For Sneakerheads | August 1, 2021
Sadly, the glory days of Adidas footwear seem to be at an end. For a brief period of time (2015-2018) every shoe adorned with the iconic three stripes was flying off the shelves faster than anything with a swoosh on it and many wondered if the eternal reign of Nike was finally coming to an end. Amidst the flurry of smash hits that Adidas was continuing to release, there was one particular shoe that stood out, an oddity that was never meant to garner nearly as much hype as it did, the Ultra Boost.
As a hardcore sneakerhead, I have owned/tried numerous pairs of shoes from nearly every manufacturer one could think of. Off-White Nikes, Yeezy 350 v1 and v2, Y-3 Yohjis you name it, I’ve tried it. That said, I still firmly believe that to this day, the Adidas Ultra Boost is the greatest shoe I have ever owned, here’s why.
From slept on to sold out
The Ultra Boost was originally engineered as a high-performance running sneaker designed with the discerning athlete in mind. The recently popular casual-athletic style had not yet taken off and Adidas decided to target the shoe to a more unique market segment rather than engage in a mass marketing strategy. Initially, the shoe sat on shelves for months after release, until it was spotted on the feet of one of pop culture’s greatest icons, Kanye West. West had recently left his exclusivity deal with Nike to partner with Adidas, a move that sent reverberations throughout the world of footwear. His designs with Nike were groundbreaking, selling out in minutes and at times, reselling (successfully) on 3rd-party websites for astronomically high prices. It came as no surprise that after West rocked the Ultra Boost at several of his performances, the once slept on shoe began to sell out in droves.
More technologically advanced than some spaceships
Despite the Ultra Boost’s status as a streetwear icon, the technology present in this purpose-built shoe is staggering. Upon release, the Ultra Boost was packed with all-new technology, some of which the footwear industry had never seen before. Primeknit and Boost were the primary ingredients for the shoe and the combination of both provided wearers with a delicious blend of unmatched comfort and top-tier performance.
Adidas’ signature creation, Boost, is created by expanding thermoplastic polyurethane particles to form closed cells around small pockets of air. The result? Infinite levels of comfort and energy return. Whether you are sprinting 100 meters or walking down to your local coffee house, Boost makes the experience that much better. Using 3D modeling technology, Adidas can create Boost soles for any model shoe they choose such as the Stan Smith or other established classics. This tech is so good, it could make a 15 dollar pair of Airwalks comfortable, it is truly amazing what Adidas has accomplished with Boost.
Equally as impressive is Adidas’ Primeknit technology. Inspired by a design for a knitted glove that used thermoplastic fuse yarns, Adidas engineers Astrid Lang and Stefan Tamm begun working on the first Primeknit prototype in 2010. The result was a groundbreaking new material that provided ample stability, unmatched comfort, and uncompromising durability. Being a fused yarn, Primeknit has a high degree of versatility, easily contouring to the unique shoe silhouettes Adidas frequently releases. Some of the highest-priced and exclusive shoes Adidas has released used Primeknit as their primary material, and it makes sense, the stuff is truly brilliant.
Effortless style in every environment
Traditionally, purpose-built running shoes were too gaudy or impractical to be considered for anything but training. This is not the case with the Ultra Boost, whether you are hitting the gym after work or heading off to a night out with friends, this shoe exudes style in every environment. With the rise in the casual-athletic style, the Ultra Boost has been incorporated into the wardrobes of millions across the globe as consumers were delighted with not having to choose style over comfort and functionality. Even as tastes began to shift over the years, the shoe remains an icon, instantly recognizable at first glance and still worn by a large percentage of the global population.
In a word, unmatched
Even at 180 USD, the Ultra Boost is a must-have not only for sneakerheads but for anyone looking to add true quality to their wardrobe. Despite the recent slowing of sales, this shoe singlehandedly revolutionized the footwear industry and remains a pioneer of the casual-athletic style. This was (and is) Adidas at their absolute peak, no purer expression of the brand exists within their current line, buy with the utmost confidence, you will not be disappointed.
Low Tier Renaissance Man 