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Adidas Ultraboost All Terrain
Adidas Ultraboost All Terrain Review Facts
The Adidas Ultraboost All Terrains are an athletic and lifestyle running shoe that improves upon the durability of the regular Ultaboost. The outsole of the All Terrains is far more rugged and long lasting when compared with its predecessor. The All Terrains new high ankle collar, water-resistant film, and thicker Primeknit makes for a shoe capable of withstanding inclement weather. These improvements aside, the All Terrain shares the superior comfort and responsivity that we love about the Ultraboost series. Their Boost technology gives a one percent energy return that is unparalleled to other brands, saving you on the work you place into each stride. Again, Adidas accomplishes the difficult task of engineering a shoe that performs athletically without compromising its appearance. The All Terrains look great whether you are moving in them over the concrete of a running track or the tile of a building. Generally speaking the All Terrains have very positive reviews but there are some reported downsides that seem troublesome. Is this shoe really all it seems to be? Are the All Terrains really all terrain? Let’s take a closer look at the Adidas Ultraboost All Terrains to place some of its strengths and weaknesses into their proper context.
Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
- Superior comfort
- Superior energy return
- Warm knitted upper
- Water resistant film
- Durable outsole that will last
- Great traction for many terrains
- Athletic and stylish
Cons
- Often too expensive
- Questionable support and stability
- Heavy for a running shoe
- Runs hot during warming months
Outsole
The All Terrains have an outsole like no other Adidas Boost on the market. Being made for wintery, icy climates, this shoe has some serious treads that peek out from under the midsole like teeth gripping the ground tightly. The outsole is composed of rubber made by Continental AG-- a German automotive company who specializes in manufacturing car tires. Adidas and Continental AG have partnered up to produce an outsole that provides extraordinary traction.
Midsole
The midsole of the All Terrains features Adidas’ famous Boost technology that is notorious for its superior “energy return”. Since the 80’s, shoe engineers have been experimenting with the idea of energy return but the term itself is somewhat misleading. No shoe can actually propel you or create energy that exceeds the work you’ve put into it from your stride. Energy return is actually when the cushioning of the shoe helps to reduce the amount of energy lost during impact which slightly eases the amount of work for your next step. With that being said, Boost technology is one of the best shoes on the market when it comes to preventing energy loss. The material is a highly elastic urethane that achieves the rare feat of being both soft and springy simultaneously (as opposed to being firm and springy or soft and unresponsive). The thermoplastic is then shaped into small elliptical pellets and melded together with steam. So, rather than the midsole being composed of one large slab of foam, the pellets in Boost retain much of their own shape providing greater elasticity. The result is a springy feeling that is soft and natural rather than firm and jarring.
Upper
The Upper is of the shoe is made of Adidas’ Primeknit material. Primeknit is like many other mesh-like materials in that it forms to your foot like a sock promoting stability throughout the shoe. Adidas does a great job of not burdening their Primeknit material with touting brand logos. Their notorious 3 strike logo is not superimposed over the shoe as an uncomfortable plastic, but subtly woven into the Primeknit itself. Above the heel of the shoe sits an ankle cage to add support and stability to the Primeknit material. The laces are threaded through a small length of plastic that help give the shoe greater structure.
Comfort
If you are seeking comfort, the All Terrains offer some of the best comfort on the shoe market today. An overwhelming majority of reviews for this shoe are positive and of that overwhelming majority, most people endlessly praise the comfort of this shoe. Their comfort is derived from several places. The first is from Boost technology which, according to Adidas, offers the best energy return on the market today. Long distance runners have great things to say about Boost and the comfort it provides during long marathons. The second source of comfort comes from the Primeknit fabric that wraps your feet like a soft woolen sock. The Primeknit has a great minimalist look that is free from hard plastic logos that potentially create pressure points against your foot. They have plenty of insole cushioning and the heel collar keeps you warm and toasty.
Weight
The Ultraboost series is considered one of the most comfortable shoes during long-distance runs, but its weight is certainly a factor needing improvement. This shoe weighs approximately 12 oz which is pretty heavy for a long-distance running shoe. While their weight doesn’t necessarily affect the distance someone can run, they may affect their speed. One reviewer blamed some of the excess weight on the extra Boost material that hangs off the heel of the shoe. Unfortunately, that extra pumped look at the back of the shoe is part of its aesthetic charm, so Adidas might not be planning on changing it anytime soon.
Breathability
If you are looking for a running shoe that will keep your feet warm during cold weather, this is your shoe. This is a warm-knit shoe that was not designed for hot runs. There isn’t much airflow getting through the upper of the All Terrains, especially with its heel collar and thick knitting. Breathability simply doesn’t meet their design purpose, so if your feet run warm during the summer in these shoes, they are pretty much doing their job.
Style
Besides comfort, another thing the All Terrains get right is style. There aren't many running shoes out there that don’t seem immediately silly-looking in a casual setting. The All Terrains go beyond the track with a clean and modern aesthetic. Many people who buy this shoe aren’t even runners. The shoes simply have that sleek urban look that many people look for. Some reviews thought that the mock tongue and lace cage made these shoes stand out a bit more than other Ultraboost versions, giving the Primeknit of the shoe greater form throughout.
