When sportswear companies put a heavy emphasis on performance innovation in footwear, other areas like styling are oftentimes compromised. Technology-driven designs Nike Air Presto Damen might do well on the track, field, or court, but when it’s time to take off the athletic gear and step back into the streets, they look severely out of place.

For Adidas, a brand whose success has skyrocketed in recent years, their experience with innovation has been quite the opposite — and Boost technology is a huge part of that.

In 2013, The Brand with the Three Stripes introduced Boost as its revolutionary cushioning system, which provided the highest energy return in any running sneaker. The technology was designed to provide runners with soft cushioning and long-lasting energy that more rigid sneakers couldn’t.

What makes Boost unlike any other cushioning used in sneakers is its material. Adidas partnered with leading chemical company BASF to develop a solid granular material that’s blown up and turned into thousands of Nike Cortez Femmesmall energy capsules. When put together to form the distinct Boost midsole, the capsules store and release more energy than any other design on the market.

While sneaker innovation across the industry consists of a lot of research and development, there’s also a lot of trial and error involved. To the consumers, new technology can seem gimmicky, as brands come up with air units, special foams, and such for performance. Boost is far from a gimmick and its uses continue to expand throughout Adidas' line of product.

The same technology that kept runners comfortable on long-distance Nike Air Max 270 Femme runs, is now being used for basketball sneakers, football cleats, lifestyle sneakers, and even modernized brand classics like the Superstar.

When adidas unveiled the Ultra Boost in 2015, they claimed it was “The Greatest Running Shoe Ever”. Even with Nike Internationalist Womens adidas’ impressive history of producing world-class athletic footwear, this was a lofty statement to make. But the brand knew that the sneaker they had created far exceeded running kicks’ standards. What they didn’t know was that its impact would reach far beyond that, spilling over into the fashion world and transforming sneaker culture.

What initially drew me to this specific pair of Ultra Boost X shoes was the fact that they were made in collaboration with Parley for the Oceans. Parley is an organization that aims to raise awareness and make changes in ocean life sustainability,Nike Air Zoom Spiridon Damen so some of the yarn incorporates recycled ocean plastic. I’ve actually been keeping my eye out for this pair for awhile, because of that and because I love the look. I trust Adidas, when it comes to great running shoes, so I focused on those features in lieu of trying to hunt for quality.

Not only are they sustainable and look great with anything, but they also have Adidas’ Boost technology which makes them really, really comfortable. The Primeknit feels like a sock, the body of the shoe is really lightweight, and the supportive cage fits closely to my feet without smothering. All in all, I love them and wear them multiple times a week, on errands and during workouts.