Training For NYC? Meet The adidas EVO SL Family

SPONSORED BY Photography: Brian Nguyen The New York City Marathon might cover 26.2 miles, but anyone who has trained for one knows the real journey... © Sneaker News, 2026. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us The post Training For NYC? Meet The adidas EVO SL Family appeared first on Sneaker News. The post Training For NYC? Meet The adidas EVO SL Family appeared first on Sneaker News.

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Photography:
Brian Nguyen

The New York City Marathon might cover 26.2 miles, but anyone who has trained for one knows the real journey is considerably longer.
For first-time marathoners and seasoned veterans alike, race day comes after months of training runs, recovery miles, and long weekends spent preparing your legs for the five boroughs. And with the NYC Marathon approaching, the adidas EVO SL family offers three different approaches to getting those miles in.

The EVO SL, EVO SL EXO, and EVO SL Zip all share the same responsive Lightstrike Pro cushioning underfoot. What changes is everything above it, giving runners three distinct options depending on what they want from their training shoe.

So, which EVO SL is for you? See our breakdown of the three styles below, and get your adidas Running gear from their dedicated New York City Marathon destination HERE.
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This is the shoe that made the formula work.The original EVO SL has become a favorite by pairing a lightweight, streamlined upper with full-length Lightstrike Pro cushioning. It’s fast enough to pick up the pace but approachable enough for the everyday miles that make up the bulk of marathon preparation.

For runners training for their first NYC Marathon, it’s also the simplest entry point into the EVO SL family. No added structure or unconventional upper, just the lightweight experience that turned the model into a bestseller.

Best for: Anyone looking for the classic EVO SL experience. Shop HERE.

adidas EVO SL Available Now
adidas EVO SL Available Now
adidas EVO SL Available Now
adidas EVO SL Available Now
adidas EVO SL Available Now
adidas EVO SL Available Now

As the training miles accumulate, some runners simply prefer a little more structure around their feet. The EVO SL EXO adds an external exoskeletal frame around the upper, providing additional stability while giving the familiar silhouette a considerably more technical appearance. Importantly, adidas leaves the Lightstrike Pro foundation intact.

That makes the EXO less of an upgrade from the original and more of an alternative, bringing the the familiar EVO SL experience surrounded by additional structure.

Best for: EVO SL fans looking for added stability and a more technical aesthetic. Shop HERE.

adidas EVO SL EXO Available Now
adidas EVO SL EXO Available Now
adidas EVO SL EXO Available Now
adidas EVO SL EXO Available Now

Marathon training doesn’t mean every running shoe needs to look purely utilitarian. The EVO SL Zip takes the family in its most visually adventurous direction, adding a zippered upper inspired by adidas’ Demolisher track spike. The construction conceals much of the traditional lacing system and gives the shoe a sleek, almost futuristic profile Underneath, however, is the same Lightstrike Pro platform shared by the rest of the family.

For runners who want their training footwear to transition easily into the rest of their wardrobe, the Zip offers the EVO SL experience in its most distinctive package.

Best for: Anyone who already loves the EVO SL formula but wants the most distinctive version of it. Shop HERE.