What’s the first sneaker you think of when you hear the name adidas? For decades, the shell-toed Superstar reigned supreme as the brand’s most iconic, praised and celebrated by everyone from Run-DMC to Pharrell Williams. However, in this day and age, it’s far more likely that your mind was drawn to something newer. The face of adidas has changed dramatically since the introduction of BOOST technology and there really is one standout model to thank, our pick for Sneaker of the Week, the trusty adidas UltraBoost.
adidas UltraBoost 2.0 ‘City Series’
BOOST technology made its retail debut in 2013 on the OG Energy Boost. The performance-focused runner introduced the world to BASF’s specially engineered energy-returning foam, which was pitted as a three-striped competitor for Nike’s, then cutting edge, Lunarlon technology. While the Energy Boost left athletic consumers impressed, it barely registered on the radar of hype-driven streetwear connoisseurs – that was until an all-white pair found their way on to Kanye West’s feet. A few days later, the Energy Boost was replaced by a ‘Triple White’ pair of OG UltraBoost 1.0s and the market truly took notice.
Before Kanye’s first signature adidas release had even hit shelves, the UltraBoost was adopted as the unofficial footwear of choice for stans of the Louis Vuitton Don. It delivered all of the Boost-blessed cushiness that the Energy Boost offered before it, but with an upper that was, not only comfier, but also significantly more palatable for casual tastes – thanks in large part to its streamlined design that echoed Nike’s fan-favourite king of comfort: the Air Presto. With the UltraBoost, adidas had its giant-slayer and, together with the stream of Yeezy Boost releases, managed to launch adidas sales numbers into the stratosphere. The UltraBoost was the right shoe at the right time and it still reigns as one of the comfiest on the market.
We’ve seen the UltraBoost undergo a few facelifts over the years, to varying degrees of success, but it is only recently, with retro releases entering the Boost vernacular, that adidas has begun to recognise and appreciate the appeal and advantages of each individual design. We were blessed to see the OG UltraBoost 1.0 return in peak form in 2018 and now, with the benefit of hindsight, adidas has finally managed to fine-tune its successor: the often-divisive UltraBoost 2.0.
For the model’s latest outing, in a ‘City Series’ double drop, adidas’ design team have dished up two make-ups inspired by the cities of New York and Paris and neither disappoints. Both designs feature a gentle sprinkling of patriotic symbolism – in this case literally stars and stripes – but it is their masterful balance of conservative and crazy that really makes these stand out. The 2.0’s layered toe box knit is commonly a point of criticism, but on these it just works. They mightn’t be the most hyped sneaker of late, but we’re happy to give them top honours all the same.
The adidas UltraBoost 2.0 ‘City Series Paris’ and ‘City Series New York’ are available to purchase right now through all Foot District locations and the Foot District online store.