Details
Brand
Adidas
Heel To Toe Drop
11 mm
Breathability
9/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Stability
Key Features
• Soft and responsive Boost Foam technology in the midsole• Torsion System used in the outsole• Breathable, stretchy mesh Techfit in the upper• External heel counter for a good heel fit• Grippy rubber outsole• 11 mm heel-to-toe drop• Seamless upper overlay construction
Upper
The ESM is designed to stretch and accommodate narrow or wide feet. This is made possible by Adidas Techfit. This synthetic mesh material provides the runner with a supportive yet flexible feel and is used in several Adidas products. Adidas Techfit is seamlessly constructed to bend naturally with the runner’s foot. The stretchy mesh upper of the ESM creates a glove-like fit. Reviewers found the the shoe to feel open during long, hot runs. The mesh opening offers great breathability. The previous version of this shoe did not have the breathable mesh in the upper so this is a welcomed update for runners.;The upper part features joined overlays on a separate frame. These joined overlays give the shoe structure and give runners the support they need, especially those who overpronate. This separate frame above the upper contributes to the tighter fit runner’s experience while wearing this shoe. The tighter, more supported fit of the ESM version is also brought to runners by the external heel counter. This provides runners with a better heel fit and continued comfort.
Midsole
It features Boost midsole technology for unparalleled energy return and excellent cushioning. The Boost Foam makes the shoe feel quicker. Since its introduction in 2013, Boost technology has promised to deliver the highest energy return in any product used for running. The thousands of foam pellets that make up the Boost midsole are meant to contort and return to its original shape at different angles in a way that matches the way a runner’s foot moves. Reviewers liked how active the ESM felt under their feet. They liked the soft and springy cushioning provided by the Boost foam. The Boost foam gives the Boost ESM a good amount of cushioning without increasing the weight of the shoe. In fact, the Boost technology used in the midsole of the shoe has been observed by testers to give a higher bounce back than the E.V.A foam used in other running shoes.
Outsole
The ESM features a rubber outsole. This rubber outsole provides the runner with good grip. The rearfoot features an extra landing support for better impact on the road. The ESM features the Adidas Torsion System. This outsole technology was first introduced in 1988 and has been a backbone of performance Adidas models for the past 29 years. The Torsion System provides runners with arch support, tennis players with support for the side-to-side movement, and basketball players with a stable shoe for explosive movements. The purpose of the Adidas Torsion System is to give runners a more controlled midfoot landing and all-around structure. This means the forefoot and rearfoot move independently, allowing the foot to adapt to the running surface without straining the runner’s foot.
Breathability
This running shoe is constructed with a breathable mesh fabric throughout the upper. This material guarantees runners a well-ventilated ride mile after mile.
Comfort
The ESM features Boost Foam for excellent comfort. Most of the reviewers commented that they found this shoe to be very comfortable and favored the Boost Foam. A few wearers compared their experience to walking on air or to having pillows wrapped around their feet. The Boost material is throughout the front end of the shoe, giving the runner a good amount of cushion that keeps the foot comfortable when running longer distances. Runners will notice a lack of cushioning in the forefoot section of the shoe. This lack of cushioning means the runner’s foot is propelled forwards after each step.;A few reviewers did find the front of the sole to feel very thin and hard. Reviewers found the added cushion to stay strong during 10+ miles without the feeling of a clunky or lethargic shoe. Reviewers found the Adidas Boost Technology to be soft yet responsive. The 4-way stretch mesh material used throughout the upper allows the runner’s foot to breathe while giving the runner a snug fit. The external heel counter gives the runner additional comfort in the rear of the shoe.
