Adidas Ultraboost 19

The outsole of the Adidas Ultraboost 19 is made out of Continental Rubber compound, which is an industrial material used in the production of car tires. This rubber offers amazing traction in both wet and dry conditions and is also durable and protects the midsole from abrasion. On top of the Continental rubber is the flexible Stretchweb, a traction pattern comprised of multiple traction nodes that are spaced apart and connected by interstitial grooves so as to guarantee a smooth heel-to-toe transition. Visible in the middle of the outsole is a midfoot cage – a Torsion Spring which has stabilizing properties and increases the overall sturdiness of the outsole.

The highlight of this and all the previous versions of the Boost family is the midsole compound of the same name. The Boost full-length cushioning system is changed with the Adidas Ultraboost 19 and now offers 20% more boost than any other model. This increase isn’t a result of packing the midsole with more material, but of improved technology – the TPU pellets in the Boost midsole are now fused differently. This means that the weight of the midsole remains unchanged, but the midsole itself is a bit firmer and bouncier than with the previous version. On top of the Boost unit is a removable insole which offers additional cushioning and comfort. The Torsion Sprig that’s visible on the outsole is positioned in the middle of the midsole. This spring is a thermoplastic layer aimed at increasing the stability of the shoe platform and preventing the runner from losing balance. Also, the Torsion Spring adds to the responsiveness of the shoe because it propels the foot forward and encourages a fast toe-off.

The material used in the construction of the Adidas Ultraboost 19 upper is the Primeknit 360. The Primeknit 360 features an interwoven construction that connects the vertical and horizontal strands of the textile in order to provide a snug, sock-like fit that is flexible and breathable as well. The collar is slimmer than in the previous version of the Boost shoes, while the tongue isn’t padded at all. Moreover, the tongue isn’t traditional and is an integral part of the upper, so you won’t experience any uncomfortable slippage or deviation. The midfoot area of the upper features thin overlays which are connected to the lacing system and provide additional structure and support to the foot. On the back of the upper is a 3D heel frame which is there to hold the heel in place and prevent it from slipping out of the shoe box. The heel touches the midfoot overlays and forms a firmer overall construction of the shoe without compromising its light weight and flexibility.

The men’s half-pair of the Adidas Ultraboost weighs 309g or 10.9oz and the women’s shoe weighs 269g or 9.5oz, putting this shoe in the lightweight category, although it isn’t super lightweight. However, given the Boost 20% increase in the midsole without increasing the weight of the shoe, this is a good end result that the vast majority of runners were satisfied with. However, it’s worth noting that this tech-upgraded version of the shoe weighs half an ounce more than the original version.

The one-piece knit upper leaves little to the imagination when it comes to breathability. The Primeknit 360 is a fabric that offers great ventilation throughout the run and almost completely eliminates the forming of hot spots or blisters. The sock-like fit of the upper also reduces pressure points and distributes the pressure of the stretchy material to the entirety of the foot.

The construction of the Adidas Ultraboost 19 mimics the natural curves of the foot and features a semi-curved forefoot shape that increases the overall comfort of the shoe due to the fact that it doesn’t make your foot adjust to the unnatural shoe shape. Customers have agreed on the fact that this is an extremely comfy shoe that is bouncy, yet still offers the sought-for cloud-like underfoot feeling. Compared to the 2D upper of its predecessor, which had a seam at the heel, the Primeknit 360 doesn’t have any seams, offering the feeling of support and ultimate comfort. One runner even noted that the only thought in his mind after 13 miles of running was how good his feet were feeling. The Ultraboost 19 runs true to size, and the available widths are D-Medium for men and B-medium for women.

The majority of runners like the slightly futuristic and modern look of the Adidas Ultraboost 19, although some are a little indecisive when it comes to the external heel counter – it seems like it’s the type of design that one either loves or they don’t. However, most runners really appreciate the blend of trendy footwear, functionality, and style that can complement a lot of everyday sporty outfits and even improve them. The shoe comes in several colorways that range from vibrant to classic, and the brave use of cream color in one colorway is bound to turn heads since this is a very rare color when it comes to running shoes. The intricate interwoven knit design adds to the modern feeling of the shoe. The Adidas logo can be found on the ‘tongue’ of the shoe, while the famous three stripes are visible on the upper overlays, although they are more discreet than what most people have grown to expect from the brand.

The no-seam construction of the 3D Primeknit 360 is valuable when it comes to the shoe’s durability, because the fewer seams the shoe has, the less weak spots there are for untimely tears due to the weakened fabric. Additionally, the Continental rubber on the outsole increases the durability of the entire sole, due to the fact that it effectively protects the midsole from abrasions and prolongs the time until you notice the first signs of the balding outsole that saw a lot of concrete.

