Adidas Energy Boost – test and prices

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Price comparison Adidas Energy Boost

Reseller	Leveringstid	Country	Total price	Read more
	1-2 dage		599 DKK	Til butik
	2-5 dage		674 DKK	Til butik
	1-2 dage		899 DKK	Til butik
	3-5 dage		1,242 DKK	Til butik

This is what you should notice about Energy Boost from Adidas

As you may have already noticed, BOOST is included in the name. And that alone should make any runner really, really happy. Boost is the midsole material from Adidas that has taken the world by storm. In the Adidas Energy Boost you get a fantastic running shoe for volume training. Or of course you decide how you want to run in the shoe. But when you look at the weight of the shoe, it is certainly not something that clearly indicates that you should run fast intervals or compete in the Energy Boost. That would be if you were to run a half marathon where time might not play a big role. Then with the Energy Boost from Adidas you are guaranteed ultra high comfort the whole way around. Because that is what this running shoe can do.

The comfort of the shoe is unique in its own way. You quickly forget that the shoe actually weighs 319 grams in a size 43 1/3. The construction and feel of the shoe completely compensates for that. When you step into a pair of Adidas Energy Boost, you have no doubt that this shoe can take you around for many kilometers..
The cushioning in the shoe is almost perfect. You can’t run in it tired. So if you want very high comfort, no matter if it’s 5, 10 or 42 kilometers, then you should probably take a look at the Energy Boost from Adidas.

The entire upper is also worth looking at. This TechFit upper, which actually starts with a Fitcounter heel counter, is really nice. You are held really well in place, and when you step into the shoe you will experience that the shoe has a pleasant, absorbent feeling around your foot.
So the neutral runner who primarily runs long distances and loves a 10mm drop can easily get foaming at the mouth now. Because Adidas Energy Boost is for him or her who wants softness and high comfort above all else.

Cool facts about the shoe

Personal experiences with Adidas Energy

I was initially very skeptical when Adidas launched their new Boost technology in 2013, but after trying several Adidas running shoes that use Boost, I have no doubt that it is the way forward, and that other brands like Asics, Mizuno and especially Saucony will adopt the technology. Brooks already has a similar technology called Pure. You can read about Brooks Pure here. Below you can see the general assessment from other runners from Adidas website (direct link to the shoes).

First impressions

I was extremely happy when the shoes arrived in the mail. I was incredibly excited to try the latest version of the shoe. I was excited about the previous version and couldn’t wait to try the newest shoe here. When I open it, the first thing I notice is that Adidas has significantly changed the design. The shoe looks very simple and minimalist. I like!

I put the shoe on. The fit is immediately very comparable to the previous version. So far so good. I can feel that the upper is a bit more comfortable. When I walk around in the shoe, the bouncing effect is very comparable to the previous model. It is incredibly comfortable, and hard to compare to other running shoes.

When I look at both the women’s and men’s versions, I find that not much has been done to develop gender-specific details. This means that my review applies to both genders in every way. That’s generally the case. It’s my experience that many running brands spend a lot of energy promoting gender-specific differences that only exist to a minimal degree. When I look at the two shoes, there isn’t much difference, even though Adidas does what they can to convey that the difference between men and women is enormous.

I usually like to take a leisurely run the first time I try out new running shoes. In my test of the Adidas Energy Boost I followed the same procedure. A 14 km leisurely run on asphalt, gravel and grass in Haderslev and the surrounding area. A truly wonderful experience. Normally I run between 5 and 7 km on the first test run, but it simply felt so good that I couldn’t stop. I didn’t get any blisters and didn’t feel that the fit of the shoe needed adjusting.

However, I would criticize the shoe for slipping a bit on gravel paths. As you can see on the sole (there are several pictures of the sole in this review), there is very limited structure. However, this makes it perfect for running on asphalt. It was without a doubt on asphalt that it performed best. If you run a lot on gravel, I would not recommend the Energy Boost from Adidas, either as a men’s or women’s shoe. You lose energy from landing to takeoff.

After 100km running training

On the positive side, I will mention in my review the fit and the feeling that as much energy as possible is transferred from landing to take-off. What a feeling.

I would criticize Energy Boost for having slacked in quality in some areas. There are a few seams that can be annoying. It hasn’t been a major problem for me, but I’ve read that others have had challenges with this. It’s my experience that when running shoes are still at an early stage (the first version came out in 2013), there are many corrections to the next versions of the shoes.

