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| adidas Response Trail Boost |
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| adidas Response Trail Boost |
First trail run today did not disappoint. I ran very winding, forest single track moderately rooty and rocky with smaller 100 foot steep climbs in dry conditions. Stable, fast, with great trail feel and foot hold from the mid foot forward. The midfoot being well held by 2 wide external straps running from the laces to mid sole facing towards the back of the shoe and a diagonal one running from below the last lace hole diagonally towards the front.
I am still figuring out the far back of the upper's heel stability and hold accomplished with a low heel cup and bootie construction, with an extra layer of bootie on the medial side, all of this a big complicated and fussy. The underfoot rear platform is super stable in the heel but the heel cup and bootie upper in the far back may be a bit minimal for very rough or off camber trail if the heel needs to stabilize for terrain. Response Trail Boost has a considerably wider toe box than the other Boost adidas trail shoes. There is no rock plate or thin firm layer of EVA underfoot except along the outside edge of the front of the foot but the lugs provide decent protection.
Very similar on the run to the XT Boost, the racer of the adidas Boost trail bunch (review here) in being snappy, stable, and responsive but with more noticeable yet still stable cushioning all around, particularly in the heel where Boost is substituted for the Adiprene EVA of the XT Boost. The front toe boxes are similar with the Response's being wider and having a slightly softer mesh
Response Trail Boost shares similarities of platform with the Raven Boost (review here) yet is considerably more agile and flexible than the Raven Boost with better trail feel but will be less cushy for very long runs than Raven. I think this is because the Response has a somewhat thinner Boost layer, a longer black EVA collar, and a more flexible upper.
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| adidas Response Trail Boost |
Update: I have now run many more miles in Response Trail Boost and they continue to be a most comfortable and able shoe on all terrain: road, smooth paths, rougher trails.
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| adidas Response Trail Boost |
The Response Trail Boost was provided to RoadTrailRun at no cost. The opinions herein are entirely our own.
The Response Trail Boost can be purchased via the links below. Purchases support RoadTrailRun.
17 comments:
Hi there
Love reading your reviews. Looking to get the response boost for longer runs. Thinking on taking them upto 65km and even a 108km in 2016. You do however note Raven over response for long. I am a fore to mid-foot striker. What would you recommend.
Andre (South Africa)
Thanks Andre! As far as Raven vs Response Boosts, a tough call. The Response is a bit firmer overall due to a thinner Boost layer and despite the bigger lugs also a bit more agile too. It might depend on the terrain and your pace. No question the response is a "faster" shoe for me. Yet Raven is more cushioned especially in the forefoot so I would expect for a long race a bit more comfortable at slower paces. The Response upper is a bit wider upfront and I think overall might be more breathable. What kind of terrain are your races on and what is your expected pace?
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q56/hiddenmickeyz/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150816_100726_882.jpg
Sam you're absolutely right about it being the best hybrid shoes. Response boost are protection and responsiveness wrapped in the most comfortable shoes ever! I tried it out this morning and it is comfortable on both pavements and well groomed trails. Zero shoe laces pressures. Zero irritation in ankles and heels. Toe spring kind of felt like the Zoom wildhorse but with softer upper. Generous toe box. Tons more Cushioning than the Sportiva Helios and that's exactly what I need.
It is a great shoe , with very light sensation , and fit like a shock. Grip and control in mud and rocky paths is very good . Protection is just good enough .. It stands and looks in the eye many of My Salomons....
Hi from the UK. Came across your review by accident, and am considering buying a pair. Could you tell me if they are a narrow or wide fit? Regards, PhIl. Sheffield, England.
Hi Phil, Thanks for reading! I would call the Response Boost a relatively wide fit for a trail shoe. Wider than any Hoka for example. Toe area is quite unstructured beyond the toe bumper wrapping around to the laces. What works for you now? And what kind of distances and terrain would you run them on?
Hi Sam. That's good news. I am a size 8, but it's a wide fit. I was a Nike user, but converted over to Adidas a few years back, and have never looked back. For normal running, I stick to Supernova Sequence 6 (and now 7). Being a Sequence overshoot, I have a pair of Sequence Riot 6 for the trail, and they fit me perfectly, trouble is they've been discontinued. To add an extra ingredient! I usually go for something structured for my over-pronation.... Distance wise, usually just under 7 miles, but sometimes up to 10; terrain, well, mostly off-road with a number number of hills (no more than a couple of hundred feet each). Looking what Adidas have to offer, I could go for another set of Riot 6 (on eBay, but just about full price, rare item maybe), Raven 3, Raven Boost, or the Response Boost - lots of great offers on those last 3 at the moment. I can't explain why, but I removed the Kanadia range from my list of options. Trouble is, I don't know whether to play it safe or take a risk with one of the last trio. I need a slightly wide fit, stability would be a bonus. Help! Many thanks :-)
Thanks for the review! They are on sale now so I thought I'd give them a shot. Training for Trans-Zion and then the Rut 50km. Keep up the good work.
