Episode 5 of our running shoes review series "Sole Mates" sees us welcome Chermaine Zhou, content creator and running enthusiast, who discusses the adidas Ultraboost Light with host John Yeong
As part of an ongoing collaboration with Singapore's premier running specialty iRun Singapore, SportPlus.sg has teamed up with local running content creators, Key Opinion Leaders and athletes to have them share their thoughts on the latest running footwear.
The adidas Ultraboost is a popular line of running shoes from adidas that is designed to provide comfort, support, and energy return to the wearer. The Ultraboost Light is a specific version of this shoe that is designed to be even lighter and more breathable than the original Ultraboost.
A good pair of neutral running shoes should fit snugly but comfortably, provide adequate cushioning and arch support, and be breathable, durable, flexible, and lightweight. By taking these factors into consideration, you can find a pair of neutral running shoes that will help you run comfortably and safely.
As with all our shoe review episodes, we first share the shoe's specs and latest upgrades, and then bring in every day runners for an honest opinion about what they like and dislike about each of the shoes we feature.
Key Highlights & Specifications
So what's new about the shoe? What are significant upgrades from earlier editions, and is it worth your money to get an upgrade if you already own a previous Ultraboost series pair of shoes?
1. Updated Upper
The adidas Ultraboost Light features an updated upper that is even more breathable and lightweight than previous versions. This helps to keep your feet cool and comfortable, even during long runs
2. Enhanced Support
Added additional support features to the shoe, including a torsion system that helps stabilize the foot and a molded heel counter that provides additional support and helps prevent slippage
3. New Midsole
adidas claims the boost technology has been updated in the midsole of the Ultraboost Light to provide even more cushioning and energy return.
The shoes have an overall stack height of 22mm in the rearfoot and 40mm in the rearfoot, giving us an overall drop of 10mm.
4. Improved Traction
The outsole of the Ultraboost Light has been updated to provide even better traction on a variety of surfaces. This helps runners maintain their footing and stay stable during runs.
Chermaine Zhou’s Experience Running in the Adidas Ultraboost Light
How much mileage have you clocked in the Adidas Ultraboost Light?
I ran about 21km in these shoes in dry conditions, though I have yet to try them in wet conditions as yet. From what I understand though, this shoe is also part of the adidas x Continental rubber partnership, so the traction and overall grip should be very decent, and I’m really looking forward to trying it out in different weather conditions.
What do you like about the shoe?
I really like the colour of the shoe and I think most girls can relate to this (aesthetics of a shoe). I also love that it's both fashionable and functional. Whether at the gym, on a run, or for casual wear, the Ultraboost Light is ready to do the job.
As I am more of a heel striker, this is also a really good shoe for my running style with the added cushioning. While there are many other running shoes that are lighter, the Ultraboost Light still manages to be a true running shoe while also excelling in the fashion department for everyday wear.
What would you like to see changed in future iterations of this shoe?
Perhaps the difference is that the rocker in this pair is not as defined as I would like. I hope they would have a bit more cushioning for forefoot runners. But for runners who prefer that stable bounce in each stride, this would be a perfect pair.
Who would you recommend this shoe to?
I think it would suit a large range of runners, from beginner runners to those doing recovery runs and using it as a daily trainer training up to a half marathon or marathon in this pair, and I can see it going the distance in terms of mileage. Would definitely be a part of my daily trainer running rotation.
Overall Shoe Rating
Comfort: 4/5
Stability: 4/5
Responsiveness: 3.5/5
Grippiness: 4/5
Value for Money: 3.5/5
Taking all this into consideration, Chermaine would give the adidas Ultraboost Light an overall rating of 3.8 out of 5 soles.
The adidas Ultraboost Light is currently going for S$289 and can be purchased from any iRun Store or online.