When it comes to Boston and Adios, there is always some reverential awe because they are two epic and iconic models for the running world.
Born in 1982, the Boston is named after the THE Marathon and has always been synonymous with fast running; while the Adios were the shoes in which Gebrselassie broke the marathon world record.
The changes involving these two models are not mere updates but rather substantial evolutions. For this very reason, as is typical for the adidas development process, the new Adizero Adios 8 and Boston 12 have gone through testing by the Three Stripes brand’s leading athletes.
Specifically, the Boston 12 was tested in 19 sessions with adidas professional athletes in Kenya, including Peres Jepchirchir, Abel Kipchumba, and Angela Tanui. The result is a shoe that enters even further into the high-performance world of the Adizero family.
Let’s look at them in more detail.
adidas Adizero Boston 12
In this new version, the Boston 12 are even more inspired by the experience adidas made with the Adizero Adios Pro 3. Indeed, the first thing that stands out is the introduction of the Energy Rods 2.0, the composite rods that replicate the bone structure of the foot, amplifying and supporting its movements.
This structure is contained between two opposing layers of midsole compound: the upper layer is made in the LIGHTSTRIKE PRO of its big sisters, the lower layer with the all-new LIGHTSTRIKE 2.0 compound, designed to provide a cushioned and dynamic ride.
Instead, the already high-performance technical mesh upper remains, with the ingenious midfoot support element provided by the midsole and tongue junction.
Weighing in at 267 g (size 42 2/3) and with a 7 mm drop, the new Boston 12s are positioned in that wonderful segment of fast training shoes that give the same feel as racing. Not coincidentally, they are considered a model that can be used in conjunction with the Adizero Adios Pro 3, while remaining shoes that you can use in competition as well.
In addition, with a list price of €160, the Adizero Boston 12 are an affordable and fast alternative to many of their competitors.
adidas Adizero Adios 8
The new Adios 8 maintain their philosophy of lightweight, low-profile running shoes with a responsive midsole that gives great sensations of control on asphalt.
Again we have the pairing of LIGHTSTRIKE PRO and LIGHTSTRIKE 2.0 compounds but with a different material distribution. In fact, we find LIGHTSTRIKE PRO at the forefoot while LIGHTSTRIKE 2.0 goes from midfoot to heel. This provides a dynamic elasticity effect in the roll and thrust.
The stack (the height of the midsole) is about 10 mm lower than that of the Boston 12, with a drop of 8 mm and a weight, in the men’s version, of 205 g.
Another very interesting element of the new Adizero Adios 8 is the price. With a list price of €140, they are affordable race (or fast training) shoes for everyone.
One thing in common
There is one more aspect to consider and one that unites the new Boston 12 and Adios 8: the upper of both of these models is made from at least 50 percent recycled materials.
It is a very important element common to almost all adidas models, parts of a systemic evolution that is leading the German brand down the road to sustainability.
