Testing the Adidas x Stella McCartney Ultraboost 21 sneakers

I hope I’m not the only one saying I gained weight during the pandemic. Blame it on forced gym closures, lack of motivation, and no events to work on, but I quickly moved past the items hanging in my closet and slowly put them away.

In an effort to get back to my pre-pandemic size this year, I’ve invested in workout programs, boutique fitness studios, and home gym equipment and tools. Lately, however, my body has gotten used to my regular fitness habits. To combat the plateau, I decided to take up basketball, but as a lifelong lover of the sport and a die-hard Lakers fan, I was both excited and nervous to hone my skills.

As I’ve found relevant to the most stressful things in my life, when I look good, I feel good. So, taking that same mentality to play on the courts of New York with players who have been training for years, I decided to invest in some new basketball shorts, sports bras and my favorite item from all: Adidas x Stella McCartney Ultraboost 21 sneakers.

Buy it: Adidas x Stella McCartney Ultraboost 21 sneakers, $138, was $230; adidas.com

Beloved by Carrie Underwood as a comfortable option for her sensitive knees, they feature an adaptable and flexible inner sock construction – something I really appreciated in my novice basketball career. I really like them for the bouncy cushioning they provide when I shoot. Not only do I feel great in the field, but also on my 5-6 mile runs, where they held up to the cement just as well. And despite their clunky appearance, they’re extremely lightweight – a factor I look for in all athletic shoes.

Buy it: Adidas x Stella McCartney Ultraboost 21 sneakers, $193, was $230; zappos.com

The sneakers are made from primegreen, a blend of high-performance recycled materials, and 50% of the shoe upper is recycled. They are very comfortable and come in brown, black, purple and orange which works wonders for my mood and outfit. The vibrant color really makes me want to improve my basketball skills and run faster.

If neither Carrie Underwood’s endorsement nor my personal experience convinced you to buy your own pair, the shoes also garnered a plethora of positive reviews. “I’m in love with these shoes! First of all… [they have a ] sexy and athletic style, [plus they’re] light and unique. Got so many compliments,” one shopper shared. “[I’m] satisfied with my purchase. Got compliments,” said another shopper. “So glad I bought this,” wrote another shopper who recommended downsizing.

For a super comfortable and fashion-forward basketball shoe, it’s high time to get the Adidas x Stella McCartney Ultraboost 21.