adidas ultraboost lite review | Almost Everyday City Road Running Mate | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
When I was first asked to review the Adidas Ultraboost Lite, several thoughts went through my mind. This is due to the ten year long history of Boost technology. So, I thought I might do a little digging into how technology changed the company’s fortunes.
A decade ago, when Adidas unveiled its then-latest cushion technology, the company was trying to grab a bigger share of the sneaker market from Nike. And that’s when paradigm-changing cushion technology made an impact on the EVA foam-based sneaker market. Boost not only got the brand more shoppers; It also changed the celebrity endorsement style of the company.
In 2015, it partnered with the rapper formerly known as Kanye West (and now known as Ye) to create Yeezy Boost shoes. It helped the brand break out of the athlete-only circle and forge a new path in athleisure wear.
adidas ultraboost lite with continental rubber for superior grip in all weather conditions. , photo credit: John Xavier
While the sportswear maker didn’t disclose how much it makes from sales of Yeezy-branded shoes, it admitted in 2016 – a year after launching a collaboration with the rapper – that the tie-up was “the most important partnership we’ve ever had.” which was created between a non-athlete and an athletic brand.
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a new soul
Boost breathed new life into the German brand’s shoes (it can be read as Sole). Interestingly, the company didn’t need any performance improvements to its shoes at the time because just a year earlier in 2012, Kenyan runner Patrick Macau set a world marathon record wearing a pair of adidas Adios 2s.
Despite that success, Nike’s rivals were clamoring for a cushioning technology that would disrupt the sneaker market, and overtake athletes. Then he found a secret ingredient in another German company.
Adidas Ultraboost Lite photo taken after covering a distance of 40-50 km. , photo credit: John Xavier
Badische Anilin & Soda-Fabrik (BASF), a chemical manufacturing company, had developed a bouncy and durable material that Adidas saw as the perfect cushion, which could become a better alternative to EVA foam – the industry standard at the time .
The bouncy nature of Boost became its unique selling proposition. And the UltraBoost upgrade took it to a whole new level. And at the time it was introduced, all other sneaker manufacturers were making shoes based on EVA foam technology.
Ten years later, and after a break-up with rapper Ye, which caused the company to suffer its first losses in decades, Adidas launched the Ultraboost Lite. This is an upgrade to its UltraBoost 22.
running experience
After unboxing, I was a bit disappointed as the color I got was a bit too girly for my taste. Perhaps, it might be the right color for someone else; This didn’t work for me. The shoes were largely white in color with a black adidas triple dash running from the midfoot area to the eyelets on the soles.
The part that made the shoe color pop for me was the fluorescent orange finish near the eyelets, heel counter, and soles of the sneaker. Perhaps, adidas wanted to highlight the UltraBoost on the heel counter. And if like me, you don’t like this color, the German sportswear maker offers about a dozen options, including all-black sneakers.
The sock-like upper of the adidas Ultraboost Lite keeps feet protected and comfortable Photo credit: John Xavier
I started using the Ultraboost Lite the day I unboxed it, and have been using it for about two weeks—roughly every other day for my evening runs on city streets. I have covered a distance of around 40-50 kms wearing these shoes. And they are quite comfortable to drive on city roads. Sock-like upper keeps feet safe and comfortable.
Adidas claims that its latest version of the Boost Technology shoe is 30% lighter than its predecessor. But I found the pair to be a tad too heavy, putting it on the same level as other large cushioned shoes like Nike’s Invincible 3, Asics’ GEL Nimbus 25, or one of New Balance’s heavier shoes.
Support from the heel cushioning coupled with stability from the collar helped save my ankles every time I tried to switch between flat road and dry soil. Avoiding potholes on the road was also easy.
The neatly knit upper was a perfect find for me because I didn’t have to check the tongue during these transitions. In my second running sneaker, the tongue was an issue. The upper of Ultraboost Lite features a sock-like fit that ensures a snug fit to your foot.
But the cushioning wasn’t as bouncy as I’d hoped. In this version, Adidas focused more on the heel portion, which had taken a toll on the midfoot and forefoot cushioning. The tapering finish of the sole (seen from the side) doesn’t provide a rocking motion. And while the higher cushioning at the heel helps you run faster by hitting the road between the forefoot and midfoot points, a bit more foam in these areas could make these shoes perfect for road runners.
in conclusion
adidas’ Ultraboost Lite offers solid heel cushioning and a stable ankle support to help you run effectively on city streets. The sock-like fit adds comfort and stability. But, some more cushioning in the midfoot and forefoot areas would have made this a perfect running shoe for city road runners.