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Adidas Pure Boost X Review

Feb 8, 2016 | Kit, Running | 17 comments

I haven’t done a shoe review for a while, but I couldn’t not let you guys know exactly what I think about these well publicised new Adidas boosts. These little beauty’s have been all over Instagram & Facebook as well as print media. You’ve probably seen them- they’re bright pink and blue, and have a floating arch…they’re hard to miss. They also have a rather gorgeous black pair, and a white/grey pair, plus a Stella McCartney for Adidas print pair. 

Adidas Pure Boost X review

Let me give you a bit of background first, these women specific shoes have taken 3 years and 100 prototypes to come to market, from original brainstorming to actual conception. As I’ve mentioned they have a floating arch, basically a hole between the shoe upper and the sole which feels pretty snug and looks cool. Women’s running style is a little different to men’s, with more flexible ligaments, a greater angle is created in the arch of the foot than in men. The infamous floating arch provides a sock like ‘hug’ and supports the arch in a way that other Boosts don’t. 

Adidas Pure Boost X Review

They are amazingly light, and feel very cushioned (as all Boost are with the brilliant Boost technology). They’re a neutral shoe but even still feel like they’re more minimalist and less supportive than the Boost and Ultra Boost. Personally I wouldn’t be able to run more than 3-5 miles in them, and Adidas themselves recommend building up the mileage slowly in them. By the end of a 5 miler I could really feel the ache in my feet! 

Adidas Pure Boost X review

Let me warn you, the shoes come up SMALL! I usually wear a side 5.5-6, I’ve got a pair of 6.5 UK and my right toe is right up at the top of the shoe and I wish I’d chosen a 7.

The front and the sides of the shoes are really bouncy and comfortable however the back comes up rather high in my opinion and rubbed my ankles when I was wearing ankle socks, and I know I’m not the only one they felt this way; a few people had a blister before leaving the press event. 

Adidas Pure Boost X review

Nonetheless, with high enough socks the shoes are very comfortable, and so lightweight that you can almost forget you’re wearing them. They were perfect for my 1Rebel workouts this week, as well as my strength and conditioning PT session- apparently you could literally see my foot wobbling within the shoe whilst I tried to balance doing TRX lunges. These will become a firm favourite for treadmill workouts, HIIT style classes and definitely during Barry’s Hell Week but unfortunately they just aren’t supportive enough for training runs for me.

If you’re looking for a half or full marathon training shoe, these are not the ones, however they’re brilliantly light for gymming and short runs. 

Adidas Pure Boost X were released on 1st Feb and retail for £90-£150. 

Adidas Pure Boost X shoe review

Photography by Will Patrick

17 Comments

  1. Sarah Addventures

    I tried these shoes at the adidas Runbase here in Berlin – I like the look of the shoe (although I wouldn’t pick pink and purple), but my feet were really aching by the end of a 45 minute workout, not even a run! Maybe I have really weak feet?
    Do you think it would get easier the more you wear them?

    Reply
    • charlotte

      I don’t know, I would say your feet probably would get used to them but that you might be better off with a slightly more supportive shoe!

      Reply
  2. gymbagsandjetlags

    I totally agree!!! I tried these for two runs but honestly ended up returning them because my feet just hurt. They’re responsive but only feel nice of a bit :/
    Glad to hear I’m not the only one who really wanted to like them but just didnt!
    xx, Pia

    http://gymbagsandjetlags.com

    Reply
    • charlotte

      That’s really interesting – glad they let you return them!

      Reply
  3. Georgina

    That’s really interesting about the sizing – especially as (I feel) adidas come up quite small anyway. I wouldn’t even be able to get a pair as I already wear a 9 in the ultra boost (which I felt came up true to size) so I’d need a 10 or 10.5 which just doesn’t exist! Shame, as I’d have considered picking these up to see what the arch support felt like.

    Reply
    • charlotte

      Hmmm I would try them on- I usually wear a 6.5 in Adidas Boost so would only be going up a half size!!

      Reply
  4. Lauren

    I love my Energy Boosts but really just want these to wear to the gym or out on the streets because they look SO pretty!

    Reply
  5. fionajarrett

    Good to get a review on these as I was wondering about splurging on a pair 😉 Thanks!

    Reply
  6. stevebonthrone

    Great review Charlie! I’ve had a female client ask advice about running shoes and while they may be good for her, they’re probably not what she needs at this stage of her training so I’ve recommended she try another pair instead as she’s currently training for a marathon. Thanks 🙂

    Reply
  7. KATE

    Hello (: Great review. I just bought one and i tried to run for 5 km. My toe and the side of feet that concave are hurt. Normally, I were 6.5 UK but this time i bought 7 UK-size. Are you have some suggestion for me ? THANKS.

    Reply
  8. brooke

    would you say that the ultra boost are a better shoe for longer runs then ?

    Reply
    • charlotte

      Personally that’s what works for me!

      Reply
  9. Patricia

    Hi!
    I’ve been looking for a good, reliable pair of shoes for running since my old ones are starting to give me blisters. I do competitive running and sprint and was wondering if these shoes would be a good recommendation for about a 4km (2-3 miles) run. I run about two or three times a week and have a fairly good arch in my foot.

    Reply
    • charlotte

      Yes they could be – however they do come up high at the back so would try them on with the socks you’ll wear! They’re really light and comfy over short distances!

      Reply
      • Patricia

        Have you tried running with these shoes on a trail or dirt track? I’m worried about how they’d handle rough terrain.

        Reply
  10. andie

    How long do you think the shoes will last if you run short distances in them everyday

    Reply
    • charlotte

      Hi Andie, I think these would probably last 300 miles – so if you run 3 miles a day – 100 days!!!

      Reply

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