u/Reckam

Adidas Adizero Evo SL 2
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Adidas Adizero Evo SL 2

Heel bevel and rocker looking quite similar to the Anta Zone 2 90, just as everyone expected. Foam should be the Lightstrike Pro from the AP4 if rumors are to be believed. Design seems to be more like the Prime X Evo than the Pro Evo 3 or AP5. Release should be soon.

EDIT: More pictures.

u/Reckam — 5 days ago
▲ 39 r/PHRunners+1 crossposts

Xtep Caiyun 2.0 initial impressions

I've got about 20K in this contraption called the Xtep Caiyun 2.0 (Translates literally to Rainbow Cloud 2.0) now and I really like the exotic feeling of the ride, although the fit might end up being what kills it for me and most people who don't have normal to slender feet. For stats I'm around 100kg, 6:30/km easy pace.

It's a huge shoe at around 277g in my 42.5/270 mm, but I don't really notice the weight once I'm running. The rocker is quite early and makes turnover really easy without messing with my cadence too much.

The heel is kind of firm and soft at the same time. It's not really a marshmallow, but you can feel it compressing and there's some bounce without sinking much deeper when you put more force into it. The forefoot is much firmer and stiffer, almost like a brick at slower speeds, although there is some squish and bounce when you really load it. The midfoot is actually where I feel the most bounce, and then the rocker rolls me forward. There is no slap at all, it's really smooth.

It's really protective too. I barely feel the road or rocks underneath me, and despite how tall it is, it doesn't feel particularly unstable. It reminds me a little of the Prime X3 because of the difference between the heel and forefoot, but this shoe is much smoother to me. It's also smoother and easier to turn over than my Invincible 3, which feels softer but has a slower rebound.

The fit is unfortunately the main problem. The midfoot is really tight and I started getting medial midfoot/arch pain, especially on my left where the heel was slipping more. Removing the insole helped, but I still haven't completely solved it. So I really like the ride, but I don't know if I can make the fit work. For additional context on the fit I'm a US9.5 on Nike/Adidas/other western brands and most Nike shoes are slightly narrow for me but I can make them work, I also play in soccer/football shoes and it's almost never this bad.

TL;DR

Huge, protective and surprisingly fun. Firm but cushioned, bouncy through the midfoot, stiff in the forefoot, very easy to roll through, absolutely no slap. I really like the ride, the fit is a big problem for even slightly wider feet.

u/Reckam — 2 months ago