Quick Answer: Adidas Ultraboost 5X Review: The Adidas Ultraboost 5X is a soft, cushioned neutral trainer for easy runs, long walks and all-day wear rather than fast running. Adidas pairs its Light Boost foam with a stretchy Primeknit sock-style upper and a Continental rubber outsole, so it feels comfortable the moment you step in and grips wet pavement well. The biggest limits are weight and warmth: it is a heavier shoe than most daily trainers, the knit upper runs hot in summer, and it is not built for speed workouts. Fit is standard width only. Check latest price.
The Ultraboost has spent years as a shoe people wore more than they ran in, partly because the original Boost foam was soft and durable but heavy. The Ultraboost 5X is Adidas’ attempt to fix that. Adidas moved to Light Boost, a lighter version of the same bead-style foam, and gave the shoe a taller, softer stack, which is the measurement of how much cushioning sits between your foot and the ground.
The 5X sits next to the standard Ultraboost 5 in Adidas’ lineup, and the visible difference is the lace cage: the Ultraboost 5 has an outer lace cage and the 5X does not. That leaves a cleaner, sock-like look. This review is for people who want one comfortable shoe for easy miles, walking, travel and everyday wear, and who care more about how it feels at the end of the day than how fast it goes.
Adidas Ultraboost 5X men’s running shoe in Black. Image: Amazon
Specs
Here are the specifications for the Adidas Ultraboost 5X:
| Type | Cushioned neutral road trainer |
| Best for | Easy runs, walking, travel, standing and everyday wear |
| Midsole | Light Boost foam |
| Stack height | About 38 mm heel / 28 mm forefoot |
| Heel-to-toe drop | About 10 mm |
| Weight | About 9.7 oz (275 g), men’s US 9 |
| Upper | Primeknit, a stretchy knit that wraps the foot like a sock |
| Outsole | Continental rubber |
| Width | Standard width |
| Price | $180 at launch in August 2024. Check latest price |
Pros
- The stretchy knit upper feels comfortable from the first wear, so there is little or no break-in.
- The tall, soft stack takes the sting out of pavement and hard floors, which helps on long walks and days on your feet.
- Continental rubber has a good reputation for grip on wet pavement.
- The 10 mm drop and deep heel suit a heel-first stride, which is how most walkers step.
- It looks like a sneaker, so it works for travel and casual wear as well as running.
Cons
- At about 9.7 oz it is heavier than many modern daily trainers, so it never feels quick.
- The knit upper runs warm, which is a drawback in hot or humid weather.
- The ride is comfortable rather than lively, and there is no plate or aggressive rocker to help you pick up the pace.
- Standard width only, with no wide option.
- The stretchy upper holds the foot less firmly than woven mesh on fast turns or uneven ground.
What Light Boost changes about the Ultraboost
Traditional Boost foam is made from thousands of small fused pellets. It has a distinctive soft, springy feel and a long reputation for lasting, but it also made older Ultraboosts heavy. Light Boost is a lower-density version of that idea. Adidas says it keeps the feel runners liked while shaving weight and adding some bounce, and for you that should mean a shoe that still feels soft and forgiving but is easier to lift with each step.
The upper is the other big piece. Primeknit is a seamless knit that stretches with your foot, which is why the shoe feels so easy to put on and wear for hours. The 5X leaves off the lace cage found on the standard Ultraboost 5, relying instead on the knit, a molded heel piece and the laces to hold your foot in place. Many wearers find the lockdown good, especially at the midfoot, while the heel stays put without rubbing the back of the ankle.
Who the Ultraboost 5X is a smart buy for
The 5X makes the most sense if you want one shoe that does a lot of ordinary jobs well: an easy jog, a long walk, a day of standing or a travel day with miles of airport floor. The soft foam and the knit upper are tuned for comfort over hours, not minutes, and the sneaker-style look means you can wear it with jeans without feeling like you are heading to the gym.
It also suits runners who prize comfort on slow days. If your easy runs are about getting out and feeling good rather than hitting a pace, the soft landing and stable heel are what you want. And walkers who like a heel-first stride will like how the 10 mm drop and deep heel cushion every step on concrete.
Who should probably skip it
Skip the Ultraboost 5X if you want a shoe that feels fast. Even with the lighter foam, it is a comfort-first trainer with no plate and a fairly soft ride, so tempo runs and speed work will feel sluggish. It is also a poor match for hot climates, since the knit upper holds heat, and for wide feet, because there is no wide width. Anyone who needs a very locked-down fit for sharp turns or trail-style ground may find the stretchy upper too forgiving.
If that sounds like you, start with one of these instead:
- Adidas Supernova Rise 3: a lighter, more secure everyday trainer with a softer feel and a lower launch price, a better pick for regular running (check price | read review)
- Topo Atmos 2: a roomy max-cushion shoe with a wide toe box, a better fit if your feet need more space or you mostly walk (check price | read review)
Not sure whether you need a runner, a walker or something in between? Our Free Shoe Finder asks a few quick questions and suggests shoes that match your feet and your routine.
A sock-like fit with some stretch and no wide option
The Ultraboost 5X fits close to true to size for most people, with a snug midfoot and a heel that stays in place. The Primeknit upper stretches, so it feels roomier across the forefoot than a structured mesh shoe, and it adapts to a slightly wider foot better than you might expect. It is only offered in standard width, though, so if you normally need a wide shoe, a stretchy upper will not replace the width you are missing.
Knit does not add length, so if you are between sizes, going up half a size is usually the safer choice. Step-in comfort is a highlight: there are no hard seams, the collar is soft, and the flared heel opening is shaped to avoid rubbing the Achilles tendon. Breathability is the trade-off. Knit is warmer than open mesh, so expect your feet to run hot on summer days.
