The adidas EVO SL takes learnings from the brand’s top-tier performance shoes to provide a ride that covers everything from easy runs to race day. That’s largely thanks to a thick layer of LIGHTSTRIKE PRO midsole foam that’s designed to be soft, comfortable and ensure a high level of energy return.
The Hoka Mach 6 is versatile training shoe designed for handling faster sessions with a smooth, lightweight ride. Improvements over the Mach 5 include a new super critical foam midsole as well as refinements to the collar and tongue, and a new creel jacquard upper.
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00:16 – Stats
00:39 – Design
01:45 – How’s the fit?
04:09 – The Run Test
11:06 – Verdict
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Hey there Tommy from the Run testers in This video we are going to be comparing The Adidas ADI Evo SL with the Hawker Max 6 let's see what we [Music] Think the Adidas adisz Evo SL costs £130 Or $150 it weighs 224 G or 7.9 Oz for Men in a size 8.5 and the drop is 6 mm The hoker Max 6 costs £140 or $140 it Weighs 219 g or 7.7 o for men in the Size 8 and the drop is 5 [Music] Mm the Adidas Evo SL takes learnings From the Brand's top tier performance Shoes to provide a ride that covers Everything from Easy runs to race day That's largely thanks to a thick layer Of Light Strike Pro Midol foam that's Designed to be soft comfortable and Ensure a high level of energy return the Upper is made from a lightweight and Breathable engineered mesh to deliver Comfort and ventilation while the outs Features a combination of Continental Rubber on the forefoot and clear rubber Towards the heel of the shoe aiming to Provide grip and protection without Increasing the weight the shoe also has Plenty of padding around the ankle Collar as well as a slightly rocket Geometry for smooth heel to trow Transition the hoko Max 6 is a versatile Training shoe designed for handling Faster sessions with a smooth
Lightweight ride improvements over the Mac 5 include a new super critical foam Mid sole as well as refinements to the Colorin tongue and a new cre jacked Upper that upper is built to improve Breathability and ensure additional Comfort due to a dual internal gusset The midsole has been modified to improve Engine return while the outsole features Strategically placed rubber to provide a High level of durability and grip the Shoe is also available in a wide Version so it comes to the fit of the Two shoes i' got a uk9 in both which is A US 9.5 that is a size I generally use With both of these brands with Adidas I Occasionally go half a size up Especially in the racing shoes as Sometimes they can be a bit cramped but I was okay in my normal size with the Adidas adero eosl and the same goes for The Hoka Max 6 which again is also quite Narrow and dialed in around the toes I Really like the fit of both of them I'm A little bit small for my size though There is a case you could look at going Half a size up if you're big for your Size especially in the UK given the way That the US UK size is convert but I had No problems doing long runs in both Shoes in my nor running shoe size and in General I really like the fit of both of Them they've both got a little bit of Padding around the uppers but not too
Much as to be overbearing I think some People don't like the tongue on the eosl But hasn't been a problem for me it sits In place quite nicely General yeah Pretty much perfect uppers for me and a Good fit in my normal size okay so the Fit for me in these two shoes the uh Evo SL I went half size up I tried on uh Three different sizes when I was uh Buying this shoe over and bu um and with Ad that shoes you normally in the UK go Up half a size um to get the fit that You want definitely the case with the Evo SL I went up to a size 8.5 I'm Normally a size eight um and it's Definitely the shoe that I need I did Try on a size eight uh it was okay but When um I was testing out a little bit I Felt like my foot was getting a bit too Close to the end of the shoe so I Definitely go up half size uh in the Evo SL it's also quite a roomy shoe there's Quite a lot of space around the side of The shoe for an Adidas shoe um and Probably that's because I went half size But it does feel like quite a roomy shoe So um it's probably quite a good one if You um have average width feet um so Yeah very comfortable shoe I'd go half a Size up in that the Hawker Max 6 uh as It's HW shoe you would expect that it Would be a bit narrow it is um when you Put it on it does feel like quite a Restrictive shoe um and there's not
Loads of space um in the for foot as Well um I uh there is a wide version of This shoe so I think if you've got uh Wider feet then you might want to go for The wider version of the shoe for a bit More Comfort the runs I've done in it I've been absolutely fine in my UK size 8 but I do feel that it's quite a Restrictive shoe um I've got fairly Average with feet so if you are a little Bit over the fence with um your uh width Then you probably W look at getting the Wide version of this shoe but I would Still say to to your actual size in the Shoe okay so these are two great shoes If you're looking for a trainer to do Your um more versatile faster training Sessions in um but they're very Different shoes when it comes to the Ride of them so I'll start with the evos SL massive fan of the evl uh I think for The price I think uh because of the Technology you getting it it's really Punching above its price point for £130 In the UK this is a fantastic shoe um Which I think a lot most Runners would Be happy to have in their collection um The the magic of this shoe comes from The fact that it has this Light Strike Pro midsole it's very bouncy it's quite Soft loads of energy return in it um and Is really really nice for running those Faster sessions uh longer sessions as Well if you're in Tempo sessions
