adidas Ultrabounce Review (2024)

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Key Features:

• Price: $80
• Weight: 12.1 ounces
• Drop: 9 millimeters
• Fit: True to size
• Best for: Casual walkers and runners, gym goers

Having been in the game for a while, adidas has quite the array of running shoes, with models ranging from $300 carbon-plated racers to something like the affordable and reliable Ultrabounce. This shoe is a great option for those that want a cushioned running shoe that won’t break the bank. While it’s affordable, this comfortable running shoe is also a great fit for casual runners or people that like something a bit lighter weight.

Since it is made with adidas’ Bounce cushioning, this is a great option if you’re looking for shoes to help alleviate knee pain, or need something that will provide a decent amount of shock absorption. To help you decide if this is the right fit for you, we tested these adidas shoes and researched the specs. Keep reading to learn more about our testing process, how the shoe performed and for whom it will work best.

Construction and Design

Midsole

The midsole of the Ultrabounce is made from adidas’ Bounce foam. It is lightweight and cushioned which gives you a comfortable ride whether you are walking or running. While it is not quite as responsive as the Ultraboost, it still has a bit of a spring to it as well as a flexible ride that allows your foot to bend through a natural toe off with every step.

Outsole

The shoe has a rubber outsole with almost full coverage of the midsole. While some shoes will opt to pare down the outsole a bit for the sake of weight, I actually liked that this had so much coverage because it gives the shoe better grip, especially in wet or slippery conditions.

Upper

This shoe has a traditional mesh upper and is double-lined to keep out dirt and water, but it also allows for breathability and ventilation that keeps your feet dry and cool as you run. It also features a flared heel cup which keeps the heel in place without putting pressure on the achilles, and the padded tongue is comfortable on the top of the foot even if you like to tie your shoes somewhat tight.

Standout Features

The main feature of this shoe is the Bounce foam midsole. Bounce foam has been used by adidas for years, and it even preceded Boost foam as its go-to midsole for years. While many have come to love the responsiveness and durability of Boost, the Bounce midsole found in this shoe still has a lot to offer—and it comes at a much more affordable price.

This foam is light and flexible which many people like in a running shoe—particularly newer runners who don’t want to feel weighed down by a ton of cushion or like they are on stilts thanks to a high stack height. This shoe also feels very much like a traditional running shoe when you are wearing it so you won’t have any excessive bounce or aggressive roll through.

The Ultrabounce also uses at least 50 percent recycled material in the upper. This is part of adidas’ solution to end plastic waste. And while it is sustainable, the shoe is still highly durable and faces no issues with structural integrity despite the use of recycled materials.

What We Like:

• Light and comfortable
• Affordable
• Supportive upper
• Flexible

What to Consider:

• Runs a bit wide
• Requires a bit of break in

Our Experience Testing the Ultrabounce

To test the Ultrabounce, I took it out on the roads and to the gym (plus wore it casually to run some errands). Here is how it performed.

Running: I will begin by saying that I am not a light cushion shoe person. I like some bulk and squish, so this shoe isn’t what I would normally reach for. That said, I found it to be tolerable to run in, even on hard surfaces. It is a bit on the firmer side, and provides a stable—if not responsive—ride. I preferred it on something a bit softer like the track or cinders, but overall I could see people taking it out for a casual run. The one thing that I didn’t like was that I felt the forefoot could use a bit more cushioning. Particularly if you are a mid-foot or toe runner, you are going to feel that ground.

Related Post: Our Favorite Running Shoe Brands

Gym: This was my favorite activity to use the shoe in. It was comfortable, felt stable and worked well for both cardio and lifting. Here, I liked that the foam was on the firmer side as I felt that it provided me the stable base that I needed for lifting and was still comfortable for the cardio portions.

Running with the adidas Ultrabounce

Running in this shoe actually went quite a bit better than I expected. It was light but stable, had decent grip and felt secure on my feet. While I did wish that it had a bit more cushioning in the forefoot, I think it could work well for most mid-foot to heel strikers.

The shoe also is pretty lightweight, and though it’s not particularly responsive, it doesn’t feel muddy or like it is weighing you down. I do think that for most runners it will perform best for shorter runs—think under four miles—as it doesn’t have a ton of support or cushion that you would want as you get into longer mileage.