Energy Boost is not for those who run 150 kilometers a week, but for those who have 1-3 weekly runs of 5-10 kilometers each. The cushioning is excellent, but it is also a bit of a pop smart running shoe in my opinion. When I run in this otherwise incredibly comfortable running shoe, I can’t help but think of the Free wave that Nike created. Nike Free run Running shoes have devastated sales of other products, and unfortunately this has helped to lower the quality of running shoes and put an increased focus on the appearance of the shoes. Most recently, Nike has come up with The Nike Roshe Run running shoe, which also resembles Adidas Energy Boost. You can run in all 3 shoes, but they are very smart and in my opinion are more like leisure shoes, which should be used for everyday use and not too many kilometers. Let me emphasize that 15-30 kilometers per week in these shoes is in no way something you can harm yourself with. If you do, it is probably your running style, your variation of surfaces or the structure of your running program that is wrong.

I’m crazy about the Energy Boost, but I don’t have time to wear it out completely because I think there are slightly better alternatives for me as a runner. But that’s also because I run many kilometers a week. It depends on who you are whether it’s a shoe for you. Read on in my test and review of Adidas Energy Boost and find out if the shoe is for you.

Advantages and disadvantages

The Adidas Energy Boost men’s and women’s versions have a number of advantages and disadvantages that need to be balanced out with other running shoes in the same class. I will go into more detail about the various advantages and disadvantages below.

Analysis part 1: Who is the shoe aimed at?

Before you choose to buy this shoe, you need to make sure that the shoe is for you. You can see a lot of the essential knowledge from the facts section on this page. However, not everything is included in bullet form. Here you get a slightly more in-depth analysis and review of Adidas Energy Boost. In this section I look at who the shoe is best for and in the next section I go into detail with the construction of the shoe.

Running style – are you the right target group?

Adidas Energy Boost is primarily for runners with a neutral running style. However, I would say that it can easily be worn by a runner who also has a mild pronation. Adidas did a smart trick by making the first Boost shoe for the widest group of runners. Most people can train in this shoe.

Fit – how the shoe fits

As I mentioned a few times in this review, the shoe fits very snugly to the foot. It is a little narrow, but not so narrow that you need extra wide shoes.

• Heel: narrow/normal fit
• Midfoot: narrow/normal fit
• Forefoot: normal fit
• Toe height: low
• Arch structure: normal / medium
• Shoe shape: semi-curved

I have also created an overview of other runners’ opinions on the shoe, as you can see in the figure below.

Base layer – this is where Adidas Energy Boost performs best

As with the majority of running shoes, the first Boost shoe is best suited for asphalt. Here you get the best grip with the surface and you get going quickly. If you move onto looser surfaces, such as gravel paths and trails, you will be at a disadvantage if you run in a shoe like this.

Additionally, you should be careful not to run on surfaces that are too hard to grip. Because there is a certain sole in the shoe, it is easier for you to wiggle around in the shoe compared to flat running shoes.

Price level – is the Energy from Adidas an expensive running shoe?

Normally I say that a value for money running shoe is from 900 kroner to 1200 kroner and that premium running shoes are from 1400 kroner and up. That is very generalizing. That is my assessment of Adidas Energy Boost technologically speaking is a value for money shoe, which Adidas has however chosen to price higher. This is probably due to their extreme marketing efforts.

Weight – a hybrid

At 280 grams in size 42, you get a relatively light running shoe that you can use as your primary running shoe. It is not a competition running shoe. That’s where you need to go in the Adidas Adizero series. Normal heavy volume training running shoes weigh 3-400 grams, so 280 grams is definitely on the lighter end. If you have been used to running in the Supernova series or the Adistar series, you will find the Energy Boost very light.

Type of shoe – not an all-rounder, but only asphalt

I’m biased by being a running nerd and gear freak, but I wouldn’t recommend the Energy Boost as an all-round running shoe. But in your terminology, it’s probably an excellent all-round running shoe. You can use it in the mountains, on trails and on asphalt, but that’s not preferable. In order for it to be best suited for varied terrain, in my opinion, the sole should be a bit more rugged.

Drops and heights on the forefoot and heel

The heel is 31.8 mm, while the forefoot is 21.3 mm. This gives you a drop of 10.5 mm. If you are a beginner in natural running, or if you would like to experiment with landing a little further forward on the foot (midfoot or forefoot), then the Adidas Energy Boost is an obvious choice. With a 10-11 mm drop, it will feel a little more natural to land further forward on the foot, which is described by many as a better running style.

Analysis Part 2: How Energy Boost is structured

The outsole – what surface is Boost suitable for?

Adidas Energy Boost is a running shoe for running on hard surfaces. This could be pavement, asphalt and concrete, but also gravel paths in parks and green areas are excellent surfaces for a shoe like this. The reason why Energy Boost is best suited for these surfaces is that the outsole is quite flat. There is not much structure in the outsole. If you run on very loose surfaces, such as mud, ice, snow, slush or wet grass, the shoe will slip and you will lose your grip. Therefore, stick to the marked routes.

