In this product guide:
Of all the adidas shoes with a Boost midsole, the adidas Ultraboost 5X (aka the Ultraboost 24) is our favorite pick as a standing shoe. Its high-volume midsole is a deep reservoir of cushioning, and the wide base makes it supportive. The firm Continental rubber outsole and LEP shank help with traction and stability. An elastic and secure fit keeps the foot locked in.
It’s worth mentioning that the adidas Ultraboost 5X no longer uses stiff plastic parts over its midfoot. The midfoot cage has been a contentious issue for as long as we can remember, so we’re glad to see it gone. This is the most comfortable upper the Ultraboost has ever had, and there’s plenty of reflectivity for low-light conditions. There’s a significant weight reduction because of the reformulated Boost midsole, so the 5X weighs less than last year’s Ultraboost ‘Light’.
- adidas’s marketing pitch: Delivers continual energy return across the miles.
- Upper: Stretchy Primeknit upper with a bootie construction.
- Midsole: Full-length ‘Light Boost’ foam, Torsion midfoot shank. 10 mm heel drop.
- Outsole: Single piece Continental rubber.
- Weight: 275 gms/ 9.7 Oz for a half pair of Men’s US 9/UK 8.5/EUR 42.5/CM 27.
- Stack heights: 38 mm (heel), 28 mm (forefoot).
- Available widths: Single, D – regular (reviewed)
- Previous model: adidas Ultraboost Light.
- Country of origin: Vietnam.
- Recommended use: Daily cruiser, half-marathons, marathons.
- Footstrike orientation: Heel, midfoot/forefoot (full contact).
- Orthotic compatibility: Low.
- Median lifespan: 500 miles.
- Recommended paces: Slower than 5:00 min/km (8:00 min/mile).
- Recommended temperature range: Warmer than -5° C/23° F.
Pros
- Soft and bouncy comfort
- Very secure fit
- Outsole traction
- Long term durability
- Highly reflective upper
Cons
- Lower stability than before
- Shallow toe box
- No optional width(s)
- Short Torsion piece affects transitions
The Adistar 4 doesn’t use high-performance foams like the Lightstrike Pro; it features a highly cushioned midsole made with ‘Repetitor’, presumably an EVA foam blend. The 40 mm (heel) and 35 mm (forefoot) midsole stack heights make standing comfortable and supported. The wide base uses the durable Adiwear compound for grip. The hollow space under the heel and midfoot supports and cushions the body weight by compressing when loaded.
The mesh upper combines a plush interior with a secure fit to prevent the foot from sliding. The heel and tongue are foam-quilted for comfort, and an internal strapping system helps lock down the midfoot. The Adistar 4 is ideal for low-intensity athletic activities such as easy runs, walks, and being on the feet all day.
adidas sells a ‘1.0’ variant of the Ultraboost – which is a nod to the original design that we reviewed seven years ago. It’s a softer and lighter shoe than the Ultraboost 5X due to its minimal design.
However, it’s easy to forget that the Ultraboost’s legacy was built on the blow-out success of the first few models. The full-length Boost midsole, the soft and elastic Primeknit upper, and the Continental rubber outsole make the Ultraboost 1.0 a very comfortable everyday sneaker. The cushy Boost foam stack keeps the foot cushioned during extended periods of standing, and the plush upper secures the foot.
What makes it good for standing: The cushioned midsole uses a soft Dreamstrike foam for comfort, while the supportive frame adds stability for standing. The 36 mm (heel) and 26 mm (forefoot) stack heights make the Supernova Rise 2 a 10 mm drop shoe, and a raised heel is good thing to have on a standing shoe; it helps with proper weight loading. The rubber outsole provides traction on both indoor and outdoor surfaces while supporting the foot.
Other useful information: Adidas calls the foam frame ‘Support Rods’, but they’re not made of stiff plastic, but firm foam. The upper fits true to size and is available only in a single width. The spacer mesh breathes well, and the adidas stripes are reflective for low-light visibility.
The Adistar HRMY combines the Adistar 4 midsole form factor with vintage upper aesthetics from the 2000s. For just $20 extra over the Adistar 4, the Adistar HRMY offers a soft Lightstrike Pro foam core, a Continental rubber outsole, and a plastic plate. That’s on top of the suede and TPU-layered upper that channels its inner 2000s. These features add comfort and stability when on the feet. The LS Pro foam and Repetitor frame add cushioning comfort, while the plastic plate stabilizes the foot. The Continental rubber outsole provides the grip and support over various surfaces.
The mesh and leather upper has a snug fit that doesn’t skimp on comfort, thanks to the padded tongue and heel. The Adistar HRMY has the most protective upper of all the shoes featured in this guide. The toe bumper and sides are reinforced with leather, while the flexible TPU ‘cage’ prevents the mesh from catching.
How we selected: What to look for
Though this article focuses only on adidas products, a multi-brand buyer’s guide on the same topic also exists. In that guide, we explained the selection criterion for a standing-friendly shoe; you can read all about it here.
For the sake of brevity, we won’t repeat that information. However, here are some adidas-specific features to look out for. Having these design features in an adidas shoe will make it comfortable enough to spend long hours on the feet.
Boost or comparable superfoam
Having a midsole made of this expanded Polyurethane foam increases the chances of the shoe being comfortable enough for standing all day.
While adidas Boost has been overtaken by lighter and more responsive foams – including the adidas Lightstrike Pro – its suite of tricks still works. What’s more, Boost is extremely durable and weather-resistant. Unlike EVA foams or rubber blends like Nike React that harden in freezing temperatures, Boost maintains its cushioning softness regardless of how cold it is. adidas Boost also offers excellent resistance to cushioning fatigue.
Whereas lesser cushioning materials like EVA will lose their cushioning after a few hundred miles, most Boost midsoles will outlive the shoe. Being on your feet for many hours requires a cushioned foundation, so a Boost midsole is excellent for that use case.
A Continental or Adiwear-branded rubber outsole
A cushioned midsole has a positive effect on ride comfort, but the outsole is equally important. Having lots of rubber coverage adds support and safety. A shoe needs to grip well on artificial floors, and here’s where rubber outperforms foam-based outsoles. It also makes a shoe durable – something that’s desirable in a shoe that’s intended to be worn all day. adidas’s Continental rubber is a proven outsole material that offers excellent traction and durability. It’s not to say that other adidas outsoles like Adiwear are bad, but we’ve always found the Continental compound to be more durable and reliable.
A secure upper
Most adidas Primeknit uppers are secure, like the kind used on the Ultraboost 5X and Ultraboost 1.0. It does help that adidas shoes have an inherently snug fit. A secure fit improves the shoe’s performance when spending many hours on the feet. A snug fit enhances the cushioning feel by keeping the foot closer to the midsole.