Adidas Ultraboost 23 Running Shoes vs Garmin Forerunner 165 GPS Running Watch (2026)

✍️ By the 247Verdict Editorial Team📅 Updated 05 October 2026

Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.

Adidas Ultraboost 23 Running Shoes

9.0/10 Excellent

4.5★ (12,400 owners)

Boost midsole, Primeknit+ upper, Linear Energy Push, 11mm drop. Energy-return road runner.

Full Review

Garmin Forerunner 165 GPS Running Watch

8.9/10 Great

4.5★ (6,100 owners)

Entry AMOLED Garmin with training readiness and 11-day battery. The beginner's serious GPS watch.

Full Review

At a Glance

	Adidas Ultraboost 23 Running Shoes	Garmin Forerunner 165 GPS Running Watch
247Verdict Score	9.0/10	8.9/10
Owner Rating	4.5★ (12,400)	4.5★ (6,100)
Verdict	Excellent	Great

Quick Verdict

This is a genuine draw — both score within 0.15 points of each other. Adidas Ultraboost 23 Running Shoes: Boost midsole, Primeknit+ upper, Linear Energy Push, 11mm drop. Energy-return road runner. Garmin Forerunner 165 GPS Running Watch: Entry AMOLED Garmin with training readiness and 11-day battery. The beginner's serious GPS watch. Choose based on your specific needs. Check the current price on Amazon →

Pros & Cons Side by Side

Adidas Ultraboost 23 Running Shoes

Boost midsole is the original energy-return foam that influenced every subsequent running shoe foam
Primeknit+ upper is breathable and adapts to foot shape without pressure points
Linear Energy Push plate guides the foot through efficient toe-off geometry
12,400 Amazon reviews at 4.5★ from runners who've tested Ultraboost over multiple generations
Adidas's running shoe engineering applied to the lifestyle-to-performance crossover shoe

Less maximal cushioning than Hoka Clifton — not ideal for high-mileage easy running
SPEEDROLL alternatives like Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 are faster for tempo work
Premium pricing at £150+ for a shoe that sells as much on style as performance

Garmin Forerunner 165 GPS Running Watch

AMOLED display brings Garmin's best screen to the entry price point
Training Readiness score guides workout intensity without overwhelming beginners
11-day battery in smartwatch mode — matches the more expensive Forerunner 265
GPS accuracy from Garmin's trusted GNSS satellite support
Under £200 brings proper training analytics to budget-conscious runners

Single-band GPS (not dual-band like the 265) — less accurate on technical terrain
No HRV status measurement — only in the Forerunner 265+
Smaller feature set vs Forerunner 265 for structured workouts

FAQ

Which is better, Adidas Ultraboost 23 or Garmin Forerunner 165 GPS?

Is the Adidas Ultraboost 23 worth the extra cost?

Yes — Adidas Ultraboost 23 Running Shoes scores higher at 9.0/10 vs 8.9/10.

Who is the Adidas Ultraboost 23 best suited to?

Boost midsole, Primeknit+ upper, Linear Energy Push, 11mm drop. Energy-return road runner.

Who is the Garmin Forerunner 165 GPS best suited to?

Entry AMOLED Garmin with training readiness and 11-day battery. The beginner's serious GPS watch.

What are the main downsides of each?

Adidas Ultraboost 23 Running Shoes: Less maximal cushioning than Hoka Clifton — not ideal for high-mileage easy running; SPEEDROLL alternatives like Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 are faster for tempo work. Garmin Forerunner 165 GPS Running Watch: Single-band GPS (not dual-band like the 265) — less accurate on technical terrain; No HRV status measurement — only in the Forerunner 265+.

Do owner ratings agree with our verdict?

Largely, yes — Adidas Ultraboost 23 Running Shoes sits at 4.5★ from 12,400 verified Amazon owners, and Garmin Forerunner 165 GPS Running Watch at 4.5★ from 6,100.

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