Adidas Adizero Evo SL vs Saucony Triumph 23
A side-by-side comparison grounded in verdicts from 6 reviewers with every source linked. We don't invent quotes; every claim below is attributed.
Specs at a glance
The consensus read
Each paragraph is a synthesis across every reviewer in our database for that shoe — what they collectively concluded after wear-testing. Not a quote. Not one person's take. The shape of the room.
Saucony Triumph 23
A cushioned daily trainer that bounces back after a misstep with the Triumph 22, offering a soft, stable ride for easy miles and marathon-pace running—though reviewers question whether the $170 price justifies it over cheaper alternatives.
Adidas Adizero Evo SL — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , soft_plush feel , high energy return , neutral stability , aggressive rocker.
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An extremely popular, do-everything trainer with racing-line Lightstrike Pro foam and Continental rubber at $150 that they consider a no-brainer buy, often findable on sale for less.
Fit:The newer woven upper has a bit better lockdown and comfort than the original upper
In their words: "this is the shoe you get" · "just the easy cruiser" · "so popular it's for a reason"
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A very good, hyped do-it-all shoe with balanced Lightstrike Pro bounce and the roomiest, softest-heeled fit of the group, held back by midfoot medial instability and early outsole wear around 80 miles.
Ride:Full-length Lightstrike Pro with a midfoot shank but no full plate; good bounce without being the bounciest on the market, a very nice heel bevel, and a medial cutout that makes it the most medially unstable shoe of the group.
Fit:Roomiest upper of the group — some find it baggy, but it's the best pick for wider, higher-volume feet; watch the tapered toe box. Softest, most padded heel of the group, making it the best option for Haglund's deformity.
In their words: "the major hype shoe" · "not the bounciest thing on the market" · "a little pep in your step"
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Still a phenomenal, trend-setting shoe whose Lightstrike Pro foam he personally prefers for responsiveness, but it narrowly loses the head-to-head to the Deviate Pure on weight, stability, versatility and upper; the original mesh upper remains its weak point.
Ride:Lightstrike Pro compresses and bounces back quicker and feels more responsive than the Puma's Nitro foam; the high toe spring biases the ride and suits midfoot/forefoot strikers, while the skinny heel makes it less stable than the Deviate Pure
Fit:250g in his UK 10 (he is a US 10.5 — Adidas size classification, not sizing up); slightly roomier than the Deviate Pure, so the better pick for slightly wider feet
In their words: "the one that started the trend" · "an essential accessory for most people" · "the Conti rubber is excellent"
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His second pick and nearly number one: the fastest, most affordable shoe in the lineup thanks to a plateless Lightstrike Pro midsole, with durability the only real weakness.
Ride:Uses the Lightstrike Pro racing midsole in a daily trainer without a carbon plate, making it the fastest shoe in the lineup; very soft so not the most supportive and the midsole gets mushy after high mileage.
In their words: "the fastest shoe in the lineup" · "the shoe that keeps on giving" · "the midsole gets a little bit mushy"
Saucony Triumph 23 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , neutral stability .
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The Triumph 23 is back on track as a comfortable but not mushy max-cushion-leaning daily trainer; a reliable option, though the $170 price (up $10 from last year) feels a bit high.
Ride:Tall but doesn't feel its 37mm stack; cushioned but not mushy or marshmallowy. Moderate compression with more than moderate responsiveness gives a peppy, bouncy feel. Hint of stability with more foam on the medial heel that can kick the foot slightly outward — supinators should be cautious.
Fit:True to size with comfy fit; padded tongue and heel collar, full Achilles flare with extra puffiness — warm in cold weather but could feel like a sweat sponge in summer.
In their words: "comfortable but not mushy" · "doesn't feel anywhere near that tall" · "back on track as a max cushion shoe"
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A welcome update from the 22 (which TRT didn't like). Step in the right direction for Saucony.
In their words: "a step in the right direction" · "a welcome up update to the 22"
Who should buy which
Use cases the reviewers above actually call out — one bullet per distinct take, attributed. Where reviewers converge (e.g. "5K to half marathon" appearing across multiple takes) the agreement is a stronger buying signal than any single voice.
Consider the Adidas Adizero Evo SL if
- Training + racing on a budget, including the marathon — The Run Testers
- Runners with slightly wider feet and midfoot/forefoot strikers who want a responsive plateless super-foam up-tempo trainer — FORDY RUNS
- Bouncy uptempo daily training and as a super-shoe alternative for runners who don't gel with carbon-plated racers — Doctors of Running
- Runners looking for a fast, lightweight, versatile trainer that excels at track reps, intervals, tempo and cruisey workouts while still being comfortable for easy runs. — The Run Testers
- Fast training sessions, track workouts, aggressive tempo runs and 5K racing for neutral runners who want a lightweight speed-leaning all-rounder at a great price. — The Run Testers
- A versatile daily trainer for runners who want a responsive, nimble feel across a wide range of paces at a great price. — EDDBUD
Consider the Saucony Triumph 23 if
- Runners wanting a max-cushion, soft, bouncy daily trainer for long runs and easy miles. — The Run Testers
- Runners wanting a firmer, stable, well-protected cushioned daily trainer for easy miles up to marathon pace. — The Run Testers
- Runners who want a more cushioned daily trainer that can still do daily training work, not just recovery runs. — Kofuzi
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the Adidas Adizero Evo SL and the Saucony Triumph 23?
The Adidas Adizero Evo SL is a speed trainer and the Saucony Triumph 23 is a daily trainer. By the numbers, the Adidas Adizero Evo SL weighs 235g, has a 37mm heel stack and a 7mm drop, while the Saucony Triumph 23 weighs 275g, has a 42mm heel stack and a 10mm drop. The Adidas Adizero Evo SL has a Full-length midfoot nylon stiffening element plate; the Saucony Triumph 23 has none. MSRP is $150 for the Adidas Adizero Evo SL and $170 for the Saucony Triumph 23.
Should I buy the Adidas Adizero Evo SL or the Saucony Triumph 23?
The Run Testers on the Adidas Adizero Evo SL: Training + racing on a budget, including the marathon. The Run Testers on the Saucony Triumph 23: Runners wanting a max-cushion, soft, bouncy daily trainer for long runs and easy miles.
Per The Run Testers.
Which is lighter, the Adidas Adizero Evo SL or the Saucony Triumph 23?
The Adidas Adizero Evo SL is lighter, at 235g versus 275g (men's 9) — about 40g less.
Which is more cushioned, the Adidas Adizero Evo SL or the Saucony Triumph 23?
Measured by stack height, the Saucony Triumph 23 has more underfoot foam — 42mm at the heel versus 37mm.
Which is cheaper, the Adidas Adizero Evo SL or the Saucony Triumph 23?
The Adidas Adizero Evo SL is cheaper at $150 versus $170 MSRP — about $20 less.