50 Words or Less
The adidas Ultraboost Golf shoe melds the comfort of a running shoe with the stability and traction of a spikeless golf shoe. Versatile in both looks and function.
Introduction
As a big fan of the adidas CODECHAOS golf shoe since its release in 2020 [2022 review HERE], I was intrigued when I learned of another spikeless offering – the new Ultraboost Golf. Then I started hearing about the running fanatics that swear by their Ultraboost shoes and how they were ecstatic about the release of a golf version.
Reading this from Masun Denison it all came together in my head: “(a)t the heart of Ultraboost is a silhouette that perfectly blends high-performance with streetwear fashion, and that’s something we wanted to bring to the course.” Masun is the director of global footwear for adidas Golf, and having had the privilege of talking with him in the past, I knew the Ultraboost Golf shoe would be a perfect blend of form and function.
Looks
Make no mistake, the adidas Ultraboost Golf shoe looks like a running shoe. The lugs on the sole are more trail-centric, but the thick white midsole, knit upper, and outsole that rolls up at the front of the shoe are quintessential elements of a running shoe. At the same time, many of those elements are also prevalent in today’s modern golf shoes – a positive for golfers looking for versatility on the fashion front. The Ultraboost Golf shoe can easily be worn in casual environments regardless of whether golf is on the agenda. Does anyone really need to know you snuck in nine between running errands and meeting friends for happy hour?
If the core black with lucid blue colorway isn’t your style, the Ultraboost Golf is also available in a versatile grey. For adiClub members, there’s also a groovy silver/olive combination. You can see those via the link to adidas Golf at the bottom of this review.
Find a more traditional look in the Adidas MC80 golf shoe HERE
Comfort
Right out of the box, the adidas Ultraboost Golf shoes were ready for action. I found the shoes true to my normal go-to size. The fit was interesting – not in a bad way, just different than what I’ve encountered lately. To start, there’s no traditional tongue. The opening is like a sock, continuously knit, and I needed to use the tall heel tab like a shoe horn. Form fitting around my ankle, I liked that the lacing was focused solely on securing my midfoot – which they did wonderfully.
The PRIMEKNIT uppers are form fitting, i.e. foot hugging. The toe box is also snug. The shoes don’t feel tight, but my feet certainly felt secure at all times.
Underfoot, the insole and full length BOOST are uber comfortable. For a day of 36 holes, or strolling a theme park, this is the comfort I’d want. The flexibility was in perfect harmony with my walking stride.
Performance
Comfort obviously plays into performance, but I’m certain you are curious about traction and stability – just like I was. As far as traction, it’s reasonable. The length and spacing of the lugs offered decent performance in most situations. I had a slight slip in a few instances, which I attributed to the linear pattern of the lugs.
The adidas Ultraboost Golf shoes provided more stability than I anticipated. In the midfoot, the emblematic three stripe saddle provided lateral stability that isn’t present in the typical running shoe. Not readily apparent in the photos, the lucid blue elements at the heel are actually rigid plastic and created good stability around my heels. Overall there was a fair amount of stability – not as much as the CODECHAOS, but plenty enough to earn the “Golf” moniker.
Adidas states that the Ultraboost Golf shoes are “water-resistant,” but that may be a stretch. The shoe does employ hydrophobic yarns in the knit upper, but anything more than passing sprinkles or a spilled beverage quickly saturated the material as the yarns flexed with my movements. That said, I don’t expect a knit shoe to stand up to playing in the rain, and I appreciated the breathability the knit provided.
Conclusion
Anchoring the position of ultimate comfort, the spikeless adidas Ultraboost Golf is a great addition. Integrating golf specific elements into the iconic Ultraboost may seem like an easy and obvious move for adidas, but doing things right takes time and dedication. This may not be the shoe you see adidas stars like Dustin, Xander, or Sergio wearing on the golf course, but I’m willing to bet they love them for practice, working out, and lunch with their friends.
I want to finish this review with a tip of the cap to adidas and their commitment to environmental stewardship. The yarn utilized in the uppers of the adidas Ultraboost Golf shoe is made from at least 50% Parley Ocean Plastic produced by Parley, a wonderful organization that brings together brilliant minds to raise awareness and intercept coastal plastic waste before it enters the ocean. Turning plastic waste into viable products – adidas and Parley are a partnership worth celebrating.
Visit adidas Golf HERE
Matt Meeker
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Interesting … but so much cushion and drop, it would be tough to read a green if you AimPoint. I stick with True for reading greens, BUT it is an interesting shoe for a younger generation. Not appealing to me. Enjoy.