The Adidas EVO SL ATR is the winter-ready, all-terrain take on one of the most exciting daily speed shoes in recent memory. I bought a pair at launch and have put them through cold, wet, and slightly muddy runs to see whether the Adidas EVO SL ATR keeps the original shoe’s poppy personality while adding grip, protection, and confidence for the tougher months.
Adidas Mens Adizero Evo Sl M
Overview: what the Adidas EVO SL ATR aims to do
The Adidas EVO SL ATR tries to take everything that made the Evo SL beloved — the snappy Lightstrike Pro foam, the lively ride, and the value — and rework the package so it works in winter conditions and on light off-road surfaces. The Adidas EVO SL ATR is not positioned as a hardcore trail shoe. Instead it targets runners who want a daily speed shoe that tolerates rain, puddles, gritty park paths, and the occasional gravel track without feeling lifeless or overbuilt.
Specs at a glance
- Price: £140 (UK launch price)
- Midsole: Lightstrike Pro foam
- Stack: 39 mm (heel), 7 mm drop
- Weight: 318 g (UK size 12 in my testing)
- Outsole: Continental rubber with 1.5 mm lugs, extended coverage
- Upper: Ripstop water-repellent mesh with wraparound mud guard and TPU toe reinforcement
- Plate: No plate
What changed versus the standard Evo SL
The Adidas EVO SL ATR introduces a handful of targeted updates rather than a full redesign. The most visible differences are the ripstop, water-repellent upper and the wraparound mud guard that protects the mesh from splash and muck. The outsole gets a Continental rubber rework with 1.5 millimeter lugs and more coverage underfoot, which adds weight but also increases grip and durability in wet conditions.
Other details include reinforced TPU at the toe, improved laces (a surprisingly important fix), and front and heel pull tabs that make the shoe easier to slide on. The midsole uses the same Lightstrike Pro foam found in the Evo SL, and there is no embedded carbon or nylon plate. That means the Adidas EVO SL ATR keeps the lively, snappy feel that made the Evo SL popular — only now it will also shrug off puddles and cold mornings a lot better.
Ride, feel and performance
I tested the Adidas EVO SL ATR with the ATR on my left foot and the original Evo SL on my right foot to feel differences in isolation. The ATR is heavier — about 51 grams in my UK size 12 — and you can notice the extra mass on quick pickups. Even so, the Adidas EVO SL ATR retains most of the original shoe’s magic. It is still fast and fun; the Lightstrike Pro midsole remains responsive, springy and smile-inducing.
The ATR’s more substantial outsole brings a touch more rigidity underfoot. That helps with stability, especially through corners and on off-camber sections of park paths. If you previously found the Evo SL a little too soft or nervous at speed, the Adidas EVO SL ATR feels more confidence inspiring without killing the poppy character.
Grip and confidence on wet surfaces
The Continental rubber combined with shallow 1.5 mm lugs gives the Adidas EVO SL ATR seriously improved traction on wet tarmac, gritty park surfaces and compact gravel. It is not a deep-lug trail shoe, but the ATR outsole will keep you planted on rain-slick roads and muddy park routes where the regular Evo SL could lose composure.
For parkrun and winter tempo sessions, the Adidas EVO SL ATR is a firm recommendation if you want speed plus confidence when corners get slippery.
Upper protection and weather performance
The ripstop mesh and full circumference mud guard are the two features that define this shoe for cold, wet conditions. The ripstop fabric beads water and resists abrasion much better than the lighter mesh used on the standard Evo SL. The mud guard sits over the mesh and keeps splashes from soaking the foot — I ran in 0 to 2 degree conditions and my feet stayed warm and dry on more than one splash-heavy route.
It is important to be realistic: the Adidas EVO SL ATR is not Gore-Tex. It does not claim to be waterproof. What it does is add meaningful water resistance and warmth while keeping breathability reasonable for winter runs. That trade-off makes the shoe run warm in summer, so expect the Adidas EVO SL ATR to perform best up to around 10 to 12 degrees Celsius, in my experience.
Fit, sizing and everyday comfort
Sizing for the Adidas EVO SL ATR mirrors the regular Evo SL. I wore my usual UK 12 and found the fit true to size. The last is not narrow; it suits medium and slightly wider feet without trouble. The improved sawtooth laces lock the foot down more effectively than the older Evo SL laces, a small change that adds up to better on-the-run confidence.
Drop and stack are unchanged, so runners who liked the Evo SL geometry will feel at home in the Adidas EVO SL ATR. Cushioning remains lively thanks to Lightstrike Pro. There is no hidden plate, so the shoe stays springy and playful rather than stiff and deadening.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Retains the Evo SL’s lively ride thanks to Lightstrike Pro midsole cushioning.
- Improved grip from Continental rubber and 1.5 mm lugs for winter conditions.
- Water-repellent ripstop upper and wraparound mud guard keep feet drier on urban winter runs.
- More stable feel than the original Evo SL because of outsole rigidity and a reinforced heel.
- Updated laces and pull tabs are helpful, high-quality touches that improve fit and usability.
