Iconic and Stylish: Adidas Ultraboost Light

I recently got my hands on the Adidas Ultraboost Light, and I have to say, I’m pretty impressed with them. The Ultraboost name, and accompanying style, is iconic. I haven’t ran in many Adidas shoes, so was very interested to try them out as a daily trainer.

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Looks:

Unsurprisingly, the Ultraboost Light is sleek and stylish, with a modern design that really catches the eye. I particularly love the black and white colorway, which goes with pretty much anything in my wardrobe. It’s sort of odd because they look more like a casual trainer than a pair of running shoes. That’s probably a bit of the aesthetic that Adidas is going for, but I know I actually had to go the website to make sure these were made for running!

Fit & Construction:

As for how the shoe feels when running, I have to say, these pretty dang comfortable. The Boost technology in the midsole really does make a difference, providing a responsive and springy feel with every stride.

The difference between the Ultraboost and this “Light” version is a drop of 2 ounces between the two. That’s pretty significant! Though note – they still weigh in over 10 ounces in a M9, so it’s not as if this is a super lean weight cutting option.

The Primeknit upper is created with 50+% recycled content – something we appreciate.

Upper:

Let’s get into that upper. Outside of it’s mostly recycled construction, it actually does a really solid job at holding the foot in place. The mesh upper is breathable and lightweight, and has held my foot in place quite well. It stretches well and doesn’t feel overly restrictive – even though the toe box looks like it would be.

I was a little concerned about that plastic on the sides – as I have had comfort challenges with shoes like this in the past. While I still don’t love this feature (on any shoe), it actually does pretty good here in feeling more flexible while still holding things in place. Again, not my jam, but it’s not a dealbreaker.

Midsole:

As mentioned before, the Ultraboost Light features Adidas’ signature Boost technology in the midsole. This tech is loved by many and its easy to see why – it provides excellent energy return and cushioning for a comfortable run.

One thing that stood out in the midsole has to do with the looks of it – in a way. When you hold this up and look at the midsole, it seems like it should fit on the ultra-cushion “maximal” end of the spectrum. It just gives that vibe. The feel is a little less so however, which could work well for some and not for others. It measures at “only” a 30mm/20mm drop – not insignificant, but definitely not as stacked as many out there.  As a result, it leaves the ride feeling a little more grounded than expected.

As a heel striker, I felt that the rocker was made for runners like me. I got that propulsion with the cushion in the back – a very nice marriage!

Outsole:

The outsole is made from Continental rubber, which offers solid grip and durability on a variety of surfaces. It is well covered and seems like it should hold up to the miles along the way. I had no qualms here.

Overall:

The Adidas Ultraboost Light is a solid pair of running shoes that perform well and look great. Despite the name, these aren’t the lightest running shoes you will likely own. They provide ample cushion in the midsole, but also aren’t likely to be the most cushioned pair you own either. The toebox is accommodating, the upper is really nice, and the overall shoe provides a stable and secure fit. It’s a really good shoe

While these can handle the miles (though ~10 miles may be around the max due to some thin cushioning in the forefoot), I really like these as a runcation pair – some shoes that look good with casual apparel, but can also be used to run in without packing multiple pairs of shoes.