Note that it is not a disadvantage that the outsole is flat. It gives you the most efficient running on hard and flat surfaces, which is exactly where the shoe is best suited.

Midsole

I won’t go into too much detail about the midsole. The midsole is made of Boost, which is 75% TPU and 25% EVA. I’ve written a very thorough article about exactly that. Boost midsole (click on the link).

Heel – a different heel landing

With a heel of 31.8 mm, there is a foundation for good and comfortable shock absorption. Most everyday running shoes that you use to run your many leisurely kilometers typically have a heel of 30-40 mm. Within that genre, the Energy Boost is lowly placed, but compared to minimalist running shoes and lightweight running shoes,31.8mm is a lot.

With a heel-to-toe difference of 10.5 mm, you will most likely land on your heel. Therefore, the shock absorption is also particularly good in this part of the sole. If you specifically try to land on your heel with the aim of making a sliding roll across the midfoot and forefoot, you will fully experience the Boost technology coming into its own. You can read much more about Adidas Boost technology here, where I look at the real effect, the hard facts and my attitude towards the new revolutionary technology.

There is a lot of debate about whether you should land on your heel, midfoot or forefoot. If you are a heel striker, as the majority of runners are, then you will love the different feel this shoe gives you. I was surprised myself and how much of a difference there was in landing in this shoe compared to other Adidas running shoes. In comparison, Adidas Supernova Sequence (the version without Boost technology) much stiffer and felt hard, with the Adidas Energy Boost providing a bounce that I could actually feel.

Adidas Energy Boost can be used as an indoor shoe. Whether you play squash, badminton, floorball or handball for that matter, you can use Energy Boost. The sole is not contagious, even after running hundreds of kilometers, there is no sign of it infecting the floor. It is the Adiwear technology that makes it possible to use the shoes outdoors as well as indoors without having to apologize for streaks on the floor. Personally, it is very important to me that I can use my running shoes for indoor sports on a hall floor without having to worry about having to wear shoes with others.

Middle – focus area

The midsole is a big topic of conversation with a shoe like the Energy Boost from Adidas. This is due to the foam padding that is in the form of the Boost sole. The midsole in particular feels very soft. When choosing whether you want a hard or soft running shoe, you really have to ask yourself and you want to focus on a hard and efficient landing and take-off or a soft and comfortable landing and take-off. With Boost you get a bit of both, although you can’t help but be skeptical.

If you press on the foam you can feel how soft the foam is. All brands have a well-known sole that they want to promote. Asics has GEL, Nike has Air andZoom and I could go on. None of these are as soft as Boost.

The midsole has a technology from Adidas that almost all shoes from their series of running shoes have. The technology is called Torsion technology. The functions are many. First of all, the Torsion technology gives you a soft and comfortable transition from heel to forefoot without you losing too much energy along the way. A secondary effect is increased stability as the material is very compact and extends from different parts of the foot to each other. A final noticeable difference that Torsion should be credited for is that it makes the heel and forefoot independently flexible. This means that the two parts of the shoe can move independently of each other, which for you means faster accelerations in different directions.

I must admit that when the material is as soft as it is in the Energy Boost, you cannot avoid losing energy transfer from heel strike to take-off. The loss can be reduced, but not avoided. There is a reason why all competition running shoes are stiffer than heavy everyday running shoes. Hard shoes provide efficiency, but also more fatigue, which is why they are typically only used for shorter distances. With that argument, I would recommend the Adidas Energy Boost for medium-length, calm runs. This could be anything from 5 km at a calm pace to 20 km at a brisk pace.

Forefoot – the perfect launch

As I have mentioned a few times in this test, the Adidas Energy Boost has a good energy transfer from heel to forefoot. This means that you get a sublime push-off filled with energy. I must admit that I am very surprised by the feeling at the push-off. I was convinced that the Boost technology would do me a lot of good, but there was an extremely big difference from my Nike Flyknit Lunar running shoes for this shoe. You really get a boosted take-off. The shoe is very springy.

Upper – breathable and lightweight

The upper is not much talked about even though there have been huge updates on this point. However, I must also admit that for me the most important thing is the structure of the sole (typically the outsole), and then comes comfort and the upper of the shoes. The upper is a big part of comfort.

This review is not intended to go into detail about technology, which few people are interested in, but it is worth mentioning that the mesh of the upper is made from TechFit technology, which creates a very tight fit around your foot. It is almost as if the material sticks to your foot. It will take you a little getting used to, although you will most likely love it right away.

