Disclaimer: I received a pair of Adidas UltraBoost X shoes to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to find and write race reviews!

The first running shoe that I purchased at a running specialty store was an Asics shoe. Since 2012, I have mainly stuck with the same Asics Gel Nimbus shoe.  (I may or may not currently have 6 pairs of Asics Gel Nimbus shoes in my closet.)  I have had some minor issues with blistering, but have been overall satisfied with the shoe.

When presented with the opportunity to try out the new Adidas UltraBoost X shoes, I said, “Yes, please!”  I wondered, could this shoe truly give me that extra boost of energy?  Could this shoe provide the cushioning I enjoy with my Asics?  How would it feel to wear a shoe that fits more like a sock?

Needless to say, I was quite excited when my shoes arrived!

I headed out for a quick run to try them out.

​Here were my initial thoughts:

• Wow!  So light and great cushioning!
• It’s breathable and nicely hugs my feet.
• I thought the fit around the ankles would be too tight, but it wrapped comfortably around my ankle (not too tightly).
• I’ve been wearing a 10.5 in my Asics running shoes, but I ordered a size 10 (my usual shoe size) in the Adidas UltraBoost X shoes and I felt as though they fit perfectly!

I went out for another run in my new Adidas UltraBoost X shoes and even took a slow motion video!

As shown in the slow motion video, the shoes truly provide me with an extra boost.  My foot lands lightly on the ground and is energetically rebounded back up.  The arch support at first felt a little strange, but the longer I wore the shoes, the more I got used to the adaptive arch support.

I tried out the Adidas UltraBoost X shoes on the asphalt, the trail, and the treadmill.  As advertised by Adidas, the Continental rubber sole provides great traction on all surfaces!

I ran the Women’s Fitness Festival 10k in my Adidas UltraBoost X shoes and they felt great!  Lately, I’ve been getting terrible blisters on my toes when I wear my Asics shoes, but with the Adidas UltraBoost X shoes, I have not had a single blister!  The Adidas UltraBoost X shoes provided me with the extra bounce I needed to get a great jump pic in front of the Sacramento State Capitol and the shoes looked cute with the Pro Compression socks!

My next adventure in my Adidas UltraBoost X shoes included an all day field trip to San Francisco with my 5th grade students.  We left the school at 7:30am and returned at 9pm.  The day included a 1.7 mile run across the Golden Gate bridge.  (Yes, I did in fact run nearly 2 miles in blue jeans and a cotton long sleeve shirt.)

At the end of our field trip, while I was talking to a mom of one of my students (she’s also a runner) about my new shoes, another mom noticed my shoes and said, “Nice shoes!”  I looked down at her feet and she was wearing the same shoes!  She told me how she too use to wear Asics, but also had a problem with blisters.  Years prior, she use to wear Adidas, so she decided to give them another try.   Ever since purchasing her Adidas UltraBoost X shoes online, she’s loved them!

Some other adventures my Adidas UltraBoost X shoes have seen me through has been a snake sighting, a Memorial Day run, and a quick weekend run get-a-way.  (If you look closely, you’ll see my SmellWell Moisture Absorbing & Odor Eliminating Shoe Freshener and Deodorizer in my Adidas UltraBoost X shoes to Keep my shoes Fresh! Interested in trying out SmellWell for yourself?  SmellWell – Buy 3 for 2 using “BIBPRO10” on Amazon – http://amzn.to/2rKVRq7.)

Some final closing remarks about the Adidas UltraBoost X shoes:

• Although some may be deterred by the price tag ($180), you can’t put a price tag on a shoe that is going to provide you with great support and keep you injury free.  I normally spend about $150 on my running shoes… way more than I spend on my everyday sandals, boots, etc.
• Don’t be scared off by the unique Primeknit upper of the shoe.  Go to your local Dick’s Sporting Goods store and ask to try them on.  Know that the arch support may feel a little weird at first, but your foot adjusts after a while leaving you with a great, adaptive fit.

Be sure to check out the Adidas UltraBoost X at Dicks Sporting Goods and also on their social media outlets –Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  

What is your favorite running shoe?  Do you often stick to the same brand of shoe?  What’s the most important thing you look for in a running shoe? (cost, color, brand, etc.)

Until next time,