Review : Womens Adidas Energy Boost

So, after hearing rave reviews of the Adidas Boost range, I thought I would make it a point to go into the store and try out one of the Boost range of shoes for myself. Now that I am on my way to recovery, I was looking for a shoe which would provide me with ample cushioning, comfort and support on my runs.

As I sat in the store, bringing the entire running range down, there was one particular shoe that caught my eye – These are the Takumi Sen Boost 3 – I am telling you – that shoe felt just so right for racing in – light weight and minimal but perfect support for distance running – this is purely a race day shoe and I would recommend it to all runners in the market for new racing flats – I haven’t got any miles in on it – so cant say for sure but on first glance and first try – this seems to be a shoe built for speed and comfort over longer distances.

Adidas is putting all their marketing support behind the new Boost line and think that this mid-sole is the game-changer that Adidas needed to make its mark on the running segment in the market. The Boost technology was introduced in Feb 2013 and true to the expectation,  this technology has made Adidas a true running shoe and a force to be reckoned with.  Now what exactly is this ‘Boost” technology?

The sole of a shoe is effectively made up of the Out-sole, Mid-sole and the In-sole. The out-sole makes up the base of the running shoe in contact with the running surface, the In-sole is the insert in the shoe in direct contact with the runner’s foot while the mid-sole is the layer in between which provides the cushioning to the runner during the run. The Boost technology is a revolution in the way the mid-sole operates. The mid-sole has traditionally been constructed from EVA, also known as foam rubber. Each step you take while running compresses that foam rubber and each time you lift off the ground, that foam bounces back to it’s original form. Eventually, after hundreds of thousands of steps, the foam loses it’s integrity and no longer has the previous rebound capabilities.

The Adidas Boost ditches the traditional EVA midsole and instead replaces it with thousands of small pebbles of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane). This TPU is currently in the dashboards of BMW automobiles and, through a partnership with BASF, the leading chemical company in the world, and after three years of research and development, the Boost midsole was launched to the general public in the completely new Adidas Boost running shoe. These pebbles, which do look like styrofoam on first glance – provide these little tiny energy molecules which retain and give you a push at the time of the run – hence the name “boost” to this mid-sole.

The ADIWEAR out-sole of this shoe has a good amount of grooving on the carbon runner which ensures decent grip and balance while running on trails and uneven surface.

On first look, this is a super funky pair of shoes. It has a splurge of colors on each shoe and an entire range of colors spread across the pair. In fact, if one shoe has a plethora of pink on it, the other one has a heavy purple tinge to it.

I would also love to mention a few features of the upper that I have noted. The tongue of this shoe is sowed into place so it does not move around and cause problems to you mid-run. The upper fits like a sock and moves like water in a cup. The upper is elastic and provides ample breathability to the foot during the time of the run especially as you go beyond the 15K mark.

So, yes, whether you like getting into the technicalities or are a purely instinctive person like me – you are sure to find the “boost” in this technology. The energy boost has a relatively thicker sole to provide durability and cushion for some one like me who has a priority on comfort and support at this point. At an approx weight of about 250 gms – this is not the lightest shoe in the market but it easily is one of the most comfortable shoes that I have been in.

So let me see, I give this shoe top marks in Comfort, Looks, Design, Durability and Traction. I feel like I am “Walking/ Running on Air” in this pair of shoes.

Retailing at Rs. 10,999 for women and Rs 13,999 for men, I consider it pure value for money. Don’t believe me? Both – Ankush and myself are donning this pair of shoes and so is the entire Bengaluru Marathon Team.