Facts
Road
Shoes best for road, track and light gravel. See the best road shoes.
Trail
Shoes best for trail, off road, mountains and other unstable surfaces. See the best trail shoes.
Good to know
As long as you stick to the road or path, and if you want just one running shoe, buy a road running shoe.
Neutral / cushion / high arch
Shoes for runners who does not need any additional arch support (Around 50% of runners). Best for people with high or medium high arches. See the best neutral shoes.
Stability / overpronation / normal arch
Shoes for runners who needs arch support (Around 45% of runners). Best for runners with a normal arch. See the best stability shoes.
Motion control / severe overproanation / flat feet
Shoes for runners who needs a lot of arch support. Best for runners with flat feet. See the best motion control shoes.
Good to know
- Rule of thumb: If in doubt, buy neutral shoes to avoid injuries.
- More about arch support in this video.
- Find your arch type by following steps from this video.
Daily running
Cushioned shoes for your daily easy running. Great comfort. See best shoes for daily running.
Competition
Lightweight shoes good for races, interval training, tempo runs and fartlek. Here are the best competition running shoes.
Good to know
If you want just one pair of shoes, buy a shoe for daily running.
The height difference from the heel to the forefoot, also known as heel drop, toe spring, heel to toe spring or simply drop.
There are many opinions about what a good heel drop is. We do not recommend any in particular. Lean more in this video.
Summary
We spent 7.8 hours reading reviews from experts and users. In summary, this is what runners think:
8 reasons to buy
The Adidas Energy Boost 3 looked visually endearing to a lot of runners.
This shoe was versatile enough that it enabled many users to wear it for running sessions, workouts and casual walks.
The mid-sole unit was able to deliver reliable and responsive cushioning, noted a runner.
Some testers noticed that the technology used in the mid-sole really caused each step to be springy.
A reviewer wrote that the mid-foot support unit in the platform helped them in achieving a smooth and stable gait.
Several runners thought that the Energy Boost 3 was an example of a perfect marriage of support and cushioning.
The grip of the outsole was reliable, according to testers.
Reviewers lauded the overall quality and durability of this shoe.
3 reasons not to buy
The rigid plastic stripes or overlays that are placed on the upper unit caused the fabrics to rub against the skin of some testers, causing discomfort.
A runner commented that the lacing system wasn’t able to reach the ball of the foot; they felt that they weren’t able to adjust the fit securely enough.
The tread of the outsole wore off on a few runners, thus exposing the mid-sole to abrasion and reducing traction.
Bottom line
Many runners were able to get quality service from the Adidas Energy Boost 3. For them, it’s a reliable option for their running sessions. It looked appealing and it felt great for their feet. Inversely, some testers observed that the upper unit was a bit uncomfortable, and a few felt that the durability of the outsole left a lot to be desired. But this neutral road shoe generally performed well for the majority of consumers.
Rankings
Popularity
World wide, Energy Boost 3 is in the top 5% most popular running shoes. The brand, Adidas, is the 3rd most popular.
Map: Shows popularity per continent based on 1010 shoes
Ratings
Expert reviews
Experts are running shoe geeks, who post reviews at youtube, directly at RunRepeat or at their own websites. Each expert is categorized from level 1 to level 5 based on expertise. See stats on expert reviews and how we calculate scores here.
Are you an expert? Apply to contribute here.
82 / 100 based on 6 expert reviews
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RIZKNOWS • Level 1 expert
by RIZKNOWSThey feel like more of a continous shoe. They got a bootie-lie construction almost not quite like the ultra boost but almost that way and the upper is better. -
Solereview • Level 5 expert
by SolereviewThis is one of those updates when you can do perfectly well with not buying it, and instead stick to the previous version. -
Hollie • Level 3 expert
by Fueled by LOLzTo me, these feel the most similar to Newtons because of how bouncy they are. -
Alexandra Pevtsova • Level 1 expert
by Alexandra PevtsovaThey have plenty of heel cushion which is super great. -
Tim • Level 1 expert
by The Stick Figure RunnerThe quality of the shoe is great and so far, it has been everything and more I could have asked for in a running shoe. -
Show moreless reviews
These are visual presentations, not reviews
Updates to Energy Boost 3
The 3rd version of the Energy Boost brings back the full-length Boost midsole that delivers efficient energy-return properties for a smooth and responsive ride.
The Energy Boost 3 comes with a new outsole design that gives impressive traction. It also gives added cushioning for a cushy feel. The durability of the shoe’s outsole was also enhanced, for a long lasting running experience.
The upper was also enhanced to deliver a more flexible and breathable upper without affecting the weight. The upper was engineered to give a seamless, sock-like feel.
Energy Boost 3 size and fit
The fit and sizing of the Energy Boost 3 was not affected by the changes. It is still available in a standard running shoe length and comfortably accommodates runners with regular foot shape. The heel, forefoot and midfoot are of standard size.
Outsole
The Energy Boost 3 has a gender-specific outsole design that delivers enough forefoot flexibility. The outsole also utilizes the brand’s Adiwear technology that is specifically placed in high abrasion areas to avoid quick wear and tear.
Midsole
The midsole utilizes the brand’s Boost Technology that offers an efficient energy-return properties and superior cushioning for a more responsive ride. This works hand-in-hand with the Adidas Torsion System that allows the rearfoot and forefoot to move naturally for a more stable heel-to-toe transition.
Upper
The upper of the Adidas Energy Boost 3 features the brand’s TechFit technology that delivers a seamless, sock-like fit. It offers added support without affecting flexibility. The strobe-lasting upper gives a more comfortable underfoot feel.
Comparison
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