Adidas Pureboost 23 review

In our opinion, the Adidas Pureboost 23 emerges as a robust option for:

• Beginners seeking a versatile option that effortlessly transitions between a running shoe and a cosy sneaker.
• Heel strikers on the hunt for a shoe featuring a plush yet thin midsole, complemented by a wide upper.
• Adidas enthusiasts who love the Boost technology and don't mind the additional weight.

Advanced runners may want to explore other alternatives, as we concluded that the Pureboost 23 falls short in terms of cushioning and responsiveness. Several superior options exist for daily running, including the Nike Pegasus 40, Saucony Triumph 21, and ASICS Novablast 3.

Additionally, the Pureboost 23 has a substantial heel-to-toe drop, making it a bad choice for forefoot strikers. We are convinced that those who favour this running style will do better in shoes with a smaller drop, such as the Saucony Kinvara 14 or the Hoka Clifton 9.

We discovered a heel stack height of 27.6 mm, which appears adequate for short to medium-distance runs. However, it evidently falls short in providing sufficient cushioning for long runs or for individuals with a heavier build.

The forefoot prompted us to double-check our measurement—it seemed unreal. With a mere 16.1 mm of cushioning, this ranks among the least cushioned shoes we've tested in the lab.

As a result, we find it hard to endorse this shoe for serious runners who strike the ground with their forefoot. We think that Adidas opted for less foam due to the shoe's overall weight constraints.

Adidas promotes the Pureboost 23 as having a 10-mm heel-to-toe drop. Yet, our detailed measurements reveal a different fact—we find an 11.5-mm difference between the heel and the forefoot.

This finding further supports the idea that the shoe is primarily designed for heel strikers.

Moving to the Boost midsole, we discovered its remarkable softness, registering at just 13.5 HA.

Even though Boost technology, a decade old, has transitioned from running shoes to trainers, it continues to provide a comfortable and enjoyable ride!

After chilling the shoe in the freezer for 20 minutes and testing it again, we observed a consistent measurement of just 15.8 HA. This consistency verifies that the Pureboost 23 maintains its softness even in colder conditions.

The variance between the two most recent measurements shows only a 17% increase, surpassing the performance of many other shoes.

However, we must admit that we anticipated this exceptional performance, as the TPU-based Boost is known to excel in winter conditions.

The insole is really thin, measuring just 3.1 mm. We believe this falls short for this shoe, as adding a bit more cushioning would have been a straightforward fix without significantly affecting the weight.

This shoe is a dream come true for those with wide feet.

After testing and measuring the toebox, we found it to be exceptionally accommodating. The measurement at the widest part clocked in at 102.4 mm.

The spacious area for the big toe is also notably generous, measuring at an impressive 80.4 mm, which is wider than most running shoes.

While this design might not suit those with narrow feet, everyone else will delight in the comfortable and accommodating upper.

The Pureboost 23 incorporates two TPU lateral pieces from the Ultraboost design to enhance stability in the heel. When paired with the low stack height and wide platform, this feature elevates the shoe's stability beyond that of many other neutral running shoes.

The low stack height also makes this shoe exceptionally flexible (1/5), contributing positively to everyday comfort.

Indeed, the Pureboost 23 is an versatile choice for individuals seeking a pair suitable for casual runs, gym workouts, and everyday wear.

It's evident that Adidas prioritised enhancing heel stability in this design, as demonstrated by the two TPU pieces in the heel and the notably rigid heel counter, which we scored at 4/5.

Such a feature is uncommon in shoes of this type, yet it promises to greatly benefit those experiencing minor stability concerns.

During our test runs, the shoe felt notably broad and stable with each landing, including while taking corners.

Upon inspecting the actual dimensions, we indeed discovered a generous width, measuring 115.0 mm at the broadest part of the forefoot.

The shoe's design also contributes to its width, which, at 92.0 mm, is again broader than that of many running shoes.

