![]() MIDSOLE INNOVATION: A unique bowtie-shaped FWD CELL redirects energy from each step's impact to create horizontal forward motion LATTICE CONSTRUCT: Made of 39% bio-based 3D material, offering 23% more cushioning and generating over three times as much forward motion when compared to previous generations of 4D midsole under vertical loading in mechanical testing conditions The key features called out by adidas are: To create this midsole, adidas and partner Carbon combine athlete data and Carbon’s Digital Light Synthesis TM technology to produce the precision tuned 3D printed midsoles with the ability to fine tune midsoles to specific patterns of movement. Selected from one of five million possible lattice structures and made of 39% bio-based material, the bowtie-shaped FWD CELL according to adidas has been specifically coded to compress forward upon vertical impact to redirect vertical load energy to horizontal energy in the stride while reducing peak breaking force by an average of 15% to deliver running economy comparable to Ultraboost. ![]() In the 4DFWD the FWD CELL lattice is said to be designed to deliver up to 3 times more forward motion in mechanical lab testing compared to previous generations of the technology. Although these foams have all seen huge successes in the ongoing battle of the bounce, few have matched the Ultraboost’s devoted-some even say cult-like-following.Adidas has been working away on 3D printed midsoles for several years now. Nike countered with its React and ZoomX foams, Reebok took aim with its lightweight Floatride, Brooks responded with its energizing DNA Amp, and New Balance debuted its responsive Fresh Foam, to name just a few. (The only drawbacks were the shoe’s heftier weight and a midfoot saddle that some runners found too rigid.) Naturally, competing brands had no choice but to retaliate. This new model kept the coveted Boost foam, but added more cushioning and a grippy, flexible Continental rubber outsole. Two years after the EnergyBoost dropped, Three Stripes upped the ante again with the release of the Ultraboost-the brand’s plushest and bounciest shoe yet. With direction from RW editors, I combine all that info to choose what shoes make it onto this page. To write articles like this, I talk with brand reps about the company’s latest shoes and tech, consult RW tester feedback, and draw on my own experience with the running shoe industry. Running shoes is the category of gear I’ve written about the most, and I have firsthand experience with models from a range of brands. The Expert: I became a runner in middle school and have covered running and outdoor gear for years, both on-staff at Runner’s World and as a freelance journalist. Best Women’s Casual Shoe: Adidas by Stella McCartney Ultraboost Sandal.Best for Wet Weather: Ultraboost 22 Gore-Tex.Throwback Aesthetics: Ultraboost Supernova DNA. ![]() ![]() Sustainable Materials: Ultraboost 22 x Parley.Up until now, that idea was virtually unheard of-but it would soon become the buzzy battle cry of every shoemaker on the market. It debuted on the soles of the new EnergyBoost running shoe, and this unprecedented material was the first of its kind to promise more “energy return” with each step. On February 13, 2013, the first shot in the foam wars was fired: Adidas released its revolutionary Boost foam. ![]()
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