adidas PureBoost DPR Review...These Boost are made for Walking...

Article by Peter Stuart 

adidas PureBoost DPR

The Adidas PureBoost DPR (Deconstructed Pure Racer) is a lighter, leaner (by 1.2 oz)  alternative to the UltraBoost for those seeking an all Boost midsole, thus the Pure in the name. DPR is available now, $150. It weighs in at 9.2 oz./261 g (M9) with  a heel stack height of 25mm with the forefoot at 17mm for an 8mm drop. They're in the 'responsive performance trainer' category. So, how do they do? Well...

Fit and Upper: 

The PureBoost DPR has a knit upper with two plastic pieces on either side of the heel they call the Fit Counter. The upper holds the foot well. I stayed with my usual running shoe size and they fit great. The foot feels locked down all around and there's no heel slippage. While some knit uppers can feel sloppy this one doesn't. I'm not entirely sure what the two plastic Fit Counter pieces do, but they look kind of cool and they don't seem to get in the way even though they do protrude out a bit from the shoe. The DPR feels wider than other Adidas shoes I've run in. There's more room in the forefoot and it's an overall relaxed feeling shoe. 

I'll go ahead and say that the DPR looks a little more like a lifestyle shoe or a high-tech boat shoe to me.

It's an overall casual looking shoe. The laces on the DPR have a nasty habit of coming undone. I've had to double knot these laces on all of my runs because they keep coming loose. 

Midsole and Outsole:

The midsole is, you guessed it, made of the proprietary BOOST material. Boost is created from TPU pellets heated and expanded in a mold to make the midsole. I admit that I haven't yet been wowed by any Boost material. For me the BOOST from Adidas and EVERUN from Saucony both promise something they don't deliver. I appreciate that the DPR are relatively light as Boost shoes go, but I don't feel any significant increase in energy return from them or any of the BOOSTS that I've tried. 

The outsole, reminiscent of the Adios line of race shoes is a web of black rubber interlaced over the midsole, called the Stretch Web Outsole. Unlike the Adios, the DPR has full ground contact. There are two small bands of orange rubber on either side of the forefoot that I presume are a slightly different compound. Traction is good and after 35 or so miles there's no appreciable wear on the shoes. 

Ride: 

The DPR is fine. The ride is pretty firm and there's not a lot of bounce despite the promise of Boost. I find the DPR to be a little bit 'slappy'  on the road and to stall out a bit midfoot on the stride. Where the Adios propels one through the gait cycle (partly due to the drop and layout of outsole and partly due to the underfoot plastic Torsion system), the DPR just kind of lands and wants to stay there. They're not a bad feeling shoe by any means, but I don't find them super exciting. I've found that I feel a little beat up in them when I go over 8 miles and they aren't one of those shoes that disappears when you step on the gas. Again, they're fine, but they don't thrill me.

Conclusions and comparisons: 

I'm not mad at the Adidas PureBoost DPR but I'm not too excited about them either. For $150 bucks and the hyperbole around the BOOST material, I think Adidas could do better. There are so many shoes right now that are in this 8-9 oz 'responsive trainer' category and I just don't think the DPR is on par with some of the others. If you love Boost and other Adidas have been too narrow for you, these may be your jam. They're a bit firm and a tiny bit clunky--and did I mention they're $150 bucks! I'll probably keep them around for walking shoes and/or occasional short runs, but I don't think they'll be in my rotation long-term

Adidas PureBoost DPR vs. Saucony Zealot ISO 3 (RTR review)

Where the DPR is firm and a bit harsh, the Zealot is softer and has a little more bounce to it. I think the Zealot has been overlooked for the most part. It's a really nice shoe for any distance or speed. 

Adidas PureBoost DPR vs. Nike Zoom Fly  (RTR review)

The Zoom Fly (same price as the DPR) has a foam that delivers where the Boost on the DPR doesn't. The Zoom Fly feels distinctly different from other foams and has a great combination of cushioning on the forefoot and snap on toe off (due to a plate in the shoe). 

Adidas PureBoost DPR vs. Skechers Razor  (RTR review)

Razor all day long--with more cushion and more bounce than the DPR. Similar knit uppers--both are comfortable--both make me like mesh shoes more!

Adidas PureBoost DPR vs. NB FuelCore Sonic  (RTR review)

These are similarly firm shoes. Sonic is a better bang for the buck and, to my taste, is a better ride. Some tweaks can be made to adjust the BOA system, but I'd recommend the FC Sonic if you're good with a firm shoe.

Peter's Score 7/10

-1 for price of $150. Bang for buck isn't great on these

-1 for lackluster ride

-.5 flat laces that come undone

-.5 meh styling

The DPR was provided at no cost. The opinions herein are entirely the author's.

Comments and Questions Welcome Below!

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