Adidas Solar Boost

The Amazing Adidas Solar Boost: A first look

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I opened the box and, wondered what our friends from Herzogenaurach have been up to.

I had been expecting more of a lifestyle-running shoe, something more like the Brooks Revel. However, I was surprised and pleased to discover a pair of the most serious, and competent looking, road running shoes that I have ever seen.

Initial Thoughts 

• Looks like a neutral shoe, with a touch of stability.
• Miami-Vice retro colors…so many colors in one shoe!
• Only 10 lace eyelets on each shoe (instead of 14).
• Obviously, lots of engineering went into this shoe.
• Typical German attention to detail.
• Wow, I had continental tires on my Volkswagen…now they are on my shoes!
• I wonder if these stripes are reflective, thinking of safety.
• These things must be very expensive to build.
• Is there enough toe box height?
• Adidas doesn't follow a cookie-cutter approach; these shoes actually dare to be different.

First Fit

These shoes offer a really smooth interior, with a wide toe box and, even though the toe box height is a bit low.

The material was so compliant to the shape of my foot; that the actual height didn't matter.

Outsole

From AUTOBAHN to MARATHON!

The outsole rubber is optimistically thin, the famously durable, Continental rubber makes up the outsole and, is said to be good for 500 or more miles of road running wear and, I intend to find out.

Midsole

This shoe proves my theory that the midsole is the heart of any running shoe. With BOOST at work and EVA forming support rails, (Adidas may have a more formal product name for them) along either side, leading back to an external heel counter, which is a thin two-piece hard plastic component.

There is a clever plastic piece called, the "Torsion System," running forward from under the arch and, forward along both sides of the forefoot. This “Torsion System” also extends to the rear along the medial edge of the heel and, provides extra stability.

Upper

Not simply a single piece of mesh; this upper really deserves the term "Engineered” mesh. The forefoot has multiple narrow overlays running across it with a thin internal toe piece added for structure.

There is an internal bootie that conforms to the shape of your feet, running from the tip of the toes to the rear sides of the tongue, providing a comfortable and durable forefoot.

The forefoot material is compliant to the shape of your foot, and the multiple narrow overlays assure they return to their original shape.

At midfoot, there is a generously woven saddle extending from the midsole to the arch and up towards the laces; serving to anchor your foot in place.

The collar extends upward in the back, making it easy to grab when you are inserting your foot.

On The Run

I didn't know how bad things were until I tasted the BOOST!

No, I didn't exactly eat my new Adidas midsoles, but I did get a taste of what has got to be the most resilient foam ever dreamed up and, if they were edible, they would taste like the finest Lasagna from the very finest old world Italian restaurant. 

I love these shoes; I may put my Nike Structure 21 away, with the winter socks, until next winter.

First run was my usual 7-mile hilly route, at 43 degrees F; there was no wind. Initially, I noticed that the forefoot was airy, but the big news was in the bounce…it was an enjoyable and lively feeling.

My ankles did touch the collar on uneven roadways. However, I am going to ignore this and, rather than putting an insert under my heel, and risk maligning the character of this shoe.

I am looking forward to getting in many more miles with these shoes.

The outsole doesn't pick up rocks and, the laces do stay tied… there is no heel slippage. The quality of material and workmanship appears to be very high.

Size

12 D U.S. / 46.5 E.U. / 11.5 U.K. / J.P. 300.

A complete review with, a total listing of specifications will follow, here on RunRepeat.

The Adidas Solar Boost - A little BOOST…goes a long way!

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As long ago as 1924, Adolf (Adi) Dassler and his brother Rudolf, began building sports shoes at home. Eventually, they formed the Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik (Brothers Dassler Shoe Factory) in the small Bavarian Mittel Franken, town of Herzogenaurach, Germany.

Adidas shoes went to the Olympics for the first time in 1932 and, later helped Jesse Owens win 4 Gold medals; all while setting both World and Olympic Records in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

The shoe that is the subject of my review today is the Adidas Solar BOOST; a very well-constructed, medium weight, road running shoe.

The Solar BOOST is listed as a neutral running shoe; however, with its Torsion System and arch wrapping support…I say that this model blurs the distinction between Stability and Neutral.

