There are training shoes for every type of session: easy runs, long runs, brisk walks, full-body circuits, and high-strength days. If you use a dedicated one for each, well, that can mean a lot of slippers. So a pair that can do it all can definitely be worth the investment.
Enter: Adidas Ultraboost Light, the leaner version of Adidas’ classic Ultraboost line. The shoe, which was made for everyday running, also brings an added benefit: It’s pretty good for all the other times you’re on your feet, too. Read on to find out which workouts worked best for these cool and comfortable everyday sneakers.
how i tried
I used the Adidas Ultraboost Light on and off for about a month during a variety of activities, including 20- to 60-minute runs, hour-long interval sessions on the elliptical, upper-body strength training, and hours of walking. Most of my runs were on the road, though I did take the Ultraboosts on a few miles of densely packed, non-technical trails to test them out on a slightly different type of terrain.
I then evaluated the Adidas Ultraboost Light against criteria established by our experts for considering running shoes, looking at things like fit, feel, shape, and how my body felt during and after each activity.
Fit
One of the cool things about the Ultraboost Light is that it was designed specifically for a woman’s foot: it has a narrower heel, which Adidas says helps prevent slippage. The specialized fit may explain why the Ultraboosts fit closer to my size than other running shoes. I’m a 6 in street shoes, but I almost always measure a size half for trainers. I took the Ultraboosts for a few runs in 6.5s, but they seemed too big for me. I ended up going back to my normal street shoe size, which ended up fitting a lot better.
The Primeknit material in the upper is stretchy, so there’s a good amount of flex too. I’m a big fan of that sock-like design because I really feel like it keeps you secure without feeling too constrictive. In fact, it reminded me of the original Nike Infinity Reacts, the shoe I wore training for my first marathon.
Another interesting thing about the fit? The Ultraboost Light is a neutral running shoe, which means it’s not specifically made for people with overpronation (meaning your foot rolls in with each stride) or supination (your foot rolls out), but I felt it provided a solid stability. That may be due to the thick foam pads on either side of the heel, which can prevent side-to-side ankle movement. In fact, my sports doctor even mentioned that the shoes kept me stable during events like single-leg jumps and squats, despite my natural tendency to shake my ankles.
christa sgobba
Shape
Running shoes have been looking a bit dated lately, and the Ultraboost Lights are no exception: They have a ton of foam underfoot (more on what that does in a bit), and even more spreads around the heel. , giving her that cute little dot on her back.
