Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 114, January 2019

TRIED & TESTED I recently put the new adidas Solar Boost through its paces, and in my humble opinion, the engineers at adidas have taken Boost technology to a new level with just the right amount of structured support to compliment the superb Boost performance. – BY SEAN FALCONER, Editor of Modern Athlete magazine all, this shoe provides one of the best fits yet in a Boost shoe, with a terrific balance between stretch and support, and the EVA cradle wrapping around the foot towards the heel adds still more structure to the fit. As described earlier, the properties of the Boost midsole are enhanced by this EVA cradle, while the Torsion System starts on the inner side of the heel, runs through the arch and then forks into the forefoot, with two Solar Propulsion Rail arms extending to just behind the toes. You can see these arms through flex holes cut into the outsole rubber, and it is clear to see how they add still more to the structure of the shoe. Speaking of the outsole, it’s made from Continental stretchweb rubber and provides a grippy ride with great flexibility. The midsole has a 10mm drop, with a stack height of 28mm in the heel and 18mm up front. WHAT A RIDE! So that’s the tech explained… now for the performance. In my opinion adidas has managed to take Boost to a new level in this shoe. As I said, I have enjoyed running in all my previous Boost models, but the Solar Boost feels even better, with that balance of cushioning, energy-return and structured support really feeling great. As a midfoot striker looking for more performance from the front half of my shoes, the combination of tech in this shoe works perfectly for me, but on longer runs, as I became more tired and began heel-striking a bit more, that wonderfully squishy Boost landing made my feet most happy! My take-away from running in this shoe is that the Boost midsole does its job superbly in terms of providing cushioning and energy-return, while the Torsion System and Solar Propulsion Rails, in conjunction with the EVA cradle, keep all that Boost under control at just the right level. It’s a great combination that works well, and if you are a fan of Boost material, I think you’re going to love this shoe. GET IT HERE The adidas Solar Boost is available at a recommended retail price of R2599 from adidas stores and leading running retailers, or you can order them online at https://shop.adidas.co.za. 55

Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 114, January 2019 | Page 55