In the new version of Ultraboost 22, adidas have made some general changes, both for the men´s and women´s version and some specific changes only for the women´s version. adidas have analyzed no less than 1.2 millioner foot scans to find the perfect fit and the perfect running experience and they don´t let us down!
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Max comfort for your long runs
As a starting point you will find an incredible amount of similarities between adidas Ultraboost 22 and adidas Ultraboost 21. They use the same amount of BOOST foam, the same LEP-plate in the midsole, the same Cage-fit upper and the same Continental outsole. Its still a running shoe for the neutral running style with max. comfort and cushioning which is best suited for long runs. And with its weight and luxurious BOOST material, it will get you comfortably through mile after mile.
So, everything which really worked well in Ultraboost 21 have been reintroduced in Ultraboost 22 – Yay!
Primeknit+ and Primeblue upper
The adidas Ultraboost 22 upper is like its predecessor recognized for its sock-like fit. The upper is here manufactured in Primeknit+ with Primeblue, a recycled material partially produced by Parley Ocean Plastic; plastic waste gathered in coastal areas and on beaches. Personally I really like this and would love to see some of the same initiatives in the future - I am quite certain it will happen.
adidas have generally made a 360° upgrade of the fit to even further improve it. Quite frankly, I think that the upper has a perfect fit - tight but very elastic. The upper is designed in HEAT.RDY enabling your foot to stay cool during workouts.
The perfect support - also for your Achilles tendon
Even if Ultraboost 22 is a shoe for the neutral runner, ADIDAS have also taken heel support into consideration and integrated it in the design - really smart. The midsole is raised on both sides of the heel and merges into a plastic sheath that provides extra support. The heel cap is basically the same as in the previous model. The very top of the heel cap aiming to reach and support the Achilles tendon has become slightly wider in Ultraboost 22 and lined with memory foam on the inside in order not to squeeze and irritate the Achilles tendon. And it works - the heel cap sits perfectly, provides support around your heel and doesn´t in any way create any discomfort for your Achilles tendon.
Midsole
The amount of BOOST foam in ADIDAS Ultraboost 22 is the same as in adidas Ultraboost 21, and works really well. The shoe provides the completely right amount of bounce and return energy for a volume shoe of this calibre and to add even more foam would only make it heavier which for me is not an option. I run in a size US 9 weighing 338g, which is fairly heavy but the weight helps to provide the support and bounce which you need on your long runs.
They have used the rigid LEP-plate (Linear Energy Push) again. It provides rigidity in the midfoot which contributes to a resilient and responsive take-off. And even if this shoe is fairly heavy, the LEP-plate provides an extra push. This helps to provide a great rolling sensation across the sole and quickly pushes you on to your next step.
Outsole
Like in the previous versions, the outsole is divided into two different parts which both consist of the characteristic Continental rubber compound.
At the back the sole is engineered in a stretchweb design, designed to shape itself according to the movements of the midsole. On the forefoot the sole has a slightly more "sticky" character designed to provide a great grip on solid surfaces like asphalt or hard-packed trail in the woods. I think the outsole lives up to its promises - providing a great grip on hard surfaces like ashalt and hard-packed trail in the woods.
Womens only
As mentioned earlier, adidas Ultraboost 22 comes with a number of general updates but it also has some specific changes solely in the women´s version which makes perfect sense as men and women have different shaped feet. In the women´s version of Ultraboost 22, adidas have adjusted the fit all the way round the foot. I particularly noticed that the height across the ankle is slightly lower than in the men´s version. This suits me quite well as I have a narrow foot, so the shoe fits me even better now!
Changes have also been made to the outsole; it is adapted to a women´s running pattern, so the load around the heel and the pronation is reduced. Reinforcements have been inserted at the arch on the inside of the outsole, so when you roll across your foot in the gait, you get extra support below the arch. Its not something you really feel but my experience is that it is a shoe that provides great stability and steers your foot in the right direction.
My running experience
My first impression was that it has a really good fit. It provides a sock-like sensation and I think I could actually use it without tying the laces if I wanted to. It has a great fit without being too tight.
The midsole feels firm but not too hard. It has a good balance between being soft and firm which the BOOST foam is recognized for. However, you can also feel that it is a heavy shoe and it is a shoe that I would prefer to use for all my long runs. As it is a heavy shoe, I don´t feel that it would work really well for pacy runs. However, its a mileage accumulator which you can trust. Thanks to the comfortable BOOST foam and the efficient return energy, it provides you with a mental and physical surplus as well as comfort to keep you going. And it can keep going for many miles without losing the positive effects which Ultraboost is recognized for.
adidas Ultraboost 22 is for the one who is looking for a running shoe for his long runs, or for the one who just wants max. comfort on all runs.
