adidas adizero Boston 12

Overall Grades And Reviews

8.6 Overall Grade
34 reviews

adidas highest rated shoe as of September 2023, the adizero Boston 12 is a trainer with super foam and carbon rods to be very performance oriented.

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Price Information

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$160 $109.95
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LetsRun.com Reviewer Ratings

Shoe Comparison

Shoe comparison
adidas adizero Boston 12
adidas adizero Boston 11
HOKA ONE ONE Bondi 8
ASICS GEL-Nimbus 25
Image
adidas adizero Boston 12
This Shoe
adidas adizero Boston 11
Older Version
HOKA ONE ONE Bondi 8
Top Rated Trainer For Sale
ASICS GEL-Nimbus 25
Most Comfortable Trainer For Sale
Shoe Properties
Shoe Type
Trainer
Trainer
Trainer
Trainer
Pronation Control
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
9.4 oz. (men's), 8 oz. (women's)
11 oz. (men's), 9 oz. (women's)
11.1 oz. (men's), 10.1 oz. (women's)
10.2 oz. (men's), 9 oz. (women's)
Stack Height
37mm.
40mm.
43mm.
42mm.
Forefoot Height
31mm.
32mm.
39mm.
34mm.
Drop Height
6 mm.
8 mm.
4 mm.
8 mm.
Upper material
Lightweight Mesh
Engineered mesh, Lycra comfort frame, Internal heel counter, Pillowed Tongue
Engineered Knit Mesh, Ortholite X-55, Knit Tongue, Pull Tab
Shoe Released
Q2 2023
Q3 2022
Q3 2022
Q1 2023
MSRP
$160
$160
$165
$160
LRC Ratings
Out of 10
Overall
8.6
8.0
9.3
8.9
Comfort
8.5
7.8
9.5
9.6
Cushioning
8.4
7.8
9.6
9.6
Durability
8.0
8.2
8.3
8.5
Appearance
8.7
8.0
8.2
8.1
Value
8.0
7.8
7.8
8.3

Reader Reviews

  • LRC Editor's Choice

    Massive upgrade, Going back to Bostons!

    40 miles per week, neutral pronator, medium arches
    Overall
    10.0
    Comfort
    9.0
    Cushioning
    7.0
    Durability
    10.0
    Appearance
    10.0
    Value
    10.0

    I did my first three marathons in the Boston 4, 5 and 6 then switched to On to change things up.  I tried the 10 and 11, both were terrible - super clunky.  The 12 is a completely different shoe, it’s fast, light, the right amount of torsion and looks nice.  It’s my go to training shoe for tempo days.  (Have two BQs and completed multiple full IMs).  There’s too much technology in other shoes to make this a race day shoe, but if carbon plates didn’t exist, this would be my shoe.

  • LRC Editor's Choice

    Best all around shoe

    62 miles per week, neutral pronator, medium arches
    Overall
    10.0
    Comfort
    9.0
    Cushioning
    9.0
    Durability
    10.0
    Appearance
    10.0
    Value
    10.0

    I love the balance of fit (perfect foot shape, forefoot room) heel lock down.  light weight , durability, versatility. Responsive, Bouncy and protective Cushion and performance. I use for all runs, short, long, slow , fast and road and trail. I do mountain, ultra trail running and racing. But also train for road half/marathons. This shoe is my go to most of the time. 
    the lacing system and lockdown are the only flaws I see. 7-10 score there. But it’s not a deal breaker. The softer light strike 2.0 is great. Still I would love to see in the next version a better lockdown/lacing and a version called Boston Pro 13 with all lightstrike pro cushion! That would make this shoe the best! Also a trail version with same upper But continental trail grip with 3.5 mm lugs. Hallelujah! 