Anything like that I think for a lot of People this would be a fantastic race Shoe if you didn't want to go all out And get a carbon plate race shoe and you Just wanted something that was fast and A loads of energy in it and felt quite Light on the feet this is a great shoe For that I've used it for probably about 70k now um I I actually think it's one Of the most vertil shoes out there I Quite like this for easy runs I think This the soft um cushioning and that Little bit of Bounce makes easy runs a Lot easier uh it's one of those shoes Where you pick it up and you take it out For a run I've just been out for a 10K In it and um uh recently I'm not Incredibly fit at the moment so a lot of My um a lot of my easy runs or general Runs that I'm going out for normally sit Around that 5 minute per kilometer Mark Um but what I when I went out and Running this I found that I was just Running 445 minute kilm and it felt just As easy as a previous run in a different Shoe so it's definitely a shoe that Really helps you uh maintain a nice Pace It it gives you nice bit of ngy back It's a lovely smooth transition in it Just an all around great shoe um Especially if you like that sort of Softer bouncy uh midsole um the Haw Max 6 similar Vibe uh you're going to use it For the same sort of things it's is
Shuee that really excels when you're Picking up the pace it's great for Intervals faster sessions Tempo sessions Anything like that it just feels very Lightweight very nippy on the feet uh The difference is that the midell home Is uh it doesn't have the same effects As the eosl so that Light Strike Pro is Very soft and bouncy and LS of eny Return this isn't this is more of a Um shoe that um is a bit more Conventional in the way that it rides um It's a little bit firmer in the midsole It's not the firmest midsole around but You can definitely feel that it's There's not big stack of foam here it Feels more like uh a midell foam that's Just a little bit nippier a little bit More balanced uh you don't get loads of Energy return from it but the ride in it And the the HTO transition really is Great for running fast it's it get a lot Of responsiveness from it it's a very Fast shoe um I'm very much enjoying Raring the shoe um I think uh when I Started trying this shoe um there are a Few shoes that came out around it and After it that do a similar thing but I Think they just do it a little bit Better um and that's not say it's a bad Shoe I just think shoes like the eosl And and the bounce that you get from it And that engine return it just makes Easier runs and faster sessions and
Intervals just a little bit more Enjoyable a little bit easier to do um But it's not bad Sho by any stretch of The imagination um the other thing i' Say about these two shoes is that the Out soole is fantastic on the HW Max 6 Good layer of rubber on it nicely Protects that midell foam you get a good Bit of grip on it as well uh and because The of the foam because uh it feels Slightly closer to the ground um it's It's very uh feels very stable um you Know if you're doing switch backs or Anything like that feels great for those Uh it feels like you're fully in control Not slipping about um the out soole on The evos really good actually Surprisingly good it's got this content Of rubber on the front but it it looks Very smooth when you when when you look At it and touch it um but it does have a Good level of grip on it it's got this It's Continental so it's very good uh Rubber uh the the back of it has this Sort of clear rubber on it as well which Is absolutely fine and the good thing is I'm I've not ripped the bottom off of These back bits which I expected to when I was um when I picked them up um the Only thing I would say about the evl um When compared to the Hawker Max 6 is That because it's a bit softer um the is Probably less stable justes feel it does Feel a bit higher on the feet and when
You're turning Corners quickly you can Feel it it's a little bit um you are a Little bit uh further off the ground uh And a little bit it's a little bit more Wobbly than the Max 6 so the Max 6 is a More stable shoe overall onto the run Test then and these are two running Shoes that I'm a really big fan of we've Done quite a lot of that lately versus Where I've been a fan of both shoes and That's mainly because we've been Comparing the evos to some of the best Shoes on the market I think there is a Lot of similarities between these two Shoes and the way they're set up with Simple lightweight designs that have Enough cushioning to be comfortable but Are still nice and light and Speedy for Faster runs as well and there's a lot of Like about both shoes especially the Fact they're both reasonably priced I Would say had the Max 6 in first and I've now done about 130 140k in the shoe Now because I've used it quite a lot as A trip shoe because I like the way this Shoe looks and it is so vertile so I've Taken it away on trips where I've done Some pretty Speedy stuff like 10 time 1K On the track and long easy to steady Like long runs and that kind of thing And always really enjoyed using it it's Got quite a simple ride it's not really Going to blow your way in terms of know Springiness or softness that's much more
Something you get from the evos it's got Just a really nice balanc feeling to it I think you do get a bit of response There's a little bit of a rocker all in All it's just a nice neutral platform That you can push against and run Whatever kind of run you're going to do There it's enough support and comfort For easy runs I think it's a pretty Stable shoe without being overly wide or Anything like that grips well enough Comps well upper just yeah a really Simple shoe that's very effective I Think all that's true of the Evo ASL as Well but I do think it has an additional Gear thanks to the midell you get on the Shoe that is a better phone than you Have on the hoker you've got a super Critical Eva here whereas on the EVO SL You've got Adidas's Light Strike Pro Phone which is a softer springier foam There's also a nylon shank in there to Add a little bit of a stiffening agent Which might make a bit of a difference It's also a lighter shoe so all in all It does feel like a faster shoe it works Better for fast sessions than the Hoka Max 6 so whereas the hook Max 6 just Allows you to run fast through nice Simple design you get a bit more Assistance and punch from the evos Because of the Pham you have in the Midsole here which really does give you A lot of spring and there a more
