Kikay Reviews: adidas UltraBOOST X ATR

Anyone who’s been inside my shoe closet will know that I have many running shoes on rotation. I like to use one pair for treadmills, another for track, another for speed runs on the road, and another for long runs. And there’s always room for one more pair…

“But Noelle, you only have one pair of feet,” you might say. Well, when you get to test shoes from all the different manufacturers and discover many things to love about each pair, you’ll understand why my closet doors are always open.

adidas recently launched their UltraBOOST All Terrain shoes and sent me the women’s version, the UltraBOOST X ATR.


After a bit of back-and-forth because the sizing wasn’t standard, I finally had a pair I could use — and it just so happened their first spin outdoors was in Hong Kong during my trip there in early November.

Road to Angkor Wat: Race Week

running in the adidas UltraBOOST X ATR


Background Music: “Curiousity” by Lee Rosevere
Music For Podcasts by Lee Rosevere is licensed under a BY Attribution License.

The adidas UltraBOOST X ATR is marketed as an all-weather shoe for varying urban terrains with its grippy Continental sole, water-repellent adidas Primeknit upper, higher ankle cut and breathable mesh lining. Of course, the full-length BOOST sole is the major feature here, and the floating arch available in X models provides support while minimizing weight.

Adidas Ultra Boost X ATR

adidas UltraBOOST X ATR

Adidas Ultra Boost X ATR

the adidas UltraBOOST X ATR moves with you

As you know, I didn’t have much mileage in the three weeks leading into the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon, but I still decided to use the adidas UltraBOOST X ATR for that race despite not “breaking in” the pair. Based on my previous experience with all of adidas’ shoes with the BOOST midsole, I knew they would be super comfortable out of the box regardless of what pace I would go at. I also recalled Maricel Pangilinan’s experience during her New York City Marathon a few years ago, when she forgot her marathon shoes back in the Philippines but used her PureBOOST X to great success.

Adidas Ultra Boost X ATR

the upper is like a big stretchy sock with a plastic cage

Adidas Ultra Boost X ATR

heel cups keep the foot in place

Adidas Ultra Boost X ATR

I lace as loosely as possible because the Primeknit does all the work

Textile technology is amazing these days — who would have thought a knit fabric that looks like a sock would have enough strength to keep a foot in place and support it in all the right areas? And because the upper is so thin, it allows moisture and heat to move out of the shoe, keeping my feet nice and dry throughout.

The run through Angkor Wat allowed me to experience this shoe’s performance on different surfaces. We started off on asphalt, but with the huge number of runners at the starting line I found myself running over grass to avoid getting kicked by all those legs. I also ran over a wooden bridge, a sandy road shoulder, packed mud, and cracked pavement. I’m accident-prone and can trip over my own feet, but the shoes kept me feeling secure and sure-footed. With all the grit on the road as well, I half-expected to take some archeological debris past the finish line, but not one stone got into the shoe thanks to the high ankle.

Adidas Ultra Boost X ATR

Stretchweb Continental outsole was none the worse for wear after a half marathon

Adidas Ultra Boost X ATR

even while supporting my weight, the arch doesn’t flatten

The shoes were dusted all over with a fine red powder thanks to Angkor Wat, but after a rinse and some ministrations with a toothbrush, they were almost good as new. (You can still see some red staining in the crevices.)

Despite being rugged enough for varying outdoor conditions and surfaces, the adidas UltraBOOST X ATR is still light and quiet enough for treadmill use indoors. They are also sleek enough for OOTD purposes provided you wear jogger pants, leggings, and the like (I’m not a big fan of them worn with shorts and skirts due to the high ankle cut). With a price tag of P9,995 I would imagine anyone who buys these shoes will want to use them anywhere and everywhere!

Shop for the adidas UltraBOOST X ATR online or at leading adidas stores and retailers.

About Noelle De Guzman

Noelle De Guzman is a freelance writer and recreational athlete with over 12 years of experience in fitness and endurance sport. She believes sport and an active healthy lifestyle changes lives.

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