New Balance Rebel v4 vs Adidas Evo SL: 700 km Grip Foam Review
This article compares the New Balance Rebel v4 and the Adidas Evo SL after 700 km of use, focusing on their appearance, performance, and durability. Both shoes were purchased by the reviewer and are considered favorite daily trainers.
New Balance Rebel v4: Appearance After 700 km
The New Balance Rebel v4, a top daily trainer for 2024, shows significant wear after 700 km.
- Upper: The Phantom Fit upper has some wear and tear on the heel due to thin padding. No holes are present.
- Midsole: There's noticeable shaving and compression lines, indicating the foam has softened considerably. This leads to a more pronounced ground feel during runs. Some marks from treadmill use are visible, and parts of the foam are breaking off.
- Outsole: The outsole still retains plenty of grip, though some rubber is peeling off, particularly on the front part due to the reviewer's running gait. Despite some parts being worn down, there are no performance issues, and the grip remains thick.
Adidas Evo SL: Appearance After 700 km
The Adidas Evo SL, a strong contender for 2025's best daily trainer, also shows wear, but its build quality appears more robust.
- Upper: The upper shows no holes, indicating good build quality, even though it's a white shoe with visible dirt. All stickers and straps remain intact.
- Midsole: The Lightstrike foam, known for its robustness, shows wrinkles. Shaving of the foam is just beginning after 700 km, which is later than many other shoes that start showing wear around 200-300 km.
- Outsole: This is the most problematic area. The Continental rubber has become smooth and very slippery, especially on the sides where the reviewer toes off. Parts of the rubber are breaking off and no longer adhering to the Lightstrike foam. The back of the shoe also shows some foam wear due to different landing styles. While the rubber looks okay, its smoothness makes it a "nightmare" in wet conditions.
Performance Comparison
New Balance Rebel v4
- Weight: Lighter than the Evo SL by 20g (approx. 229g vs. 249g).
- Flexibility: Highly flexible, making it versatile for various runs (easy, long, tempo).
- Midsole Feel: The FuelCell foam, while initially fast, softens significantly with mileage. After 500 km, the foam becomes less responsive, leading to a "bottoming out" sensation where the ground feel is more prominent, similar to older racing flats. The bounce decreases, and the foam feels very soft, causing the foot to sink in.
- Grip: No issues with grip, even after extensive use.
Adidas Evo SL
- Responsiveness: The foam is firmer and more rigid than the Rebel, maintaining responsiveness even at 700 km. A small plastic/TPU shank in the midfoot provides stability.
- Flexibility: Less flexible than the Rebel due to its structure.
- Midsole Feel: The foam, though softer than on day one, still provides good response. The reviewer uses it for treadmill runs, even at a 4:20 pace, noting its ability to propel them forward with minimal effort, offering a bouncy and stable ride.
- Grip: This is the shoe's major drawback. After several hundred kilometers, the outsole becomes extremely slippery, especially in wet conditions or on painted lines on roads. It feels like running on "super slick tires" when wet, leading to a loss of traction. Due to this, the reviewer now primarily uses it for treadmill running.
Likes and Dislikes
Upper
- Rebel v4: Preferred for its ventilation, Phantom Fit, and lightness. It doesn't retain much water when wet.
- Evo SL: Tends to retain more water, especially with sweat, making it feel heavier.
Midsole (Responsiveness and Bounce)
- Evo SL: Preferred. Even at 700 km, it performs well, offering a bouncy, stable, and responsive ride.
Grip
- Rebel v4: Definitely wins. It retains plenty of grip even after 700 km.
- Evo SL: An "absolute nightmare" in wet conditions due to the smooth outsole.
Build Quality
- Evo SL: Appears much less "bashed up" than the Rebel v4 after 700 km, indicating superior durability in terms of overall construction.
Conclusion
The New Balance Rebel v4 was the reviewer's best daily trainer of 2024, praised for its versatility and initial speed. However, its foam softens considerably over time, leading to a less responsive ride. The Adidas Evo SL is a strong contender for 2025, offering excellent performance and responsiveness even at high mileage, but its outsole grip in wet conditions is a significant flaw. While the Rebel's upper and grip are superior, the Evo SL's midsole responsiveness and overall build quality are more impressive.
Takeaways
- After 700 km the New Balance Rebel v4 shows noticeable midsole compression and some outsole peeling, but retains solid grip and overall performance.
- The Adidas Evo SL’s Lightstrike foam remains responsive and bouncy even at high mileage, while its upper stays intact and the shoe feels more durable overall.
- The Evo SL’s Continental rubber outsole becomes extremely slippery when wet, making it unsuitable for outdoor runs after several hundred kilometers.
- The Rebel v4 is lighter by about 20 g and more flexible, but its FuelCell foam softens significantly after 500 km, reducing responsiveness.
- For daily training, the Rebel v4 excels in grip and ventilation, whereas the Evo SL offers superior midsole performance and build quality, though its grip issue limits outdoor use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Adidas Evo SL’s outsole become slippery in wet conditions after 700 km?
The Evo SL’s Continental rubber outsole smooths and begins to separate from the Lightstrike foam after extensive wear, creating a slick surface that loses traction, especially on wet pavement or painted road lines. This degradation makes the shoe feel like ‘super slick tires’ in wet conditions.
How does the midsole foam of the New Balance Rebel v4 change after 500 km of mileage?
After roughly 500 km the Rebel v4’s FuelCell foam compresses and softens, losing its original springiness. Runners notice a pronounced ground feel and a ‘bottoming out’ sensation, with reduced bounce and responsiveness compared to the shoe’s fresh‑out performance.
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