adidas adizero Boston 12

Name: adidas adizero Boston 12
Brand: adidas
Rating: 4.4 (31 reviews)

Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 9.4 oz · 6mm drop · 37/31mm stack

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The adidas adizero Boston 13 replaced it

How it ranks

The adidas adizero Boston 12 ranks among the stronger daily trainers in our data. Looks and durability are its strongest sub-ratings. Comfort scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating rests on 58 runner reviews and 10 other rated shoes in the adizero Boston product line.

Very good

91/100

Overall

Very good 91

Appearance

Exceptional 98

Durability

Exceptional 98

Value

Very good 91

Cushioning

Decent 79

Comfort

Below average 61

Confidence

How settled the rating is against every other rated shoe. A shoe can rate high on confidence with relatively few reviews of its own when its product line has a long record and external ratings from retailer sites agree. Confidence will score low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.

See the product line's history

Confidence

95/100

Very high 95

What runners say

“Fit quite long and wide—size down half a size.”

5/5 Full review 60 mpw training for middle distance came from the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3

“Laces are absolute garbage; come undone during runs.”

3/5 Full review 40 mpw training for a marathon came from the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2

“Forces you up onto your toes, helping increase cadence and decrease overstriding.”

5/5 Full review 60 mpw training for middle distance came from the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3

“Runs about ½ size bigger than Saucony and Nike.”

4/5 Full review 25 mpw training for a marathon came from the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2

“Lasted only 200 miles before sides separated from base.”

3/5 Full review 80 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the adidas adizero Boston 10

“Outsole is grippy and looks new after 100km.”

3/5 Full review 40 mpw training for a marathon came from the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2

“Needs about 30 miles to break in; feels overly firm before that.”

5/5 Full review 60 mpw training for middle distance came from the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3

“Less calf muscle fatigue late into runs.”

4/5 Full review 20 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Brooks Glycerin 20

“Rolls through the toe with obvious ease.”

5/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the adidas SL20.2

“Upper is race-like and lacks comfort for longer runs.”

4/5 Full review 25 mpw training for a marathon came from the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3

Prefer this shoe over another

60% 18/30

Where to buy

No offers available

Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.

Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.

Pros

Reviewers rate it a clear step up from the Boston 11.
Runners use it for easy miles, long runs and tempo work.
Several reviewers call it durable, one naming it the most durable shoe they have owned.

Cons

Several reviewers criticize the upper, the laces and the heel lockdown.
Three reviewers report a firm break-in of 20 to 100 miles.
Comfort is its lowest-rated dimension, and one reviewer finds the race-like upper uncomfortable on longer runs.

adizero Boston 12 rates 91. This shoe has very high certainty. See how we rate shoes.

Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the adidas adizero Boston

Each dot is one version of the adizero Boston, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.

Rating

40 60 80 100

90 2014 78 2014 90 2017 97 2018 98 2019 84 2020 91 2021 53 2022 91 2023 87 2025 97 2014

Release year

We use the reviews of past versions to inform this shoe’s rating. See why.

Adizero Boston 5 Boost

2014 · 35 reviews

97 Exceptional

97 Confidence
adizero Boston 13

2025 · 0 reviews

87 Good

68 Confidence
adizero Boston 12 This shoe

2023 · 58 reviews

91 Very good

95 Confidence
adizero Boston 11

2022 · 14 reviews

53 Bottom-tier

86 Confidence
adizero Boston 10

2021 · 11 reviews

91 Very good

84 Confidence
adizero Boston 9

2020 · 2 reviews

84 Good

73 Confidence
adizero Boston 8

2019 · 20 reviews

98 Exceptional

95 Confidence
adizero Boston 7

2018 · 34 reviews

97 Excellent

98 Confidence
adizero Boston 6

2017 · 41 reviews

90 Very good

96 Confidence
adiZero Boston 4

2014 · 9 reviews

78 Decent

81 Confidence
adizero Boston 3

2014 · 8 reviews

90 Good

88 Confidence

Reader Ratings

58 ratings

5/5 34

4/5 20

3/5 4

2/5 0

1/5 0

See written reviews Write a review

Specs & fit

Sizing and ride details at a glance.

Weight: 9.4 oz
Release: 2023 Q2
MSRP: $160
Stack Height: 37mm heel - 31mm toe
Drop Height: 6mm

Runner reviews

Write a review

Massive upgrade, Going back to Bostons!

5/5

Overall

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.

Rich Beaty · Aug 3, 2023

40 mpw training for 5K and 10K

Comfort: 5/5
Cushioning: 4/5
Durability: 5/5
Appearance: 5/5
Value: 5/5

Daily Trainer Super Shoe

4/5

Overall

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.

Mike H. · Jul 30, 2023

20 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Brooks Glycerin 20

Comfort: 4/5
Cushioning: 5/5
Durability: 4/5
Appearance: 4/5
Value: 4/5

Best all around shoe

5/5

Overall

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!

Joe Schmelzinger · Jul 29, 2023

62 mpw training for ultramarathons came from the Craft PRO Endur Distance