adidas Ultra Boost

You would be hard pressed to find a sneakerhead who hasn't copped a pair of adidas Ultra Boost. Revealed during a secret presentation in New York City back in 2015, little did any of the attendees know that they were watching history in the making. Originally marketed as the "best running shoe in the world", it very quickly gained popularity amongst fashionistas and streetwear enthusiasts. Suddenly, as if out of nowhere, everyone wanted a pair of UBs in their life, and this remains the same even years later.

So what exactly makes the Ultra Boost so revolutionary? Unlike its competitors from Nike,  PUMA, and Reebok, its design is pretty sleek and simple. With a sock-like Primeknit upper for a comfortable fit that gently hugs the wearers foot, some pairs are even infused with ocean plastic courtesy of Parley. A midfoot cage gently hugs the lateral and medial side panels, and down below is where the magic happens. Unlike anything before it, the Ultra Boost boasts a full length adidas Boost midsole that offers unparalleled comfort, cushioning, and energy return with every step. This is then lined with a Continental outsole that's developed with the German giant's StretchWeb technology for superior grip and a smooth transition.

When people talk about the Ultra Boost, they probably talk about the time that Kanye West wore a "Triple White" pair on-stage at the Billboard Music Awards and at PowerHouse back in 2015. This was the same second when hype for the running shoe went off the charts. With that said, there are so many mention-worthy collaborations that are definitely worth discussing including those from A Bathing APE, HYPEBEAST, Parley For The Oceans, NASA, Stella McCartney, Sneakersnstuff, UNDEFEATED, and of course, Wood Wood. There also a plethora of different Ultra Boost models and silhouettes too, so if you're unsure what the different is between each pair, here's a full rundown.

The OG of all OGs, the adidas Ultra Boost is a long-line of sneakers that begins with the 1.0. From this all the way to the Ultra Boost 4.0, each pair boasts more or less the same construction and design but with a revamped Primeknit pattern and construction. Notable colourways include the "OG", the "Core Black", the "Triple White", and of course, the "Solar Yellow" and "Solar Red" series.

In 2019, adidas decided to switch things up a bit with the UltraBoost 19. Taking the beloved shoe and stripping back the materials for the ultimate lightweight fit, everything from the cage to the heel counter were all deconstructed. This was swiftly followed by the UltraBoost 20 and of course the Ultra Boost 21 which took the Boost cushioning literally to another level. With an extra chunky unit and a brand new LEP underfoot that replaces the classic Torsion, this model takes performance running shoes to the next level. Colourways worth talking about including the "Cloud White" and the "Triple Black". 

The adidas Ultra Boost Clima is different in that it's made for the hotter climates. With a Clima Primeknit upper that's borrowed from the legendary ClimaCool, it's a lot thinner and more lightweight in comparison. This later on went to inspired brand new profiles including the SUMMER RDY and the WINTER RDY.

It's quite hard to exactly define what the adidas Ultra Boost DNA stands for. Throughout the Herzogenaurach-based labels history, they've thrown a lot of colours under the DNA sub-division, so it's hard to say what this moniker represents. With all that said, they're usually made from more premium materials, often switching up the usual Primeknit with leather and in many cases leather. With that said, iconic features such as the Boost midsole and the Torsion unit remain so you can keep that sartorial sportswear look that's sought after these days.

For those of you who dislike the feeling of having to adjust your laces every few steps, the adidas Ultra Boost Laceless is perfect for you. Unleashed soon after the introduction of the NMD City Sock, this shoe does away with the classic midfoot cage in favour of a stretchy band that confirmed perfectly with the shape of your feet. While not many colours released over the years, pairs like the "Core Black" and the "Triple Black" continue to attract runners everywhere, everyday. 

An amalgamation of every single type of UB but with an added ankle support, the adidas Ultra Boost Laceless features a raised Primeknit collar so rocks and other debris don't manage to get in during your runs. Made specifically for trail runners, these pairs also come with an ATR outsole that's as grippy as it gets. This, pairs with Boost cushioning and Torsion result in the ultimate triple threat for running, so catch these if you can. 

Like the Laceless, the adidas Ultra Boost Uncaged features a sock-like Primeknit construction, minus the midfoot cage but with the lacing system intact. This pair is made for those runners who love the feeling of freedom but the customisability of laces. While these definitely aren't as popular as any of the other pairs, it's still a worthy addition to any collection.

With thousands and thousands of adidas UltraBoost colourways to choose from, you're spoilt for choice. Make sure to check out our round-up of the 25 Best Ultraboost Colorways of All Time!

The Sole Supplier is your go-to spot to find the perfect pair for you, so whether you love the Ultra Boost 21 or the Uncaged, you'll find everything you need to know here in our Ultra Boost sizing and styling guide.

Brand new adidas drops get unveiled every week so make sure you keep checking back as we'll be posting the links you need to cop that drop!