In this product guide:
In our view, the 5X model is the best-designed Ultraboost to date. The new design addresses most of the issues that needed improvement, resulting in a refined Ultraboost with a wider appeal.
In particular, the older model(s) had a noticeably thin forefoot stack. Before the 5X, most of the Boost foam was crammed under the heel. This rearfoot-heavy approach left very little cushioning under the forefoot.
The Ultraboost 5X corrects that by making the forefoot significantly taller. The midsole still has a 10 mm drop, but with a 28 mm thick forefoot.
With this change, the forefoot comfort has dramatically improved. The 5X offers dependable cushioning for runs, walks, or being on the feet all day. The ‘Lightboost’ is softer and lighter than before.
A thick and durable layer of Continental rubber adds miles to the shoe’s lifespan.
While no additional widths are offered, the stretchy Primeknit upper is accommodating and secure.
- 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
adidas overhauled the Supernova collection for 2024, beginning with the Supernova Rise in late 2023. While the Rise has been updated for 2025, the Stride is the same as last year.
The Supernova Stride is the entry-level model in the series. It might be basic, but not entirely bereft of cushioning technology.
The forefoot has a softer ‘Dreamstrike’ foam insert. We don’t know what exactly it is made of, but it’s a soft cushioning material that feels somewhat similar to Asics’s Flytefoam. The rest of the midsole uses a rubbery EVA foam blend that makes the Supernova Stride comfortable enough for daily runs of short duration.
The two-piece adiwear has a separate heel crash pad to isolate rearfoot landings.
The upper is basic, yet functional. Most of the exterior is made with spacer mesh for breathable comfort, and there’s padding where it’s needed – the tongue and heel.
Most people don’t know it or even care, but the adidas Ultra 4DFWD 4 is the only mass-produced sneaker with a 3D-printed midsole.
Nearly 7 years ago, we published an opinion piece on 3D printing, and how mass-produced 3D-printed midsoles were not going mainstream anytime soon.
In retrospect, we were wrong, and we were also right. We were wrong because adidas now sells the 4DFWD shoe. We were partially on the money because so far, 3D-printed parts have failed to replicate the bouncy foam midsoles that are used on most running shoes.
The adidas 4DFWD 4 is like an Ultraboost, but without the Boost midsole. Instead, the shoe uses a latticed midsole made of 3D-printed resin.
There’s a reason why the shoe looks like that. The resin isn’t as lightweight as regular EVA, TPU, or PEBA foam, so the chain-link design is necessary to reduce weight. The shoe still weighs 10.9 ounces, thus making it heavy by modern standards.
In return, the elastic midsole delivers a fun and bouncy ride, but its versatility is limited to easy runs.
Most people use this as a casual sneaker for everyday use. The upper is partially stretchy over the tongue for a conforming fit; it’s somewhat similar to the Ultraboost’s Primeknit upper.
A full-coverage rubber outsole provides durable and dependable traction.
The very first Ultraboost wasn’t a bad running shoe at all – our 2015 review is proof.
It was a simpler time back then, and the Ultraboost was a softer shoe without the extra stack that the Ultraboost 5X has. Even the latticed ‘Stretchweb’ outsole helped increase the cushioning sensation.
The Ultraboost 1.0 is almost a replica of the 2015 Ultraboost (except for the outsole), so the ride and fit character are the same. The single-density Boost midsole provides excellent comfort for mild-intensity runs or regular casual use.
This budget $65 shoe takes its design inspiration from the Ultraboost 5X. But it’s built to a cost, as all the high-tech materials (like Boost, Continental, and Primeknit) are replaced with lower-spec materials.
Despite its basic design, it has most of the necessary functional bits. A full rubber outsole provides grip and durability, thus delivering more miles per dollar spent.
All said, the Run Falcon 5 offers pretty good value for its $65 price. So while we can’t expect the ride comfort of a $180 shoe, the fundamentals aren’t lacking.
The firm Cloudfoam EVA midsole provides the necessary levels of everyday cushioning, and the breathable mesh upper fits as a running shoe should.
How we selected
More often than not, black running shoes are a substitute for casual footwear. Unlike stiff leather shoes with firm PU or rubber soles, cushioned running shoes make spending long hours on the feet extremely comfortable.
A black running shoe doesn’t soil easily and is easier to wipe. They also mix well with casual pants and work uniforms.
Black shoes aren’t ideal for running, since they aren’t as visible as light-colored footwear. Sure, some black trainers (like the Ultraboost 5X) include high-visibility elements on the upper, but such specimens are uncommon.
Black sneakers are also popular in the service industry. The foam midsoles are comfortable during long shifts, whereas the rubber outsole offers a confidence-inspiring grip on smooth floors.
Anyone who has worked in the retail, healthcare, logistics, or hospitality industry will attest that modern running shoes are far easier on the feet than leather casual shoes.
adidas and Nike know this trend very well, so they offer a black-on-black color on most of their popular running shoe models.
(Related read: The best black Nike running shoes.)