Our verdict

In our opinion, the Boston 12 marks a welcomed return to the shoe's roots, evolving as a light, versatile, and universally appealing running partner. It's once again designed to handle a range of runs, from moderate recovery sessions to tempo intervals. The updated Lightstrike 2.0 foam boosts bounce and softness, complementing the brilliant Lightstrike Pro. In our tests, we believe that this iteration makes a significant leap from its predecessor, showcasing smoother transitions, a more comfortable ride, and a lighter build.

Track top Adidas Originals x Star wars 2011 "Dark Vador" Pros

  • Adidas Men's Earlham Sneakers in White
  • adidas Corto Stretto Techfit
  • für Der Darryl Brown x adidas Campus 80 ist über adidas CONFIRMED verfügbar
  • Handles both slow and fast paces with ease
  • Wide toebox
  • Durable and grippy Continental outsole
  • Even more Lightstrike Pro superfoam
  • zapatillas de running Adidas mujer neutro talla 27
  • adidas taped shorts

Track top Adidas Originals x Star wars 2011 "Dark Vador" Cons

  • Куртка вітровка adidas originals парку
  • Tongue and heel could benefit from extra padding
  • Courtney Lee in the Air Jordan 10 "Chicago" & Corey Brewer in the adidas adiZero Shadow

Audience verdict

89
Great!

Who should buy

The upgraded jaqueta adidas own the run graphic feminina NQQ a truly impressive shoe, and here's who we think will love it the most:

  • Midfoot-to-forefoot strikers looking for a training partner with outstanding grip.
  • Those who are fans of the Boston series but felt let down by the heavier weight of versions 10 and 11.
  • Any runner in need of a versatile shoe that can handle all sorts of training runs, regardless of how fast or long they might be.

adidas adizero boston 12 20062763 main

Who should NOT buy

If you're in the market for a soft, flexible running experience, we believe the Boston 12 might not be your shoe. While it's softer than its predecessor, it still delivers a somewhat firm and stiff feel underfoot. In that case, the ASICS Novablast 3 or the Pantofi adidas Continental 80 Stripes GZ6263 Gretwo Ftwwht Cburgu could be better all-rounders.

We also think there are better options if you plan to use the shoe for pure racing or track workouts. It's a bit too heavy for those purposes, and if budget isn't a concern, the Adizero Adios Pro 2 is likely a superior pick. On the other hand, if you're looking for a budget-friendly shoe for fast runs or short races, consider the adidas Curt Ajustat Techfit 3-Stripes.

Adidas Originals Superstar W Heart Logo White Black Gold

Cushioning

Track top Adidas Originals x Star wars 2011 "Dark Vador" | Heel stack

The moment we received the shoe in the lab, we found the Boston 12 noticeably sleeker than its predecessor. However, nothing beats the precision of a calliper for an accurate measurement.

The heel, at 34.5 mm, offers 4.6 mm less Lightstrike EVA foam.

This adjustment by the German brand won our approval, echoing the sentiments of many runners who felt the version 11 was bulky and had excess foam in the heel for what should be a speed-focused running shoe.

Adidas Originals Superstar W Heart Logo White Black Gold Heel stack
Test results
Adizero Boston 12 34.5 mm
Average 34.1 mm
Compared to 384 running shoes
Худи adidas original snake graffic
22.5 mm
Heel stack
46.3 mm

Forefoot stack

On the other hand, the forefoot thickness remains almost unchanged, clocking in at 28.4 mm. This measurement is 0.9 mm less than the previous model's, making it nearly identical.

Adidas Originals Superstar W Heart Logo White Black Gold Forefoot stack
Test results
Adizero Boston 12 28.4 mm
Average 25.5 mm
Compared to 384 running shoes
Худи adidas original snake graffic
13.7 mm
Forefoot stack
37.1 mm

Drop

The 6.1-mm heel-to-toe drop between the heel and forefoot benefits midfoot and forefoot strikers. And the shoe comes packed with even more of the premium Lightstrike Pro foam in the forefoot area than ever before.

