Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission.
Like the Adidas Ultraboost? Here Are 3 Other Sneakers to Try
These less-hyped alternatives offer similar cushioning, less weight and their own charms.
By
Cory Smith
First introduced in 2013, the Adidas’s Boost foam marked a groundbreaking shift in how running shoe midsoles were made. Prior to Boost, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) was the industry standard foam. Adidas broke the mold when its innovation team collaborated with chemists at German chemical company BASF to explore how they could give running shoes a softer, more comfortable underfoot feeling while maintaining a high level of responsiveness.
The result? A material called expanded thermoplastic polyurethane, or eTPU. By spreading thousands of tiny closed cell particles around tiny pockets of air, the team struck a goldmine. The new midsole material was not only softer and more forgiving than any other midsole on the market, it also offered better energy return. The only downside? Weight. At 10.9 ounces, the Ultraboost is among the heavier daily runners on the market, making it less than ideal for anything faster than your normal everyday pace.
So if you’re addicted to the bouncy feeling of the Adidas UltraBoost but wanna lighten up, here are three leaner, faster alternatives you should try.
Saucony Freedom 3
Weight: 8.4 oz. Drop: 4mm The Twin:In terms of underfoot feel and ride, Saucony’s PWRUN+ midsole is the closest you’ll find to Boost. Also made of TPU, the PWRUN+ found in the Freedom 3 is remarkably cushioned and bouncy, just like Boost. Classified as a neutral running shoe like the Ultraboost, the Freedom 3 weighs 2.5 ounces less, making it more suitable for up-tempo running and racing. If you find the upper on the Ultraboost a bit thin, you’ll enjoy the heavily padded heel collar and more form-fitting mesh upper on the Freedom 3. Other than weight, the main difference is the Freedom 3 has a 4mm drop, versus 10mm on the Ultraboost.
Weight: 7.6 oz. Drop: 4mm The Speedster:For a similar soft, yet bouncy feeling at tw0-thirds of the weight, look no further than the Skechers GoRun 7+, featuring the new HyperBurst midsole. Surprised to see Skechers on par with adidas? You’re not the only one. Skechers shocked the running industry when it introduced HyperBurst, a charged-up EVA foam with better energy return than Boost. Again, like the Saucony Freedom 3, the GoRun 7+ has a 4mm drop, as well as a rockered sole that looks similar to the Hoka One One Carbon X — minus the carbon, of course.
Weight: 7.7 oz. Drop: 6mm The Everyday Trainer: Shortly after adidas introduced Boost, New Balance announced its new Fresh Foam midsole, with relatively modest fanfare. Using computer modeling and lasers, New Balance carved out geometrical dimples in the EVA. A bit firmer than Boost, the Fresh Foam Beacon 2 mirrors Boost’s lively, bouncy feeling. And at 7.7 ounces, the Beacon 2 is considerably lighter, yet durable enough to withstand daily abuse as an everyday trainer.
This nearly matches the lowest price we've seen on Apple's premium AirPods. Competition is now fierce in this headphone category, but the quick pairing and native integration with Apple devices still makes the AirPods Pro tough to beat.
The V10 used to be Dyson's top-tier stick vacuum, but it was eventually replaced by the slightly more powerful (and much more expensive) V11. This makes the V10 a great value, as it's usually $150 less than the V11. Thanks to this sale, it's even a better value than the V11 right now.
Sony's latest and greatest, the WH-1000XM4 features Active Noise Cancelling, an unreal 30 hours of battery life, touch sensor buttons, and wearing detection that pauses playback when they are removed. This is one of the best prices we've seen on this set of headphones.
These cloth masks are more than meets the eye. United By Blue has made them with deadstock fabrics and included a filter slot that fits the brand's Activated Carbon Filters. Plus, for each pack purchased, one will be donated to a Philadelphia resident who is experiencing homelessness.
With 4K UHD, you get four times the display power of a 1080p TV. Built in Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity allow access to the Google Play store via the TV's Android TV operating system.
This smart plug allows you to control lights, fans and more from your phone or tablet via the free WEMO app or through the major smart ecosystems (Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit).
Hay is currently having a 15% off sale, featuring sofas, lounge chairs, and coffee tables. This is one of our favorite chairs; it has a high back for comfortable lounging and comes in multiple colors and materials, allowing you to customize to fit your space.
If you've been watching The Crown or have been following style moodboards lately, you've surely seen Barbour. The classic hunting brand makes some of the finest harsh-weather garments, bred to excel in the rain soaked British islands. A quilted jacket is an essential layering piece, whether topping off a sweater or under a waxed field jacket.
If you're looking to get a smoker but don't have the space for a full-sized grill and don't want to fuss with gas or wood, this electric smoker is an excellent option. With a removable wood chip tray, built-in thermostat and 1,800 watt heating element for even, consistent smoking, it has everything you need to get going.
If sleep has been tough to come by, whether pandemic anxiety-related or otherwise, a noise machine is an excellent way to put your mind and body at ease. Keep one in your bedroom for peaceful nights or in the office for a calming presence throughout the day.
Is anything left to be said about the Eames chair? This is one of the most iconic pieces of furniture to come out of the 20th century and is a must-have for any furniture aficionados (if you can afford it).
The CPO jacket is a classic silhouette that never goes out of style. Todd Snyder upgraded this one with premium a cotton-linen Herringbone that will break in and only get better over time.
Four-way stretch, seamless construction, and extreme breathability make this our pick for the best premium workout shirt. It is simple, and simply good.
This collab between Outdoor Voices and Hoka One One pairs an award-winning running shoe with OV's sharp eye for design to make a shoe that looks as good as it feels.
Not only is this one of the most versatile packs around, it eschews some of the "ugly" features on a standard outdoor pack for a look that is actually super stylish. We welcome an outdoor pack that values both style and function.
Everlane does basics extremely well — it's kind of Everlane's thing. The brand's 18-wale corduroy fabric shirt is a great option for the winter months and at half off you truly cannot beat it. READ OUR GUIDE TO CORDUROY SHIRTS
Yamaha SR-C20A Compact Sound Bar with Built-in Subwoofer and Bluetooth
The complete package, this sound bar connects via Bluetooth, has its own subwoofer and passive radiators, is wall-mountable, and can connect via HDMI, optical or AUX connections.
This chronograph re-issue of Timex's original military-style watch has an aluminum 40mm case that provides strength without the weight. If you're looking for a daily knock around with chronograph features, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better deal.
If you are working out a lot, you're going to need more than one mask. Under Armour has created one of the best sports-specific masks and right now if you buy two you get a great deal.
Todd Snyder's collaborations with Timex always hit. Paired with a vintage military-inspired band, this bullseye design is straight from the Timex archives.
Whether you want to move some of your most frequently used herbs indoors or don't have space outside for a garden, the AeroGarden Harvest is a perfect solution, with clearance for up to a foot of growth and room for 6 plants that grow five times faster than soil.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io