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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Best Running Shoe Reviews – Adidas Energy Boost2 Review}}
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|[[File:adidas-energy-boost.jpg|none|thumb|x300px|The [http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/products/ADI1702/mens-adidas-energy-boost-2/brproductcrosssell/ Adidas Energy Boost].]]
|[[File:EnergyBoostSlice.JPG|none|thumb|x300px|Adidas Energy Boost. The phone foam used in this issue shoe looks a little like Styrofoam/polystyrene, but it's actually remarkably tough to cut. You can also see a small indent in the top of the midsole where the foot pod would go.]]
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The [http://www.zappos.com/adidas-energy-boost Adidas Energy Boost] 2 has a new material in the midsole (see 'Adidas Boost Foam' below) which changes how this shoe feels. The Boost does not really count as a minimalist shoe or a Minimax shoe, as it has a mainstream design, with the typical raised heel and cushioning that is no thicker than normal. However, because the boost foam works so well, it works far better than you'd expect.
* As a Minimax. Though it's not as thick as a Minimax shoe, it's soft cushioning makes it feel much thicker than it actually is, and it's a lot softer than something like the Brooks Transcend. While it does not offer the protection of a Hoka, it does offer a lot of the feeling of soft cushioning.
* As a minimalist. If you take out the insole, you also lose quite a bit of the higher heel and have something that's close to a minimalist shoe. I estimate that the insole is about 3mm in the forefoot and 5mm at the heel. Without that extra, the shoe is a 7mm drop (14mm/21mm). The shoe is light weight, and the new foam is pleasant under foot, combining a forefoot that had good ground feel with reasonable protection.
The Energy Boost is immediately comfortable, with a light, flexible upper with no noticeable seams. I'm thankfully Adidas has used a traditional tongue and laces, rather than a sock style upper or Velcro fastening. And while the sole has the traditional raised heel, there is none of the multi-density foam or other intrusions that are so common. I think a lot of people will buy the boost because of its immediate comfort, but stay with it for its extraordinary characteristics.
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|[[File:Adidas-Energy-Boost-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Adidas Energy Boost top]]
|[[File:Adidas-Energy-Boost-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Adidas Energy Boost bottom]]
|[[File:Adidas-Energy-Boost-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Adidas Energy Boost inside]]
|[[File:Adidas-Energy-Boost-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Adidas Energy Boost outside]]
|[[File:Adidas-Energy-Boost-bottom-modified.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Adidas Energy Boost modified bottom]]
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=Adidas Boost Foam=
The Adidas boost uses a new type of foam in the sole that has more bounce and is more resilient. Adidas demonstrates this extra bounce by dropping a steel ball on their new foam and EVA, the industry standard foam. Because of the extra energy return in their new foam the ball will bounce much higher than on EVA. However, when we run our feet do not bounce off the ground, but have a short period of sustained contact, often called the 'stance phase'. So when your foot lands, it seems that the boost foam would return the landing shock back up your leg rather than absorbing it, which is less than ideal. It would be good to see a study that looks at how the boost foam changes the stresses on knees and hips compared with a standard running shoe. Regardless of how the bounce impacts your running, the increased lifespan of the new foam is appealing. Having a shoe that lasts longer is obviously good, but Adidas also claim that the new foam is more consistent through most of its lifespan, rather than gradually decaying in the way EVA does. Adidas also claims that their new foam does not change characteristics in extreme temperatures like EVA does.
=A Comparison with other Recommended Shoes=
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