Aggressive for foot rocker as well it's Still a comfortable shoe though for easy Runs got a really soft foam at the heel There and if anything the only problem You have with easy runs with the evos SL Is a little bit of stability I'd say Compared to the Max 6 which is not an Overly wide shoe but I do think the Firmer mid cell foam you have on it does Give it a bit more stability it's a bit Wider around the midfoot as well the Eosl does get quite narrow there and There is that little bit of a cutout on The medial side so that does affect Stability but I have still enjoyed it For easy runs myself as a neutral Runner And you have got a really Lively Spritely ride for when it comes to Faster runs I did do a short run wearing Both shoes at the same time and that Difference does come across the Adidas Feels peier lighter bouncier softer at The heel more of an aggressive rocker Springier off the 4 foot Max 6 just Feels good it's reliable but doesn't Feel as special as the eosl does so if You are looking for that more Dynamic Energetic feeling for fast runs in Particular the evl does provide it both Very capable at a wide range of runs but I do think the evl leans a bit more Towards the fast off whereas the Mac 6 Probably outd does the Evo a little bit On the easier
Runs verdict then if it's a straight Shootout and you're looking for the best Shoe between these two I would pick the Adidas Adizero evos got a better midell Foam here and that just changes the feel Of the ride and improves it especially For faster efforts when you're getting More energy return and a more aggressive Rocker off the front of the shoe and it Is still comfortable and relaxed for Easy runs thanks to the soft phone if You're landing at the hill like myself It's a nice squishy feeling there and as Long as you haven't got significant Stability problems I think it's okay in Terms of rolling through and avoiding That narrow midfoot Max 6 though is such A good shoe and it's one that I really Do like I think it's really versatile as Well I think it probably covers off easy Runs and long runs a little bit better Than the Adidas Evo ASL like I've done Easy to steady long runs in both of These shoes and if I was going at 90 Minutes I might lean towards the Max 6 a Little bit whereas anything shorter than That I do think the extra fun you get From the evl might give it a bit of an Edge for me but really they cover off Similar ground really really well and Actually I do think there's enough of a Difference here you could look at Combining these two in a rotation like If you like lightweight shoes if you're
Not going for a Mac stack really cushion Shoe for your easy runs I think the Max 6 is a really good easy day shoe all Around and a general excellent daily Trainer that you can use that's not Giving you the feeling of assistance That you might get a little bit from the Evo cell thanks to that extra spring in The midsole foam there but does have a Nice natural feel at a range of paces And can still be used for a bit of Everything whereas the evl would then Fit alongside it as more of a speed Focus shoe that you can bring out Possessions doing short intervals or Tempor runs that kind of thing so I do Think they could work in tandem quite Nicely it's actually a rotation that as I'm talking sounds really good to me and It might be the rotation I'd pick out if I was picking up a set of running shoes From scratch because they are such good Shoes and they are both shoes that I Really enjoy running in but the EO cell I'm just picking one is the one that I Am more excited to run in than the Max 6 Because that midell just gives you a Little bit more energy it's actually Cheaper in the UK as well which is Certainly an extra benefit all around so Yeah I'd give it to the eosl we're Picking one shoe between these Especially as an allrounder I am Certainly very drawn to the idea of
Having both of these in a rotation okay So my verdict on these two shoes I think They're both great shoes um I just think The evl is is a class above it um for Certain type of Runner I think for most People these days you're probably Looking for that nice bit V return You're looking for that nice bit of Comfort and bounce you get it all with The evl it's just a fantastically Versatile shoe that you can use for Pretty much anything all the way up to Racing you can do easy runs in it as Well I like it for easy runs I know Nick's not as big a fan for easy runs For me it's absolutely fine um it's just An all around fantastic shoe for £130 It's an absolute steal uh and well worth Taking a look at um if you're looking For a shoe for your rotation for your Faster trading sessions or if you just Want one shoe and your focus is training For a race and you want to get a good Time in it I think evl is is a great Option H ma 6 still a fantastic shoe a Bit more conventional though um and for Me I like a bit more softness and bounce In my shoes i' still I still think this Is great for faster sessions I'd Probably use this more for shorter Intervals um shorter faster training Sessions that sort of thing CU I do like A bit more Mido um bounce and Ur return In my shoes um but it does have the plus
Point of having a bit more stability It's probably a bit more accessible for Some people who probably don't want the Um the overly soft um bouncy feel of the Evo um but really for me it's quite an Easy one I'm going to just go for the Adidas eosl all the way I think it's Even 1010 cheaper in the UK for this Shoe but even if it the same price I'd Still go for the evos SL so yeah evos For me all the way that's it from us on This versus thanks a lot for watching Don't forget to like subscribe and click That little bell and if you go into the Caption below you can find it to our Podcast which comes out a couple of Times each month thanks lot for watching C next time [Music]
