Details
Brand
Adidas
Breathability
7.5/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Boost responsive cushioning provides great energy return• Torsion System stabilizes the ride by connecting the heel and forefoot• TPU cage provides a great fit in the midfoot• Fitcounter fits around the heel and allows the Achilles to move optimally• Techfit upper provides a socklike, seamless fit as well as support• 4-way engineered stretch mesh in upper is both breathable and flexible• Flexible rubber outsole• Grid like outsole pattern provides smooth transitions• Designed for neutral runners• 10mm drop
Upper
The upper is made of TPU and mesh. The TPU cage connects the heel and midfoot to provide a supportive fit. The Fitcounter goes around the heel and allows it to move optimally while keeping it stable during landings. The Techfit technology provides a seamless, sock-like fit that also adds support. The 4-way engineered stretch mesh is breathable enough to keep the foot cool and dry, and flexible enough to provide a snug fit while allowing the top of the foot naturally to move during transitions and takeoffs. There are also laces to keep the fit snug and a toe cap to protect the toes from getting bruised.
Midsole
The midsole is comprised of the Torsion System and Boost cushioning. The Torsion System connecting the heel and forefoot helps stabilize takeoffs and landings. Boost cushioning is made from 2,500 small pieces of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) that are fused together and steamed. It is softer and springier than EVA foam. Testers said that it had a unique feel to it when they touched it. The Boost does a great job absorbing shock, cushioning landings, and propelling the foot back into the air. It stays soft in cold temperatures and maintains its firmness in hot temperatures. There is some arch support, but not as much as some other shoes, so additional arch support may be necessary for some runners.
Outsole
The outsole is made of a stretchy, flexible rubber. It has a grid-like pattern of small circles in order to create smooth transitions for any strike pattern. The parts surrounding the dots are flexible in order to allow the foot to move naturally so that energy is not lost during transitions or toe-offs. The back part of the heel is more stable for better landings. The outsole gets good traction on roads and light trails, and has pretty good durability.
Breathability
The Adidas Energy Boost has good breathability. The mesh is engineered to stretch 4 ways so it provides a snug fit while letting air flow around the foot to keep it dry and cool. The Techfit material also helps breathability because of its soft fit and lack of seams, which help prevent blisters and hot spots. The TPU cage and Fitcounter have some gaps to allow air to flow through. The breathability allows the wearer to go long distances without overheating, which is important in a shoe with high energy return.
Comfort
Most testers found the Energy Boost to be very comfortable. It has a medium width and reviewers suggest that potential buyers order up a half size for the best fit. The breathability, responsiveness, and light weight make it comfortable to wear during longer runs. Boost cushioning is soft and very comfortable. The heel cushioning is very soft for landings and absorbing shock, and the forefoot cushioning is moderately soft for comfortable transitions. Boost is able to maintain its shape even in hot or cold weather, so runners can stay comfortable in any weather. Fitcounter and Techfit provide a snug fit around the heel and midfoot. Stretch mesh provides a snug fit around the top of the foot, and Techfit is soft and seamless to create a fit that feels like a sock. Testers with medium and narrow feet rated the fit as very comfortable, while testers with wider feet felt that the fit was a bit tight or constraining.
Style
The Adidas Energy Boost comes in three popular styles for each gender. Men can choose between Black /White/White, Solar Yellow/Black/Grey Four, and Collegiate Royal/Blue/Solar Orange. Women have the choice of Black/White/White, Grey Three/Utility Black/Grey Four, and White/Energy Aqua/Mystery Petrol. The bottom of the shoe has a grid-like pattern of dots. The top of the shoe has a scale-like pattern in the mesh and the logo and heel counter as overlays. The laces in the photos match the shoe, but it comes with an extra set of laces in case the wearer wants to change the color. Some testers thought that the shoe looked better in the photos than it did in person, but most people liked the way the shoe looked in real life.
Durability
The Energy Boost has good durability. The outsole’s rubber grid pattern continues to provide traction and protection for many miles, although a few testers had some problems after a couple of months. The midsole’s Torsion System provides lasting stability and the Boost cushioning made from TPU has better durability than standard EVA foam and can even withstand extreme temperatures without stiffening or wearing down. The upper also has good durability, although the stretch mesh and Techfit sometimes wear out faster when they have a tighter fit, which happens with wider than average feet.
