adidas Supernova Sequence Boost 8 Review
Much like the Nike Lunarglide, the adidas Sequence 8 Boost is a different spin on the motion control footwear story. It does not feature a traditionally designed medial post, or a ‘pro-moderator’ wedge in adidas-speak.
Instead, the Sequence uses a kinda-neutral heel design combined with a supportive under-arch area. This distinction separates it from many other models in this category, all of which claim to slow down inward foot roll by means of a much harder inner midsole.
Instead of using a conventional medial post, the Sequence uses a midsole design with a cupping action and under-arch block.
Either sides of the heel midsole have exposed Boost foam – though when you look down from the top, the Boost (and the EVA frame) flares out more on the inner side than lateral.
The lateral outsole is also beveled at an angle. This might seem like a motion control feature, but other adidas neutral models like the Energy and Glide Boost also have a similar heel edge to help with footstrikes.
The only difference is that the Sequence’s distribution of Boost foam makes the outsole edge angle appear slightly more acute.
The
medial (inner) side has more Boost than the lateral (outer) side. Also
notice how the inner midsole flares out – like an outrigger of sorts.
The otherwise neutral heel design has a plastic ‘dam’ propping the midsole up. The Energy Boost has this too.
This was there on the Energy Boost too; while we were unable to determine whether it affected the ride quality, it surely helps the shoe look more stable.
The firmer EVA only blocks the midfoot area, and does not begin from the rearfoot like most motion control shoes.
You definitely feel the presence of under-arch firmness even on runs as short as 3 miles, but the net experience isn’t distracting at all.
What you get is a stable yet cushioned ride, with a slight hint of lateral side lean which usually comes with the motion control shoe set-up. The difference is evident when you swap the Sequence with the Glide Boost, where the rearfoot feels more centered.
The ride dynamics of the Sequence 7 was very impressive, and that doesn’t change a lot on the 8. But wait, aren’t both versions based on the same midsole? And if so, why should the ride change? That’s a good question indeed.
The other consequence is that the near-neutral feel of the Sequence 7 is somewhat diluted on the 8, and we’ll explain why in a moment.
The Sequence 7 impressed us with its transition quality, and the Sequence 8 is made (literally) of the same mold.
The firmness keeps the shoe supportive and the progressions smooth, while the bouncier Boost delivers the responsive cushioning one experienced on the Sequence 7. This is a shoe which works for forefoot strikers too; instead of the firmer EVA topping, there are rectangular windows cut out for better cushioning feel.
Most of the ‘first feel’ softness is produced by the removable sockliner, which is carried over in its exact form from the Sequence 7. Compression molded EVA, with a nap-textured fabric lining.
And since the firmer midsole is a separate layer over the Boost, the Sequence 8 feels firm at standstill or walking around. Crank up the speed, and the otherwise firm midsole rewards you with responsive cushioning.
The Nike Zoom Odyssey also has a similar tendency of delaying cushioning delivery, and that applies to the Sequence Boost 8 as well.
The outsole is nearly full contact, except for a small portion covered by the plastic shank. What’s also unique about the Sequence’s outsole is that it happens to be a single piece of rubber without deep grooves or exposed area.
Besides reducing the risk of individual rubber pieces coming off, the seamless design helps in consistent transitions. And yes, no debris or small stones get lodged due to the lack of deep flex grooves or lugs.
Thank goodness adidas hasn’t gone the Ultra Boost way, and instead relies on the ultra-dependable Continental rubber.
This is same material used on the Glide too, with similar results in long term durability. And given the fact that the Polyurethane based Boost foam is inherently more durable than EVA, the sole unit is virtually indestructible for at least 500 kms/310 miles of use. Unless you run crazy long ultras, and your favorite running route happens to be Death Valley in middle of summer.
adidas has put its alliance with tyre maker Continental to good use, unlocking superior rubber chemistry for running footwear. adidas has a long history of partnering with automobile tyre brands – they use Goodyear branded rubber on some of their lifestyle products.
Now why did the Ultra Boost not take that path? There is news of an updated UB with Continental rubber, but the debut version’s outsole was so buttery, it would have lasted longer if it were made of Parmesan Cheese.
1)
Slightly softer forefoot 2) Firmer EVA under-arch serves as a support
mechanism 3) Softer heel due to lighter density Boost foam
Manufacturing variance? Not sure, but on our tested pair, the Boost foam was easier to compress than the one used on the Sequence 7. This raises the level of under-heel softness and some measure of increase under the forefoot as well. This update was evident even on the first wearing trial.
