STABILITYMatt: The Adidas Solarglide 5 is a neutral daily trainer. However, there are several elements that make this shoe a stable neutral shoe. There is a large amount of sole flare medially and laterally at the forefoot and heel. This does resist frontal plane motion, but also adds an early initial contact for those that land laterally either at the forefoot or heel. This does break in with time. The LEP torsion system also extends across the width of the shoe in the forefoot and heel. This provides a high level of ridigity in both areas, furthering adding torsional resistance. One of the more noticeable components is that there are sidewalls in both the heel and forefoot. The heel features high sidewalls that interact well with the more forward heel counters on both the medial and lateral side. This locks the heel in extremely well on both sides. The forefoot also has mild sidewalls on both the medial and lateral side which provide further guidance when the front breaks in and transitions. For those who need midfoot stability, the Adidas Solarglide is fairly neutral. The midfoot does narrow and there are not extensions of any kind that resist motion outside of the center of the LEP torsion unit being there. So for those that need guidance at the heel and forefoot, this shoe will do extremely well without having a post. For thsoe that need midfoot stability, the Solarglide is fairly neutral. David: The Solarglide 5 does pretty well in the stability category. The shoe itself is not marketed as a stability shoe but uses several stability elements that make this shoe ride in the stable neutral category for me. The shoe has a really well done centralized heel bevel that they knocked out of the park that transitions really well into their LEP system. The H-design of the LEP system helps create some torsional rigidity but also creates a path of least resistance through the midline of the shoe. The shoe is also stabilized with the EVA topsole that sits above the LEP system with a good chunk of boost midsole underneath. The shoe is certainly cushioned but feels very grounded and stable in all directions. The upper is also reinforced well throughout. The only thing that can effect the stability for me is just the heel fit and width. I think just narrowing it a tad with the either the counter or the heel collar/upper wrap would probably do the trick.
THOUGHTS AS A DPT / FOOTWEAR SCIENCEToday’s DPT section may dance a little bit more into theory than research but I believe it is important to talk about. When we look at what Adidas did with the Solarglide to create some stability throughout the shoe, it is both unique and traditional. People have been using midfoot shanks for a long time to create some rigidity but not until recently are we seeing companies coming out with H shape designs. The LEP system is an H-shaped plastic shank that extends from the distal rearfoot, midfoot, and proximal forefoot with the medial and lateral rod aspects riding the side of the shoe. What this does is create a pathway for the foot to travel along the midline of the shoe. This is what we would call the path of least resistance. The H design of LEP creates a sense of guidance throughout the length of the shoe. The combination with the dual midsole is done well too. From initial contact the boost midsole takes the brunt of the impact but the EVA topsole keeps you feeling grounded and connected to the platform and LEP system instead of giving you a floating sensation over the shoe. Combine that with good traction underneath and a supportive upper and you have yourself a shoe that feels like a stable neutral shoe. This I feel was a component that was missing from the Ultraboost 21 where the LEP system debuted. They did a great job utilizing the large amount of components going in the Solarglide 5. – David Salas, PT, DPT, CSCS
RECOMMENDATIONSMatt: The Solarglide 5 is a massive step in the right direction. Versions 3 and 4 were extremely clunky with fairly poor heel transitions. The solid heel bevel and redesign of the torsion system makes for a far better transition once the shoe breaks in. The Solarglide 5 also features a ton of new guidance features without being a stability shoe. However, this shoe is still quite heavy, the forefoot tapers more than it may need, the tongue folds on itself and the midfoot narrows in a way that feels awkward to transition from or to the far more stable heel or forefoot. My major suggestions are to see if this shoe can be lightened just a little to match other major brands. This may be a consequence of using Boost, which does have solid responsiveness and makes the shoe feel lighter than it is. Another suggestion would be to widen the midfoot. The previous versions did do this well and if combined with the current design would make for an unbiased but stable ride throughout the length of the shoe. The upper is fairly warm and may be thicker than it needs. It may be beneficial to lighten this up, which will help with weight savings. Additionally, the tongue needs to be redone to stop it from folding on itself. Gusseting the tongue may help with this. Despite