adidas Ultraboost 5 Review: Stylish & Performance-Boosting, But With A Slight Catch

From the vibrant kicks for fashionistas, to the rugged trainers for budding athletes – the right kind of shoes can go a long way. But what if we told you that there’s a kind of footwear that can do it all? Enter the adidas Ultraboost 5, the brand’s latest addition to its extensive collection of running sneakers.

The adidas Ultraboost 5 is said to have received the largest update ever since the franchise’s inception in 2015. With that being said, many are wondering if these sneakers are the running shoes to beat. Read on to find out.

Design

Right off the bat, the first thing that would catch your eye is the design. The Ultraboost 5 comes with a massive foam underfoot with a striking gradient colour finish (depending on the chosen colour). According to Adidas, these latest shoes feature 10mm foam, so if you’re looking for a quick bump to your height, these babies might come in handy.

On its sides are the iconic adidas logo, which features dazzling reflective strips, making the shoes perfect for any midnight jog. It’s worth mentioning that, depending on the colour variant you choose, you will also receive a different reflective glow. For our testing purposes, we received the Ultraboost 5 in its Lucid Pink variant, and the small reflective strips at the back glow a vibrant pink depending on the intensity of the light.

Along with this, the shoe features a Primeknit upper that allows for a more comfortable, breathable, and flexible running experience. Though it may seem a little porous, rainwater isn’t going to easily enter your sneakers unless you outright plunge it into deep waters. Of course, the white variant is easily one of the more eye-catching designs in the line-up, but it goes without saying that they collect dirt faster than a person looking for lost rings on a beach.

Comfort

With foam this thick, you already know that adidas is aiming for comfort above all else, but did they succeed? The short answer is yes, but the long answer bounces between maybe and no.

While you’re on the go, you can actively feel all the elements of the Ultraboost 5 working in tandem to create one of the most incredible walking and running experiences you’ve ever felt. Thanks to the aforementioned thick foam, you can feel a spring in your step, letting you go further without burning too much energy. Be it tiled malls or uneven pathways, these can easily shrug off any terrain and spare your feet of any painful blisters.

These kicks would have been the perfect daily-use shoe had it not been for one simple flaw. The aforementioned Primeknit upper helps ensure adequate ventilation, but it’s tight and seems to restrict your feet to the point that they feel choked out. The problem is actually quite a serious one, as it actually hurts after a few minutes or hours.

The worrying thing is, you wouldn’t feel the pain when you first wear it because of the aforementioned features. The discomfort only starts when you are resting your feet. As to why it only happens when you’re not moving is beyond us, but, regardless, it’s recommended that you go for a size or two bigger.

Performance

If you think that anything special about this shoe can be found in the foam, you’d be wrong, because the Ultraboost 5 comes with adidas’ own Torsion System, which is said to provide the next level of guidance for your gait. Upon first use, you don’t actually feel much difference, but it really does help control your stride.

A downside of this feature, however, is that it clashes with the shoes’ added foam, as you’d find yourself tripping about due to the extra height and the Torsion System forcing you upright. You’ve got great posture by the end of it, but if you pay close attention, you do feel an awkward clash in your step.

Running with these shoes is amazing, as it feels like the foam is actively propelling you forward. Because of this, it seems as though we can easily break our personal best if we really push ourselves. However, one thing that prevents us from going the distance with these shoes is their looser heel construction.

Because it’s geared more towards comfort than actual performance, you do feel your heel traveling in and out of the shoe as you run. You can change this by opting for a smaller fit, but as mentioned previously, you’ll be dealing with another type of pain because of it.

Overall, adidas’ Ultraboost 5 is an exceptional pair of shoes that has easily become our go-to sneakers for long walks, simple jogs, or exercises. Thanks to its thick but light foam, you can easily go the distance without too much effort, and the shoe’s built-in Torsion System can help combat any awkwardness that comes with the added height.

However, users must consider purchasing the shoe in a slightly larger size, as the stiff, tight upper and narrow toebox will leave you hurting.