Review: Adidas Ultraboost 21
Like other running shoes, this one has that “rocker” appearance. What that means is that while standing, you feel less like you’re on a flat surface, and more inclined to tip forward and back. The idea is to capitalize on what some shoemakers believe is a more natural gait, and help propel you into your next step as you run.
Feel of the Shoe
Here’s where these shoes really set themselves apart. The Boost midsole—that proprietary material Adidas debuted back in 2013 and has been refining ever since—is what gives this shoe its bounce and responsiveness. The website claims that there’s 6% more Boost capsules than previous versions (I’m guessing mostly in that chunky heel), added to create that perfect cushioned but bouncy feel.
In short, running in these shoes feels great. There’s a really plush feel to each stride—you sink in a little bit with every step—but then there’s that energy return as you round onto the ball of your foot and it jolts you into your next step.
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If you read enough about running shoes, you probably hear folks refer to the “drop” in millimeters. The drop is the difference in height between the heel and the forefoot, and this shoe has a 10-mm drop. While there’s some debate over how much drop running shoes should have, in general, the higher the drop, the steeper the angle of your foot. Higher drops might be nice if you’re a heel striker (you land each stride with your heel first), and lower drops (say, below 6 mm) can be good if you stride on the balls of your feet. I’m a firm believer that there’s no single perfect way to run—the right way to run is the way that keeps your body pain-free. Having said all that, with the higher drop of this shoe and the thick, cushioned heel, I think this shoe would make an excellent choice if you know you’re a heel striker and want that extra padding each time your heel hits the pavement. (One more quick note on that: If you don’t know whether you’re a heel striker, that’s okay. Your running gait may not actually matter all that much.)
The one downside to all of this? The Ultraboost is heavy. It weighs almost 12 ounces (340 g), and in a running world, where competitor running shoes (like this one from Hoka One One or this one from On Running) come in at the seven- and nine-ounce mark, respectively, that added weight is one that I felt by the time I hit mile three. A few extra ounces might not seem like much, but with so many featherweight options available, it’s something to consider.
How My Body Felt During and After Activity
I was supported, stable, and all-around energized. That goes for these sneakers and just about every pair of Ultraboost I’ve run in previously. What the shoe lacks in lightweight speediness, it makes up for in its cushion, which truly kept my body feeling comfortable and steady throughout each workout.