Ultraboost 23
Today's tracked prices
Prices and sizes can change, so always check the latest availability at the retailer. Some links earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
Price history
Our verdict
The Ultraboost 23 is adidas at its most comfortable: a plush, heavy daily running shoe that leans as much into all-day wear as it does into your easy miles. This is not a shoe built to chase pace. At 310g it is one of the heaviest trainers you will run in, and you feel every gram when you try to push. What you get in return is a deeply soft, springy Boost midsole, a hard-wearing Continental rubber outsole with proper grip, and a knit upper that hugs like a slipper. In our view it makes most sense as a cushioned daily training shoe for shorter easy runs, recovery days and walking, where comfort and durability matter more than speed. The 10mm drop suits heel strikers well. The catch is the price: at an RRP of £180 it asks a lot for what is, at heart, a heavy cushioned cruiser. Watch for a discount and it becomes far easier to recommend. If you want something lighter and quicker from adidas, the Supernova Rise 3 is the more natural daily runner.
Key features
- Boost midsoleDelivers deep, soft cushioning with a gentle spring that keeps easy miles comfortable
- Continental rubber outsoleGrips confidently on wet UK pavements and lasts a long time, so the shoe holds up over many miles
- Primeknit upperWraps your foot like a sock for a soft, forgiving fit with barely any break-in
- Torsion systemKeeps the soft midsole from feeling sloppy and adds a planted, secure feel through the midfoot
- Firm heel counterLocks your heel down and keeps you stable despite all the soft foam underfoot
Who it suits
Who should buy it
- Runners who want maximum comfort on easy and recovery miles
- Heel strikers who like a soft, protective ride and a 10mm drop
- Anyone wanting one shoe that runs and works as a casual trainer
- Neutral runners who value grip and durability over speed
Who should not buy it
- You want a light, fast shoe for tempo runs, intervals or racing
- You are on a budget and cannot catch it on discount
- You need genuine stability or motion control for overpronation
- You prefer a firm, connected, responsive ground feel
Best uses
Extra information
Fit & sizing
The Ultraboost 23 fits true to size for most runners, so order your usual size to start. The Primeknit upper is the headline: it wraps the foot like a sock, stretching to accommodate the shape of your foot rather than boxing it in. That makes it forgiving for medium and slightly wider feet, though the knit gives rather than holds, so if you have a very narrow foot you may find the midfoot a touch loose. The heel counter is firm and moulded, locking your heel down well and keeping you planted. The toe box has enough room for toes to splay on longer efforts. There is a plastic external cage around the midfoot that firms up the lockdown but can feel snug over a high instep. If you are between sizes or have a high-volume foot, we would not size up: the stretch upper usually sorts it out. Runners who want a roomier, more structured fit might prefer the Nike Vomero 18.
Performance breakdown
Ride & feel
The ride is soft, cushioned and unmistakably Boost. Underfoot you get that deep, springy foam that returns energy on a gentle rebound rather than a sharp snap, so it feels bouncy without ever feeling fast. The weight defines the experience. At 310g the Ultraboost 23 rewards a relaxed, cruising rhythm and pushes back the moment you try to lift the pace, when it starts to feel like hard work. On easy runs and recovery days that heft is not a problem, and the plush landing is genuinely enjoyable. There is a dense, planted quality to each step, helped by a wide base and a torsion system through the midfoot that keeps things from feeling sloppy. This is a shoe for logging comfortable miles, not for intervals or tempo work.
Cushioning
Cushioning is the Ultraboost 23's whole reason for being, and it delivers a lot of it. The Boost midsole is thick and soft, soaking up impact on hard pavement and staying comfortable deep into a run. It is a plush, protective feel rather than a firm, connected one, so heel strikers and anyone who wants to feel wrapped in foam will love it. The trade-off is that all that soft foam mutes ground feel and adds to the weight, so the shoe never feels lively or quick. For easy miles, standing around and long days on your feet, the cushioning is excellent. If you want a similarly soft but lighter ride, the Brooks Glycerin 22 is worth a look.
Stability
The Ultraboost 23 is a neutral shoe with no dedicated support features, so it does not correct overpronation. That said, it feels more stable than most soft trainers thanks to a wide, planted base and a torsion system through the midfoot that stops the soft Boost foam from collapsing sideways. The firm, moulded heel counter adds to the sense of being held. For neutral runners and mild overpronators who simply want a secure, grounded ride on easy miles, it works well. If you need genuine motion control or you overpronate significantly, this is not the shoe for you, and a dedicated stability trainer will serve you better.
Upper & comfort
The Primeknit upper is one of the best things about this shoe. It is soft, breathable and stretchy, wrapping the foot in a sock-like fit with almost no break-in needed. There are no harsh overlays to rub, and the knit moves with your foot rather than against it, which makes it very comfortable straight out of the box. A firm external heel counter and a supportive midfoot cage add structure so the plush upper never feels sloppy. Breathability is good rather than exceptional; the dense knit runs a little warm on hot days but is fine in typical UK conditions. Overall it is a genuinely premium, comfortable upper that suits both running and everyday wear.
Reviews
No reviews yet, be the first to review this shoe.
Sign in to write a review.
FAQ
Specifications
| Category | Road |
| Surface | Road |
| Drop | 10mm |
| Heel Stack | 33mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 23mm |
| Weight | 310g |
| Carbon Plated | No |
| Stability | No |