Adidas Ultraboost 5X Complete Review

If you’ve been paying attention to the sneaker world over the last decade, you know the name "Ultraboost" carries some serious weight. It’s practically a dynasty at this point. The Adidas Ultraboost 5X, released in 2022, attempts to take that legacy—the cloud-like comfort, the street-ready style—and refine it for a modern audience that demands even more. Honestly, it’s a tall order to improve on a classic, but this model aims to bridge the gap between a serious daily trainer and your go-to lifestyle sneaker.

Quick Take

Overall Rating: 4.6/5

Best For: Daily Urban Commute, Office Casual, Light Sport/Gym

Key Strengths: Unparalleled comfort, Responsive Light BOOST foam, Versatile aesthetic

Notable Limitations: Heavier than minimalist racers, Premium price point, Average breathability

Visual Snapshot Summary

What Makes Ultraboost 5X Stand Out?

You know what? It’s rare to find a shoe that genuinely manages to keep one foot in the performance world and the other firmly in the lifestyle camp, but the Ultraboost 5X does exactly that. The headline feature here is undoubtedly the "Light BOOST" midsole. If you remember the original Ultraboost from 2015, you probably remember how incredibly comfortable it was, but also that it felt a little… well, chunky. Heavy.

Adidas tackled this head-on. The 5X features what they call the "lightest Boost yet," engineered to give you that signature plush ride without feeling like you’re dragging anchors on your feet. It’s a game-changer for the series. This isn't just about weight, though; it's about energy return. The foam is designed to deliver an "energetic spring" with every step, making it feel responsive in a way that older comfort shoes just don't.

But here is the thing: it’s not just the tech. It’s the versatility. You can wear these for a 5K and then immediately head to brunch or even a casual office without needing to swap shoes. That dual-purpose utility is its real superpower. As one enthusiastic user put it, "Chasing new personal records feels easier in these shoes", highlighting just how much that new foam impacts the ride.

Real Customer Experiences

When you dig into what actual people are saying—not just the marketing hype—a few clear patterns emerge. People are genuinely happy with this shoe, and the feedback is overwhelmingly positive.

• The "Walking on Clouds" Factor: Almost every review mentions the comfort. It is the bedrock of the Ultraboost reputation, and the 5X keeps that tradition alive. Nurses, retail workers, and commuters—people who are on their feet all day—swear by them.
• Style That Works: Users love that they don't look like "gym shoes." The sleek silhouette means they get plenty of wear outside of workouts.
• Reliability: There’s a sense of trust in the product. It fits well, it lasts, and it does what it says it will do.

Here is what real wearers are saying:

"They're made to feel good... A soft upper hugs your foot with every footstrike and long stride."

"Your feet will stay dry and comfortable thanks to the waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX membrane [referring to the GTX version]."

Design and Build Quality

Let me explain the architecture of this shoe, because there is actually a lot going on under the hood. The design philosophy here is evolutionary, not revolutionary, but the refinements are significant.

The Upper: Depending on the specific version you grab, you are looking at an "adidas Primeknit" or "engineered mesh" upper. Honestly, the difference in feel is negligible for most people—both are fantastic. The material is designed to be soft and adaptive. Think of it less like a shoe and more like a reinforced sock. It cradles the foot. It’s breathable, sure, but it’s also supportive. Adidas has also leaned hard into sustainability, with many versions containing at least 20% recycled materials. It’s a nice touch that makes you feel a little better about the purchase.

The Midsole: This is the star of the show. The Light BOOST foam. As I mentioned earlier, the goal here was to cut weight while keeping that "bounce." The geometry is standard for a neutral runner—10mm drop (38mm heel, 28mm forefoot). It’s thick, plush, and designed to absorb a massive amount of impact. If you are a heel striker, you are going to love the stack height here.

The Outsole: Here is where I think Adidas really beats the competition. They use Continental™ Rubber for the outsole. Yes, the tire company. This stuff is legendary in the running community for a reason. It grips. It grips on wet pavement, it grips on dry asphalt, and it lasts forever. It provides a durable ground contact that protects that soft BOOST foam from getting chewed up by the road.

Special Tech: Deep inside the midsole, there’s the TORSION system. It’s basically a plastic shank or bar that runs along the midfoot. It might sound stiff, but it’s actually there to guide your foot smoothly from heel to toe. It adds a bit of "snap" to the transition so the shoe doesn't feel like a marshmallow.

Common Durability Issues: While the outsole is a tank, the upper is... well, it's knit. Knit fabric is comfortable, but it can be delicate. If you are prone to scraping your feet against curbs or if you take these on a rugged trail (which you shouldn't, by the way), you might see some scuffing or snagging on the mesh. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s something to be aware of.

Comfort and Fit

Let’s talk about how these actually feel on your foot, because that’s the only thing that really matters, right?

Sizing Advice: The general consensus is that the Ultraboost 5X runs true to size. You don’t need to do any mental gymnastics about sizing up or down. If you are a 10, buy a 10. The upper is adaptive, so it tends to mold to your foot shape pretty well. One Reddit user even mentioned the shoes were "literally perfectly shaped to my feet," which is high praise.

Width Profile: Because of that sock-like Primeknit construction, the shoe accommodates a decent range of foot widths. It stretches. However, if you have exceptionally wide feet ("flippers," as my brother calls them), you might find the midfoot cage a little snug. For the vast majority of us, though, it’s a non-issue.

Break-in Period: Here is the best part: there basically isn't one. These are good to go right out of the box. You lace them up, and they feel broken in. No blisters, no hot spots. Just comfort.

"Chasing new PRs feels easier in these adidas running shoes."

Style and Versatility

I have to say, one of the main reasons the Ultraboost line has survived so long is that it just looks cool. The 5X continues that trend. It has a sleek, modern aesthetic that fits into almost any wardrobe. The clean lines and the iconic three-stripe cage give it a look that is technical but not overly aggressive.

In terms of Ideal Scenarios, this shoe is a chameleon. It shines in the Daily Urban Commute—it’s stylish enough for the city but comfortable enough for the subway stairs. It works perfectly for Office Casual; I’ve seen these paired with chinos and a button-down, and honestly, it works. And of course, for Light Sport/Gym use, like a quick treadmill session or a warm-up, it’s right at home. It’s the Swiss Army knife of sneakers.

Quality and Durability

When you are dropping nearly two hundred bucks on shoes, you want them to last. The build quality on the Ultraboost 5X is generally excellent, reflecting its premium positioning.

• Praise Percent (Estimated ~65%): Most users are thrilled with the longevity, particularly regarding the outsole. That Continental rubber refuses to quit. The midsole also tends to hold its "bounce" longer than standard EVA foams, which flatten out after a few months.
• Common Issues: As I touched on before, the upper is the weak link. It's not weak, per se, but it is susceptible to cosmetic wear. Scuffing on the plastic heel counter or snags in the knit are the most common complaints. Also, while the Light BOOST is durable, it can discolor (yellow) over time if you’re running in dirty conditions.

A relevant note on wear:

"Heavier than newer lightweight versions." — While this quote addresses weight, it hints at the robust build that contributes to durability.

Decision Matrix

Here is a quick way to see if this matches your lifestyle needs:

Legend: ✓ = Good ○ = Average ✕ = Poor