Adidas Ultrarun 5 review

The Adidas Ultrarun 5 is a great option for:

• New runners who want a comfort-focused, budget-friendly shoe.
• Ultraboost fans who love the look but prefer a more wallet-friendly alternative—the Ultrarun 5 mirrors the design at a fraction of the cost.
• Heel strikers seeking a cushioned, daily trainer that doesn’t break the bank.

We believe that the Ultrarun 5 isn’t the right pick for runners seeking a responsive ride. While the design mirrors the Ultraboost 5, we found its foam a bit flat, lacking the rebound of its premium sibling and also falling short of the lively ride in shoes like the ASICS Novablast 5. Both cost more, but if you're after energy return, they're worth the extra investment.

Additionally, the heavy build of this shoe holds it back. In our view, there are some feather-light, budget-friendly options that feel much more agile, like the Nike Interact Run or the ASICS Gel Pulse 15.

The Adidas Ultrarun 5 is a beginner-friendly running shoe, and we think Adidas played it smart by keeping the stack height close to average instead of going extreme.

With 34.3 mm in the heel, it delivers enough cushion to handle occasional long runs while staying suitable for everyday training.

The forefoot packs 24.8 mm of total stack—including insole, foam, and outsole—which might feel slightly limited for long runs but offers more than enough for daily runs, recovery sessions, and most moderate workouts.

That leaves us with a real 9.5-mm drop—very close to the 10-mm stated by Adidas. Since this model is basically a budget-minded sibling of the Ultraboost 5, we expected this kind of high-drop geometry focused on heel strikers.

Aside from price, the biggest difference between the Ultraboost 5 and the Ultrarun 5 is the midsole. There's no Light Boost or premium foam here—just the EVA-based Bounce 2.0.

We tested it and measured a firm ride at 23.5 HA. However, we think this makes sense for a beginner-friendly model like this one, as firmer setups often provide a more stable feel.

One of the common drawbacks of EVA-based foams is their cold sensitivity—they usually get stiffer in low temperatures compared to PEBA or TPU. True to form, the Ultrarun 5 became 30% firmer after we left it in the freezer for 20 minutes.

The Ortholite insole is made from EVA foam and stands out with a thick-and-cushy 5.2 mm build, offering a more padded feel than what we usually see in daily trainers.

We discovered that Adidas went with a low-rocker design in the Ultrarun 5, something that matches the shoe’s nature.

This flat-and-steady geometry felt ideal for relaxed sessions and slow-paced walks, making it a smart pick for weekend runners.

We found in the lab that the width measures 97.6 mm, significantly wider than the average road model.

While it might not fully suit ultra-wide feet, we think this generous toe area creates a comfort-driven fit for the vast majority of runners.

Some shoes compromise comfort with a sharply tapered toebox, but not the Ultrarun 5.

We measured a roomy 74.7 mm up front, which gives it an everyday-ready shape that won’t squeeze or crowd your toes.

This clearly feels like a shoe designed to stay comfy across a wide range of foot shapes.

We registered a generous vertical clearance of 27.5 mm. That's enough room to avoid pressure on top of the toes.

With a 0.41 score, the Ultrarun 5 delivers solid traction on dry roads and decent grip on wet surfaces. While slightly below average, we think it still clears the bar in this test without major issues.

The Ultrarun 5 features a dual-colored, Adiwear-based rubber outsole with excellent coverage for enhanced durability. Of course, at this price point, getting Continental or LIGHTTRAXXION was not going to happen.

The heel counter follows a design nearly identical to what we’ve seen in the Ultraboost series since 2015, with dual plastic heel cups that help secure the heel during landings. While it’s starting to feel a bit dated, the look is really iconic, and Adidas seems eager to keep riding its success.

We twisted the Ultrarun 5 and rated it 3/5 for torsional rigidity, which lines up nicely with its do-it-all purpose—covering everyday errands, relaxed weekend jogs, and some light gym sessions.

The heel counter earned another middle-of-the-pack 3/5 score, which means it offers enough support for heel strikers without feeling harsh or overly stiff—making it a decent match even for runners sensitive to rigid, firm-built designs.

Entry-level shoes keep getting roomier in both shape and width, and the Ultrarun 5 fully embraces that trend. We noticed it right away while handling the shoe, then confirmed it with our digital calipers, as it scored 116.4 mm in the forefoot, which is slightly above average.

The heel is even broader at 95.3 mm, which aligns perfectly with the intended audience of this shoe—clearly aimed at rearfoot strikers.

A versatile shoe for daily wear and running needs solid flexibility, and the Ultrarun 5 ticks that box with a 15.0N score in our 30-degree bend test. Still, it’s right at the edge, and those looking for a super-flexible shoe might feel that this one is too stiff.

There’s no hiding that the Ultrarun 5 is on the heavier side at 10.4 oz or 295g. Still, we discovered a nice surprise—our scale showed it was 8% lighter than the official Adidas listing, proving once again why lab-tested numbers are so important before purchasing any running shoe.

The upper of the Ultrarun 5 feels impressively comfortable, especially considering its budget-friendly price tag. Of course, trade-offs come with affordability, and one of them is breathability, which doesn’t reach top-tier levels.

We rated it 3/5, which is fine for most conditions throughout the year. Still, if you're in a hot-weather zone like Texas, airflow might fall short.

Looking through our microscope, we found a thick, comfort-first engineered mesh that clearly favors softness over ventilation.

We think that Adidas is assuming many users will walk more than run in these shoes. And they're probably right.

The overall comfort level remains high. There's generous padding in both the tongue and heel, paired with decent materials for the price. If only it allowed a bit more airflow...

The dense engineered mesh on the Ultrarun 5 held up impressively in our Dremel test, delivering standout abrasion resistance and earning a nice 4/5 score in our lab.

We pushed the Ultrarun 5 to its limits, but it kept showing top-notch abrasion resistance. Even the heel counter held its ground and outperformed expectations with a solid 4/5 score.

Adiwear rubber isn’t on par with Continental, but that doesn’t mean it falls short in durability. Our Dremel test left a 1.1 mm dent—nothing remarkable, yet in line with what we’d expect from an entry-level trainer like this one.

At just 2.8 mm, the outsole is slightly thinner than average. Still, Adidas likely made this trade-off intentionally, since the shoe already leans toward the heavier side and any extra rubber would have added even more weight.

One of the main appeals of the Ultrarun 5 is its wallet-friendly price. It lands far below the cost of most daily trainers—and especially the Ultraboost line. While Adidas clearly trimmed down quality and bounce, we believe it delivers far better value than its pricier siblings.

Since the higher-priced models in Adidas' Ultra lineup skip reflective details, it made little sense to expect them in this cheaper version.

We discovered another familiar design cue borrowed from the Ultraboost playbook—Adidas' signature lacing cage that integrates the iconic three stripes. This plastic piece adds structure and long-lasting support to the shoe.

What stood out even more was the ultra-plush tongue, which we measured at a whopping 11.5 mm. While it adds a premium-feel illusion, we think it's overdone. From our perspective, anything above 7 or 8 mm brings little comfort gain but adds unnecessary weight in an already heavy-feeling build.

Like many budget-conscious running shoes, this one cuts corners by leaving the tongue unattached to the upper. At this price, though, we don’t see much reason to complain.

We discovered during testing that the shoe includes the signature extended heel collar seen in its premium sibling, the Adidas Ultraboost 5. This comfy element not only cushions the Achilles but also adds support when stepping into the shoe, as it works like a small pull tab, making it easier to slide your foot in.

The Ortholite insole is easy to remove since it’s not glued down, making it simple to swap in your favorite aftermarket alternative.