adidas Solar Boost Shoe Review
Soft, Springy, and Stylish
Likes
- Balance of cushioning and responsiveness
- Durability
- Accommodating forefoot fabric
- Use of recycled plastics
Dislikes
- Upper material does not breathe well
- A bit heavy
What's New
The adidas Solar Boost is designed to replace the adidas Energy Boost, offering the same high-end Boost cushioning, but supported by new, cutting-edge technologies. With an almost full-length Boost midsole, this shoe stays true to the springy, responsive feel of the adidas Boost line. The Solar Boost adds Solar Propulsion rails, which help guide the foot and provide inherent stability. The upper of the Solar Boost is also new, using yarns made with recycled plastic as well as seamless overlays.
The Bottom Line
The adidas Solar Boost is a fairly soft shoe that still provides a lot of bounce. Our testers found plenty of underfoot protection for daily mileage, but warned against wearing the shoe in hot weather, as the upper didn't breathe very well.
Shoe Performance
Softness i
Ride/Energy Return i
Underfoot Protection i
Flexibility i
Upper Support i
Specifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium | Height: Medium to low | |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium to low | |
| Heel Width | Medium to narrow | |
| Arch Height | Medium |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's - 10.6 oz (size 9) | Women's - 9.5 oz (size 8) | |
| Stack Height | 28 mm (Heel), 18 mm (Forefoot) | 10 mm heel-toe offset | |
| Terrain | Road | |
| Stability | Neutral | |
| Sizing | True to size |
Our In Depth Look
Shoe Softness i
Our testers agreed that the Solar Boost's cushioning was a major highlight. The shoe packs enough softness to handle longer miles and provide underfoot comfort without feeling sluggish or mushy.
David: "The cushioning is the most notable feature of this shoe. It offers a soft underfoot feel, but balances the softness with plenty of bounce once you get moving."
Liese: "The Solar Boost's cushioning is very soft. After a few miles of breaking it in, the shoe adapted to my foot and provided the ideal amount of cushion. I like the full-length Boost midsole feel throughout."
Ride/Energy Return i
The Solar Boost has a good amount of spring — even more than our testers were expecting. All of our testers reported a peppy toe-off and agreed that the shoe encouraged a quick pace while still feeling comfortable at slower speeds.
Elena: "The Solar Boost had a pleasantly surprising amount of spring! It kind of looks like a brick from the outside, but it feels much faster on your foot. I felt naturally encouraged to pick it up on my runs in this shoe."
David: "Boost cushioning is well known for its energy return, and the Solar Boost lives up to that reputation. With 28 mm of cushioning in the heel and 18 mm in the forefoot, I felt an ultra soft landing during heel strike, a smooth transition throughout the midfoot, and a springy toe-off into my next step."
Underfoot Protection i
The Solar Boost has 28 mm of material beneath the heel and 18 mm beneath the forefoot. Shoes at this lower-level stack height typically provide moderate underfoot protection, but our testers felt that the Solar Boost offered more cushion than most shoes in its class. The Continental outsole also enhanced protection and provided excellent traction.
Liese: "The Solar Boost provides quite a bit of protection. There's not a ton of material underfoot, yet I felt that there was plenty of shock absorption without feeling mushy. The Continental outsole provided plenty of traction too."
Elena: "The Boost midsole and Continental outsole are a great team for protection, making me feel like there’s some good, dense material between me and the ground without so much cushioning that it gets in the way. I would be happy to use the Solar Boost for my longest runs."
Underfoot Flexibility i
The Solar Boost provides a moderate level of flexibility, and testers appreciated how the Torsion system was rigid enough in the midfoot to enhance the shoe's energy return.
David: "While this shoe is firm and controlled through the heel and midfoot, the forefoot allows for a surprising amount of flex. The Torsion system helps the shoe accommodate a variety of foot strikes by allowing the forefoot to operate independently of the heel."
Elena: "The Solar Boost has just the right amount of flexibility. The forefoot bends naturally, but the Torsion system through the midfoot adds a little bit of rigid springiness. As someone recovering from an injury, my more flexible shoes make me a little achy, so this was a perfect balance."
Upper Feel i
The upper of the Solar Boost received mixed reviews. For each of our testers, the biggest issue was the lack of breathability in warm weather, though uncomfortable pressure points were also a common problem.
David: "The upper was hit and miss for me. I loved the cushioned, supportive heel and found the stretch mesh in the forefoot to be highly adaptable. On the other hand, the upper didn’t breathe well on warmer runs, and I could feel my feet getting hot after just a few miles. I also felt a pestering contact point on top of my foot where the tongue meets the forefoot, and I always had to double knot the laces or they would come undone fairly quickly."
Liese: "The upper felt somewhat restrictive in width. I had to unlace the top hole as it was cutting into my upper foot and ankle, and then had to finagle the laces to get a proper and secure fit. Once I got this figured out, though, the shoe was quite comfortable — it just took a lot more adjusting than most shoes."
Individual Thoughts
I love the fit and feel of the Solar Boost. The new Propulsion Rails make me feel locked in and comfortable without being restrictive, and the upper material is super comfortable. The shoe also looks great, which is always a plus! My only complaint is the breathability of the upper; I found that my feet would get unpleasantly muggy on longer, warmer runs. Most days it was fine, though, so I think I would just choose a different shoe for those hottest days. Overall, the shoe provided a great running experience.
Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptableI loved the underfoot cushioning and energy return of the Solar Boost, but I experienced a few issues with the upper. I used this shoe as an everyday option in my rotation, running in it a few days a week, and it performed really well. My favorite aspect of this shoe has to be the underfoot feel. It’s highly cushioned and responsive, and it performs well at almost any pace. I’m a heel-to-midfoot striker and love the soft landing, the smooth transition through the midfoot, and the springy toe-off.
I would recommend the Solar Boost as an everyday option for the runner seeking a highly cushioned yet responsive underfoot feel, as long as they don’t mind a shoe that runs warm. I plan on continuing to use this shoe in my rotation, especially on high mileage or recovery days.
Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptableIt took a little while for the Solar Boost to start feeling comfortable for me, but once it did, I really enjoyed running in it. This shoe provides plenty of traction underfoot, and the fit is great (after a few lacing modifications). It feels springy during toe-off and well cushioned, providing plenty of shock absorption even though it has a low stack height.