Unlike the traditional EVA foam material that is used in the midsoles of most running shoes out there, the Boost midsole doesn’t get stiff or hard in cold temperatures, meaning that the Ultraboost 19 will provide you the same amount of underfoot protection no matter the temperature you run in. Not only is the Boost midsole one of the best - if not the best in the industry, but the cushioning the Adidas Ultraboost 19 provides is enviable and will make your feet feel rested even after spending the whole day in this neutral shoe. However, keep in mind that as much underfoot protection as it offers, this shoe is still meant to be worn on roads, without straying off-road because it lacks the rock and roots protection of a trail shoe.

With 20% more Boost in the midsole, the Adidas Ultraboost 19 feels a bit firmer than the previous version, but it’s also more responsive – the midsole, along with the Torsion Spring in the midfoot, will propel your foot forward and make the toe-off phase of the gait cycle almost effort-free, lowering the strain on your calves. The increase in responsiveness of this comfortable shoe creates an explosive running experience that will provide an amazing amount of energy return, bounce, and springiness. A lot of beginner runners have commented how easy running in this shoe felt, even though they didn’t log serious miles prior to taking the Ultraboost 19 on a ride, which is a consequence of great responsiveness.

Adidas Ultraboost 19 is a neutral running shoe made for people who don’t require additional arch support, which are those with high, medium-high and normal arches. You can opt for a customized insole that would offer you some additional support, although if you’re a heavy overpronator or supinator, we would encourage you to buy a proper stability shoe. The Primeknit 360 is the type of upper that offers an equal amount of support in all parts of the foot, providing a secure fit and preventing any wobbling or slipping inside of the shoe box. The collar, although fairly thin, still has some padding, which is enough for the Achilles and ankles to be supported.

This shoe is ideal for daily running on the road, track, light gravel, and even treadmill. The superb cushioning and the responsiveness of the Ultraboost 19 allow you to log some serious miles in this shoe without getting tired, worn down feet or feeling any sort of pain. Be careful not to run on technical trails in these shoes, because no matter how durable the upper might be when it comes to the quality of construction, it just isn’t nearly as sturdy as what is usually expected of a trail shoe.

The higher price point of the Adidas Ultraboost 19 is expected, but nevertheless, it wouldn’t hurt if it was a bit lower. Just like with flagship smartphones, the price of this flagship running shoe isn’t just about quality, but it also signals that you’re buying the top-notch shoe in the neutral category. Some will be willing to splash on this shoe, while others will opt for the older model of the shoe and be satisfied with their purchase nevertheless. Both options are completely understandable because not everybody has almost two C-notes to spare on a running shoe.

The outsole of the Ultraboost 19 is grippy due to the materials used in its construction, and the shallow lugs on the sole are just enough to provide a good grip on both smooth and dirt-covered surfaces. The traction this shoe offers is slightly better than other road running shoes, since the performance on dry and wet terrain of the Ultraboost 19 is almost at the same level, whereas a lot of running shoes perform noticeably worse in wet conditions.

The saddle overlays in the midfoot upper area are very flexible, while the Primeknit used in the upper construction hugs your foot like a sock and moves with it, bending and flexing along with your foot. The company has even explained in detail why there is an external heel cage instead of the internal one. Namely, when your heel hits the ground, the heel naturally expands a little bit and then comes back to its normal shape, and the external heel cage is made specifically to avoid restraining the heel in this process. As for the outsole, the tread pattern makes it rather flexible, given that there are no big areas covered in ‘uninterrupted’ rubber.

The two prominent stability features of the Adidas Ultraboost 19 are the external heel cage and the Torsion Spring in the midfoot. The external heel cage is constructed in a way that allows it to be flexible, yet firm enough to stabilize the heel and work in unison with the stretchy upper in order to lock the foot in place. The Torsion Spring’s role is to stabilize the midfoot while propelling the foot forward towards a fast toe-off at the same time.

The company made the Ultraboost 19 wanting it to be a crowd pleaser, so it’s not surprising that they chose the popular 10mm drop, which will feel natural to heel strikers and midfoot strikers alike. The stack height of the heel measures 29mm, while the forefoot height measures 19mm.

● Continental Rubber outsole
● Midsole with 20% more boost
● Removable insole
● Midfoot Torsion Spring
● Primeknit 360 upper
● Breathable
● Extremely comfortable
● The style isn’t popular with everybody
● Higher price
● Good traction
● Road, track and treadmill shoe
● Fantastic responsiveness
● 10mm drop

It’s very rare for a company to come out with a shoe that doesn’t have a flaw, but the Adidas did it this time – if you take out the price out of the equation. The redesigned Ultraboost is better than the previous version and the updates on the upper and the midsole provide a more secure, bouncier ride that is going to please a lot of runners out there. Of course, the obvious limitations with the Ultraboost 19 is that it’s made for roads exclusively and that the drop doesn’t favor forefoot strikers, but that’s not a flaw in and by itself. With the Adidas Ultraboost, you’re getting high quality, responsiveness, comfort, and longevity, along with a slightly questionable design.