However, those with an extreme heel-strike pattern might find the previous model more suited for that foot strike.

Adidas Originals Superstar W Heart Logo White Black Gold Drop
Test results
Adizero Boston 12 6.1 mm
Average 8.6 mm
Compared to 384 running shoes
Худи adidas original snake graffic
0.0 mm
Drop
16.1 mm

Track top Adidas Originals x Star wars 2011 "Dark Vador" | Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

Adidas has, for a while, been incorporating the less impressive Lightstrike EVA foam in many of its training shoes. We all found it a bit of a disappointment. However, things are finally changing.

Now, enter the new Lightstrike 2.0. Yes, it's still an EVA-based foam, but it's a whole lot lighter and feels far more bouncier underfoot.

While it's crucial to note that it's not the softest foam on the market—we clocked it at 24.0 HA—it's certainly a marked improvement over the first-generation Lightstrike.

Adidas Originals Superstar W Heart Logo White Black Gold Midsole softness
Test results
Adizero Boston 12 24.0 HA
Average 20.9 HA
Track top Adidas Originals x Star wars 2011 "Dark Vador".
Compared to 311 running shoes
Худи adidas original snake graffic
8.5 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
38.9 HA

Secondary foam softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

The real standout in this shoe is the TPEE-based Lightstrike Pro. We've delved into this world-class foam in our advanced guide about midsoles. It boasts phenomenal energy return, remarkable durability, and an optimal balance in softness, which we gauged at 18.5 HA in the lab.

This is why the shoe feels notably better underfoot than its predecessors. It packs more Lightstrike Pro than ever, and in a softer formulation, too. Compared to the previous version—the v11, which we measured at 23.5 HA—the improvement is palpable.

Adidas Originals Superstar W Heart Logo White Black Gold Secondary foam softness
Test results
Adizero Boston 12 18.5 HA
Average 23.9 HA
Track top Adidas Originals x Star wars 2011 "Dark Vador".

Midsole softness in cold

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.
Adidas Originals Superstar W Heart Logo White Black Gold Midsole softness in cold

Midsole softness in cold (%)

EVA midsoles tend to get really firm in cold temperatures, and the Lightstrike 2.0 foam follows this pattern. We measured it at 30.0 HA after a 20-minute nap in our freezer, and we also felt it firmer underfoot.

This 25% firmness increase is a standard result, yet it signifies an upgrade from the first-generation Lightstrike foam.

Test results
Adizero Boston 12 25%
Average 26%
Compared to 311 running shoes
Худи adidas original snake graffic
0%
Midsole softness in cold
63%

Insole thickness

Sean Wotherspoon x adidas EQT Support 93 SUPEREARTH tempo shoe. At 3.8 mm, we found it a tad thinner than what you'd find in a daily trainer, yet it's comfortably capable of supporting long runs.

Adidas Originals Superstar W Heart Logo White Black Gold Insole thickness
Test results
Adizero Boston 12 3.8 mm
Average 4.4 mm
Compared to 380 running shoes
Худи adidas original snake graffic
1.5 mm
Insole thickness
7.3 mm

Size and fit

Size

jaqueta adidas own the run graphic feminina NQQ true to size (123 votes).

Owners of this shoe, how does this shoe fit?

1 size small ½ size small True to size ½ size large 1 size large
Compared to 356 running shoes
Худи adidas original snake graffic
½ size small
Slightly small
True to size
Slightly large
½ size large

Toebox width - widest part

The Boston 12 felt spacious right from the start, but for us, the key is to measure and extract all the data from every shoe—so let’s dive in.

We created a 1:1 mould of the Boston’s toebox and measured 99.2 mm at its widest point. This measurement far exceeds the average shoe and even surpasses most tempo trainers. So far, the Boston 12 stands out as a promising option for runners with wide feet.

