The Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen and the Adidas Adizero EVO SL share the same Adizero DNA and the same Lightstrike Pro racing foam, but they are not aimed at the same moment of your week.
The Takumi Sen 11 is a pure racing shoe, a short-distance specialist. The EVO SL is the training shoe that gets the most out of that foam for daily training.
The Takumi Sen 11 is a true featherweight: 181 g / 6.4 oz. It also sits very close to the ground, while the EVO SL is far more generous underfoot.
Both run on Lightstrike Pro. The Takumi Sen 11 adds the Energy Rods, which stiffen the forefoot and deliver that strong, explosive forward propulsion you want in 5K and 10K races. The EVO SL does without them: the foam, light and bouncy, does the job. The stride is smoother and far more forgiving when the pace drops.
That is the whole difference in use. The Takumi Sen 11 demands a fast, committed stride: below race paces, it loses some of its appeal. The EVO SL takes everything: easy run, tempo, long run, it stays enjoyable from the first mile to the last.
Budget settles it too: the Takumi Sen 11 is pricier, about $30 more. A real investment for a more specialized shoe.
Takumi Sen 11 or EVO SL: which should you choose?
For almost every runner, the EVO SL is the right choice: more versatile, more comfortable and cheaper, it delivers a great ride feel while staying approachable.
Save the Takumi Sen 11 for racing 5K to 10K, if your stride is fast and you want a racing shoe for going after a fast time.
For everything else, the EVO SL does it better.
