Adidas unveils bouncy new Energy Boost midsole foam
This month, Adidas is unveiling a flubber-like running shoe foam called “Energy Boost,” which feels noticeably springier than standard EVA foam. We wondered what Adidas had slipped into the foam punch, so we caught up with MIKAL PEVETO, director of running for Adidas America, to get the inside scoop.
What’s the story on Adidas’s new foam?
Boost is the “holy grail” of midsole foams, combining a never-before-created polymer with a never-before-done molding process in the industry. Energy Boost is the name of the launch shoe.
Holy grail? Really, what is it?
Boost is a combination of EVA foam and TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane). Thousands of unique energy storing capsules are blown together to provide an energy return and performance comfort to the runner. We’re confident runners have never before felt this level of comfort. Boost is soft, bouncy and provides the ultimate in performance; it’s lightweight, durable, comfortable and springy.
What’s wrong with regular EVA foam, and how does this foam improve on it?
Since 1981, compression molded EVA has become the standard running shoe midsole. We’ve perfected it along the way with lighter, more resilient formulations, but ultimately, because of the nature of EVA expansion, it starts breaking down after the first few months. In other words, the shoe you buy today will have significantly different performance after 100, 200, 300 miles of use.
In the heat, in the cold, and after countless miles, Boost cushioning performs more consistently and doesn’t lose its cushioning properties like standard EVA.
How does the technology work?
It’s a proprietary, non-EVA foam that is made up of individual energy storing capsules that are then blown together in a unique molding process. During the development process, each capsule forms a skin on the outside which, when blown together forms the technology called Boost. There are more than 2,000 individual capsules in a size 9 Energy Boost shoe.
OK, but if this foam is so great, why not use it on all of Adidas’s shoes? Is there a reason a runner would want regular EVA versus the new stuff?
Like any new technological advancement, it takes time. But, we have a roadmap for the technology and we’ll begin to expand its use in coming seasons. We believe that given a choice between a shoe made with EVA or made with Boost, runners and athletes of all shapes, sizes, and fitness levels will choose Boost. The running community should be excited because we have a technology that performs better against standard EVA than anything we’ve ever tested and it feels absolutely amazing.
Our field test report on the Adidas Energy Boost is in the works. Stay tuned.
