adidas UltraBOOST Sizing: How Do They Fit?

Last Updated: 16/2/23

Launched back in February 2015, the adidas UltraBOOST eventually became one of the biggest hits ever for the German sportswear brand, even though it was originally intended to act as a high-performance running sneaker. The silhouette debuted quietly, with no real marketing push from the 3-Stripes, and initially it only proved popular with running shoe enthusiasts. BOOST technology had been seen for the first time back in 2013, so with that considered the sneaker didn’t really seem like a major deal. However things quickly changed when Kanye West was pictured wearing an all-white colourway of the UltraBOOST in May 2015.

The sneaker skyrocketed in popularity almost overnight, and after several more images of Mr. West rocking different colourways, the UltraBOOST became the hottest sneaker on the market, donned by style-aficionados across the world. Of course, pairs became difficult to obtain, leading to resale prices quickly rising and sneakerheads snapping up every single release. The UltraBOOST quickly became one of the 3-Stripes’ top performing pairs of all time, and led to years of further success. So, just how exactly does the UltraBOOST fit? Read on for all you need to know right here at The Sole Supplier.

Crafted from adidas’ signature Primeknit fabric, the adidas UltraBOOST is a contemporary silhouette, meaning it follows a slimline construction. It’s also incredibly lightweight, having originally been developed for the running market. Because of this, many people say that the sneaker fits tighter than usual. This is true, however we’d still advise going true to your usual size with the adidas UltraBOOST. However, if you prefer to have some room to move about inside your kicks, taking half a size up from your regular size won’t hurt.

Since there are multiple different styles and variations of the UltraBOOST, some may claim that each model fits slightly different, however in our experience this isn’t necessarily true. If possible, we’d always advise heading into a store to try on a pair for yourself, as this will provide optimal results in terms of fit.

The UltraBOOST is renowned for its unrivalled comfort and support, and has been celebrated many times over the years as one of the comfiest sneakers on the market. Most of this is down to the BOOST technology underfoot, as well as the Primeknit upper. The combination of these two materials makes for a seriously pleasant ride, so if you’re searching for a pair you can walk in for miles before any discomfort arrives, then look no further.

It’s important to remember that this sneaker was originally crafted for performance running, meaning it has to be comfortable enough for someone to want to wear them while running a marathon, or a similar long-distance race. Because of this, it’s built to endure serious amounts of wear, and is in turn, very comfortable.

Styling the adidas UltraBOOST can be more difficult than one might think, given the athletic look and feel of the sneakers. Unlike retro-style silhouettes, the UB doesn’t lend itself particularly well to baggy clothing. In fact, it’s much better rocked with cuffed trousers, or even shorts in the summer months. Try and head for a more athleisure look with your outfits, for example cuffed sweatpants or cargo pants should work very well here. You’re also going to want to coordinate your socks in an outfit like this, as the cuffed trousers will likely expose them for viewing.

Try and colour match your socks with your sneakers, and of course you’re going to want to avoid Nike socks, as no one wants to see a brand clash like that! Elsewhere in the outfit, a cosy hoodie or sweater will round off the look, making the outfit a force to be reckoned with.

Of course, Kanye set the standard when it came to UltraBOOST outfits, and a lot of this took place back in the early days of the silhouette. While plenty of the outfits that make the silhouette pop aren’t exactly on trend today, they certainly haven’t aged badly either. There’s no shame in ditching the baggy trousers once in a while and opting for a slimmer, more refined look. Anyone who’s been a part of the sneaker scene for more than a few years will remind you of the days when this look ruled above all!

The Sole Supplier community member Peter Coyne can be seen here rocking the impeccably-clean KITH x adidas UltraBOOST Mid from 2016 along with a pair of tapered black cargo trousers. Combined with a pair of crisp white socks, this combination is a solid winner, so if you’re searching for inspiration - look no further.

During its heyday, the UltraBOOST was a sneaker silhouette that played host to a hell of a lot of collaborations. Of course, the OG “Core Black” and “Triple White” pairs hold a pot of importance, but it’s hard to ignore the sheer amount of high-heat collaborative editions that have dropped over the years. Stand out efforts include offerings from KITH, A Bathing APE, Sneakersnstuff, and Nice Kicks. But that’s not where it ends, there’s also been some interesting options too, such as the Parley for the Oceans x adidas UltraBOOST, which was originally incredibly limited. Crafted from recycled ocean plastics, the pair was eventually reissued and made more accessible to those who wanted it.

There’s also been plenty of solid GR colourways over the years, cementing the fact that the UB is one of the greatest sneakers to come from the modern-day era. If you’re yet to add a pair to your sneaker rotation, then could it be time to cop? Stay locked in right here at The Sole Supplier for all the latest sneaker news and updates too.

Make sure to check out our other size guides below for all the best sizing and styling tips: