Runners Take Note: adidas BOOST changes everything

When JOE told the missus that we wouldn’t be around on Valentine’s Day, she wasn’t impressed. When JOE told the misses we were going to New York to see adidas launch a new runner, we had to duck and dodge a few fireplace ornaments… But it was definitely worth it.

adidas whisked JOE to Manhattan for 48 hours to see their Global Innovation Day, unveil their new BOOST trainer, or ‘sneaker’ as the Americans would put it. In truth, it’s a new shoe specifically designed for those of us who like to pound the pavement, and what adidas are saying will garner a new period of “Energy Running”.

The BOOST running shoe has been designed to give better cushioning and optimal fit for the serious runners out there… But the kicker, so to speak, is the new BOOST foam material.

Developed in association with BASF (they’re the world’s leading chemical company, but you probably know them from the VHS tapes you used to record Home and Away on), solid granular material (TPU) is effectively blown up and turned into thousands of small “energy capsules” which is used to make the BOOST’s midsole. These energy capsules store and release energy more efficiently with every step you take in the run, and provide the highest energy return in any trainer on the market - 15% more, to be exact.

We we’re sceptical… til we saw this…

 

So we have a new trainer that literally gives you a spring in your step. But there’s a lot of technology involved, and JOE assumed all of this was great in perfect conditions, but what about a cold rainy day in Dublin, or when we get that one freak day of 27 degree heat in Waterford? How is all the science going to hold up in real weather conditions?

JOE met the adidas Innovation Team (ait.) at the launch of the shoe, who told us they had tested the new runner to see how the BOOST foam material would react in a variety of temperatures compared to standard EVA foam you’d find in most other runners. They tested between +40  to -20 degrees C, and the BOOST foam is three times more temperature-resistant than standard EVA material.

So great, the adidas BOOST is packed with technology that will give you more bang for your buck with every running stride than any other shoe on the market, and they’ll work in the desert or Bundoran. But are they comfortable?

Any time JOE has bought runners, it’s always been a trade off between strong, firm and responsive runners for real running or training, or soft, cushioning and comfortable for mooching around the shops on a Saturday. Well, with the BOOST you don’t really have to make the trade off.

The upper is adidas’ Techfit technology that provides loads of comfort and support to the whole foot while you’re running, and there’s a stretchable, breathable mesh material that fits, well, kinda like a sports sock, which keeps everything close and comfortable.

If you’ve got a bit of trouble with your arches, the Torsion system is included in the sole of the BOOST to connect the heel and the forefoot, and does a really good job to keep you midfoot arch in the same position as the natural flex of your foot.

But they’re not too soft or stretchy either… The BOOST has powerbands across the upper to support and stabilise your foot. If you watch golf, you’ll see a lot of golfers wearing shoes with this powerband technology too – they’re great if you’re twisting and turning or your gate is a bit weird, as they keep you supported and helps your balance a lot.

Oh, and if you’re a app geek who likes to track every step and turn of your run, the BOOST also has the adidas miCoach technology, so you can track all the details of your runs (average speed, top speed, sprints, intensity levels, distance, steps, stride details etc.)

JOE had a chance to wear a pair of BOOST’s on launch day for a couple of hours, and to be honest, we felt like kids again. You remember when you were in school, and you’d be pestering your Mum to get you a new pair of runners? As soon as you DID get them, you’d go straight out on the road and run full pelt down to your mate’s house and back? New runners = Run faster. In this case, it’s scientifically proven. IN YOUR FACE, MUM!

There’s two models available at launch:

adidas BOOST energy

adidas BOOST adistar

The adidas Energy Boost will be available worldwide at adidas Sport Performance stores, selected retailers and through the web from the 27th February at a price of €130.