Adidas Boston 12 vs Adidas Boston 11 [Which is Best?]

I have been using the Adidas Boston series since Boston 8. Recently, I’ve switched from 11 to the latest Boston 12.

Both models are top-class running shoes and provide fantastic comfort. Adidas uses top-of-the-line materials and technology to give upgraded performance and support.

Here, I’ll share my user experience and provide the difference between Adidas Boston 12 and 11 to help you pick the right shoes.

So, let’s begin.

Overview of Adidas Boston 12 and Boston 11

The Adidas Adizero Boston series are mid to long-distance running shoes designed for half and full marathons. They are lightweight, responsive, and widely popular with fitness fanatics.

Boston 12

Adidas Adizero Boston 12 is the latest shoe in the Boston series. It has changed many features from its predecessors, 10 & 11, and brought the actual purpose it is supposed to serve.

The shoe uses the latest midsole technology and the best cushioning to give a sporty feel.

Boston 12 delivers the best performance on the road and track, making it one of the top-selling models in the current market.

Boston 11

Adidas Boston 11 is the ancestor of the current model, Boston 12. It has a lot of similarities with the Boston 10 and provides comfort and running performance.

The magic lies in the architecture, comfortable cushioning, and stretchy material.

The perfect snug fit gives fantastic support and makes it an excellent choice for daily runners in long-running sessions.

Both Boston brothers are designed to serve the same purpose. However, they have slight dissimilarities in their characteristics that make them distinct from each other.

Small changes can make a big difference, and choosing the perfect shoes for the long run is very important.

Let’s start with the key features of Boston 11 and 12 below to demonstrate the differences.

Key Characteristics Comparison of Adidas Boston 12 and Boston 11

The Adidas Adizero Boston 12 and Boston 11 are designed for mid to long-distance running. They use various technologies to provide the best experience on your feet.

Take a glance at their feature comparison from below:

Ultimate Feature Comparison Between Adidas Boston 12 and Boston 11

Both Adidas Adizero Boston 11 and 12 are extremely good running shoes. They share the same blood and purpose but have some differences in features.

Adidas has made minor changes here and there in the latest shoes. These variations primarily reflect real-life durability and performance.

Let’s make a head-to-head feature comparison between Adidas Boston 12 and 11:

Upper Material & Design

Adidas Boston 12 uses engineered mesh on the upper. It’s very lightweight and breathable.

It supports the targeted key zones well, providing both midfoot lockdown and forefoot flexibility.

The upper is neither too stretchy nor too stiff. It holds the feet very nicely and gives sufficient comfort.

There is an additional overlay at the front to give extra protection to the feet. It’s very minimalistic and blends really well with the color contrast.

Boston 12 comes in different color choices, such as black, white, blue, and cyan.

Also, there’s a black-and-white version with a rainbow flair effect on the upper and sole area.

On the other hand, the Adidas Boston 11 uses a lightweight mesh upper. It’s very breathable and gives good comfort.

The stretching is similar to Boston 12. It has more cushioning inside and holds the feet very well.

The fitting seems tighter than 12 and feels good to run a long session.

Boston 11 has an overlay at the front with two extended lines that cover the toe area. It provides additional support and aesthetically looks fantastic.

But sadly, the shoe comes only in two colors, yellow and green.

The most noticeable changes I’ve seen are in the tongue and laces mechanism.

Tongue

Boston 12 has a thin and narrow tongue design. The cushioning is very minimal here.

During a quick run or interval, the tongue slips a lot, which makes it a bit uncomfortable.

However, the look is redefined from the previous version and gives a sporty outlook. Also, the tongue seems slightly extended compared to Boston 11.

The tongue has a lace loop on the top and Adidas logo at the top lateral side of the shoe.

In the Boston 11, the tongue is thicker and wider than its successor. It helps to get a firm fit and gives a tight fit.

The tongue is perforated and has additional padding to give better comfort.

The Adidas logo is drawn at the top lateral side of the tongue to symbolize the branding.

Lace

The lace mechanism is entirely different from the last two Boston series shoes.

Adidas Adizero Boston 12 has brought a newly designed lacing system. There are three eyelets, one at the bottom and two at the top.

There are four newly designed holes at the inner side of the tongue to slide the laces through.

The system feels very unusual and troublesome at first. But, the tightings are sufficient in this mechanism.

On the other hand, the Boston 11 offers a regular and traditional lacing system.

It contains seven eyelets, and all slide through the eyestay on the upper. The tightening is better than 12 and holds the feet firmly.

Insole, Midsole & Outsole

The soles of Boston shoes use modern technology to get the best support and performance.

Insole

The insole in both Adidas Boston 11 and 12 is glued with the midsole. But they are easily removable, and you can use an aftermarket or orthotic insole.

Midsole

The main difference in the running shoe performance relies on the midsole.

Adidas Boston 12 uses a combination of Lightstrike Pro and Lightstrike 2.0 in the midsole.

The upper layer mainly covers the forefoot area and is made out of the new Lightstrike Pro. It’s soft and gives outstanding comfort.

The lower layer uses Lightsrtike 2.0 midsole. It’s more durable and soft compared to the first-generation midsole.

In between the two midsole layers, there’s Energy Rods 2.0 to give a better energy return. It’s made out of glass fiber rods that are more flexible compared to the previous version.

In contrast, the Boston 11 uses Lightstrike Pro and Lightstrike in the midsole.

The top layer has Lightstrike Pro, while the bottom layer utilizes the Lightstrike EVA midsole.

There are glass fiber Energy Rods between the midsoles that give a snappy feel in every stride.

