Adidas unveiled the new version of its popular Ultraboost running shoes earlier this year. With promises of a completely fresh update and more boost than ever before, the shoe is sure to attract interest. But should you invest in this new version of the brand’s most successful running line? I slipped on a pair of the new Adidas Ultraboost 21 running shoes and took them for a test drive on the streets and beyond.
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For this new version of the Ultraboost, Adidas worked closely with the Adidas running community and testers to create the new silhouette, which reimagines the original Ultraboost from the ground up. Re-designed from top to bottom, it is quite difficult to spot any similarities with the predecessor, the Ultraboost 20 and this latest iteration delivers a bold new design combined with the latest in performance technology.
A boost in performance
The Ultraboost has always blurred the line between performance running trainer and lifestyle sneaker but the Ultraboost 21 is significantly more focused on performance, compared to the other Ultraboost models. With its, less fashion, more performance approach, the new iteration of the Ultraboost still looks incredibly cool but comes with some pretty impressive tech built-in to ensure you get a running shoe that performs for you on the road.
The shoe features a completely new outsole constructed with crystal rubber, a chunkier midsole with more boost and an updated upper too. The core development in Ultraboost 21 is the redesign of the shoe’s torsion system. The new Adidas LEP (‘Linear Energy Push’) provides a 15% increase in forefoot bending stiffness for a more responsive stride. This works alongside Adidas’ proprietary midsole Boost technology, which the brand says packs in 6% more boost through an exaggerated heel curve, providing runners with incredible energy return and comfort in every step. The radical new midsole design is completely different from any previous Ultraboost and gives you some serious spring in your step.
Also read: How to Choose the Right Running Shoes for Your Needs
The shoe’s ‘rocker’ silhouette helps you capitalise on a more natural gait, and works to propel you into your next step as you run. The shoes offer an almost exaggerated springy feeling to really energise your runs.
Like a glove…
The Ultraboost 21 is a neutral running shoe that offers maximum comfort, making it ideal for everyday training runs or even a cardio session at the gym. The shock absorption is brilliant for anyone doing easy long or short runs, where comfort is the top priority. The biggest takeaway from the Ultraboost 21 for me is comfort. These shoes fit like a glove from the first wear and feel ultra-soft.
The sock-like one-piece Primeknit upper is constructed using Adidas’ sustainable Primeblue, a high-performance recycled material containing at least 50% Parley Ocean Plastic. This super-soft upper greatly contributes to the superior comfort of the shoe. The elasticated upper offers a tight fit that feels similar to putting on a sock. From the first wear, it hugs and supports your foot in all the right places, enabling you to achieve the perfect lockdown. The shoe also features laces to help you lock-in your foot and tighten the fit, but honestly, I barely needed them to get a good snug fit thanks to the sock-like fit.
Hitting the road
I wore these shoes on several road and treadmill runs as well as for multiple high-intensity-interval-training sessions at the gym and have really been enjoying them. While the Ultraboost 21 is designed to be a running shoe, it’s also proven to be an incredible all-rounder for running and gym sessions.
Thanks to the super bouncy midsole, the shoes offer excellent responsiveness during runs. You get a distinct plush feel with these but then the energy return features kick in, and you feel like you’re being propelled into your next step.
Not only do they offer excellent cushioning and support to help protect my joints during long runs but they’re also super comfortable for gym sessions as well. Even with their curved shape, I was able to squat, plank, and even knock out a few burpees without feeling unsteady.
Weighing in at 340 grams, some runners may find the Ultraboost 21 to be too heavy for long runs but for my purposes they were perfect. They’re by no means heavy but with so many featherlight options on the market, the weight of these shoes is something to consider if having an ultra-lightweight running shoe is important to you.
You also get great grip and traction with these, thanks to the Stretchweb outsole made with rubber from German Continental (yes, the car tyre brand). If it’s a durable shoe you’re after then you can’t go wrong with the Ultraboost 21.
Is the Ultraboost 21 the shoe for you?
The new Adidas Ultraboost 21 is an excellent running shoe. It’s the ideal shoe for casual runners looking for a reliable workhorse for your everyday training that will deliver a smooth ride every time.
The Adidas Ultraboost 21 is now available in a vibrant white and as well as a fluorescent yellow colourway at a recommended retail price of R3,599.
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