Protection
This shoe offers protection against bruises, objects on the ground, joint and muscle injuries, and the elements. The outsole keeps the foot off the ground and protects its bottom from getting bruises, just like the toe cap does in the upper. The midsole’s Boost technology cushions landings to absorb shock to help prevent knee or shin pain. The upper’s stretch mesh protects against heat, the TPU cage and fit counter protect against rolling or sliding, and the Techfit technology protects against blisters and hot spots. The upper itself protects against cold and wind while running in cool weather.
Responsiveness
The Adidas Energy Boost was designed to have excellent energy return and smooth transitions. The outsole’s grid pattern works to smooth transitions no matter what the wearer’s strike pattern is. The midsole has a Torsion system for smooth and stable heel-to-toe transitions, and the bouncy Boost cushioning to spring the foot back into the air again. The upper allows natural movement, especially with the Fitcounter that allows the Achilles to move freely. Testers found that the Energy Boost has better energy return than 96% of running shoes.
Support
The Energy Boost provides a snug and supportive fit, although some testers thought that the level of arch support could be improved. The sole unit lifts the foot off the ground, with the Boost cushioning providing a soft layer around the bottom of the foot. There is a small amount of arch support, but runners who need arch support might need to wear additional insoles with this shoe, which could take away from the responsiveness. Also supporting the foot are the TPU cage between the heel and midfoot, the Fitcounter around the heel, and the Techfit technology around the top of the foot.
Terrain
The Adidas Energy Boost is a road running shoe. The outsole uses a grid pattern that is designed to go on hard surfaces such as gym floors, paved roads, asphalt, dirt roads, paths, and even light trails. It does not have the right outsole features for going on technical trails, snow, or ice.
Price
At full price, the Energy Boost is about 1.5 times as expensive as other road running shoes. The high level of energy return created by the customized Boost cushioning system, the snug fit, and the smooth transitions make it worth the extra cost for runners with medium-width or narrow feet who are looking for a daily running shoe. Later versions of this shoe are available, so not all sizes and colors are available anymore. Current pricing for the men’s shoe ranges between 10% off to 20% above the original price, and women’s prices range from the original list price to 73% above the original price.
Drop
The heel is 32mm high and the forefoot is 22mm high, giving the Energy Boost a drop of 10mm, which falls in the standard range. Having more, softer padding in the heel helps with shock absorption as well as energy return, as the Boost cushioning springs the foot forward in preparation for the next toe-off.
Stability
The Adidas Energy Boost is categorized as a neutral running shoe. It does not have enough stability to slow or control over-pronation, but it does stabilize landings for neutral runners. The traction in the outsole and Torsion System in the midsole do a good job of preventing rolling or sliding when the foot lands on the ground. The amount of arch support provides some light stability but not as much as stability shoes. The upper has a TPU cage and Fitcounter to stabilize the foot as it lands while allowing it to move naturally during takeoffs.
Flexibility
Testers found that the Energy Boost has great flexibility. The outsole’s grid pattern has flexible spaces between the circles that make the points in the grid. The midsole’s Boost cushioning is flexible enough to create soft landings and spring the foot back into the air as the foot moves. The upper uses 4-way engineered stretch mesh, which is stretchy and form-fitting to the shape of the wearer’s foot, and Techfit technology for a sock-like fit. The main problems with flexibility came from runners with wider than average feet, who found the upper’s fit to be too tight and constraining.
Traction
This shoe gets good traction on roads. It can grip hard surfaces well enough to pick up speed, maintain a pleasant pace, and go up or down hills without slipping or sliding. It does not get good traction on technical trails or slippery surfaces like ice, mud, or snow.
Bottom Line
The Adidas Energy Boost is a great neutral running shoe. It has fantastic energy return, smooth transitions, excellent cushioning in the heel, and great cushioning in the forefoot and midfoot. The fit is comfortable for runners with narrow to medium width feet. It has good flexibility, breathability, durability, and traction on roads. It also has a decent amount of stability for a neutral shoe. It could use a little more arch support, a less stiff upper, and wide sizes for people with wider than average feet. Overall, it is great for daily runs on roads and paths and can also be used on longer runs because of its light weight and high energy return.
