice.
7:08
But, nothing wrong with the Evo SL's
7:10
grip.
7:11
It's been an incredibly popular shoe
7:14
for good reason.
7:15
Near racer
7:17
or if not racer
7:19
because of its
7:20
38 mm heel
7:23
sub
7:24
8 oz weight
7:26
and
7:27
same foam as
7:29
classic
7:30
Adios Pro
7:32
racers.
7:33
So, kind of a budget racer
7:35
or maybe a
7:37
10K
7:38
to half shoe if you don't want a a full
7:40
plate.
7:42
Whereas the Synth
7:43
leans more
7:45
trainer.
7:47
About the same weight, only 5 g more.
7:50
But, it's
7:51
better choice if you need a not just
7:53
stability.
7:56
Okay.
7:57
Ended up at 8:50 pace. I was actually
8:00
around 8 minutes for the last 2 and 1/2
8:02
miles. And the differences became quite
8:05
a bit clearer.
8:06
At faster paces the Evo SL
8:10
is more quicker rebounding, more dynamic
8:14
uh [snorts] than our Synth. Whereas our
8:17
Synth is steadier really at all paces
8:22
because of its somewhat denser firmer
8:24
foam and thus its stability. So,
8:27
no question, the Evo SL, though I didn't
8:30
much like it at first, is a great
8:32
contender as a
8:34
up tempo trainer
8:36
racer on a budget. And the Synth can do
8:39
the same thing. Maybe not quite as
8:41
dynamic, a bit stiffer, a bit more uh
8:45
stable. But, I think it's a better
8:47
choice if you want a very light uh under
8:51
8 oz um trainer, daily trainer even. I
8:54
wouldn't A lot of people do, but I
8:56
wouldn't daily train the Evo SL. I think
8:58
I need more support from the upper,
9:01
which I got here.
9:02
A little bit more stable, denser
9:05
midsole. Although I haven't run the
9:09
the woven version. Supposed to be more
9:10
supportive in the upper, but the
9:11
underfoot platform doesn't change.
9:14
Well, thank you very much for watching.
9:17
Have a great run. We'll have full
9:18
multi-tester review of the Synth from
9:21
Rad coming real soon. And we have
9:23
reviews of the Evo SL over at
9:25
roadtrailrun.com.
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