Fit

Like most adidas shoes, I do find these to run slightly long—though not quite as long as some other models I’ve tried. I feel as though I could pretty comfortably wear a 9 or 9.5 (9.5 is my usual size) but since I have a narrow foot, I opted for the 9. The one thing I did notice is that there isn’t a ton of volume, particularly in the front of the shoe, so if you have upturned toes or a hammer toe, you may have some issues, so your best bet would be to size up a half-size.

They also run a bit wide in the toe box, which is great for allowing your foot to expand a bit as you run, or for those that need a bit more room but not a wide width.

Durability

While this shoe is affordable, it isn’t cheaply made. The foam is lightweight but resilient and can hold up to some decent mileage. The full rubber outsole also helps to improve the longevity of the shoe and prevent it from wearing down too quickly.

The mesh upper also holds up well over time because it is zero stretch. This keeps it from getting loose and wearing out like a knit upper can, and also makes it less likely for you to wear through even in areas of high friction.

Customer Reviews

The main consensus from customers about this shoe is how comfortable it is. They loved that it was so lightweight, and they expressed that it worked well for running, walking, the gym and everyday wear.

Some customers also found the shoe to be quite stable despite being a neutral shoe, and claimed that it ran well on both roads and running trails, but there were also a couple comments that said they found it worked best for shorter runs—under 30 minutes—and that it wasn’t enough cushion and support for them beyond that distance. It is pretty common to have some disparity between runners, but this does seem to serve most people as a shorter distance shoe.

Who Should Buy the adidas Ultrabounce

If you are looking for an affordable sneaker that you can wear both casually and for some light workouts this is a great option for you. While it doesn't have quite the same cushion and tech as a higher end running shoe would, it is more than enough to get most people through a couple short runs a week. It also has a pretty stable base which makes it a decent choice for lifting and HIIT workouts at the gym.

While it is a neutral shoe, you can remove the sock liner and replace it with an insole for additional support, but even the shoe itself has a heel counter which helps to prevent excessive movement and keep your foot in proper alignment.

Who the adidas Ultrabounce Is Not Best For

If you are a serious runner that is logging over 15-20 miles per week, you will probably need something a bit more cushioned and supportive. This shoe is great for some short easy runs, but it really doesn’t have enough cushion to protect you properly for high daily mileage.

This shoe also probably won’t work too great for those with high volume feet. While this is usually more of an issue with the mid-foot, this shoe is actually shallow in the toe box which can cause hot spots, blistering or even toenail loss if your foot is consistently hitting the top of the shoe. This is more of an issue for runners though, so if you are going to be wearing them casually or to the gym, this shoe could still work for you.

adidas Ultrabounce vs. adidas Ultraboost

While both running shoes, the Ultrabounce and Ultraboost are intrinsically different. The Ultrabounce is a budget running shoe that is lightweight, flexible and meant for short and easy runs. It uses Bounce foam for the midsole which is super light and offers medium cushion and support. It also has a mesh upper which is breathable and supportive.

The Ultraboost is one of adidas’ higher end running models. It uses the Boost foam which is a molded TPU bead foam known for its high durability and responsive feel. This shoe is slightly heavier, but the responsiveness makes up for it when you are actually running. It also has a knit upper which stretches and moves with the foot, but the downside is that it can tend to stretch out a bit over time.

While these two shoes are different, they can actually both have a place in your running shoe rotation. The Ultraboost is best for long and training runs, while the Ultrabounce is a great choice for shorter days, workouts and cross-training.

adidas Ultrabounce FAQs

Is the adidas Ultrabounce good for running?

While this may not be the best pick for runners that are piling on the miles, it can be a great first running shoe, or an option for the more casual runner that heads out to the roads a couple times a week.

Do the adidas Ultrabounce run big or small?

They run slightly wide but otherwise they are pretty true to size.

What is adidas Ultrabounce made of?

The Bounce midsole foam was the predecessor to the Boost foam, and it is still used in quite a few of adidas’ shoes. It is lightweight and a bit softer than the Boost foam so it has a bit more squish underfoot.

Are adidas Ultrabounce comfortable?

Yes, the Ultrabounce running shoes are comfortable for walking, running, hitting the gym or doing errands. They fit the foot well, and provide ample cushioning underneath.

Final Thoughts: Is the adidas Ultrabounce the Right Running Shoe for You?

If you are looking for a casual workout shoe for a reasonable price, this could be a great option for you. Light, comfortable and durable, it can work for a number of exercises including running, walking and hitting the gym. Plus it comes in a bunch of color options for all different aesthetics.

Not quite what you were looking for? Check out all of our favorite adidas running shoes.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.