  • LRC Editor's Choice

    Looks clunky runs so smoothly

    35 miles per week, neutral pronator, high arches
    Overall
    9.0
    Comfort
    8.0
    Cushioning
    10.0
    Durability
    6.0
    Appearance
    5.0
    Value
    9.0

    This shoe is so ugly. My first high stack height shoe, and honestly, I almost couldn't pull the trigger to buy them. I've always run in lower, lighter shoes from Adidas. But, wow! Once I got these on and put in a few miles, the ease with which these roll through the toe was just obvious. It is so much less effort to keep the cadence up and get this aging frame through those easy miles. While I won't convert to this shoe entirely, a pair will certainly remain in the shoe rack for easy distance runs in smooth terrain.

  • Adidas Adizero Boston 12

    50 miles per week, neutral pronator, medium arches
    Overall
    5.0
    Comfort
    4.0
    Cushioning
    7.0
    Durability
    8.0
    Appearance
    6.0
    Value
    5.0

    Not a big change from previous models.  At this price range you can get other shoes better for the Boston 12 cost.

  • Good shoe

    10 miles per week, neutral pronator, medium arches
    Overall
    8.0
    Comfort
    9.0
    Cushioning
    8.0
    Durability
    6.0
    Appearance
    10.0
    Value
    6.0

    I like this shoe

  • Loving the Boston 12's

    35 miles per week, neutral pronator, medium arches
    Overall
    9.0
    Comfort
    8.0
    Cushioning
    8.0
    Durability
    9.0
    Appearance
    9.0
    Value
    8.0

    I have struggled finding a neutral shoe that balances cushioning and performance when you want to squeeze the pace down in workouts or tempo runs.  The Boston 12 is really good in this aspect.  I have enjoyed it on easier aerobic runs, long runs, and workouts.  It's comfortable on foot, and it also has not caused any hot spots during runs.    

  • It's alright - not a world-beater though.

    25 miles per week, neutral pronator, medium arches
    Overall
    7.0
    Comfort
    7.0
    Cushioning
    8.0
    Durability
    9.0
    Appearance
    7.0
    Value
    5.0

    I haven't had any experience in previous models of the Boston so I won't be comparing it to those. I picked it up at 30% off RRP so was willing to give it a go for that price. The upper is a bit race-like and lacks comfort for longer runs because of this. You can tell this is a shoe that was designed to be multipurpose. If you run slow and land further back on the shoe, it feels like a comfortable easy run shoe. If you try to get moving a bit towards tempo pace it gets up and goes a little bit. The energy rods don't feel super snappy and it could be compared to the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 in the way it's a fast trainer that can do multiple things. You definitely don't have that roll on to the forefoot like you get with Saucony's speedroll technology though. I think the flexible rods help the comfort at slower paces compared to a snappier plate. Overall an okay shoe and definitely worth the discounted price but I'm not sure I could quite justify RRP on this one.

  • Daily Trainer Super Shoe

    20 miles per week, neutral pronator, medium arches
    Overall
    8.0
    Comfort
    8.0
    Cushioning
    9.0
    Durability
    7.0
    Appearance
    8.0
    Value
    8.0

    This if my first shoe with with a stiffer forefoot via carbon rod/plate and first shoe with modern foam.  I was looking for a shoe with these features, but at a price point and durability that would make sense for a daily trainer.  I have about 80 miles on them and so far they have been a great pair of shoes.  They are much lighter than my previous Brooks Glycerin 20s.  They feel fast and slightly bouncy/springy.  I have less fatigue in my calf muscles late into runs.  If I can get several hundred miles on them I would certainly purchase again.

  • Great Shoe While It Lasts

    80 miles per week, overpronator, medium arches
    Overall
    6.0
    Comfort
    8.0
    Cushioning
    7.0
    Durability
    3.0
    Appearance
    10.0
    Value
    6.0

    Great shoe, really responsive. Only issue was that it lasted just 200 mikes before the sides separated from the base

  • Adidas Boston Review

    30 miles per week, neutral pronator, medium arches
    Overall
    10.0
    Comfort
    10.0
    Cushioning
    8.0
    Durability
    8.0
    Appearance
    10.0
    Value
    10.0

    I thought the Boston is not getting enough credit for what it’s worth for my threshold trainings (not a race shoe but amazing for 1-3k reps, temporuns etc)