Saying Hello to the adidas Adizero Boston 12 and Adios 8

When it comes to running shoes, adidas is a brand that needs no introduction. They’ve been a staple in the running community for years, consistently delivering top-notch performance and style in the form of women’s and men’s running shoes.

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Adizero Boston 12

adidas running shoes have long been a trusted companion for runners of all levels, and the Adizero Boston 12 Running Shoes continues to uphold this legacy. While we didn’t personally try out the Boston 11, we heard through the grapevine that they fell short of expectations. We can’t make that same claim but can say that the Boston 12 is really great! They are a perfect blend of style, comfort, and performance, and we were impressed.

Looks: The Boston 12 boasts a sleek and modern design and comes in 5 colorways. The combination of mostly muted color options with the iconic adidas stripes creates a stylish and sporty appearance. Whether you’re out for a run or pairing them with your everyday attire, these shoes make a fashion statement without compromising on functionality.

Upper: The mesh upper is constructed with lightweight and breathable materials that provide excellent ventilation, keeping your feet cool even during intense runs. I had some hiccups with finding the right fit as there’s a tad bit more heft to the upper than anticipated. Couple this with a really thin tongue, and it took some maneuvering for my feet to feel “right”.  Once I eventually got locked in, the rest was pretty smooth sailing.

Midsole: The responsive cushioning (Lightstrike Pro and Lightstrike 2.0) an upgrade from the Boston 11, offer a comfortable and energized ride. There’s definitely more road feel, but this isn’t a painful experience. It is a feel that I “generally” don’t prefer, but I really sorta liked it. And apparently my feet did as well.

My first run in these was fresh off a delayed, red-eye, three timezone, 5-hour-sleep plane ride. These were waiting for me and I planned to just go out and get some easy miles in. My feet, and the Boston 12’s, had something else in mind and I found myself really pushing the pace more than anticipated – and felt good in doing so. It was just natural feeling.

Outsole: The outsole of the Boston 12 features Continental Rubber, which provides solid grip and seems like it should hold up to the miles ahead. We haven’t had any rainy runs yet, but if its rubber good enough for tires, we anticipate it doing well on the underfoot as well.

Fit: The fit of the Boston 12 is true to size, and we feel many runners will appreciate the snug but not constricting feel – once you find the right lacing. On our runs we have found the upper to comfortably wrap around the foot. The lower profile shoe is super solid and I have been impressed with my runs in them.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the Adidas Adizero Boston 12 is a remarkable pair of running shoes that checks all the boxes for both seasoned runners and those just starting their journey. With a stylish design, a breathable upper, responsive Boost cushioning in the midsole, and reliable traction on the outsole, these shoes are designed to help you achieve your running goals comfortably and in style. Whether you’re aiming for your personal best time or simply looking for a reliable daily trainer, the Boston 12 won’t disappoint.

Specifications:

• Weight: A9.5 ounces (M9)
• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 7mm
• Stack Height: 38mm/31mm
• Price: $160

Adizero Adios 8

First and foremost, the adidas Adios name is sort of synonomyous with running fast. The Adios Pro (and its offspring) is sort of the flagship super shoe. The Adios 8 isn’t quite as fanciful and tech-ridden as their Pro counterparts, but the core mission is the same – run quickly. And do so for a fraction of the cost ($130).

Looks: The Adios 8 are about as simple and straightforward as they come. I, personally, love a little flair – but there’s nothing wrong with simplicity either. The Adios 8 comes in two colors – and our test pair was a simple black with white adidas stripes. Its beauty is in the simplicity, even if black and white is as basic as they come. And it can easily double as a casual pair of shoes, should you desire to do that.

Upper: Man the upper is thin and light. It is super see-through and ventilated. These were clearly made for allowing the heat to escape, while still allowing you to burn up the pavement. Even so, I found the upper fit to potentially be even more supportive than the Boston 12, though if you need something to keep you from going too far lateral, this may not be completely up to your needs. Though, with a shorter stack, and these designed for stepping on the gas and cruising straight ahead, this may not be as much an issue.

That being said, we live in the PNW. While we always expect our socks to be at least a little wet following our Fall, Winter, and Spring runs, we feel that the lattice construction will only amplify the wetness inside. We haven’t had the ability to try this out, but we hope that doesn’t lead to any slippage/blistering as a result.

TO keep things light, the tongue is super thin and the heel, while padded, is only minimally done.

Midsole: While I personally don’t mind carbon-plated shoes, I have found that they don’t always do it for me over time. The Adios 8 is sort of a middle ground – quick-running tech without the plates. The Lightstrike Pro material provides decent cushion and the added “TORSIONRODS” propel you forward – similar to the Boston 12, but in a lighter package. This means you’ll feel a spring in your step while still getting the protection you need to go the distance.

The stack is very minimalistic, one of the slimmer and close-to-ground running shoes I have tried in a while. In some capacity, this is necessary to achieve such a light shoe (7.2 oz in M9), but it can feel a little jarring when you are embedded in the “new normal” of maximum cushion.  As a heel striker, I was planning for my runs to be a little uncomfortable initially with the short stack. However, the midsole is pretty dang soft and felt more cushioned on the heel than I planned there to be.

Outsole: Same as the Boston 12, the outsole provides the same durable Continental rubber compound. It is very strategically placed and thin, allowing the shoes to have grip without adding weight. It seems like it is going to hold up for miles on end regardless.

Fit: When it comes to fit, the Adios 8 gets high marks. The toe box provides ample room for your toes to splay naturally. I almost feel as if I could have gone down a half size as, since the upper is so see-through, I could visually see I had plenty of space up there. My standard size still did well, however.

While the shoe looks pretty slim (black is slimming?), it actually fits wider than expected.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the Adios 8 holds up quite well. If you are looking for something light, quick, AND affordable – a combo that isn’t easy to find, this shoe really checks those boxes.

Specifications:

• Weight: 7.2 ounces (M9)
• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8mm
• Stack Height: 28mm/20mm
• Price: $130

Remember, the best running shoe for you depends on your individual needs and preferences, so be sure to consider what matters most to you when making your decision. Happy running!