Adidas Ultra Boost Light: First Run Review

Introduction

The Adidas Ultra Boost Light continues a line that has grown increasingly big and heavy over recent generations. This version carries the same overall look as the Ultra Boost 22, but Adidas has reworked what sits under the foot: a new generation of Boost midsole foam that is 30% lighter than the material used in the Ultra Boost 21 and 22. The result is a shoe that is easier on the foot than its predecessors, though it still plays in the max-cushion everyday trainer category rather than trying to be a true lightweight.

After several runs at easy pace and a tempo session, the overall impression is familiar in a good way if you already like the Ultra Boost formula, but there are some clear trade-offs to weigh up before buying.

What Is New in the Ultra Boost Light

The headline change is the new generation of Boost midsole foam, which Adidas says is 30% lighter than the foam in the Ultra Boost 22 and 21. That translates to roughly 293 grams for a men’s UK 8 sample and about 262 grams for a women’s UK 5. For comparison, the Ultra Boost 22 came in at around 333 grams for men and 285 for women, so this is a meaningful reduction, even if the shoe does not compete with genuinely lightweight trainers.

The 10 millimeter drop is unchanged. Visually the shoe is very close to the Ultra Boost 22, with the midsole foam being the main story here.

Fit and Sizing

Fit is very similar to the Ultra Boost 22. The sock-style bootie upper has lost a little padding around the Adidas sign, but otherwise the shoe holds the same narrow heel fit and lower instep that characterized the last generation. If the Ultra Boost 22 fit you well, this one should too.

A women’s UK 5 sample ran true to size with enough room in the toe box, though high-arched feet may find the bootie upper tight and restrictive. It is comfortable enough on the run, but it is not a shoe that wears well all day, and one tester picked up an annoying blister on the treadmill during a tempo session near the firmer plastic section of the upper. The bootie upper does tend to loosen slightly with more miles.

Midfoot and heel lockdown are nice, with no concerns in those areas.

How It Rides

On a relaxed 9K run at easy pace, with one faster kilometer toward the end, the shoe felt noticeably lighter than recent Ultra Boost versions. There is less of that bottom-heavy sensation, and the balance between the upper and the big midsole is better. It still does not feel light or nimble in any absolute sense, but the ride is smooth.

As a heel striker, the shoe rolls through well thanks to the plastic system under the midfoot, and the transition is reasonably good even when picking up the pace. It is still unmistakably a big shoe: on hills, rough patches, or against the wind, the size of the shoe makes itself known. The foam feels firmer than the plush, sink-in softness of something like the Nike Invincible or the New Balance 1080, which makes it a bit more versatile than a typical max-cushion shoe.

Versatility and the Midsole Feel

The foam is responsive rather than plush, and that firmness gives the shoe a good deal of versatility. It was comfortable on an easy four-mile recovery run after a long run, and it held up fine during a treadmill tempo session. It would not be the first pick for faster workouts, but it can manage them.

The important caveat is the weight. Despite the “Light” name, this is not a lightweight shoe. It is still heavier than the Pegasus or the 1080 v12, and it sits at roughly the same weight as the Nike Invincible v3, a shoe most people consider firmly in the max-cushion category. It is better to think of this as a slightly leaner Ultra Boost than as a light trainer.

Buying Advice

For fans of the Ultra Boost line, this is now a better running shoe than the standard version: lighter, a bit nimbler, and more comfortable to run in. Within the max-cushion everyday trainer bracket, alongside shoes like the Invincible, GEL Nimbus, and New Balance More v4, it likely offers one of the dullest rides. The midsole is not very lively, but it should be durable, stable, and it does a decent job of protecting the legs with a smooth transition.

For runners who want a softer, plusher feel or a genuinely light everyday shoe, alternatives in this category may be more appealing. But if you like the Ultra Boost look and feel and mostly run easy miles, the added lightness makes this a worthwhile step forward for the line.

Conclusion

The Ultra Boost Light is a comfortable, stable, responsive everyday running shoe that finally sheds some of the weight that has held recent Ultra Boost versions back. It is not a lightweight trainer and it is not the most lively ride in its class, but it is smoother, nimbler, and more versatile than the standard Ultra Boost. If you already enjoy the Ultra Boost experience, this new generation makes that experience easier to run in.