best shoe in 44 years distance running.
tim · Jul 2, 2023
5/5
Overall
The 19s and 20s were amazing, feel faster maybe, these bring back the structure a fair bit.Both amazing shoes.
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 5/5
adidas
UltraBOOST 21
Daily trainer
· Neutral
· Road
Good (77/100)
- Weight
- 12 oz
- Release
- 2021 Q1
- MSRP
- $190
Good (77/100)
overall
Shoe details
- Weight
- 12 oz
- Release
- 2021 Q1
- MSRP
- $190
Ratings & Reviews
Good (77/100)
Better than about 52% of shoes
Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
?
This score rates better than 52% of shoes.
Our ratings use detailed reviews from knowledgeable runners, ratings for shoes in the same product line, and reliable product information from trusted retailers.
Rating breakdown
Better Shoes score out of 100. Shading shows the expected rating range.
?
Rankings combine runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, direct comparisons to other shoes, related product-line performance, and trusted external ratings.
The darker band shows the central score range. The lighter band shows a wider range of reasonable outcomes. More reviews for this shoe usually narrow both bands.
Overall
Good (77/100)
Overall ranking
We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.
Estimate
Good (77/100)
Rank
Ranks above 52% of shoes
Compared with all shoes
The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.
Durability
Exceptional (96/100)
Durability ranking
We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.
Estimate
Exceptional (96/100)
Rank
Ranks above 93% of shoes
Compared with all shoes
The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.
Cushioning
Excellent (92/100)
Cushioning ranking
We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.
Estimate
Excellent (92/100)
Rank
Ranks above 89% of shoes
Compared with all shoes
The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.
Comfort
Above average (83/100)
Comfort ranking
We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.
Estimate
Above average (83/100)
Rank
Ranks above 71% of shoes
Compared with all shoes
The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.
Appearance
Above average (85/100)
Appearance ranking
We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.
Estimate
Above average (85/100)
Rank
Ranks above 70% of shoes
Compared with all shoes
The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.
Value
Below average (64/100)
Value ranking
We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.
Estimate
Below average (64/100)
Rank
Ranks above 14% of shoes
Compared with all shoes
The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.
0%
0/3
Prefer this shoe over another.
Reviewers said this shoe was better than another shoe they ran in.
Comparison set
Rating
All Running Shoes
Better than 52% of 2,526 running shoes ranked.
Good (77/100)
Daily Trainers
Better than 53% of 1,834 daily trainers ranked.
53%
adidas
Better than 66% of 196 adidas shoes ranked.
66%
Compared to other shoes
See how this shoe compares to others like it.
Current shoe
Reference shoe
Lightest
/
Best durability
/
Best appearance
Newest
/
Best overall
/
Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
12 oz M
1 oz M
Lightest
8.5 oz M
Stack
—
—
40/35mm
Drop
—
—
5mm
Release
2021 Q1
2021 Q4
2023 Q1
Newest
MSRP
$190
$190
$165
Lower MSRP
Best price
—
—
$164.99
Ratings
Overall
Average (52%)
Very good (86%)
Exceptional (>99%)
Best overall
Comfort
Good (71%)
Very good (90%)
Exceptional (>99%)
Best comfort
Cushioning
Very good (89%)
Excellent (93%)
Exceptional (>99%)
Best cushioning
Durability
Excellent (93%)
Excellent (97%)
Best durability
Good (80%)
Appearance
Above average (70%)
Excellent (97%)
Best appearance
Very good (81%)
Value
Bottom tier (14%)
Average (45%)
Good (74%)
Best value
Where to buy
No offers available
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Reader Ratings
4 reader ratings
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