This model may indeed become the Swiss Army Knife of running shoes!

Outsole

From the AUTOBAHN to MARATHON, Continental is very well known for their tires. They also make the outsoles used in this very model of Adidas.

These outsoles are optimistically thin, which obviously saves weight.

This part of the shoe sets a new standard for durability; with some runners reporting running over 750 miles in Continental outsoles and, with little noticeable wear.

Midsole

The heart of this Adidas, is truly a world-class design and, it uses a substance called BOOST foam to achieve this fame.

BOOST foam, I discovered, is made from a TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) that is not simply cut from a solid block of foam, but is composed of individual pellets as well. 

These pellets are molded while under pressure and, with steam, partially keep their original shape after leaving the mold. The resulting BOOST technology provides durability, cushioning, and a rebound that is hard…if not impossible to match.

Upper

These uppers really deserve the term "Engineered” mesh. The forefoot has multiple narrow overlays running across it, with a thin internal toe cap added to keep the shape of the front end.

These uppers are built with a yarn that features Parley Ocean Plastic™ and, are made from recycled plastic waste. Better in the shoes than in the world's oceans…bravo adidas!

There is an internal bootie that adds a second layer of durability to the forefoot, something I greatly appreciate. I have had my toes wear through many other models.

The internal bootie runs from the tip of your toes to the rear sides of the tongue. This provides extra comfort and, tempts me to consider running sans socks.

The forefoot material is compliant to the shape of your foot, and all those multiple narrow overlays assure that the original shape is maintained.

At midfoot, there is a generously woven saddle extending from the midsole arch and, going up to meet the laces…anchoring your foot securely. The three stripe logo, on the lateral side of each shoe, helps with support and, looks cool.

The collar extends upwards in the back, making it easy to grab while you are inserting your foot. This is an excellent feature…as you cannot easily insert your foot without mashing the collar.

The Run

Running in these shoes has been very enjoyable. They seemed to open up a new level of excitement for me. I am totally pleased with the performance. They actually excelled in every category that I could think of, comparable to my Nike Structure 21. See review here.

My first run was my usual 7-mile hilly route, at 43 degrees F. There was no wind, and immediately, I noticed that the forefoot was very airy…a very pleasant feature for runners during the summer months. The big news, however, was in the bounce…it was an enjoyable and lively feeling.

I think that the outsole is helping to provide some of the energy return by stretching, and them releasing energy, at the end of the gait cycle. Working together in unison, with the BOOST foam, this provides a snappy and responsive ride.

My longest run in these shoes, thus far, has been a slow 11-mile tour of the local hills. I must admit, the comfort on this longer run seemed to be on par or, even better than, any of the Asics models and their patented Gel.

The SOLAR BOOST does not feel as heavy as the scale indicated; perhaps that is due to the energy return.

The outsole doesn't pick up rocks and, the laces do stay tied…there is almost no heel slippage. The winter socks that fit so well in my Nike Structure 21s are a bit too tight in the Solar BOOST…making this Adidas a true summertime, sunshine shoe.

A thought

Running in this model of Adidas shoes will make you feel as if you were running in the shadow of the great Norwegian marathoner Greta Waitz and, you couldn't be in better company!

Economics

As quickly as many of us go through running shoes…our yearly costs can soon become something we might not want to think about.

However, by considering the durability of the BOOST foam-Continental outsoles, you will likely find them to be a more affordable alternative than less expensive shoes, such as the Brooks Ghost. See my review of the Ghost here.

Specifications

Pros

• Great cushioning
• Excellent transition
• Terrific responsiveness
• Superb workmanship
• Unequaled durability
• Fantastic traction
• No false claims in advertisements

Cons

• No reflectors
• Tongue could be padded better
• Ankle hits top of collar for some of us

Conclusion

Running is a science of physics and physiology and, running shoes are simply the tools that are used in that discipline. The Boost midsole and its Continental outsole are years ahead of most of the competition.

If you have a favorite brand of shoe or color you like best, it may serve you to put those thoughts aside. You owe it to yourself to try the Adidas Solar Boost and, when you do, you'll know what I am talking about.

Thanks for reading... see you at the starting line!