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Adidas Ultraboost 5X Review: Is It Worth the Upgrade? – 2024 Sneaker Analysis

Just a couple of weeks ago, Adidas launched what they expect to be the next big thing: The Ultraboost 5X. The Ultraboost 5X (and it’s slightly heavier sister the Ultraboost 5) are supposed to be the ultimate in Boost technology for 2024. Aidas claims that, by implementing new weight savings technology, you’ll be able to run further, faster. Or just feel more comfortable hanging out on the couch.

However, there is one big glaring issue that can’t be ignored. This is the same exact marketing pitch Adidas had when the Ultraboost Light came out in 2023. Of course, they are not the first brand to have incremental changes on a sneaker year after year – Jordan brand has been doing this since 1985. However, it does raise the question: Is the Ultraboost 5X worth the upgrade? Or is the 2023 model, still widely available, a better bet.

Disclaimer: While I do use my Ultraboost Light (23) for recovery days, this review will be from a purely casual wear perspective. If you’re an active runner looking for your next pair, this might not be the best comparison for you.

Ultraboost History

The Adidas Ultraboost might not have the same storied history as something like the Jordan line, however it certainly has cemented itself as one of the most important sneakers of the last 20 years. Originally launched back in 2015 as a running focused sneaker, I don’t think anyone at Adidas would realize this was the sneaker that would result in their stock doing 3 times as well as Nike through 2020.

The big break for the Ultraboost was similar to the big break for the Nike Airship. The brand had just signed a new spokesperson, and they needed something for them to wear while their own line was spun up. While Kanye’s relationship with Adidas hasn’t quite turned out the way Jordan and Nike did, there is no denying that the famous picture of him in white Ultraboosts sent the sneaker world into a frenzy.

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Ultraboosts became impossible for every day people to get. They would regularly resell for two- or three-times retail. Adidas revised them four times, now named the 1.0-4.0. Though most people couldn’t really tell the difference.

However, all good things must come to an end, and for Adidas as the sock-shoe look gave way to retro 80’s basketball sneakers, the Ultraboost went from resale to clearance racks.

In an effort to revive the line Adidas came out with the newest version, known as the Ultraboost 20. This was a way to get the Ultraboost back into the hands of runners. The look was… polarizing. Since then, the models have been an outlet staple.

In 2024 however, Adidas is trying to recapture some of that magic. Confusingly going to the 5 number (which they already used).

Which Ultraboost Looks Better for Casual Wear?

When comparing the Ultraboost Light vs Ultraboost 5X, it’s extremely easy to tell the difference between the two pairs. Where the Ultraboost Light features the rounded design of recent years, the Ultraboost 5X is clearly trying to go back to the original pattern that caught so much attention.

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Starting up front, you’ll notice that the toe loses nearly all of its structure in the new model. This lack of structure continues throughout the majority of the upper, leaning back into a sock feel. Adidas also decided to have the texture of the primeknit dictate the design, instead of the colors. This is a call back to the Ultraboost 3.0 and 4.0, and a welcome one for me.

The Ultraboost 5X, as opposed to the standard 5, doesn’t even have a cage, instead featuring a single line along the upper.

When you get to the back of the 5X you can again find call backs to the original Adidas Ultraboost. Where the Ultraboost Light has various pillows and areas of support, the Ultraboost 5X keeps it much more minimal. Just two small pockets to keep your foot in place.

Taking a look at the midsole, you’ll find that Adidas decided to design the sneaker with a much less exaggerated angle to the boost. As you may know, the Ultraboost Light boots actually wraps up around your heel to visually look higher. The 5X still does as well, but to a much less exaggerated extent.

These combinations of style make the Adidas 5X way easier to style in a casual outfit. Or, it would if the midsole wasn’t purple, pink, and yellow. There are other colors to pick from, however.

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Do the Adidas Ultraboost Light and Adidas Ultraboost 5X fit the same?

When comparing the Adidas Ultraboost Light vs. the Ultraboost 5X, they fit surprisingly different for the same model of sneaker. Where the Ultraboost Light is a fairly wide sneaker that will accommodate a number of foot shapes, the Ultraboost 5X is much narrower in its pattern.

The good news is that due to the new Primeknit weave wide footers will probably still be able to wear these, just know you might get a bit of foot overhang. If you size up, you’ll fall right out of them.

In short, I would suggest getting your normal Ultraboost size in the Ultraboost 5X.

Is the Ultrabsoost 5X more comfortable than the Ultraboost Light?

In this comparison of the Adidas Ultraboost Light vs. the Ultraboost 5X, I have to say I disagree with most of the other reviewers out there. I find that the Ultraboost 5X is way more comfortable than last year’s model.

Despite the name, the big difference for me doesn’t come from the boost, but from the upper. In Adidas’ effort to turn the Ultraboost into a serious running shoe back in 2020, one change they made was creating a much stiffer Primeknit pattern. Sure, it does a better job of holding your foot in place, but it lost that sock-like feeling that older Ultraboosts had.

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I’m pleased to say that the 5X has brought this feeling back. You can wiggle your toes, flex your foot, and more. This Primeknit won’t hold you back.

Of course, that does mean there is less lock down. I’ll leave concerns like that to that to the serious runners.

Underfoot, the boost is a bit softer than last year’s as well. However, I’m not really sure if that’s from the mixture being softer or there just being more of it. In either case, it won’t blow your mind. We’ve all felt boost before and this feels like that.

Materials

Is there any real material difference between the Ultraboost Light vs. the Ultraboost 5X?

No. Not really.

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Both sneakers feature a polyester upper in a woven pattern. Both have cheap insoles of open cell foam. And both have Adidas’ latest version of everyone’s favorite ETPU midsole.

Sure, Adidas has made some changes to how they mix up those materials. The upper was reworked to be way easier to stretch. The midsole has more Boost. Etc.

Maybe the biggest change is in the design of the plastic system Adidas uses to try and capture some energy return. They’ve gone from a X shape to an infinity-symbol shape. I’m sure this makes them better for running, but from a casual perspective I don’t notice any real difference.

When it comes to the materials used on these pairs, it’s a wash.

What’s the price difference between the Adidas Ultraboost Light vs. the Ultraboost 5X

When comparing these two sneakers in price, you might be a bit surprised. The Ultraboost 5X actually comes in at an MSRP of $10 less than the base price of last year’s model. If it ended there you would really have no reason to ever pick the Ultraboost Light.

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However, and there is a big however, I don’t think anyone has paid anywhere near MSRP for the 2023 model in well over 10 months. A quick Google search shows a number of colorways for less than half that price. I can’t find any colorway that isn’t on sale somewhere.

Which is right for you, the Adidas Ultraboost Light or the Ultraboost 5X

I’m more than a little impressed by the Adidas Ultraboost 5X. It manages to take the Ultraboost line and pull some of the best features from it’s original make up and more modern versions. At least for casual wear, it’s an upgrade in every way I can think of from last year’s model.

If you’re looking for my advice, it’s the obvious choice. Even at the price difference.

However, in just the 1 week from when I bought my pair in the launch colorway, Adidas has added more than 15 new colorways to their site. There is no way that there is the demand to sell out all of those colorways. If you don’t need a pair of Ultraboosts today, give it a few weeks. You will be able to find these on sale.

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