Adidas Originals Superstar W Heart Logo White Black Gold Toebox width - widest part
Test results
Adizero Boston 12 99.2 mm
Average 95.6 mm
Compared to 130 running shoes
Худи adidas original snake graffic
88.5 mm
Toebox width - widest part
101.1 mm

Toebox width - big toe

Our second measurement was 73.2 mm, landing right around the average. This reflects Adidas' classic, slightly pointy design, yet it still feels more spacious compared to many competitors.

adidas adizero boston 12 toebox width big toe 22367768 main
Test results
Adizero Boston 12 73.2 mm
Average 73.5 mm
Compared to 130 running shoes
Худи adidas original snake graffic
67.9 mm
Toebox width - big toe
82.4 mm

Toebox height

On the flip side, the toebox volume measured a compact 25.8 mm in our vernier calipers. Combined with the non-stretchy material of this upper, it may feel restrictive for runners with higher-volume feet. That said, this result aligns perfectly with what we expect from a tempo running shoe.

Adidas Originals Superstar W Heart Logo White Black Gold Toebox height
Test results
Adizero Boston 12 25.8 mm
Average 27.1 mm
Compared to 129 running shoes
Худи adidas original snake graffic
22.4 mm
Toebox height
32.5 mm

Stability

At 269.4 mm, it matches quite remarkably with Adidas' size charts. This is a 100% a true-to-size shoe.

Lateral stability test

We firmly believe that the Boston remains an impressively stable shoe, especially considering its elevated height.

Through our static tests and fast-paced test runs, we consistently experienced a reassuring sense of balance.

Torsional rigidity

When we applied torsional force to the shoe, it readily resisted twisting and we rated it at 4/5.

Despite this, the Boston 12 displays slightly more flexibility than its predecessor, and that's a positive change. The reason for this lies in the shoe's Energyrods. The current model uses full-length fibreglass Energyrods, which are not quite as rigid as the combination of a carbon-fibre plate and Energyrods featured in the previous model.

Test results
Adizero Boston 12 4
Average 3.4
Compared to 363 running shoes
Худи adidas original snake graffic
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Adidas neo Grand Court Sneakers Shoes FV8456

In the shoe's heel, we discovered a counter stiffness more akin to that of racing shoes. It didn't resist our applied force at all. On a scale where 5 is the stiffest, we'd rate this a mere 1.

Heel strikers might have preferred a rating of 2 or 3 out of 5 to improve stability. But, as we've already mentioned, Adidas seems to have designed this shoe with midfoot or forefoot strikers in mind.

Test results
Adizero Boston 12 1
Average 2.9
Compared to 347 running shoes
Худи adidas original snake graffic
1
Adidas neo Grand Court Sneakers Shoes FV8456
5

Midsole width - forefoot

And here's more evidence of this focus. We measured the landing platform in the forefoot of this shoe at a whopping 118.2 mm, providing significant stability for midfoot or forefoot strikers. 

Take the Boston 11, for example. We measured its landing platform at 109.3 mm, which is narrower than most shoes. However, this 12th edition is among the widest shoes we've ever measured.

Adidas Originals Superstar W Heart Logo White Black Gold Midsole width in the forefoot
Test results
Adizero Boston 12 118.2 mm
Average 114.1 mm
Compared to 385 running shoes
Худи adidas original snake graffic
103.3 mm
Midsole width - forefoot
126.9 mm

Спортивные кроссовки adidas

Adidas en puma.

Adidas Originals Superstar W Heart Logo White Black Gold Midsole width in the heel
Test results
Adizero Boston 12 86.0 mm
Average 90.8 mm
Compared to 385 running shoes
Худи adidas original snake graffic
73.0 mm
Спортивные кроссовки adidas
106.6 mm

Flexibility / Stiffness

We've mentioned before that the Boston 12 is more flexible, thanks to the swap from a carbon plate to the full-length fibreglass Energyrods. Now, we've got the solid proof for you.

In our test to bend the shoe 90-degrees, it took less muscle force (26.7N) with the Boston 12 than with the average running shoe. This is a complete turnaround from the previous model and a refreshing and welcome change than makes the shoe way more versatile.