Cons
- Not a true trail shoe — avoid technical, muddy, rock-strewn trails; this is an urban ATR at best.
- Heavier than the Evo SL — expect roughly a 50 gram increase in my testing size, which is noticeable on very fast sessions.
- Exposed midsole wear — outsole coverage does not fully protect the midsole, so you can see wear on some exposed foam areas with heavy use on rough surfaces.
- Runs warm — the water-repellent upper and mud guard reduce airflow, so it is not ideal for summer training.
- Limited availability at launch; availability varies by market.
Who should (and should not) buy the Adidas EVO SL ATR
The Adidas EVO SL ATR is for runners who want a fast, fun daily trainer that won’t bail on them when the roads get wet, when park paths are covered in grit, or when the temperature drops. If you race parkrun, do tempo work on mixed surfaces, and need a shoe that combines responsiveness and grip, the Adidas EVO SL ATR is an excellent choice.
The Adidas EVO SL ATR is not for people seeking a technical trail shoe with deep lugs, Rock Plate protection and full underfoot coverage. For muddy, rocky, or highly technical trails you will need a shoe specifically built for that purpose. The same goes for runners who prefer featherweight racers; the ATR’s added weight moves it away from pure race shoe territory.
Care, durability and practical notes
The Adidas EVO SL ATR’s ripstop upper and mud guard are more durable than the standard Evo SL mesh, but the midsole foam remains exposed in spots where the outsole doesn’t completely cover it. You will likely see cosmetic wear in those areas after a lot of road miles. The Continental rubber outsole holds up well and continues to provide great grip after weeks of testing.
My recommendation for longevity: avoid dragging the shoe through abrasive, rocky trails. Use the Adidas EVO SL ATR where it is intended to shine — mixed urban surfaces, wet roads, and light dirt paths. That approach will keep the shoe both performing and looking better for longer.
The Adidas EVO SL ATR is the best winter version of a daily shoe that I’ve tried; it keeps the pop without sacrificing grip or protection.
Adidas Mens Adizero Evo Sl M
Final verdict
I love the Adidas EVO SL ATR. It is the Evo SL I wanted for winter: warmer, drier, and more confidence inducing on wet surfaces while preserving most of the lively ride that made the Evo SL so special. The added £10 price tag and modest weight increase are reasonable compromises for the improvements you get in grip, protection and everyday usability in cold, wet conditions.
If your running is largely urban and includes winter parkruns, fast group runs or tempo sessions on mixed surfaces, the Adidas EVO SL ATR earns a strong recommendation. If you spend your runs deep in technical trail networks or need the lightest possible race shoe in the summer, look elsewhere.
Is the Adidas EVO SL ATR waterproof?
No. The Adidas EVO SL ATR is water resistant. It uses a ripstop, water-repellent upper and a wraparound mud guard to keep out splashes and light rain, but it is not fully waterproof like a Gore-Tex shoe.
How does the Adidas EVO SL ATR compare to the regular Evo SL in terms of ride?
The Adidas EVO SL ATR keeps the Lightstrike Pro foam and most of the lively, snappy ride of the regular Evo SL. The ATR feels slightly less poppy due to the heavier and more rigid outsole, but it gains stability and grip, which many runners will consider a net positive.
Is the Adidas EVO SL ATR a true trail shoe?
No. The Adidas EVO SL ATR handles light dirt, gravel and wet park paths well, but it is not designed for muddy, rocky, or technical trails. For those conditions look for shoes with deeper lugs and full underfoot protection.
What size should I order for the Adidas EVO SL ATR?
Stick to your usual Evo SL or training shoe size. The Adidas EVO SL ATR fits true to size and accommodates medium to slightly wider feet without feeling narrow.
Will the Adidas EVO SL ATR be too warm for summer?
Yes, the water-repellent upper and mud guard reduce airflow, so the Adidas EVO SL ATR will feel warmer than the regular Evo SL in summer. I would use it mainly in colder months up to around 10 to 12 degrees Celsius.
How much heavier is the Adidas EVO SL ATR compared to the Evo SL?
In my testing the Adidas EVO SL ATR weighed about 318 grams in UK size 12, roughly 51 grams heavier than the standard Evo SL in the same size. The outsole and added protective features drive most of that increase.
Quick buying checklist
- Prioritize the Adidas EVO SL ATR if you need a fast daily shoe that copes with winter weather.
- Look elsewhere if you run technical trails or need a summer-speed shoe.
- Consider £140 as the launch price; compare availability in your region before committing.
- Use the Adidas EVO SL ATR for parkrun, mixed-surface tempo runs, and cold-weather training.
Closing thoughts
The Adidas EVO SL ATR is a thoughtful evolution of a great shoe. It addresses common weaknesses without taking the personality away from the platform. You get improved grip, more protection and a warmer, drier ride in exchange for a small weight penalty and a higher price. For urban runners who refuse to let the weather dictate training quality, the Adidas EVO SL ATR is one of the best winter-ready daily speed shoes on the market right now.