Durability
When you compare the All Terrains with the standard Ultraboost model, you’ll find that the All Terrains have a much more durable outsole. Video reviews online show that the standard Ultraboost model’s outsole (in particular the jugs) begins to corrode before 200 miles. That is pretty bad for a running shoe. Thankfully the Adidas fixed this problem with the All Terrains! While the more rugged outsole adds some weight to the shoe, the substantial durability gain more than makes up for it.
Protection
The All Terrains feature a new water-resistant film which is layered over the Primeknit. The water-resistance of the All Terrains makes them a great option for running in less than ideal weather. The film works to wick off excess moisture from being absorbed into the Primeknit and does so with moderate success. Similar to a water-resistant watch, prolonged exposure to excessive water or any type of submersion quickly overwhelms the water-resistant materials. While these shoes may stay dry in light showers, they will still get wet in heavier rains and it is probably best to avoid deep puddles and long, wet grass. In addition to their water resistance, the All Terrains have a high ankle collar that protects the runner from debris, cold air, and precipitation entering the shoe from above. Users report that the high collar does not cause blistering or any remarkable discomfort. That being said, it wouldn’t hurt to wear a high ankle sock while running in this shoe if your skin is easily irritated. A pair of high ankle waterproof socks will also assist the ankle collar with keeping cold air away from your feet.
Flexibility
Like other shoes in the Ultraboost series, All Terrains utilize Adidas’ Stretchweb technology. According to Adidas, Stretchweb technology helps to mitigate the pressure created when your foot impacts the ground, while giving the shoe great lateral flexibility. The outsole of the shoe, as hearty as it is, can still be easily folded in the palms of your hands. The Primeknit is also quite flexible and does a great job of adapting to individuals with wider feet.
Support
While the shoe offers great foot security from heel to toe, it is not so great if you need to continually and suddenly alter your running direction. Some buyers complained of the Primeknits instability while securing their feet upon the midsole. The All Terrain performs best with straight runs on a flat and supportive surface. While the high ankle sock and ankle cage to provide support, they won’t keep you from rolling your ankle on unlevel terrain.
Terrain
The deep lugs mentioned in the outsole section perform great on slippery pavement. The grooves really cling to the ground. Some buyers even reported that they performed well on icy surfaces. The toe-off of this shoe is another strength mentioned by some reviewers. Due to the curvature of the forefoot, the Ultraboost line naturally rolls you forward onto the balls of your feet for ease of take-off. The shoes heel to toe curvature is great for when you decide to increase temp during your runs. Despite their namesake, and their ability to handle wet and slippery weather, the All Terrains are not made for wooded trails. The Primeknit simply isn’t rugged enough for the sticks and stones you’ll run into. For hiking, it’s best to stick with hiking shoes for their optimal ankle support and tough exterior.
Price
The All Terrains are expensive--$220 MSRP. Professional runners say that 220 dollars is way too expensive for any running shoe. Customers who value this shoe for its comfort and style also complain about its price tag. The All Terrains (in the color, grey) are currently on sale at the Adidas website for 130 dollars, so don’t lose hope! These shoes do go on sale. If you can find an authentic pair from a trusted source with a lower price, and want to rock one of the most comfortable and stylish shoes on the market, the All Terrains are definitely worth checking out.
Drop
The heel to toe drop of the Adidas Ultraboost All Terrain is 10 millimeters.
Key Features
One of the best energy returning midsoles on the market
A stylish design that transcends an athletic setting
A durable outsole offering good traction
Water resistance
Performs well on a variety of terrains
A thick knitted upper that warms and protects feet
High ankle collar that keeps out debris and participation
A stylish design that transcends an athletic setting
A durable outsole offering good traction
Water resistance
Performs well on a variety of terrains
A thick knitted upper that warms and protects feet
High ankle collar that keeps out debris and participation
Bottom Line
If you don’t mind spending the extra money, the All Terrains will make you a stylish fall and winter runner. They’ll keep your feet dry and warm in the mud, rain, sleet, and snow. The outsoles improved durability will continue to perform after many miles of distance running. These shoes have been reviewed by long distance runners and casual customers who consistently praise their comfort and responsiveness. It doesn’t matter where you wear the All Terrains because they look great in a variety of settings. Other than the price tag, many of the downsides associated with the All Terrains are due to the fact that they are used in settings for which they weren’t really designed. Stick to hard, flat surfaces and you shouldn’t experience much of an issue with stability and protection. If you run through a sandy beach or a woodland area, these shoes probably won’t meet your needs. Also, keep in mind their seasonal attributes. A shoe made to keep your feet dry and warm during cold weather, will most likely keep your feet hot when running in hot weather. Don’t be fooled by their name, this product is not a super-shoe. The All Terrains are otherwise great when you keep their strengths and weaknesses in perspective.
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