Adidas’ Very First UltraBoost Is Coming Back for the 10-Year Anniversary of When It Changed Everything
Ten years on, it may be easy to forget just how big of a game-changer the Ultraboost was for Adidas. It set the whole industry chasing the brand’s pillowy foam cushioning, and its sock-like Primeknit upper was every bit as influential. And even though the sneaker was designed for running, the Ultraboost became hot far outside of the sport largely because of the influence of Kanye West in the very early days of his partnership.
In celebration of the 10-year anniversary, Adidas is bringing back the OG UltraBoost in its seminal “Core Black/Purple” colorway. The February release will mark just the third time Adidas has brought back the sneaker, following retro releases in 2018 and 2020. What will set this edition apart, which is a faithful recreation of the original, is an anniversary hangtag that hasn’t yet been shown (pictured in this article is the original shoe from 2015).
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The Ultraboost wasn’t the first Adidas sneaker to make use of Boost, as the technology debuted two years earlier on the Energy Boost. Instead, it was the sneaker to bring the super comfortable technology to the masses. Runners were the primary audience for the Ultraboost in the first few months after its February 2015 debut, but in the summer it turned into a proper fashion trend after West, now known as Ye, was spotted wearing the sneaker consistently in a number of colorways.
Boost would go on, of course, to be a focal point of Adidas’ many footwear offerings for quite some time. And while Lightstrike has taken over as the more advanced foam, the Ultraboost series still continues on with the most recent addition of the Ultraboost 5X. James Harden’s signature line also continues to use Boost, with the Harden Vol. 9 having just launched in late-January.
The Adidas Ultraboost 1.0 OG “Core Black/Purple” will release February 11 through Adidas’ website and select third-party retailers. Pricing is set at $180.
About the Author:
Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.
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