Style
The ESM is known to run small. Many runners order a half size bigger than their typical running shoe size. 89% of customers who purchased the women’s version of the ESM on Amazon said the shoe fit as expected. 78% of customers who purchased the men’s version of the ESM said the shoe fit as expected. The men’s version of the shoe comes in 4 different color patterns. Runners can choose from a red shoe with black and white at bottom and silver stripes, a black shoe with orange and white at the bottom and white stripes, an olive shoe with black and white at bottom and silver stripes, and a navy shoe with bright green and white at the bottom and white stripes. The women’s version is available in 7 color patterns. Runners can choose from a flash pink shoe with light grey and white and bottom and white stripes, a light grey shoe with lime green and white bottom and silver stripes, a taupe shoe with mint and white at bottom and silver stripes, an ash purple shoe with solar orange and white at bottom and white stripes, a bold onyx shoe with tribe berry and white at bottom and white stripes, a bright orange shoe with white at bottom and silver stripes, and a bold pink shoe with frozen yellow and white at bottom and silver stripes. The shoe is available in normal width.
Durability
Reviewers found the Boost foam used in the midsole of the ESM to maintain its cushioning during high mileage. Adidas did an excellent job of building the shoe to withstand endless pounding of pavement.
Protection
ESM features 8 reflective dots under the Adidas logo on the back of the heel tab. This reflective feature improves visibility in low-light running conditions. The external heel counter featured in the rear of the shoe, as well as the structured overlay featured in the upper, keep the foot secure during use.
Support
This running shoe falls in the moderate range on the support spectrum. This shoe works well for runners who don’t need all that support and can stay healthy in a moderate amount of support. The Adidas Torsion System used in the outsole offers the runner high levels of foot support by letting the midfoot effortlessly attune to the ground. The Torsion System helps to resist incorrect flexing of the arch, which results in a smooth transition from the heel to the forefoot. The structured overlay in the upper and external heel counter give the foot good support while in motion. A few runners who have suffered or currently suffer from Plantar Fasciitis said the Adidas Adistar Boost ESM provided the comfort they needed to keep this heel pain under control.
Terrain
The outsole on the ESM provides excellent grip on all road conditions, including crushed limestone paths. The Formotion technology used in the ESM adapts to the ground, giving runners the smoothest ride possible.
Price
The gives runners value for their investment. The men’s version of the model ranges in price anywhere from $89 to $175 while the women’s version ranges from $59 to $175. The price is dependent on the size and color of the shoe purchased.
Drop
This shoe model offers runners a heel-to-toe drop of 11 mm. The heel height is 28 mm and the forefoot height is 17 mm.
Stability
This model is best for runners with a normal arch and those with a stable foot position. The Torsion System featured in the ESM gives runners a stable midfoot. The Formotion design offers runners a supportive foot strike. The Formotion design, when combined with the soft and cushy Boost foam midsole technology and stretchy Techfit upper provide the runner with a shoe that affords natural foot movement. The Boost foam midsole technology allows for a more midfoot gait cycle. This midfoot gait cycle, as well as the allowance of natural foot movement, reduce the risk of overuse injuries that result from heel striking. The technologies used in the Adidas Adistar Boost ESM allow runners to run more efficiently. This means they can run longer and feel stronger during their runs. It was mentioned by reviewers that runners who overpronate, where their weight moves to the inside of their feet, might want to consider the Adidas Supernova Sequence Boost.
Flexibility
The Boost midfoot technology featured in the shoe provides the runner with natural flexing in the arch. Some reviewers commented on the light feeling of the Adidas Adistar Boost ESM, sharing that they experienced a faster mile pace. The stretchy Techfit material used in the upper easily adjusts to the size and width of the runner’s foot. The seamless Techfit material gives wearers a sock-like fit. The grippy outsole alters with the running surface, giving runners a comfortable and smooth ride.
Traction
The Adiwear outsole featured on the ESM gives runners good grip on wet and dry surfaces.
Bottom Line
The ESM from Adidas has utilized many technologies to encourage a soft and cushioned midfoot landing while maintaining a natural foot gait cycle. The mesh material used in the upper gives runners the breathability they are looking for in a running shoe. The Boost Foam technology used in the midsole of the shoe gives runners good bounce back. The Boost technology definitely changed Adidas performance shoes for the better. The Boost Foam makes runners want to run longer and more often. This lightweight running shoe is the right shoe for a runner who is comfortable in a shoe that offers a moderate amount of support.
