It seems that Adidas has done it again with its most recent version of the Adidas Ultraboost 5X, one of the running and walking shoes with the highest energy return on the market today. I know it sounds like we already know what these sneakers are like, and the silhouette may seem familiar to you, and it’s true: the Ultraboost have already appeared on other occasions with other color combinations.
The past has not been so kind to these shoes. “Heavy as a plate of meatloaf at a Megadeth concert,” an expert reviewed once, they were great for walking, but running in them… well, let’s just say they weren’t your best option. The Boost midsole and thick rubber outsole made them perfect for walking, but if you ever tried running, well, there were some complaints. But Adidas managed to reengineer them and turn the page to now obtain the approval of the experts.
New Name, New Engineering — Adidas Ultraboost 5X
If you thought you had understood everything with the Ultraboost 19 and Ultraboost 20, here comes the Adidas Ultraboost 5X to make you doubt again. What sets this version apart from its cousin, the Ultraboost 5, is that the 5X gets rid of the lace cage, giving it a cleaner, more streamlined look.
From the moment you tie your laces, you know that if something is going to go wrong on your walk or jog, it won’t be because of your shoes. The upper, made of soft Primeknit fabric, feels like a sock that hugs your foot. The heel is held in place by external support, and that widened heel collar didn’t cause a single chafing on my Achilles tendon, which is always a relief.
Walking or running with these Adidas Ultraboost 5X is an almost religious experience, because they are light, fast, ergonomic to the ankle, instep and sole of the foot. It is worth highlighting its weight, which is just 9.7 ounces, competing directly with the Nike Vaporfly, the Asics Gel-Nimbus 27 or the Saucony Triumph 22.
Can I Do a Half-Marathon in the Adidas Ultraboost 5X?
The outsole is made from the always reliable and robust Continental, which guarantees good traction despite not completely covering the sole. It works very well for running short distances, let’s say, for a few short daily runs, to burn some calories, but it wouldn’t exactly work for a half-marathon: if you are in those categories of professional runners, perhaps the option is another type of more complex shoe.
In the end, the Ultraboost 5X is a shoe that more than delivers on its promise of comfort, style, and more than decent performance. It’s not going to be your first choice if you’re looking to break the clock, but if what you need is an all-purpose shoe that looks good and performs well, here’s a great option.
The Price of the Adidas Ultraboost 5X
The new and renewed Ultraboost 5X are available in three color combinations and in sizes from 5 to 12. Buyers have rated them 4.8 out of 5 stars highlighting the comfort, quality, quality and size (they are not too big nor too small to offer the right support).
The price on the Adidas website in the United States is $180 per pair, a fairly competitive value when compared to the Nike Vaporfly, which costs around $275 and is only available in three different color combinations.
