Adidas Sonic Boost

Color: Black/Runwhite/Solar

Intended use: Recovery runs, long distance. Use on all surfaces except trail.

Surfaces tested on: Road, synthetic track 21° C/70° F

Upper: Dual layered mesh, internal sleeve, plastic heel clip.

Midsole: Injection molded EVA, expanded TPU Infinergy foam made by BASF (Boost)

Outsole: Adiwear Carbon rubber.

Weight:  313 gms/11.04 Oz for a half pair of US 10.5.

US Retail: $ 100 (approximate)

The upper is a good starting point. The Sonic Boost eschews the use ofEnergy Boost’s ‘Techfit’ upper and instead uses a dual layered mesh set-up. The layer on top is a thin, near see-thru mesh which is coated with fused overlays – very thin overlays which prop up the upper without the burden of weight or bulk. The lower layer is thicker, sandwiching a thin layer of foam and enveloping the foot in comfort. This two layer construction works well in tandem, but has a minor trade-off in form of the upper running slightly warm.

The air-mesh tongue is a chunky, foam padded type and comes thoughtfully attached to the upper, forming an inner sleeve with the upper lining. There’s a pearlized band of fused TPU stripe running down its length, which not only adds visual allure, but works functionally to decrease the top-down lacing pressure. The tongue is slightly long though, and tends to ride up the foot. The ends are soft and padded to touch, and it does not result in any discomfort – so no harm done.

The mid-foot is a simple affair. Three trademark Adidas stripes climb up the sides and form part of the lacing system. The flat laces pass through them, making the mid-section snug but far from cramped. There’s a certain fit uniformity in the Sonic Boost which will find favor with most runners. The front and mid-foot have this perfect consistency of fit – neither too tight nor too roomy. Given that there’s no ‘Tech-fit’ fabric used here, the upper does not have this compression fit which is characteristic of the Energy Boost.

But what the Sonic Boost lacks in material, it makes up in construction. The lacing is a deviation from regular Adidas norms, extending right till the front and stopping just short of the toe base. Two rows of lacing is given special treatment upfront, and lacing passes through two speed loops instead of regular eyelets. The lacing coverage is short, so there’s no undue pressure either on top nor on the sides. There’s a uniformity of fit and feel right from the toes to where the collar begins, and as a bonus there’s some open space ahead and above the toes. The Sonic Boost fits true to size (be sure to up half a size for conversion difference vs US brands), but in way which comes across as far more relaxed than the Energy Boost 2.

The collar is generously filled in with foam, but the walls are low so the grip isn’t all that assuring. The plastic heel counter, which adds support to the area, also tends to splay the heel outwards, leading to a feeling of open-ness on the sides. But other than that, the Sonic upper does its job well with good construction fundamentals applied overall. The cushioned ride belies Sonic Boost’s external demeanor, with generous padding both under heel and in the forefoot. Like the Energy Boost 2, a circular cutout under the contoured sockliner brings the Boost material closer to the foot, producing a rear-foot strike which feels extremely well cushioned. Mid-foot area is standard EVA foam seen on the midsole wall, but the firmness isn’t felt much as it is lined over with a few millimetres of EVA in form of the molded insole on top. Move over to the forefoot, and the Boost insert lies below the cloth strobel. There isn’t a cutout like in the back, but cushioning is adequately responsive – this makes the Sonic Boost work well for forefoot strikers as it does for heel and rear-foot pounders.

The upper fits great throughout, the cushioning is a surprising revelation and somehow the Sonic Boost manages to throw in a lot of stability while being lightweight. These are still early days for the Boost platform, but the Sonic Boost gives everyone a glimpse of how the future might look in Adidas running. From what we’ve experienced so far, the future surely appears bright.

The firm midsole encasing does a nifty job of delivering stability in the Sonic Boost. The entire midsole perimeter is injected molded EVA with Boost side ‘windows’ in the heel. This serves as firm boundary of sorts on the side, preventing any excessive lean during runs. It also aids the centre of gravity as most of the cushioning compression happens along the toe-to-heel centre, where the Boost units are inserted. Some people might notice a relative stiffness in the forefoot, but on the flipside the firmness helps in quicker toe-offs.