My Review on Adidas Ultraboost 21's

Let me start out by saying, I'm thrilled so many of you have asked for this review! I was so surprised. Also, if you love Ultraboosts enough to be reading this, we would 100% be friends in real life. These shoes are my obsession so to know that there are so many of you out there who love them too is so fun!

To start this post, I figured it would be helpful to give a little background on why I like Ultraboosts as a style in general! I think that helps before I break down what I love/don't love about the 21's specifically.

Style

Part of the draw to Ultraboosts, in my opinion, is the fact that Adidas has blurred the line between lifestyle and workout shoe. Ultraboosts were obviously made for workouts and athletic wear, but they're appealing enough to be worn with casual/every day outfits too. That's something I can't say for many tennis shoe brands (think Brooks, Hoka, etc - a more workout specific shoe).

I love the look of the Ultaboosts, literally every different year's version. I have ones from 2017 that I still wear, which speaks volumes for some one who has shoe ADD and is constantly wanting to move on to the next best thing! They age so well, and the style has remained consistent over the years, with just a few tweaks here and there.

Comfort

While the Ultraboosts are obviously very cute and trendy, what has sold me time and time again over the years, is the comfort and cushion they provide. I truly have not worn a more comfortable shoe, ever.

The feedback I get over and over and over again after hearing from you guys is, "they're like walking on clouds". And that couldn't be more spot on. They are so ridiculously comfortable and I've never done a workout they weren't perfect for.

I think the level of cushion speaks to why so many people continue to buy them over the years, and end up having more than one pair. They've nailed the comfort aspect in the heel, the sole, and the toe. Even though they've stylistically changed somewhat, they have never strayed with their "cushion technology" and I truly believe that is why they're so superior to anything else I've ever worn.

Quality

As I mentioned above, I still wear my pair from 2017. I don't mean I've worn these shoes here and there, I have worn them into the ground and I don't know that I will ever be able to let go of them. But the fact that I've worn a workout shoe for almost four years continues to blow my mind at the rate I go through shoes.

Every pair I own is still in just as great of shape now, as they were when I got them, and I mean that! They're obviously worn and the color has faded, but they aren't torn, falling apart, or anything like that! They have the same laces in them, everything. I throw them in the dishwasher or washing machine when they need washed, and that is that!

The quality of the Ultraboosts is unmatched and that is why I don't bat an eye at spending $180 on a pair of shoes. I still cringe, but I know how worth it they are so it doesn't bother me a bit. This is coming from someone who hates spending money! I promise they're worth every penny, and I'd never tell you to spend that if they weren't going to last.

Functionality

What I get asked more than anything, is what kind of workouts these shoes are good for, and that's really an easy answer: any and all. I mean it when I say I have done every workout imaginable in them.

I haven't trained for a marathon or anything extreme in them, but I do know people that run long distances and wear their Ultraboosts to run in. But outside of anything extreme, they're perfect for HIIT, steady state cardio, strength training, plyometrics, group fitness, you name it!

The 21's

Okay, now for what you're really here for! My thoughts on this year's version of the Ultraboosts! I'm going to break down the pros and cons for you, but rest assured I love these bad boys just as much as I have any of the other Ultraboosts. I love different things about each version, and the 21's are no different!

My Review

THE FIT

To me, the shoe feels a bit comfier than the 20's! Per the website, it does say there are 6% more "boost capsules" than previous versions so I feel like it's not just in my head! Other than that, I think they're the tiniest bit more narrow than the 20's, especially in the toe area, which I really like. I think it makes them look a little more compact/not so wide. But other than that, they feel almost identical to the 20's!

THE LOOK

If you're familiar with Ultraboosts, the first thing you'll notice about the shoe is that the heel is a lot bigger/chunkier. This doesn't bother me, and seems to be the latest in athletic shoe trends. It does add a little weight to the shoe, and this is by far the heaviest of all the Ultraboosts I own, but keep in mind we're talking a difference in ounces. It's not largely noticeable and unless you're running endless miles in them, it's not going to bother you.

THE COLORS

While this specific version doesn't boast quite as many colors as some of the older versions, I'm all about the neon. I think it's just enough color, while maintaining the bright white that I love! It also comes in sold white, black, and a few others if neon isn't your thing.

THE FABRIC

In years past, the fabric on the Ultraboosts has been what's called "Primeknit". The 21's have the Primeknit, but what Adidas calls a "more precise knit". In simplest terms, it's just not quite as hole-y to me, which I prefer. It's still extremely breathable, and has the same comfort of the Primeknit.

Do I Recommend THem?

Lastly, the question of the hour, do I recommend?

Yes, 120% yes. I have worn them now for a week, and can safely say, I love them. Do I think there's anything insanely new or crazy about them that would make me prefer them over the other versions? Besides the color, no. But that's what makes Ultraboosts so great. They've cornered the market on Ultraboost perfection, and I don't think they should change all that much from year to year.

Like I stated earlier, they've made small changes to the boost technology and the fabric, but besides that, I want them to keep doing what they're doing! That's why we all love them so much. So I wasn't looking for them to be super different than other versions.

Bottom line: if you've never tried Ultraboosts, these will blow your mind. if you have tried them, you'll love these just as much!

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Sizing

As with all Ultraboosts, I always do an 8.5. I wear between an 8.5 and 9 in all shoes, and I always size down to an 8.5 in Adidas because I think they run big! If you're not in between, go with your true size!