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e

Materials

Adidas Announces New "Boost" Foam Material

By Rain Noe - February 14, 2013

There's no consensus on whether it's better to have more, or less, cushioning in a running shoe; this article crystallizes some of the larger theories being debated, enlisting the opinions of an evolutionary biologist who's conducted biomechanical analyses of how the human foot operates during running. But while consensus will have to wait, Adidas isn't. Yesterday they announced their new Boost foam material, "a revolutionary cushioning technology which provides the highest energy return in the running industry."

The foundation of the BOOST innovation is centred on its cushioning material. Based on a groundbreaking development process created by adidas partner BASF, the world's leading chemical company, solid granular material (TPU) is literally blown up and turned into thousands of small energy capsules which make up the footwear's distinctive midsole. With their unique cell structure, these capsules store and unleash energy more efficiently in every stride. Tests conducted by the adidas Innovation Team show that the highly durable material found only in Energy Boost products provides the highest energy return in the running industry.

Here's a quick vid demonstrating the base difference between Boost foam, the industry-standard EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) stuff, and concrete:

And here's a closer look at how it's integrated with the sneaker:

So what benefit does this new material actually provide? Adidas' attendant press release, like most, has presumably been carefully picked over by Legal; while they don't outright claim the shoe will improve an athlete's performance, the implication is that the energy returned by Boost foam is retained by the athlete and in turn provides "the secret weapon that can set you apart from the competition," in the words of spokesman and 100m World Champion Yohan Blake. " An added boost of energy is what allows you to push yourself ahead of everyone else to cross that finish line first, especially in a sprint when every millisecond counts."

Consumers will get to decide for themselves later this month. The product debuts on February 27th.

Via PSFK

Rain Noe

Rain Noe is a writer and industrial designer based in New York City.

7 Comments

AGB

6 years ago

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoplastic_polyurethane

Technically, they are thermoplastic elastomers consisting of linear segmented block copolymers composed of hard and soft segments.
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Anthony Perpepaj

6 years ago

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I started running daily almost 2 years ago and was introduced into the minimalist style of sneaker. They apparently let you feet do there own thing so your gate and stride is more natural. I have to admit they've made a world of difference. Maybe all this fancy shmancyness is just over design that is only detracting from the end goal.
In any case Bloomberg probably wont like these because they're Styrofoam and all.
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MS

6 years ago

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Why are we giving legitimacy to this marketing garbage? TPU is not new, it's a massively common family of urethanes.

And can someone please explain to me why we are not laughing them out of the building after they've tried to get away with using the magical term "energy capsules?" Maybe their next shoe will be made of "physics orbs" and "performance tubes."
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bob

6 years ago

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I am scared for the future when shoes are obsolete because all walking surface technology becomes far superior, and designers simply try to disguise ugly feet with siffernt types of socks
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Ken K

6 years ago

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Ha. I got a new pair of New Balance 990s with a better "energy return." Like many folks, I don't run; I just want really comfortable all-day footwear. My friends were wondering aloud, "Why are you pogo-sticking down the street next to me?" Those suckas were BOUNCY! BOUNCY! BOUNCY! But they calmed down after a couple weeks. Apparently the super-energy-returning material wasn't as durable as BASF's expanded TPU promises to be. Thank goodness in my case. But I'll bet they'd be fun to run in. Boing! Boing! Boing!
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Matt "Hype Mann" Herrmann

6 years ago

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Looks like styrofoam and is probably as difficult to recycle. What if we created a simple, sexy shoe that didn't promise the world but felt good to put on and walk around in?

I don't care about a return of investment from my shoe. I want to be able to spend all day in them and at the end of the day take them off, without feeling like I just uncorked a bottle of champagne. When I wear through it I want to throw it away/recycle it knowing it will be turned into something useful.

Make that shoe Adidas and I'll buy a pair!
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powers

6 years ago

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When the Reebok Zig-Techs came out a few years ago I though "Man that's a clever design". A few months ago I broke down and got a pair. I didn't pay attention to any of the marketing mumbo-jumbo, which I'd go as far as to say 93% of all shoe marketing is; I just really liked the look. I think they caused me to tear a ligament in my ankle. Now that my feet have gotten used to them/recovered I like them pretty well... As I suspected, they aren't built very well either. Next time I think I'll go back to some kicks that are physiologically sound. And more durable. So I guess just be weary of shoe marketing and styling.
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