What makes the new Boston design so polarizing? And has adidas finally addressed some of the weaknesses of the previous version? Today we dive deeper into the history of the Boston line, from old to new, and the big question is: Is adidas Adizero Boston 12 the best ever, and how does it fit into the context?
adidas Boston 101
First and foremost, I want to mention that I liked 11 for fast running, but I had some challenges with the shoes. adidas Adizero Boston 12 has launched with a wealth of great upgrades, but to understand if the shoes are moving in the right direction, we need to know where the shoes come from.
The very first adidas Boston was launched in 1982 and marketed as the most comfortable running shoe on the market. With a few new launches over the years, nothing wild happened until adidas Boston in 2010 became part of the . This time with a focus on speed! From there, many new technologies were introduced, and one of the biggest was when Adizero Boston 5 hit the market with a midsole made of BOOST.
Adizero Boston 9 from 2020 is the last Boston with BOOST. One reason was that adidas thought they had the same technologies in too many similar shoes. Another reason was that Boston ended up being a more cushioned alternative to Adizero Adios, and when adidas introduced , the Boston series also had to keep up and become a kind of everyday super shoe.
And that was the status quo last year when Boston 11 launched with minor upper updates. But with the new Boston 12, again made major changes. The midsole has had two significant changes. Lightstrike 2.0 has been added and there's more Lightstrike Pro under the forefoot. The Energy Rods are now in the same shape as in Adios Pro 3, just with fiberglass. The shoe's weight has also been reduced to better compete in a very weight-sensitive market – additionally, the upper has been changed to be more minimalist.
adidas Adizero Boston 12 - How Does It Feel?
Now we know the history, but how does feel today? I've had my pair for just over a week, and I've tested it at different speeds. I can confidently say that Boston 12 is more versatile than its predecessor.
This is mainly due to the design of the midsole. In fact, it has changed my perception of what a Boston shoe is. When I tested Boston 11, I had an idea that it was a shoe with only one gear. I could run calmly in it, but it was when I picked up the pace that the shoe was at its best. With the introduction of Lightstrike 2.0, I can run more calmly without the shoe feeling unnatural or bulky.
An extra amount of Lightstrike Pro under the forefoot is also a welcome update. It makes the forefoot much more responsive, and it helps when I need to push off. When I run fast, the shoe still feels like last year's version, and that's really good! The rocker geometry is still there and the shoe feels fantastic when it needs to go fast.
The biggest difference in the Energy Rods this year is that they now fill the entire shoe. It should make the shoe stiffer, but the addition of the Lightstrike 2.0 material in the midsole makes the shoes have about the same stiffness as Boston 11.
adidas Adizero Boston 12 - The Upper
Although the upper has undergone a redesign, it feels quite like the recent versions' upper. There are fewer visual reinforcements on the upper and the shoe's aesthetics move more towards fast than retro. But I actually also feel smart when I wear Boston 12.
Despite the upper being thin, breathable, and competitive, I think it's the shoe's biggest weakness. Uppers are typically a matter of taste, but if you have some elasticity in the upper, it can adapt more easily to the foot. However, I must mention that I haven't had any issues with it, other than I think it fits a bit narrowly and may need more outings before I dare to venture on a long run in it.
adidas Adizero Boston 12 - The Adizero Family
If you don't like a firm upper like in adidas Adizero Boston 12, and want a more traditional fit, offers several options in their Adizero line, which I will talk about here.
Adizero SL is a more traditional lightweight shoe with a more stretchable upper. A classic all-round running shoe. adidas Adizero Boston 12 is a volume training shoe designed to give the feel of a super shoe. This means you get a classic competition shoe fit that can feel a bit tight around the midfoot. Adizero Takumi Sen shoes will be perfect for shorter races (up to half marathon) and Adios Pro is dominating marathon races right now.
Additionally, there's also adidas Adizero Adios, which has a long history of being a more old-school shoe without a plate, and with a low midsole – though with newer technologies.
Together, these shoes form the Adizero family, helping you run as fast as possible.
adidas Adizero Boston 12 - Found Its Traction!
The upgraded Boston 12 is a fantastic addition to the Adizero lineup. It's a very versatile shoe for those who want a shoe that can be used for most things and explode on the pavement when you want to pick up the pace!
Sometimes it takes a few tries to get it just right, and now adidas Adizero Boston 12 has finally found its traction.
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