Test results
Adizero Boston 12 26.7N
Average 28.1N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 367 running shoes
Худи adidas original snake graffic
2.2N
Flexibility <> Stiffness
72.1N

Stiffness in cold (%)

And no worries at all when it comes to chilly weather. Our measurement shows we only need a force of 33.3N to bend the Boston 12 to 90 degrees. That's even less than what it took to flex the Boston 11 in room-temperature conditions!

The gap between the two measurements shows an impressive 24.6% change. It's a monumental step up from last year's model, as it suffered a 42.0% increase in stiffness.

Undeniably, the introduction of the new Lightstrike 2.0 EVA foam played a substantial role in this success.

Test results
Adizero Boston 12 25%
Average 33%
Compared to 367 running shoes
Худи adidas original snake graffic
0%
Stiffness in cold
101%

Weight

As we just mentioned, Adidas truly excelled in this area with the Boston 12. The shoe now comfortably falls under the 10 oz threshold, weighing in at only 9.2 oz or 261g. This makes it lighter than the average running shoe!

Now, we believe this true Boston model is ready to take on its peers in the arena of lightweight tempo trainers like the crowd-favourite adidas Vector CloudFoam Trainers Child Boys.

Adidas Originals Superstar W Heart Logo White Black Gold Weight
Test results
Adizero Boston 12 9.21 oz (261g)
Average 9.38 oz (266g)
Compared to 385 running shoes
Худи adidas original snake graffic
5.61 oz (159g)
Weight
12.59 oz (357g)

Breathability

Absolutely AMAZING. That's the best way to describe the breathability of the Adidas Originals Superstar W Heart Logo White Black Gold, based on our smoke-machine test results in the lab. It earned a perfect score—5 out of 5.

The light test also confirmed this outstanding breathability. The upper's thinness was easily observed as the light passed right through.

After reviewing the upper, we noticed eight well-placed ventilation holes on the sides—an important addition to boost airflow in this often-overlooked area.

To delve deeper, we took out our trusty microscope to explore the shoe's impressive ventilation.

Adidas Originals Superstar W Heart Logo White Black Gold microscope

What we found was a remarkably thin and breathable mesh from Adidas. Clearly, there's no need to have huge ventilation holes in the upper with this clever design in place.

adidas adizero boston 12 microscope 2 20062769 main
Under the microscope, the upper of the Boston 12 presents an impressive and mesmerising sight.
Test results
Adizero Boston 12 5
Average 3.8
Compared to 314 running shoes
Худи adidas original snake graffic
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Toebox durability

We're disappointed that the durability issues we saw with the buy adidas logo baseball cap persist in the Boston 12, which led us to give it a low score of 1 out of 5.

It's clear to us that Adidas has the technology and know-how to create a thin-yet-robust upper for the Boston 13, similar to what Nike achieved with the Alphafly 2. We can only hope they step up their game for the next release.

Adidas Originals Superstar W Heart Logo White Black Gold Toebox durability
Test results
Adizero Boston 12 1
Average 2.5
Compared to 248 running shoes
Худи adidas original snake graffic
1
Toebox durability
5

Heel padding durability

To our pleasant surprise, the heel padding proved to be significantly more resilient than we anticipated, especially after the disappointment of our previous Dremel test.

In our usual procedure of applying 3.2N for four seconds at a brisk 10,000 RPM, the Boston 12 stood impressively, demonstrating a commendable level of durability in the heel counter. And the comparison against the ony7 Adidas Mens Ultra Boost 6.0 Crew Blue Shoes FV7829 speaks for itself. 

Adidas Originals Superstar W Heart Logo White Black Gold Heel padding durability
Test results
Adizero Boston 12 3
Average 3.3
Compared to 244 running shoes
Худи adidas original snake graffic
1
Heel padding durability
5

Outsole hardness

Undoubtedly, the most applauded feature of the Boston 12's predecessor was its outsole, a durable-yet-grippy rubber that only a select few shoes can claim to have as of today.

With the v12, we observed some changes. Given the exceptional durability of the Boston 11, Adidas trusted Continental to create a softer compound for the Boston 12 that we measured at 79.8 HC—8% softer than v11 . It's a clear attempt to enhance an already high-performing outsole, and it worked wonders.