Adidas Ultraboost 5X alternate angle. Image: Amazon
Soft, smooth and unhurried underfoot
Underfoot, the 5X feels soft and settled rather than snappy. With about 38 mm of foam at the heel, there is plenty of cushioning to absorb pavement, and the Light Boost compresses easily under body weight and returns energy in a slow, rolling way. That reads as comfortable more than fast, which is exactly the point for easy miles and long days on your feet.
The ride is smooth. The 10 mm drop and deep heel catch a heel-first landing well, the platform carries your foot forward and the forefoot flexes naturally. At an easy pace it feels relaxed and unremarkable in a good way. Above that pace the weight becomes obvious, because nothing in the shoe, no plate and no aggressive rocker, helps you turn your legs over faster.
Stability is basic. This is a neutral shoe, meaning it has no built-in features meant to limit inward foot roll, and nothing in it is designed to correct how you move. Steadiness comes from the wide base, the molded heel and the way the knit wraps your foot. Because the foam is soft, the platform does compress under load, so runners who want real support should look at a stability shoe. If you have ongoing pain, a podiatrist or physical therapist is the right first stop.
For grip, Adidas uses Continental rubber, a compound known for traction on wet roads. It gives the shoe dependable footing on rainy sidewalks and smooth indoor floors. Cushioned shoes like this wear out over time like any other, so treat the usual 300 to 500 mile range as a broad guideline and watch for flattened foam or worn rubber instead of counting miles.
Adidas Ultraboost 5X in White, side detail. Image: Amazon
Is the Adidas Ultraboost 5X good for walking?
Yes, and walking may be the shoe’s best use. A heel-first walking stride matches the 10 mm drop, the deep foam cushions each step on concrete, the forefoot bends where your foot bends, and the Continental rubber grips wet pavement. The knit upper needs no break-in and stretches a little as your feet swell over a long day, which helps on travel days and while standing.
The catches are weight and warmth. At about 9.7 oz it is heavier than a dedicated walking shoe, and the knit upper is warm in summer. If you mostly walk, our guide to the best walking shoes covers lighter options, and our guide to the best walking shoes for travel compares picks for long sightseeing days. You can also see the rest of the brand in our best Adidas running shoes guide.
Ultraboost 5X vs. Ultraboost 5
Adidas sells the two shoes side by side, and the main visible difference is the lace cage:
Ultraboost 5X | Ultraboost 5 | |
Upper | Primeknit, no outer lace cage | Primeknit with outer lace cage |
Midsole | Light Boost | Boost-family foam |
Look | Cleaner, sock-like | More structured |
Best for | Easy runs, walking, casual wear | Easy runs, walking, casual wear |
Choose the 5X if you like the cleaner look and the sock-style wrap. Choose the Ultraboost 5 if you prefer the more structured upper with the lace cage.
Adidas Ultraboost 5X Alternatives
If you like the idea of the Ultraboost 5X but want a different trade-off, these are worth comparing.
For a smoother, lighter everyday feel, the On Cloudsurfer 2 is a daily trainer with a gentle rocker and a clean look. It suits runners and walkers who want a quieter, less bouncy ride (check price | read review).
Those who want even more softness for slow days should look at the Asics Gel-Slowcush, a very soft neutral road shoe made for easy runs, recovery days and relaxed walks. It is a specialist comfort shoe rather than a crossover sneaker (check price | read review).
If you want a firmer, more controlled ride for steady miles and long days on your feet, the On Cloudstratus 3 uses a plate and two layers of cushioning pods. It feels more structured than the Adidas, and it costs more (check price | read review).
Price and value
Adidas launched the Ultraboost 5X at $180 in August 2024, which is a lot for a comfort-first shoe without a plate or other speed-focused features. What the price buys is comfort and a versatile look: a soft, tall stack, a seamless knit upper that needs no break-in, and a shoe you can wear all day, not just on runs.
It is worth it if you want one cushioned shoe for walking, travel, easy runs and casual wear. If you mainly run and want a fast or lightweight daily trainer, you will get more performance for the money elsewhere. Check latest price.
Final verdict
Best for: easy runs, long walks, travel and all-day wear when comfort matters more than speed.
Avoid if: you want a fast daily trainer, live somewhere hot or need a wide fit.
Fit: close to true to size, stretchy knit upper, standard width only.
Verdict: The Ultraboost 5X is a comfort shoe first and a running shoe second. Light Boost makes it more runnable than older Ultraboosts, and the soft knit upper and cushioned ride make it easy to live in, but it is heavy and warm and not built to go fast. Buy it for walking, travel and easy days.
Frequently Asked Questions for Adidas Ultraboost 5X
For most people, close to it. The Primeknit upper stretches across the forefoot and the heel stays put. Knit does not add length, so if you are between sizes, going up half a size is usually the safer choice.
Light Boost is a lower-density version of Adidas Boost, the bead-style foam the Ultraboost made famous. Adidas says it keeps the soft feel while cutting weight and adding some bounce.
The main visible difference is the lace cage. The Ultraboost 5 has an outer lace cage, while the 5X skips it for a cleaner, sock-like look. Both are cushioned neutral trainers aimed at easy runs, walking and everyday wear.
It works for easy runs where comfort matters more than pace. It is not a performance shoe, so tempo runs and speed workouts will feel sluggish. For a faster daily trainer, look at a lighter option.
It can. Knit holds more heat than open mesh, so expect warm feet in hot or humid weather. It is a better fit for cool and mild days.
No. Adidas sells it in standard width only. The stretchy knit upper gives a little room, but if you normally need a wide shoe, look at a model that offers true wide sizes.
