Adidas Ultra Boost 5
In the world of running, loyalties are hard to break. Running a long-distance (or even a sprint for that matter) already involves so many variables on race day (weather, route, fitness levels, personal disposition) that runners try and stabilise whatever they can by pinning it down and keeping it consistent and constant. These include the clothing, the hydration gear and the shoes. Which is why, when one finds a formula that works, it is extremely hard to shift them away from their comfort zone to try something new.
It is not surprising then that a brand has to prove itself repeatedly in different conditions, in varying situations and on different people before a majority will start believing in its efficacy. However, Ultraboost series from Adidas has managed to crack the code faster than usual, acquiring a cult status relatively quickly, in spite of not being as old as many others in the field of running and training. Their fan following include thousands of semi-pros and recreational runners like me who train or race (or both) in whatever latest iteration of this shoe is doing the rounds. I have run in almost every variant since their first launch.
While the shoe has come a long way in terms of its technical advancement (lighter, springier, safer) it still retains its original no-fuss-just-run DNA that initially made people enjoy it. The shoe is great for urban runs, it can take in roads and pavement beautifully, so light and snug that it’s almost like you aren’t wearing anything. The cushy ride feels buoyant and lifting.
In the new version, the Continental outsole and the Primeknit uppers provide a gently grippy feel. The torsion system has been an Adidas standard for energy transfer from heel to toe and is retained here. What has changed is the re-engineered Light Boost foam (more cushion, less weight and 2% more forefoot energy return than Ultraboost Light 1) in the midsole and a moulded external heel support for that feel of security.
The end result is a shoe that is great for training and handles bends and turns better than before. I still wouldn’t take them off- road for trail runs (I remember there used be a specific Ultraboost variant for that too) but inside city limits, this is a great shoe for versatile running activities.
Five generations later the shoe also has enough street cred to be worn for a night out. It can be paired with jeans and a tee for a casual pub crawl; it also serves as a good travel companion since the uppers are completely collapsible making packing easy. This shoe indeed is a welcome addition to the racing season of 2024. One last thing though I’d recommend sizing up by half (or even an entire size) for a comfortable fit.
UA SlipSpeed Mega
Under Armour, is a more recent American brand which just launched in India. Though launched in the 1990s it is still considered as a young brand in the running space along with the likes of Hoka, On running, etc. as compared to stalwarts like Adidas, Puma, Asics, Nike and others. It makes up for the lack of legacy stories or black and white videos of champions smashing records from old Olympics, or even vintage models to revive from their archives, with endorsements from the likes of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson wearing the hell out of a gym tank that shouts, “Rent’s Due” even as he walks around with chains on his neck weighing the size of an average man. Under Armor is geared towards delivering performance by revisiting and rethinking the status quo, and it is one big reason behind their meteoric rise. Maybe sometimes, not having baggage from the past lets you think more freely outside the box.
The new UA SlipSpeed Mega is chunky looking shoe , but it is far lighter than it appears. Two things about it strike you immediately – the round dial in the centre instead of traditional laces, and the sock-like lining around the heel.
The BOA dial isn’t new for performance gear, running shoes and even urban sneakers have used them much earlier and, as a cyclist we have used them for possibly even longer. It contains steel wires which link up to a round dial that can be turned to tighten the shoe. They do the job of laces but with much more precision. The clicks on a BOA dial don’t feel much different from those on a diver watch, reassuringly clickety with the knowledge that they never slip or loosen or turn backwards. You lift the dial and immediately all pressure is released. But this can be a con if you only want to marginally loosen your shoes mid run.
BOA dials (at least this version) will require you to start dialling in the fit from the beginning and if it gets too tight, you have to start all over again. That said, the grip can range from a warm embrace to a bear hug through a 12-point lockdown system, something that is tough to do with laces with such precision. My trick with them is to keep the BOA dialled in slightly loose so that I can click it and tighten it if I feel the need while on the run,which barely takes any time.
The cushion on this shoe is more than conspicuous. It is immediately visible and you can feel it instantly even with just a walk about the store. The buoyant feel of this extra slab of foam is undeniably addictive and resoundingly energetic. I did a few intervals and some urban jungle traversing and in both cases, the shoe held me firmly in place. But I do feel the extra cushioning makes this rather suited for debutante and novice runners as experienced pairs of legs may prefer a pair with more direct input from their gait and running surface.
The heel is the most unusual part of this shoe. It will help to think of this as not one but two shoes in one ---a performance-oriented racing beast and a casual cool mule for all-day city striding. The uppers start with a breathable mesh in front which tapers down to a strong low support around the heel. This is where you find the heel sock bit that sits just inside the heel block. This is easy to slip into and doesn’t slide or chafe while running. When you are done, you can simply push it down and slide your foot in (like with mules) and the shoe transforms into leisure wear. This convertible heel is new in the running world as far as I know. Although, and this might be a case of conditioning, I have mostly ended up dialling the BOA down a few notches and not felt the need to convert to mule mode every time after a run. It was mostly because I forgot this shoe could do that too!
Another innovation worth mentioning are the Iso-chill padded interiors which serve to keep your feet cool during hot long runs. I didn’t feel the difference much given the current high humidity where I run but it does feel cool when you first slip the pair on. Some novel performance tech without compromising comfort, all slickly rolled into one.
Between the two shoes, if I was recommending a reliable trainer to someone, I'd definitely go with the Ultraboost 5 as a matter of habit. It delivers what it promises and does it consistently. However, I am also taken by the innovative streak of UA SlipSpeed Mega. The Boa dials, for one, are definitely more fun than regular laces. I was disappointed however by the lack of sizing choices the brand seemed to be carrying. One had to either wear a very fitted shoe or go a few sizes up. This is okay for long runs (as feet swell) but when one transforms it into the mule, the same shoe now has to fit like a snug glove, else one has to constantly walk with engaged toes digging down deep into the footbed for proper grip. Having said that, the UA SlipSpeed still seemed more fun even if I won't use it much as a mule.
That said, both shoes are from the new school of ultra cushy shoes (a trend started by Hoka and advanced by Nike with their fast marathon shoe that also incorporated a stiff carbon plate into the design) which is all the craze right now. These are great for new runners or for those who wish to run without risking impact injuries to their joints.
Personally, I always prefer to receive more input from the ground through my shoes. I like to feel the surface I am running on and consequently, I lean towards shoes with leaner midsoles; it makes my runs feel that much more connected and engaging. I risk injury but I feel it builds more strength.
My current marathon training is all based on shoes from On Running with their patented Cloud tech. Though they too have a cushy new shoe (and yes, I am in line to review that too), for the moment I'll stick with the standard version of yore. I am not breaking any world records anyway; just happy to cross the finish lines on my own two feet and enjoy a celebratory pint after.