A softer heel also enhances the feel of cushioning bias, which wasn’t so evident on the firmer Sequence. While it is true that the Sequence has a nearly neutral rearfoot design, it doesn’t change the fact that the medial (inner) side midsole has a higher volume of Boost foam than the lateral sidewall. Hence making the foam softer leads to more compression, and thus increased sense of lean. Thankfully, it still remains a supportive shoe.
Our opinion is divided as far as the Sequence Boost 8’s upper is concerned. Some updates are welcome improvements over the Sequence 7’s upper fit, and a couple are not.
So we’ll just lay it out for ya, and leave you to make sense of it.
Let’s get the basics out of the way. The upper retains the combination of stitched-on synthetic plus no-sew tech. Except that the no-sew detail is more rubbery than the sharper layering of the Sequence 7.
So it is safe to say that the design language is toned down a bit. Even with the lime green accents on our color, the overall look felt a bit muted compared to the 2014 Sequence.
First, the good news. The Sequence 8’s toe-box is higher, made possible by raising the profile of the molded toe-bumper. The Sequence Boost 8 now makes use of a urethane toe-bumper instead of a synthetic leather type.
This helps release more room
1)
Forefoot not so narrow anymore, though remains snug 2) Midfoot panels
are stiffer and take time to break in 3) Lower internal heel counter.
It is a wide gusset actually instead of a full sleeve, and the fabric is thinner than the one used on Sequence 7.
Both the Sequence versions use a half inner sleeve, and the mesh used on the 8 is thinner than the 7’s. This material switch also frees some room inside. In a nutshell, the quality of midfoot lock-down was more intense on the Sequence 7.
The
tongue is shorter and thicker, and has nice pasta-flat lacing like the
SB7. Less lacing pressure filters through the closed mesh.
So when you have the thicker eyestay and tongue working together, it gets in the way of the lacing trying to lock the upper down.
We also like the small changes made to the heel area. The lining and foam padding stay the same, yet the internal heel counter/stiffener has been lowered. This makes the Achilles dip area of the Sequence 8 softer without compromising on the quality of grip.
So the toe-box, forefoot and heel fit – we like. But there are a few things which we’re not exactly a fan of. There’re still no optional widths available, which for running shoes, is as bad as not offering free Wifi in a coffee shop.
The midfoot panels are way stiffer due to a backing material, and less ventilated than the Sequence 7’s.
The eye-stay on the Sequence 8 is much stiffer, which makes the lacing feel higher over the foot instead of laying flat over the tongue.
Thicker synthetic equals thicker eyestays, and this pokes into your foot till the time the shoe breaks in.
It seems as if someone from Hoka One One has started working at adidas, because Hoka has a lot of this going on in their shoes.
The
tongue feels thicker due to the mesh change, and takes lacing pressure
well. But it does not prevent the last eyelet from making its stiffness
felt.
When you put the shoe on, the flaps rise up over the instep. The lining and foam padding is comfortable, however.
At the time of writing this review, the upper had not yet broken-in. So we suggest you hold off doing 10+ milers on the Sequence Boost 8 till those eyelets soften down a bit. The midsole is certainly capable of going long and fast right out of the box, but the same can’t be said for the Sequence 8’s upper. This is one area where the Sequence 7 scores over the 2015 version; that shoe felt good to go right out of the box.
Use of a closed upper mesh and the thicker midfoot panels makes the SB8 warmer. However, the running climate in your location will decide whether the decreased ventilation is a good thing or bad. And we’ll leave it at that.
Weight is up on the Sequence 8 by 5%, or 15 grams. The sole hasn’t changed, so all of the increase can be attributed to the reworked upper.
Since both models use the same midsole, the heel part retains the giant overlay of reflectivity. This thing is huge; when under light beams, it should be visible from a hundred meters at the very least.
A note on sizing, and this applies to most adidas models. adidas (and Hoka, New Balance) follow a half-size conversion from UK to US sizes, in contrast to one size difference between US/UK for the rest of American and Japanese brands.
So here’s a general thumb-rule: if you have a US 11 in Asics, Brooks, Nike, Saucony, then get a US 11 adidas. On the other hand, if you buy a UK 10 shoe, you need to get a UK 10.5 in adidas.
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