Adidas Ultraboost 5X Review: 130 Miles In (Also Covers the Ultraboost 5)

I wore the original Adidas Energy Boost about 13 years ago. I was a die-hard Adidas guy back then. Then, like a lot of runners, I watched the brand lose the plot for the better part of a decade, chasing trends instead of building shoes runners actually wanted to run in. I quietly moved on.

The Ultraboost line is Adidas's real answer to that stretch, and after 130 miles in the Ultraboost 5X, I get why running shoe experts, and I mean actual shoe snobs who have tested everything, have been genuinely caught off guard by how good this shoe is. Adidas is back, and the Ultraboost is a legitimate contender for your daily trainer rotation.

A quick note before we get going: this review covers the Ultraboost 5X, which I have been running in since July 10th. Everything here applies equally to the Ultraboost 5, the two shoes are functionally identical. The only real difference is the lace plastic hardware at the top eyelets, a cosmetic detail, not a performance one. If you see either name while shopping, you are looking at the same shoe.

130 Miles In: First Impressions Still Hold

I picked these up on sale at Shop Simon for a great price and have been running them as my daily trainer ever since. 130 miles later, at 200 pounds, the shoe is holding up well, no premature outsole wear, no midsole breakdown, nothing that makes me think this shoe is going to fall apart before it earns its keep.

Look and Styling

These are genuinely great-looking shoes. The styling leans into a clean, modern lifestyle silhouette that works as well off the run as it does during one, and it is obvious why the Ultraboost line has always doubled as a legitimate lifestyle sneaker alongside being a real running shoe. Adidas also offers a huge number of colorways here, if you want a daily trainer that does not look like every other daily trainer on the road, the Ultraboost lineup delivers.

The Upper: Stretchy, Breathable, and Good Looking

The upper is a stretchy knit material that breathes well and looks sharp doing it. It hugs the foot without feeling like a compression sock, and airflow has been good even on warmer summer runs. It is one of the more premium-feeling uppers I have run in at this price point.

The one caveat: that stretchiness can work against you on longer runs. If you have a higher-volume or taller foot, the upper can start to feel a little too snug and restrictive as your foot naturally swells over a long run. It has not been a dealbreaker for me, but it is worth knowing going in, especially if you are considering these for anything beyond your standard daily mileage.

Boost Foam: Cushioned Without Feeling Unstable

The Boost foam midsole is the heart of this shoe, and it delivers exactly what made the original Boost line famous. It is genuinely well cushioned, but it does not feel bouncy or unstable the way some max-cushion shoes can. You get a plush, protected ride without that slightly-tippy feeling underfoot that turns some runners off of heavily cushioned trainers.

Outsole: Continental Rubber Doing Its Job

Adidas puts the same Continental rubber on the Ultraboost 5X that I praised in my Adidas Boston 13 review. It is the same principle as a high-performance car tire, excellent grip in wet and dry conditions without sacrificing durability. At 130 miles and 200 pounds, the outsole is holding up genuinely well, no premature wear patterns, and traction has been confidence-inspiring on everything from dry pavement to damp roads.

Versatility Across Paces

This is where the Ultraboost 5X separates itself from a lot of daily trainers: it handles a real range of paces well. Easy days feel comfortable and protected, and when you pick up the pace, the shoe does not fall apart on you the way some max-cushion trainers do. I have used this as my primary daily trainer in my shoe rotation, and it has been a dependable, versatile option across easy runs, moderate efforts, and general mileage.

Fit: Gusseted Tongue, Wide Toe Box, Real Arch Support

Fit has been excellent across the board:

• Gusseted tongue: The tongue is attached on both sides, so there is zero sliding around, no re-centering it mid-run. Small detail, genuinely appreciated.
• Toe box: Wide enough for my feet to splay naturally without feeling cramped, even deep into long runs.
• Midfoot: Locks down nicely with some real arch support built in, not just a flat platform underfoot.

Across 130 miles, I have had zero fit complaints beyond the upper stretch issue noted above.

The Laces: My Biggest Complaint

The laces are not great on the Ultraboost. This is the same complaint I had in my Adidas Boston 13 review, and it is clearly not a one-off issue, it is an Adidas pattern at this point across multiple shoe lines. They are cheap, and I would not be surprised if I swap them out for a better aftermarket pair eventually. It is a fixable problem, a $10 lace swap solves it, but it is disappointing to see the same weak point show up again on a different shoe. For now, I just double knot them and head out the door.

Price: A Legitimate Bargain

One note on availability: Shop Simon currently carries a limited color selection compared to what you will find on Amazon, so if a specific colorway matters to you, it is worth checking both before you buy.

Who This Shoe Is For

If you want a daily trainer that looks great, handles a wide range of paces, and does not cost a fortune, the Ultraboost 5X is an easy recommendation. It is comfortable enough for easy days, stable enough for moderate effort runs, and durable enough to hold up to real weekly mileage without falling apart.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

If you have a higher-volume or taller foot and do a lot of long runs, the stretchy upper may feel too restrictive as your foot swells over distance. And if cheap laces are a genuine dealbreaker for you rather than a minor annoyance, know that going in, since it has been a recurring theme across Adidas's lineup.

Early Verdict

130 miles in, this is a real daily trainer, not just a comeback story. The styling is excellent, the price is hard to beat, Boost foam delivers cushioned stability instead of bounce, and the Continental rubber outsole is proving durable even under a 200-pound frame. The laces are still bad, Adidas needs to fix that across the board, but it is a minor complaint on an otherwise excellent shoe. If you have written Adidas off over the last decade like I had, the Ultraboost 5X is worth taking seriously again.

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