Chris
Howdy from Ireland. Decided to buy a pair of these, largely based on you review, as I was looking for a trail-runner that could handle the wide variety of trail conditions that we have here in Eire. I must say they are confidence inspiring as the grip in mud, bog, rocks and grassy trails is exceptional. One word of warning to perspective buyers ,is I have found they get incredibly heavy once wet. The material just soaks up the water and holds it. I do run in very wet underfoot conditions though. So for training, they are great as the added weight has made me a stronger runner, but there is no way i would wear them in a race..take note!
Love reading your reviews. Looking to get the response boost for longer runs. Thinking on taking them upto 65km and even a 108km in 2016. You do however note Raven over response for long. I am a fore to mid-foot striker. What would you recommend.
Hi Alex, can I assume these distances are trail? If the trails are technical I would lean towards Raven, despite weight and being somewhat less agile as it has a bit more protection. If smoother trails or if your are fast Respinse. For short and fast trail running hands down XT Boost. It can double as a fine fast road racer.
Hi Sam,
I've been keenly following your reviews and you have nearly made me take out another mortgage on my house! Great work!
I've stopped running for the time being and will be travelling abroad for some time. I will be travelling with my young family and indulging in a fair amount of road walking, path climbing (e.g. cliffs around Santorini), scrambling around archaeological ruins and the occasional hike. I'll have my 1 year old daughter and supplies on my back (approx. 12-16kgs). Most of my travels will be in the heat of summer, although we will be travelling across a variety of ecological zones. In this way, I'm looking for a hybrid shoe which won't look to awkward or in the cities, but with decent performance on steep climbs and declines on a variety of surfaces (probably 70:30 road-trail).
Would you recommend the Response Boost, the Raven or something else for this task?
Hi Freddo,
Thanks for reading and the compliments. Working hard to bring runners the scoop on the latest and greatest! Your summer plans sound amazing!
As far as shoe choices both the Raven and Response would be good choices but given the loads you will be carrying the Raven might be more suitable. I might worry that both would a bit warm. While a Goretex but of a new more breathable kind the LaSportiva Core GTX would be a great choice, Super light as well. I have a pair and love them for hiking. http://www.sportiva.com/products/footwear/hikingbackpacking/core-high-gtx. I might also look at a Hoka Tor ultra low. http://www.roadtrailrun.com/2015/12/the-running-event-previews-photo.html Coming soon also a new mid height Altra Lone Peak which will be amazing light and supportive along with already on the market the Pearl Izumi N3 Trail http://www.roadtrailrun.com/2015/12/the-running-event-previews-photo.html. Hope this is helpful.
Hi Sam,
Great advice, thanks! I'm after a versatile shoe which can be used out scrambling, hiking and around town (even the occasional dinner out in a nice-ish restaurant!). That's why I was considering the Adidas response and raven shoes because they don't look too much like outdoor "technical" performance shoes. Both the Response and the Raven aren't GTX models - other than the fact that they come in black, how will they get too warm? Lack of ventilation?
Also, how inferior are the entry level (more budget conscious) models such as the Kanadia 7 tr and the Slingshot? Would really appreciate your advice :) :)
Hi Freddo, Both Raven and Response Trail Boost are likely to be warm. I have seen the Response in a yellow somewhere. Kanadia 7 looked very nice, haven't tried and a great value. Slingshot not familiar with.
Got this shoe from a roadrunner outdoor sale for an excellent price but I hadn't ever owned or used an adidas. The cushioning was great and the shoes sock like fit made it seem like you weren't wearing it. Liked the lugs particularly of rock/gravely terrain.
The boost midsole is an excellent cushion and the high drop of the shoe wasn't noticed at all. The boost technology makes this show cushioned and responsive at the same time. I think it needs a rock plate because although traction is great on rocky trails, protection isn't. I agree with the reviewer that this shoe is a good hybrid as I use it for road running and walking without noticing the lugs. I have read other complaints regarding the overlays but I think that they help lock in the shoes fit when laced.
I love 'em.
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