The beloved Ultraboost receives a significant upgrade, but it’s no longer top of the daily trainer class.
Way before the days of supershoes like the Nike Vaporfly, there was the adidas Ultraboost. When it launched back in 2015, with a wedge of lively, higher-energy, cushioned Boost foam, it was an instant hit. The bouncy, springy TPU midsole was a bit of a revelation. But since then, superfoams have blasted past the Boost and far from being one of the best running shoes it looked like it might be consigned to the retro fashion shelves.
However, Boost is back. Reborn and re-engineered in the new Ultraboost 5. This everyday running shoe packs a new-formula Light Boost foam and puts more of it under your feet to punch up the energy on your runs. So is it a successful rebirth?
Men’s Fitness verdict
The Ultraboost 5 marks a comeback with its re-engineered LIGHTBOOST foam, giving improved cushioning and comfort. While it excels for everyday runs, it lacks the excitement of today’s top competitors.- Balanced, cushioned comfort
- Comfortable, unfussy fit
- Snappy styling
- Unremarkable ride
- Pricier than better rivals
Why you can trust Men’s Fitness
We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test. Our team of reviewers includes experienced product testers, PTs and fitness writers – as well as the core MF team – who know exactly what sets the best products apart from the rest. The adidas Ultraboost 5 was tested by expert run gear tester Kieran Alger.
What’s new with the adidas Ultraboost 5?
The headline with the adidas Ultraboost 5 (buy now) is a new-formula Light Boost midsole foam that uses the same base material we first saw in last year’s adidas Ultraboost Light 1. But adidas says it’s been re-engineered ‘to save weight, offer significantly higher cushioning and 2% more forefoot energy return’. In simple terms, the midsole springs back quicker as your foot hits the ground, putting more energy into your runs.
A lighter foam also means you can have more of it under your feet and adidas has beefed up the midsole, adding 9mm more foam right across the foot. The Ultraboost 5 now has a bigger stack height with 39mm in the heel and 29mm in the forefoot for a 10mm drop.
Bigger stacks can mean less stability. To combat that the Ultraboost 5 packs a new torsion system – an X-shaped plate in the middle of the foot – to provide support as you roll from heel to toe. There’s also a moulded external heel counter to add more control.
Up top, there’s a new Primeknit upper with varying levels of structure in the yarn. The aim, as ever, is to provide support where you need it and boost breathability where you don’t. Meanwhile, the outsole features a generous covering of grip and durability-boosting Continental rubber.
adidas Ultraboost 5 performance
In testing, I’ve covered close to 50k in the Ultraboost 5, with a mix of easy-pace 5ks and longer runs up to 90 minutes. I threw in some faster miles to test the pace potential too. All of my miles were on the roads of London and in the summer heat.
It’s been a while since I laced up a Boost. Amid the explosion of excellent running shoes designed for everyday miles, with soft, cushioned but energetic superfoams, it felt like the Boost was dated – quietly plodding off to take its place on the fashion shelves. So I came to this shoe test not really expecting much.
While I wasn’t wowed, I was gently surprised. This is an easy shoe to lace up with good step-in comfort and an unfussy fit that feels immediately pretty natural on the foot. Almost instantly run-ready.
When it comes to the ride, I’d describe it as competent but unremarkable. The stack of reworked Boost foam does just enough. It’s soft but not too soft, there’s some energy but nothing to shout about. This is the kind of shoe that feels well balanced for easy hour-long runs with a good reliable platform to run off.
It ticks along with a light enough feel and a useful road-protection without really doing anything out of the ordinary. You aren’t going to put this on and feel wowed. You aren’t going to put this on and be particularly unhappy either.
I was perfectly happy clipping along in it, knocking out easy miles. Like the Nike Pegasus 41 and the Saucony Ride 17, it disappears into the background and lets you get on with business. It’s cushioned and supportive with good grip.
Should you buy the adidas Ultraboost 5?
There are many everyday-mileage running shoes that are perfectly competent but, in many ways, largely unremarkable. Comfortable, generally well put together shoes that are easy to run in, relatively versatile and nicely balanced. But not that exciting. The adidas Ultraboost 5 drops straight into that category.
There’s nothing noticeably wrong with this shoe. Maybe the uppers could be more breathable. There are shoes with punchier and more versatile midsoles, or that offer more cushioning and protection. Despite that extra foam underfoot, it’s not as plush as shoes like the Brooks Ghost Max 2, or ASICS Gel Nimbus. It’s also not as responsive, springy or energetic as the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4.
But if you want a balanced shoe that’ll happily eat some gym cardio, cater for everyday miles and look good for casual wear, the Ultraboost 5 will cover all of that easily. The big question is whether that’s now enough when you consider some of the daily trainer alternatives out there.
adidas Ultraboost 5 technical specs
| Materials | BOOST foam, PRIMEKNIT uppers – at least 20% recycled materials |
| Weight | 292g (UK size 8.5) |
| Colors | Available in six colorways |
| Sizes | 3.5-12.5 |
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