Adidas Hyperboost Run running shoe review – opinion, price, comparison, who it is for

Adidas Hyperboost Run running shoe upper

The upper of the Adidas Hyperboost Run running shoe is made from a woven mesh material called Primeweave. It has a dense weave with many extra layers and reinforcements, so its breathability is poor. On warmer summer days or in the gym, your feet will get hot in it.

The upper has a medium-width fit, the toe is rounded rather than pointed, and there is room in the toe box. It holds the midfoot well and the heel is not narrow either. It fits true to size in length, and because of the rounded shape, I did not need to go larger than my usual running shoe size.

The tongue is made from a stretchy mesh material. It is thin, with a thicker pad only at the top where you tie the laces. It is attached on both sides, and the gusset straps are fairly wide, which also reduces ventilation.

It has a traditional lacing system, which is a major difference compared with the Edge’s concealed lacing system.

The heel collar has been improved significantly compared with the Adidas Hyperboost EDGE. The upper edge does not cut into the foot and is made from a pleasantly stretchy material. The heel collar curves inward and is not over-reinforced either at the back or toward the front. As on the Edge, there is a strip of padding on each side of the inside, giving the shoe good hold and comfortable cushioning around the heel.

I do not understand why the upper was made this thick and protective. This is not a trail running shoe, where these would be important considerations. A thinner upper with better breathability and fewer stiffening, protective layers would also be much lighter.

Adidas Hyperboost Run running shoe midsole

The midsole of the Adidas Hyperboost Run running shoe is made from the same foam as the Edge: Hyperboost Pro, a midsole made from tiny compressed PEBA foam beads.

It has very high energy return, but achieves this without compressing much. The foam is firmer than average and the midsole is also stiffer than average, but this gives it good stability among neutral running shoes.

The 38 mm midsole is not excessively high by today’s running shoe standards. Its width is average, and the good height-to-width ratio further improves stability. Because Hyperboost Pro is a firmer foam, the shoe still provides very good cushioning with this 38 mm midsole height. It has a 6 mm drop, which favors forefoot landings. That is useful here because the heel geometry is not particularly well executed.

The heel is not strongly rockered and does not have a large rear flare, yet it rolls you forward quickly if you land there. I found it too fast. When walking in the shoe, when you mostly land on your heel, it quickly slaps the foot down and cuts the transition short, making you walk with a slightly stomping feel. The midsole is rockered at the front, but not aggressively so.

The midsole is firm, but lower-intensity runs are not uncomfortable in it. You can do fast, tempo runs in the shoe. It is not heavy either, which also favors faster running.

Adidas Hyperboost Run running shoe outsole

The outsole of the Adidas Hyperboost Run running shoe is made from two different rubber compounds. Most of the outsole uses Adidas’s own LIGHTTRAXION rubber, which has very good grip and, as the name suggests, is a lightweight rubber compound. There are also two Continental sections at the forefoot, providing better grip during toe-off and changes of direction.

The outsole covers almost the entire midsole, which benefits grip but also makes the midsole stiffer. There are only small cutouts in the center, which do not do much to make the shoe less stiff. Larger cutouts could have reduced the stiffness of the midsole and also shaved off some weight.

The outsole is thin, but based on my experience so far it has good abrasion resistance, so its durability can also be considered good.

What is it like to run in the Adidas Hyperboost Run running shoe?

Cushioning and midsole

Although the midsole is not particularly high compared with today’s running shoes, measuring 38 mm at the heel, it provides very good cushioning because it is made from a firmer foam. Hyperboost Pro is a high-energy-return foam that does not compress much, but rebounds decisively.

Hyperboost Pro foam does not sink deeply, yet it rebounds with a distinctly responsive feel.

The Hyperboost Run delivers strong cushioning, high energy return and good stability in a single shoe.

Stability and guidance

The Adidas Hyperboost Run is a neutral running shoe, but because its midsole is made from a firmer foam, it has good stability. It is medium-wide and not excessively high, which further improves stability. At the forefoot, the midsole is rockered and, because it is stiffer, it guides and rolls the foot forward quickly. The heel geometry is not perfect: if you land there, it brings the forefoot down to the ground very decisively and quickly.

Upper and comfort

The Adidas Hyperboost Run has a thicker upper reinforced with multiple layers. The advantage is that it holds and protects the foot extremely well; the downside is that it runs warm and is not particularly breathable. The heel holds the foot very well, and the tongue is made from a stretchy material that is also very comfortable, while the rest of the upper is stiff and provides strong support.

The thick upper holds the foot exceptionally well, but ventilation is poor in warm weather.

Ground contact and grip

The outsole of the Adidas Hyperboost Run running shoe is excellent. It covers almost the entire midsole, with only small cutouts in the center to reduce stiffness. The outsole uses two rubber compounds, mostly LIGHTTRAXION, Adidas’s own lightweight, abrasion-resistant rubber with good grip. There are two Continental sections at the forefoot, providing the extra traction needed for toe-off and maneuvering. It has a 6 mm drop, which favors forefoot landings. If you land on your heel, expect a somewhat abrupt forward transition.

Pace and dynamics

You can run at a strong tempo in the Adidas Hyperboost Run running shoe thanks to the dynamic Hyperboost Pro foam and low weight. Faster running can be sustained over longer distances because the foam does not lose its responsiveness. Transitions are quick and toe-offs are decisive.

The Hyperboost Run shows its strengths best during tempo runs.

Long runs vs tempo vs training

The Adidas Hyperboost Run running shoe is a versatile running shoe, which means it is not uncomfortably firm even during lower-intensity runs, but its real strength is faster, more tempo-oriented running. It is not a racing shoe, but you could certainly achieve good results in it in a race, although there are more suitable options for that purpose even within the brand.

Who is the Adidas Hyperboost Run running shoe for – and who is it not for?

The Adidas Hyperboost Run running shoe is recommended if you are looking for a running shoe that is neither too soft nor too high and that can also handle faster running. It is recommended if you do not like running shoes with soft, sink-in midsoles. It can also work as your only running shoe if you are an advanced runner and want to do all your runs in it. Because it holds the foot well and is sufficiently stable, it is also good for HYROX training

The Adidas Hyperboost Run running shoe is not recommended if you are looking for a highly cushioned running shoe with a comfortable upper for your easy runs. It is not recommended if you also want to use it on hot summer days or in the gym. It is not recommended if you are looking for a training or racing shoe for your maximum speed.

Adidas Hyperboost Run running shoe vs Adidas Hyperboost Edge. What has changed?

The Hyperboost Run is a more restrained version of the Hyperboost Edge running shoe. Its midsole is made from the same material, but it is 6 mm lower, so it is somewhat less dynamic. The Run is considerably cheaper, making it an accessible running shoe for many more runners. It has a very comfortable heel collar, which was one of the Edge’s flaws, but it still has a thick, protective upper that provides good foot support while running warmer than average. The Hyperboost Run also has two Continental outsole sections to improve grip. Although the Hyperboost Run has a lower, lower-volume midsole, the two shoes weigh exactly the same down to the gram.

Alternatives to the Adidas Hyperboost Run running shoe – comparison

Is there a difference between the men’s and women’s Adidas Hyperboost Run running shoes?

Their construction and materials are identical, but the official weight of the women’s Adidas Hyperboost Run running shoe is lower at 211 grams in size 39, while the men’s version weighs 248 grams in size 43. Although this is not officially stated anywhere, the large weight difference may also suggest that the women’s Hyperboost Run is narrower than the men’s version.