This ensures stable landings even for individuals experiencing mild pronation.

Upon twisting the shoe, we immediately noticed its extreme flexibility, making us eager to conduct our signature 90-degree bend test on the Pureboost 23, expecting a notably low score.

As anticipated, a mere 13.4N of force was required to bend the shoe to the measurement point, affirming its mind-blowing flexibility and comfort for daily activities.

The most impressive aspect is that this incredible flexibility remains consistent even on the coldest days of the year.

After placing the shoe in the freezer for an additional 20 minutes, we conducted the experiment again and observed a 15.0N reading.

With just an 11.9% increase, the Pureboost 23 stands out in this regard. Few other shoes, many of which are more expensive than this one, can boast such exceptional performance when temperatures plummet.

Weighing in at 10.8 oz or 305g, this shoe can hardly be considered lightweight. The use of Boost foam, known for being among the heaviest in the industry, is the main culprit here. 

Perhaps Adidas will introduce a more streamlined Pureboost Light in the future, featuring the same foam we experienced in the Ultraboost Light. However, for the time being, this is what we have to contend with.

One of the first features to catch our eye about the Pureboost 23 is its upper, generously filled with ventilation holes. This design, in theory, promises superb breathability. However, at RunRepeat, we believe in rigorous testing and concrete proof rather than speculation.

Utilising our specialised smoke-pumping machine, we evaluated the shoe's breathability in our lab and determined that it deserved a perfect score—5 out of 5.

What makes this achievement remarkable is the shoe's comfort. To counterbalance the potential for heat-related issues, the designers strategically incorporated large ventilation holes, ensuring a cool and airy experience.

To examine the ventilation holes closely, we placed the shoe under our microscope.

The upper reveals two distinct layers—a white exterior layer with holes every few millimetres, and a well-ventilated yellow layer providing structure.

This results in a winning blend of a cushioned, comfortable, and airy upper, one of the best we've ever tested in a daily running shoe.

Shoes that are well-ventilated and achieve this status through large holes often result in less-than-stellar durability, as we experienced with the Adidas Ultraboost 1.0.

However, as we discuss in our guide about running shoe uppers, mesh shoes generally prove more resilient than their knit counterparts. That's why the Pureboost 23 secured a not-so-disappointing score of 2/5.

The heel impressively flips the script, effortlessly earning a perfect score of 5/5.

This means that even runners who typically wear out this area due to their Achilles can confidently rely on this shoe, ensuring a hole-free experience. The contrast when compared to the Under Armour Charged Assert 9 is truly remarkable!

Regrettably, this shoe lacks Continental rubber, often associated with top-notch durability and grip.

Nonetheless, the outsole holds its own in terms of grip, and we're eager to assess its performance in the durability sector.

First up is the hardness test, registering a below-average 75.1 HC. Could this result in less-than-ideal durability?

A softer-than-average rubber might suggest compromised durability.

We used the Dremel again, this time in the outsole, as is our standard practice for all running shoes. We observed a 0.9-mm indentation, which, while being an average score, is quite favourable for such a soft, grip-enhancing rubber.

This is a training shoe, so it should last at least 500 miles for the majority of runners. The 3.0-mm rubber should help to meet that standard.

Regrettably, Adidas neglected to include any reflective elements in the Pureboost 23.

We clocked the tongue padding at 4.9 mm, good enough for short or medium-distance runs.

It's comfy, and we believe that any additional padding would have unnecessarily added weight to an already hefty shoe.

Adidas chose to forgo a gusseted tongue, and although we favor them for enhanced lockdown, they aren't crucial for running at easy paces—those best suited for this shoe.

The heel design, taken from the OG Ultraboost, includes a convenient pull tab that simplifies sliding your feet into the shoe and provides comfort to the Achilles tendon.

The insole isn't glued down, allowing for easy replacement with orthotics or third-party insoles due to the shoe's generous width.