adidas Ultra Boost 20 Review
Fashion or Function? Why Not Have Both?
Likes
- Generous cushioning
- Stylish design
- Breathable upper
- Comfortable
Dislikes
- Heavy
What's New
With a few minor changes from the previous version, the adidas Ultra Boost 20 continues to be a comfortable and stylish shoe with the versatility to handle a wide range of runs. The full-length Continental outsole continues to offer incredible durability, and the Boost midsole provides bouncy cushioning that is ideal for daily training but can react quickly to faster paces. For a more secure fit, the Ultra Boost 20 now features Tailor Fiber Placements throughout the midfoot cage and Primeknit upper. These stitched-in reinforcements help eliminate side-to-side movement inside the shoe while the new padded heel collar offers an improved lockdown. For those who desire an even more performance-focused fit, the Ultra Boost PB (Shop Men's|Shop Women's) delivers a lighter, more breathable mesh upper on the same platform.
The Bottom Line
Despite the minimal changes, our testers were very happy with the new adidas Ultra Boost 20. They appreciated the improved upper, and they felt that it maintained the sock-like fit that the line is known for while also offering a more secure hold of the foot when running. The Boost foam still delivers bouncy cushioning with a plush yet energetic ride, but as new foams from other brands continue to get lighter and bouncier, our testers agreed that the Ultra Boost 20 would not be their first choice for faster runs. Still, with its stylish design and comfortable ride, the Ultra Boost 20 continues to be a great daily training option for those who want one shoe for both workouts and urban wear.
Shoe Performance
Softness i
Ride/Energy Return i
Underfoot Protection i
Flexibility i
Upper Support i
Specifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium | Height: Medium to low | |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium to Low | |
| Heel Width | Medium | |
| Arch Height | Men's: Medium | Women's: Medium to high |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 10.7 oz (size 9) | Women's: 9.7 oz (size 8) | |
| Stack Height | 27 mm (Heel), 17 mm (Forefoot) | 10 mm Heel-Toe Offset | |
| Terrain | Road | |
| Stability | Neutral | |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softness i
The Ultra Boost 20 offers a soft underfoot experience that feels plush at any pace without sacrificing a responsive ride. Our testers felt that the shoe was comfortable whether they were on a long run or using the shoe for everyday wear.
Liese: "I love the softness of the Ultra Boost 20! Even though this model has 20% more Boost foam than the original Ultra Boost, I didn't notice a bulkier feel as a result."
Connor: "The Ultra Boost 20 continues to offer a soft and ultra-comfortable midsole that is by no means mushy or dead feeling. It's a little squishy upon initial step-in, and once you start running, it offers a nice softness that feels great at a variety of paces."
Ride/Energy Return i
The Ultra Boost 20 features a Torsion Spring through the midfoot that tenses as the foot flexes to create a snappier toe-off. Our testers felt that this worked with the bouncy Boost foam to provide a very responsive ride.
Liese: "The Torsion Spring keeps things snappy with just the right amount of cushioning underfoot. During my slow-paced warmups, the shoe feels soft, but when I throw in a few strides at the end of my run, the shoes feel very responsive."
Connor: "Boost is known for its energy return, and the Ultraboost 20 still adds a little extra pep to your step. It's bouncy and makes running feel smooth at a variety of paces, but the overall weight of the shoe kept me from choosing it for uptempo workouts."
Underfoot Protection i
Our testers loved how the Ultra Boost 20 offers plenty of protection for everything from long runs to recovery days. The shoe has a plush feel underfoot without being bulky or losing a connection with the ground.
Liese: "The stack height is low yet feels very protective. This shoe is a great option for those who like a cushioned running experience but don't want the high stack height that often accompanies it."
Connor: "The shoe simply has a lot of Boost foam underfoot, which delivers an extremely protective experience. It's plush, luxurious, and has the cushioning needed to go longer distances."
Underfoot Flexibility i
The Continental rubber outsole's grid design provides the Ultra Boost 20 with a perfect balance of flexibility and stability. Our testers enjoyed the smooth ride and the extra springiness offered by the shoe's Torsion Spring.
Liese: "The feel is quite flexible through toe-off. The low stack height keeps things bendy, and the torsion spring gives the shoe nice forward propulsion."
Connor: "The Ultra Boost 20 offers the same flexible Stretchweb outsole. The flexible design bends nicely with the foot while the Torsion Spring adds some rigidity. Overall, this provides an extremely balanced experience that delivers an ultra-smooth ride."
Upper Feel i
The stylish Primeknit upper now features stitched-in reinforcements that are strategically placed to secure the foot from side-to-side movement. Our testers agreed that this new upper, combined with the soft elastane heel cup, made for a more performance-based fit that felt stable at any speed.
Liese: "The knit upper is super breathable and accommodating. Where the Ultra Boost 18 and 19 failed to securely lock down my foot, the reinforcements along the sides keep the Ultra Boost 20 from feeling sloppy."
Connor: "The upper on the Ultra Boost 20 has small modifications for a more comfortable and stable experience. The Primeknit 360 is nearly seamless and feels much more refined than the previous version. The midfoot wrap also feels more natural and keeps my foot locked in place."
Men's adidas Ultraboost Running Shoes
Individual Thoughts
The Ultra Boost 20 may be one of my favorite shoes of the year. It has the perfect balance of soft and springy, and although my typical issue with running shoes is with the upper fit, these are near perfect! With the Ultra Boost 19, I needed to size down because the length felt too long. This year, the Ultra Boost is true to size, and I don't feel my heel slip-sliding around at all in it. Despite this, the upper is still stretchy enough to be comfortable for runners with a wide forefoot.
I had been running in the Solar Boost 19s before testing these shoes, and I appreciate the plusher underfoot feel and more accommodating fit of the Ultra Boost 20s. For me, the $20 price difference is definitely worth it despite the similar specs between the shoes, but for those with narrow feet, the Solar Boost 19 may be a better choice.
Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
Over the years, the Ultra Boost series has become known for its eye-catching visual aesthetic, and with last year's introduction of the Ultra Boost 19, we saw a completely revamped design that was even more geared toward the serious runner. Now with version 20, we get that same soft, smooth, and highly-cushioned underfoot feel but with a modified upper for an even more natural and comfortable on-foot experience.