The idea behind the new way of making the upper mesh is to cut weight while increasing comfort. I’m personally a big fan of running shoes that fit very snugly, and the Adidas Energy Boost does that in every way. The upper consists of fewer components than any other Adidas running shoe.

The mesh is stretchable and very elastic. This gives you the best conditions for a flexible running style, where large parts of your movements are controlled by small muscles in your legs and feet rather than the stiff traditional running shoes, where you are very locked in. Adidas Energy Boost is a very flexible running shoe.

The heel of the Energy Boost is quite high. This means that with the right lacing system you will get a very tight feeling around your heel. I have previously found this to be incredibly comfortable from Asics Gel Kayano shoe andAsics GT men’s version, which both have a very tightly packed heel. The disadvantage is that the lining in the heel tends to rise. Therefore, make sure to loosen your shoes extra before taking them off. The alternative is the slightly looser heel found in New Balance running shoes, for example NB 1260 for overpronating runners. I prefer the tightly packed heel cap in every way.

Comparing Adidas Energy Boost with other running shoes

I am convinced that Adidas themselves do not want to compare their leading runner Energy Boost with other running shoes at all. If that is the case, I think they need to tone down their thinking about themselves a bit. Sure, Boost is fantastic, but there are other concepts on the market that have previously been at least as revolutionary.

Adidas Energy Boost can be compared to a number of other running shoes based on factors such as weight, heel cushioning, stiffness, stability factor, height difference between heel and forefoot, and many other parameters. Other shoes that are similar are: Mizuno Inspire or New Balance 1260. It is especially in the stiffness and amount of heel cushioning that these shoes are very similar to each other.

Personally, I would estimate that the shoe from Adidas that most resembles Energy is the Adidas Supernova Sequence Boost or the version without Boost.

Exclusive interview with James Carnes

James Carnes is the creative director of the Sport Performance line at Adidas. In other words, Carnes is responsible for the design and development of Adidas running shoes. Complex.com did an excellent interview with him, which I summarize here. I have reproduced the most important statements. Further down I link to the original interview.

What is the difference between the original version and the new Energy Boost 2?

James Carnes explains how the 2 is of a technical nature that is not comparable to the Energy Boost 1. With the new version, Adidas has had a full 2 ​​more years to develop the shoe and develop it in a direction that runners have been asking for more and less of after training in the 1. Carnes explains that the primary changes are a better fit and a smarter design. I have also written a little more about the differences from the previous version to this one earlier in the post.

How does the energy return in Energy compare to other running shoes on the market?

James Carnes mentions how Runners World has done a test of energy return. You may be wondering what energy return is, so let me explain. When you land on the ground, you release a lot of energy. Boost technology is supposed to reduce energy loss and instead transfer the excess energy to the forefoot, where your push-off is.

In a test conducted by Runners World, the Energy Boost had better energy transfer to the forefoot than more than 800 other running shoes. I followed up on the statement and Runners World says it was better than almost all other running shoes. You can read about their test here. The way the efficiency was measured was to measure how much the shoe “bounces back”, and here the Energy Boost was the best of 800 shoes.

How durable is the Boost midsole?

Here James Carnes states that many running shoes from other brands use EVA (which Adidas themselves use in all their other running shoes). EVA does not last as well as Boost states Carnes. He says that he himself has been running in them for 2 years.

I must be honest and admit that I don’t have much to say about such a statement. It’s fine to have personal opinions about shoes and their durability, but let’s get some serious testers on board and not the guy who developed the shoe himself. James Carnes has every incentive to speak well of the shoe.

You can read the original interview with James Carnes on Complex.com. It is in English.

Summary

Adidas Energy Boost is an excellent running shoe for those who run a few times a week. The shoe is incredibly comfortable and with a 10.5 mm drop and a good thick shock-absorbing heel, you have good conditions to get the best out of your running training.

You can’t afford to complain about the price.

Where the Energy Boost really stands out is in the landing and take-off, which the Boost technology is known for having drastically changed. The landing is very soft and bouncy while the take-off is more explosive than what I experienced in previous Adidas running shoes that did not use the new Boost technology.

In general, I hear many runners who have switched from heavier running shoes are excited about fewer injuries. The people I have heard from have typically trained in shoes that Adidas Snova Sequence (also pronation) or New Balance 860 -both shoes, which are in roughly the same price range and are somewhat similar in type to the Energy Boost.

Price comparison

Here you will find the best prices on the web, the best offers and all sale items.

Reseller	Leveringstid	Country	Total price	Read more
	1-2 dage		599 DKK	Til butik
	2-5 dage		674 DKK	Til butik
	1-2 dage		899 DKK	Til butik
	3-5 dage		1,242 DKK	Til butik