Published:June 27, 2021
SCORE: 8.0
Weight: 10.8 0z/305 g, size 8.5 (M), 10.1 oz/287 g (W)
Heel Drop: 10mm
Shoe Type: Mid-cushioned neutral daily training shoe
Surface: Road, gravel, concrete, and dirt trail.
Pros
- Very stable
- Very versatile daily trainer shoe
- Comfortable
- Consistent midsole for long runs
- Rides smooth and natural
- Excellent traction
- Stylish
Cons
- Pretty heavy for speed runs
- It is not suitable for recovery runs because of the medium cushioning
Take Away
Adidas Solar Boost 3 is a shoe with a deceiving striking appearance. It is simple yet stylish. It also feels heavy until you hit the road. The Boost foam midsole offers moderate cushioning and combines well with the Linear Energy Push System (LEP) torsion system to provide a stable, comfortable, and consistent ride, even in long-distance running. It is a practical shoe for cross-training routine.
Adidas Solar Boost 3 Instant Impression
I have Adidas fandom, so this year, one of the Adidas running shoes that caught my eye was the Adidas Solar Boost 3. I was particularly attracted to its simple and elegant upper. At first glance, the Solar Boost 3 looks more than a running shoe because it has the frills of casual sneakers.
I went for size 8.5, and I couldn't stop noticing the plush upper. Putting it on for the first time, I felt the thickly cushioned heel collar, extended Achilles notch, and well-cushioned tongue hugging my foot to provide a snug fit.
The engineered mesh felt thin, comfortable, and breathable. I felt energized by its 'cool' looks and, at the same time, skeptical of the 10.8oz.
When I took it out for a test, I noticed that it did not ride like the New Balance 1080v11. Its mid-cushioned midsole came into play. It was less responsive but with excellent ground impact absorption.
My instant scrutiny was that the Solar Boost 3 was more of a practical shoe that gets the job done, particularly after I ran a mile in just seven minutes.
Adidas Solar Boost 3 Upper Component
Addidas has a nice-looking upper made of an engineered mesh with plastic overlays around the midfoot and toe areas. The overlays do not cover the critical heat zones. The engineered mesh is thin and sufficiently breathable. I could feel air blowing into the shoe, keeping my foot fresh and energized.
The upper of the Solar Boost has a pronounced structure that looks simple and cool. The mesh wraps around the foot to give a snug fit, and the toe box is roomy to allow the toes to splay out naturally. The firm plastic overlay around the toe box gives the shoe a solid and admirable structure. The added toe bumper is strategically placed to protect the toes from abrasion.
It has Plush padding on the heel collar and the inner lining of the heel counter. The heel counter is not rigid yet not restrictive. It holds the foot down well. Adidas added a rail guide that extends higher, particularly around the heel and ankle areas, to ensure that the foot stays at a neutral position.
The Solar Boost 3 also comes with an interesting heel counter design. It is split right in the middle to make it more forgiving.
The Achilles notch extends upwards and is plushy padded to pamper the Achilles.
The large tongue is gusseted, perforated, and excellently padded. If you think that Rebel v3 has one of the largest tongues, you need to see Adidas Solar Boost 3. In this shoe, the tongue starts from one side of the midsole to the other end to form something like a midfoot cage. It wraps around the foot to give a secure and comfortable fit.
The lace-lock completes the plush tongue, heel collar, and revamped heel counter to guarantee a snug fit. Adidas gave the Solar Boost a fair lacing length. They are neither short nor too long, but just enough for a good lace lock and a nice runner's knot. I also noticed that they stretch.
The upper of the Solar Boost 3 feels comfortable and secure. It also has an elegant look that is accentuated by the Adidas' white stripes on the lateral side of the midfoot.
Adidas Solar Boost 3 Sole Components
Adidas Solar Boost 3 utilizes the Boost foam made of Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), recycled plastic, and rubber materials. The Boost foam offers adequate cushioning. The midsole has a stack height of 32mm at the heel and 22mm at the forefoot, making Adidas Solar Boost 3 a medium-density cushioned neutral running shoe with close ground contact.
The midsole has a simple yet beautiful design. The Boost foam midsole extends into the upper, and I felt the foot sitting into the midsole at a neutral position. The Adidas added more Boost foam stack on the medial side to control pronation at the heel area.
The Solar Boost 3 has a late-rocker in the forefoot and a slightly rockered heel. The late-rockered forefoot offers a pronounced toe-off. Generally, heel-to-toe feels seamless but less pronounced when running in the Adidas Solar Boost 3.
At 10.8 oz, Adidas Solar Boost 3 is heavier than the Clifton 8, Nike Invincible, and Asics Nimbus 23 but lighter than the Adidas Ultra Boost. However, I have never had an issue with the weight whenever I take it out for a run because the comfortable upper compliments the Boost foam midsole to make running easy.
The Boost midsole offers maximum ground absorption under the foot and is very stable under the foot. However, running in it ignites a mixture of feelings. It is neither exciting nor boring. I did not get the feeling I normally feel when running in Brooks Ghost 13, New Balance 1080 v11, or Adrenalin GTS 21 or any of the HOKA ONE ONE.
It rides neither firm nor soft but has less energy return when running at a slow pace. However, whenever I turn up the pace, I tend to feel the Boost foam responding better. I have done over 90 miles in Solar Boost 3, and in most cases, I have run seven minutes a mile by switching up the pace. My experience with Adidas Solar Boost 3 is that it provides consistent foot strike and sufficient ground impact protection. My opinion is that it rides firm but softer than the Ultra Boost 21.
The outsole is covered with the Stretchweb Continental rubber that gives traction underfoot and extended durability of the midsole. With the continental rubber, Solar Boost 3 rides well on road, concrete, and gravel.
In the outsole is the Adidas Linear Energy Push (LEP) which adds snappiness to the ride while enhancing stability. The LEP is more prominent than in Ultra Boost 21.
My running experience with this shoe is that it is one of those practical shoes. It rides quite firmer yet smoother. I can rack up miles with it without complaining of discomfort or tiredness in the foot because ground impact protection is top-notch.
Conclusion
Adidas Solar Boost 3 is one of a kind. It has the features of cushioned and stable running shoes. It sits in the middle like the Asics Glideride 2, except for the less pronounced rocker midsole. It is not for those looking for a soft and exciting ride, but people looking to hit the road and rack up miles.
Many runners I have interacted with are admitting that Solar Boost 3 is more versatile and resilient than many slightly cushioned shoes in the market. It is a very practical and reliable running shoe, especially for a runner looking for consistency and not just lightness or super cushioning. The outsole is very steady for both road and dirt trails. It is a shoe for hitting long miles exceeding 10 miles. Cross-training and a bit of tempo run work well for Adidas Solar Boost 3 because of the consistent, stable midsole.
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Adidas Solar Boost reviewed by Spencer Parker. At 38, Spencer can be regarded as a veteran in running. Though he has never participated in athletic competitions, he does not shy away from racking up long miles. Spencer is also a shoe lover. He knows which shoe gets the job done and which one doesn’t.