all of the recommendations, I do like the Solarglide 5 and have found it to be a massive improvement on previous versions.David: I really enjoyed the Solarglide 5. My main recommendation lies with the heel fit. The fit feels a tad wide despite how much padding it has. Perhaps it is the most dorsal aspect of the lacing system or simply a heel width. I would look at perhaps just narrowing the heel counter or pulling the material in the heel region a little more. WHO THIS SHOE IS FORMatt: The Adidas Solarglide 5 is for those wanting a traditional/thicker fitting upper with a solid amount of BOOST underfoot in a stable rockered ride. The new rockered geometry of the midsole allows for a smoother heel and forefoot transition. The LEP system stabilizes the BOOST extremely well at the heel and forefoot, which combined with the sidewalls in the same area make this shoe stable in those areas. The upper is thick and warm, fitting those with normal width feet who can handle a slightly tapered toebox well. The heel counter is split, which may be an option for those with heel bone sensitivities on the posterior-most side. Outside of a fairly normal midfoot, the Adidas Solarglide 5 is a solidly stable neutral shoe with a greatly improved transition that although on the heavy side, is great for high mileage and letting your legs recover.David: The Adidas Solarglide 5 is for someone looking to have a shoe with a lot of cushioning and protection underfoot but still maintains a somewhat firm and grounded feel to the shoe. The shoe has a rockered feeling through the heel and midfoot, but does have a flexible forefoot that has natural feeling toe off. The shoe has a lot of stability elements through the midfoot and gives you a guiderail sensation through the shoe. This shoe is definitely a workhorse and can handle you throwing a lot of miles at it. If durability and the things mentioned above is what you are looking for this may be worth checking out. The shoe does run on the heavy side, but integrates all the components pretty well.
GRADINGMattFit: B/B+ (Thick upper with solid split heel counter and relatively normal width fit but tapered toe box. Upper runs warm)Performance: B+ (Takes a few miles for the shoe to break in, but it becomes a somewhat bouncy, cushioned and rockered shoe that is great for easy and recovery miles. On the heavier side but the full BOOST midsole makes it feel lighter)Stability: A- [Stable Neutral] (Solid new-age stability from sidewalls and LEP in both heel and forefoot. Midfoot no extra methods)DPT/Footwear Science: A- (Solid use of LEP and sidewalls. Midfoot however would benefit from following this to a degree as the narrowness can be awkward for those who need a more stable transition there)Personal: B (Solid cushion and far better transitions than previous. Really nice stable ride in heel and forefoot, but midfoot less stable for me. The amount of lateral flare took time for me to get used to and the shoe is heavier than I would like for daily miles. Overall: B+ (A massive step forward for the Solarglide series. A stable neutral daily training shoe for those with normal width feet wanting to get tons of miles in)DavidFit: B+ (Dimensions throughout are good but heel lock was required. The mesh still a tad on the thicker end than I’d like but otherwise done really well and is comfortable.)Performance: A- (Really smooth transitions, rockered heel and midfoot and flexible forefoot work well together in combination with midsole composition. This shoe is a tank though. It’s heavy but really smooth.)Stability: A- (LEP system and midsole integration done really well, heel security before heel lock really the only thing preventing from full A)DPT/Footwear Science: A (I really like what they did here. They took the LEP system and really tuned it to the geometry of the shoe while also playing with a dual midsole on both ends of the system. For so much moving parts the integration was quite good.)Personal: A- (My favorite Boost trainer since the original Energy Boost. Transitions are smooth and it is surprisingly responsive. Its just the weight. Its a chunker. But I can still live with that.)Overall: A- (A solid neutral workhorse with good stability integration. Heavy, but stable and has smooth transitions for long mileage.)
SHOP | SUPPORT DOR*Adidas Solarglide 5Price: $129.95 at Running WarehouseCheck out Gear We LoveUltraspire Fitted Race Belt:Skratch Recovery, Coffee Flavor:Feetures Socks:Huma Chia Gel: Trigger Point Foam RollerTheragun Massager:Ciele Hat
FURTHER READINGPodcast – Interview with Puma RunningNike Structure 24 – Slightly refined update for the mild stability trainerSaucony Kinvara 13 – A fantastic new upper highlights the latest Kinvara updateCraft CTM Carbon Race Rebel – Powered by the light UD Foam Pro and a plateSaucony Peregrine 12 – A lighter, yet more protective update to the trail runnerHoka Speedgoat 5 – A well-refined update to a great trail series from HokaFind all Shoe Reviews at Doctors of Running here.Thanks for reading!
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TESTER PROFILES:Matthew Klein, PT DPT PhD(c) OCS FAAOMPT