Outsole

Boston 12 and 11 use Continental Rubber for the outsole. It’s durable and gives a good grip on the road and track.

The outsole pattern lining is very similar in both shoes.

The forefoot outsole in Boston 12 is made from a single piece, whereas the Boston 11 has divided the forefoot outsole into two parts.

Size & Weight

Both Adidas Boston 12 and 11 fit true to size. So you can purchase the correct size without any worries.

However, the forefoot area in Boston 11 is slightly narrower than 12.

If you have a wide forefoot like me, I suggest buying the half or one size larger version on Adidas Boston 11.

Lightstrike-powered Boston 11 and 12 are very lightweight. But, the Boston 12 is lighter compared to the 11.

The stack height is lower in Boston 12, which is reducing much weight compared to 11.

It also decreases the heel-to-toe drop in the running shoes and helps get better contact with the ground.

Fit & Comfort

Adidas Boston 12 offers a relaxed and comfortable fit. It feels very snug in my feet, keeping a space to wiggle my fingers.

The forefoot area is a bit wider. The roomy space can be a plus point for people with wider feet.

There is good cushioning in the color lining to support my ankle.

However, the rest of the heel counter doesn’t have very much cushioning.

The insole is slightly slippery on Boston 12. When I take a big step or land hard, my big toe often slips and makes the fall uncomfortable.

The tongue is very thin and non-gusseted. So, I recommend wearing good socks with shoes.

Apart from that, the upper structure, material, and cushioning are sufficient for regular running on road, track, or intervals.

On the other hand, Boston 11 fits perfectly on feet. It provides better snug feet compared to 12.

It gives a skin-like feel, and the cushioning gives excellent comfort in running.

The forefeet is narrower than Boston 12, which you must note before purchasing.

Boston 11 has a thicker tongue and regular lace mechanism. It gives a good tightening and allows me to wear the shoe without socks.

The collar lining has sufficient cushioning to give good ankle support.

Overall, the Boston 11 gives a rich experience in fit and total comfort in everyday running.

Stability & Support

Adidas Boston 12 has an excellent architectural design for better stability and support.

The midsole is perfectly curved to give good placement for people with flat feet and high arch.

It has a toe puff that comes all the way to the upper to protect the front part of the shoe.

The forefoot area is wider, which helps to accommodate my stretchy forefeet in quick runs or under heavy pressure.

Continental rubber is excellent for giving good traction in all kinds of weather. But the main support comes from the glass fiber Energy Rods 2.0.

It’s very flexible and gives an impressive energy return to help me run faster.

Now, in the Adidas Boston 11, the curve is identical to 12 and perfect for all types of feet.

The toe puff also covers the front area very well and protects from any smash.

The forefoot area is narrower, so it may not give the best support in quick runs. But, the midfoot and heel area is wide enough and provides good support at regular speed.

Boston 11 uses the first-generation Energy Rods in the midsole. It’s good but not as flexible as Boston 12.

Durability & Performance

There is a significant difference between Boston 12 and 11 in durability and performance.

Adidas Boston 12 is very durable in all weather conditions. I still use the shoe regularly and have run more than 300 miles.

The Lightstrike Pro at the forefoot gives my feet a soft and bouncy feel. It helps to launch with good traction and get a good momentum.

The Lightstrike 2.0 at the heel is firm and gives necessary fall support.

On the other hand, there are mixed opinions on the durability of Boston 11.

In my usage, I’ve found it very good for running and providing necessary comfort. But after running 200 miles, the upper medial and lateral sides of the midfoot started to tear out.

It mostly happens because of pronation. And it didn’t occur only with me. One of my track partners uses the Boston 11 and faces the same tearing issue.

However, if you don’t have pronation problems, the shoe will serve you for a long time.

Price & Value

Both Adidas Boston 11 and 12 are great running shoes. And surprisingly, they cost the same.

Adidas Adizero Boston 12 and 11 are priced around $160 on the official website.

However, the Adidas Boston 11 comes with a discount quite often. It would be a great value-for-money option if you could grab it at an offer price.

Otherwise, the Boston 12 provides more value as they are priced similarly.

Pros & Cons: Adidas Boston 12 and Boston 11

Adidas Adizero Boston 11 and 12 are fantastic running shoes. But they aren’t free from advantages or disadvantages.

Let’s see the pros and cons of Adidas Boston 12 and 11 from below:

Adidas Boston 12

Adidas Boston 11

Adidas Boston 12 Vs Boston 11: Which Should You Choose?

Boston 12 and 11 are versatile super running shoes. They offer a wide range of sizes to fit perfectly on your feet.

Both shoes are suitable for flat and high-arch feet to run on road and track.

But, the Adidas Boston 12 offers advanced technology and feels comfortable while running. It is better than the previous model in every aspect and category.

I recommend purchasing Adidas Adizero Boston 12 as your regular running shoes.

However, if you get the Adidas Adizero Boston 11 at a discounted price, it will be the better value-for-money choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Adidas Boston 11 and 12?

The main difference between Adidas Boston 11 and 12 is in midsole quality. Boston 11 uses Lightstrike Pro and Lightstrike, whereas Boston 12 uses Lightstrike Pro and Lightstrike 2.0. Also, they have differences in tongue, lacing, energy rods, and upper materials.

What is the Adidas Boston 12 used for?

The Adidas Adizero Boston 12 is widely used and famous for mid to long-distance running. It’s suitable for running 5K, 10K, half and full marathon with good comfort and support.

Is Adizero Boston 11 good for running?

Yes, Adidas Boston 11 is good for running. It has a high stack height, which makes it suitable for slow to mid-paced running.