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Adidas Isn’t Done with Its Most Important Sneaker of the Modern Era

The original Ultraboost returns for a major milestone.

Adidas

By Jack Seemer

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In the age of super shoes and bottomless Samba hype, the Adidas Ultraboost risks feeling a little outdated. But you only need to step inside one of those early pairs from 2015 to realize just how good that cushioning was.

Fortunately, you won’t need a time machine — or a resale plug — to do so.

The OG returns

For the shoe’s 10th anniversary, Adidas has decided to reissue the OG Ultraboost, right down to the adaptive Primeknit upper and original black-and-purple colorway.

adidas shoe
Adidas will rerelease the original Adidas Ultraboost for the shoe’s 10th anniversary.
Adidas

But of course, with Boost being the shoe’s namesake attribute, that bulging, pockmarked midsole remains the headlining feature a decade on.

adidas shoe
Boost was developed by the German chemicals manufacturer BASF. Rumor has it that Nike initially passed on licensing the technology before Adidas brought it to market.
Adidas

Contrary to popular belief, Boost wasn’t actually invented by Adidas. The technology was developed by the German chemicals manufacturer Badische Anilin & Soda-Fabrik (BASF), and it’s comprised of TPU pellets that set a new standard in cushioning, responsiveness and durability when Adidas brought it to market, first with the Energy Boost (2013) and later with the Ultraboost (2015).

adidas shoe
The Ultraboost was conceived as a running shoe, however, it bridged the gap between performance and lifestyle like no shoe before or since.
Adidas

Rumor has it that Nike passed on Boost before Adidas licensed its exclusive use. Their loss: the shoe quickly became one of the defining releases of the 21st century, bridging the gap between lifestyle and performance like no other shoe before or since.

Pricing and availability

The reissued Adidas Ultraboost will be available from February 11 for $180. In light of 10-year milestone, it comes with a special anniversary hangtag that should appeal to collectors.

Adidas

Adidas Ultraboost

For its 10th anniversary, Adidas has reissued the OG Ultraboost from 2015. The shoe features the same Primeknit upper, black-and-purple colorway and famous Boost midsole as the original, but it comes with a commemorative hangtag for collecting-minded buyers.

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