Adidas Originals Superstar W Heart Logo White Black Gold Outsole hardness
Test results
Adizero Boston 12 79.8 HC
Average 79.9 HC
Track top Adidas Originals x Star wars 2011 "Dark Vador".
Compared to 365 running shoes
Худи adidas original snake graffic
60.3 HC
Outsole hardness
93.0 HC

Outsole durability

But how can we be certain that the durability remains incredibly impressive? It's because we put it through rigorous testing in our lab. We used our Dremel test once more, this time to gauge the amount of rubber that vanished post-abrasion.

The final outcome was nothing short of astounding: despite its softer formulation, the Dremel only succeeded in creating a mere 0.7 mm dent, which is less than the 0.74 mm measured on the Boston 11.

This result shines brightly when compared to the average shoe, affirming the extraordinary durability of the Boston 12.

Adidas Originals Superstar W Heart Logo White Black Gold Outsole durability
Test results
Adizero Boston 12 0.7 mm
Average 1.0 mm
Compared to 226 running shoes
Худи adidas original snake graffic
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

A common critique of the revamped Boston series—after its longstanding status as a low-stack shoe—has been the increased weight. We fondly remember the nimble and lightweight models like the Boston 9, and the latest two versions felt significantly bulkier in comparison.

adidas adizero boston 12 outsole 20062865 main

training top with logo adidas by stella mccartney t shirt white:

  • Minimise the thickness of the rubber.
  • Increase the amount of exposed foam.

Фиолетовые женские кроссовки Adidas.

We've found this approach particularly effective, and in light of the exceptional durability exhibited by the Boston 12, we anticipate that Adidas might reduce the thickness even more in the next iteration.

adidas adizero boston 12 outsole thickness 20062923 main
Test results
Adizero Boston 12 2.8 mm
Average 3.2 mm
Compared to 384 running shoes
Худи adidas original snake graffic
1.0 mm
Outsole thickness
6.0 mm

Misc

Reflective elements

Once again, Adidas seems to have overlooked the needs of night runners. The shoe doesn't have a single reflective element, which is a disappointment.

Adidas Originals Superstar W Heart Logo White Black Gold Reflective elements
Test results
Adizero Boston 12 No

Tongue padding

Adidas has really taken a weight-loss approach with the Boston 12, and it seems like the shoe's tongue got a bit too much of the slimming treatment. Now it's half the usual thickness in a training shoe.

We're not big fans of this particular change—the tongue really feels one of the few steps back from the previous models.

Adidas Originals Superstar W Heart Logo White Black Gold Tongue padding
Test results
Adizero Boston 12 2.9 mm
Average 5.8 mm
Compared to 382 running shoes
Худи adidas original snake graffic
0.5 mm
Tongue padding
14.2 mm

Adidas Y-3 Cl Terry Pants Gv4202

In our lab test of the Boston 11, we liked its fully-gusseted tongue, though if we were designing the shoe, we'd have opted for a semi-gusseted design.

Now, Adidas has dismissed the fully-gusseted tongue, which might sound like good news. But they've replaced it with a non-gusseted one. That's a real bummer, especially for a training shoe that sets you back £160.

Adidas Originals Superstar W Heart Logo White Black Gold Adidas Y-3 Cl Terry Pants Gv4202
Test results
Adizero Boston 12 None

Heel tab

Keeping up with Adidas' cool design trends that started with the Adizero Adios Pro 3, the Boston 12 sports the same slick, flap-like pull tab on the heel.

Adidas Originals Superstar W Heart Logo White Black Gold flap

We've got to say, we're totally digging this look—it's like having the rear wing of an F1 car right on our heels!

adidas adizero boston 12 heel tab 20063104 main
Test results
Adizero Boston 12 Pull tab

Removable insole

Whether you prefer to use our own orthotics or a different shoe insole, it's no issue, because the Boston 12's insole isn't glued down at all.

adidas adizero boston 12 removable insole 20063105 main
Test results
Adizero Boston 12 Yes