Details
Brand
Adidas
Heel To Toe Drop
10mm
Breathability
7.8/10
Latest Version
Response Boost 3
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Adidas Response Boost 2• Boost technology midsole that is responsive, cushioned, and comfortable.• Soft outsole that provides good cushion and grip.• Techfit upper that is comfortable and breathable• Great flexibility throughout the shoe.
Upper
The upper was something that many runners complained about in the Response Boost, and Adidas listened with some major changes. Instead of a stretchy material that wasn’t stretchy and had limited breathable, Adidas switched the design to a more breathable material, seamless construction, and bands instead of an overlay. While the Response Boost upper looked cheap and poorly constructed, the Response Boost 2 is slick and unique. The tongue and collar are well padded and the shoe can be worn without socks, which is something you couldn’t say about the Response Boost. Of all the improvements made to the Response Boost 2, the change in the upper was for the best.
Midsole
Any midsole with the Boost technology is going to shine, and the Response Boost 2 is no exception. Sporting the Boost 2.0 technology, the midsole is soft and well cushioned. Combined with standard EVA foam, the midsole is also lightweight. With the Boost technology, you know you’re getting supreme response. When you strike the ground, you’ll feel the shoe push in, and when you hit the toe off, you’ll feel it spring back up and give you that extra boost. It’s a highly efficient and energy reducing midsole that has become the gold standard in running shoes. The midfoot sports a plastic shank and firm foam that helps keep your foot secure and adds to the durability.
Outsole
In terms of looks, the outsole hasn’t changed much from the original response Boost. It still features a chain like a tread that provides excellent grip. However, they did change up the rubber, going with super blown rubber, which is a bit stickier and thicker than the last model. This a big change, because the outsole of the Response Boost did not provide much durability due to the rubber used. With the super blown rubber, Adidas has taken a bit of the softness away, but have added to the durability and improved the traction, which was already strong. The flex points return all throughout the outsole, which gives the shoe great flexibility, and the overall design acts as a guideline that keeps your foot on track when you’re running.
Breathability
While the Response Boost kept your foot far too warm and didn’t have enough inlets to let air in and out, the change in the upper of the Response Boost 2 significantly improves the breathability. This is not only evident in the forefoot, but in the heel as well. The midfoot could stand to be a bit more breathable, but the bands prevent that. It’s a fair tradeoff though as you don’t have to deal with the overlays that severely limited the breathability of the Response Boost. You can run comfortably in this shoes for an extended amount of time and your foot will be kept cool and airy.
Comfort
Just about every runner has raved about the comfort of the Adidas Response Boost 2. This is no surprise given the Boost technology in the midsole. The cushioned midsole provides excellent comfort for the bottom of your foot. Even after a long run, your feet will feel like new due to the comfort level of the Response Boost 2. The upper, which was a tad tight on the Response Boost, contributes to the comfort level as this version is a bit stretchier and fitting. For maximum comfort, you want to go one size up, because the shoe runs a bit small. By doing so, you’ll have plenty of room in the toe box and heel, which fits a little snug.
Style
If you think the shoe looks kind of cheap, I wouldn’t blame you. The bands that make up the lacing system for the upper look poorly designed. They get the job done, but it looks like plastic holding the shoe together and it’s not very appealing. The shoe is no longer available through Adidas’ website, which means your color options will be pretty limited. Through Amazon, there are only two colors available: black/grey/white combo and a blue/orange/red combo. The colors fit the shoe, the design is just awkward. The fact that you can see the foam imprints on the midsole is a bit of a turnoff, because it looks like cheap foam that you can find anywhere, and not the high-quality boost foam used in the shoe.
Durability
The switch in the upper and rubber used in the outsole really extend the durability of this shoe. My biggest complaint, and the complaint of many runners, with the inaugural Response Boost, was the lack of durability. The upper was poorly constructed and the outsole was too soft with no durable rubber used in high wear areas. You’ll get far more use out of the Response Boost 2 thanks to the changes in the upper and outsole. Instead of 200-250 miles, you can get upwards of 300 miles out of the Response Boost 2 and use them in your daily use.
Protection
Once again, the switch in the upper and outsole adds to the overall protection. While the bands look a bit cheap, they do a nice job of protecting the upper part of your foot. The change in rubber keeps the bottom of your foot better protected as well. The collar fits nicely around your ankle to prevent any kind of rolling or twisting. This isn’t a high-level protective shoe as the outsole and midsole are still on the soft side, but there have been major improvements from the Response Boost.
Responsiveness
When the word “Response” is in the name of the shoe, you expect a responsive shoe. And fortunately, Adidas delivers. The midsole is one of the most responsive midsoles on the market. You can feel the midsole foam push in and breath out when you run. The outsole remains soft and adds to the overall responsiveness of the shoe. Ever the upper is more responsive, something that wasn’t quite the case with the Response Boost. The insole feels nice underneath your foot and it too squishes as you strike, giving you a nice feel as you run. Aside from comfort, responsiveness is typically the top priority with any Adidas Boost shoe, and they once again deliver here.
Support
Adidas changed the designed of the midsole to improve the support in that area. The support in the upper remains strong, but due to the odd design of the midsole in the Response Boost, the support lacked. Fortunately, Adidas smoothed out the midsole so it doesn’t lift off the ground, giving you more support in the midfoot. Once again, the insole adds to the overall support of the shoe and is a key feature when it comes to providing support. Some runners have complained about the lack of support in the toe box.
Terrain
The shoe performs strong on the road, track, and treadmill. The guidance line, soft rubber, and sticky rubber on the outsole goes a long way in delivering a strong performance on the three main terrains. It grips very well on the road and you don’t have to worry about any kind of slipping. Don’t take these shoes out on the trail though, because they definitely won’t hold up.
Price
Depending on your size, you can get find on Amazon for $70 to $100. If you can find them closer to $70, they are a real steal. $100 may be a little too much, although the overall construction of the shoe is very strong and you’ll be satisfied with how well they perform and how long they hold up.
Drop
With a 10mm drop, the drop is around the average drop for a running shoe. The Adidas Response drop was a bit too steep due to the weird raised heel, but Adidas correct that problem in the Response Boost 2 to give the shoe a more natural drop. This greatly enhances the shoe.
Stability
The stability features on this shoe are in the upper class of stability. The heel grips your foot nicely to prevent any type of rolling. The toe box remains tight, which helps with the stability. The guidance line on the outsole keeps your foot on the right track as your run, adding to the stability of the shoe. The guidance line can’t be understated, because it really brings the stability of the shoe together and is a big feature overall.
Flexibility
Like its predecessor, the flexibility remains strong in the Response Boost 2. The outsole features nearly a dozen flex grooves while the lightweight midsole adds to the flexibility. Even the upper, which was a bit stiff in the Response Boost, is more flexible. While it could stand to have a bit more flexibility, it’s really a minor complaint given just how flexible the midsole and outsole are. You’ll have no trouble getting a strong push with these shoes.
Traction
The soft rubber that was found in the Response Boost is back, and this time there is a sticky rubber to go along with it. The soft rubber and sticky rubber combine to provide some of the best traction that you’re going to find. The shoe grips extremely well on the road or track, thus preventing any kind of slipping or sliding. The chainlike tread also helps with the traction. Overall, the outsole is very well designed and constructed, leading to supreme traction and grip.
