Adidas Adizero Boston 12

Adidas · Road · Race & Marathon

Overall Score: 88/100 based on 4 verified expert reviews.

Technical Specifications

  • Weight: 260 g
  • Heel-to-Toe Drop: 6.5 mm
  • Carbon Plate: Yes
  • Midsole Foam: Lightstrike Pro
  • Official Retail MSRP: $160 (manufacturer reference price — better deals may be available at retailers)

Pros & Strengths

  • Significantly softer and more energetic than Boston 10/11
  • Fiberglass EnergyRods offer smooth propulsion
  • Continental rubber grip
  • Lightstrike Pro superfoam under the forefoot

Cons & Trade-offs

  • Upper mesh can feel stiff around the midfoot until broken in
  • Thin race-like tongue bunches slightly
  • Thin upper requires careful lace tensioning
  • Requires a 20–30 km break-in period

Expert Review Sources

  • RoadTrailRun : 92.5 / 100 — « Boston 12 fixes all complaints from versions 10 and 11: softer Lightstrike 2.0 bottom foam, increased Lightstrike Pro superfoam, and flexible fiberglass EnergyRods make this an elite tempo cruiser. »
  • Believe in the Run : 90.8 / 100 — « The Boston is back! Lighter, softer, and way more fun. It handles marathon pace workouts, long runs, and fast intervals with equal brilliance. »
  • r/RunningShoeGeeks (Reddit) : 90.2 / 100 — « In Adidas's race & marathon lineup, the Adizero Boston 12 stands out in community rotation reports as a go-to race & marathon workhorse with a 6.5 mm drop and predictable grip. Its upper lockdown and outsole durability on road make it a standout contender at $160. »
  • RunRepeat : 86.6 / 100 — « In our opinion, the Boston 12 marks a welcomed return to the shoe's roots, evolving as a light, versatile, and universally appealing running partner. It's once again designed to handle a range of runs, from moderate recovery sessions to tempo intervals. The updated Lightstrike 2.0 foam boosts bounce and softness, complementing the brilliant Lightstrike Pro. In our tests, we believe that this iteration makes a significant leap from its predecessor, showcasing smoother transitions, a more comfortable ride, and a lighter build. »

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