adidas Adizero Boston 12 vs Adizero Evo SL

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

adidas Adizero Boston 12
adidas Adizero Evo SL

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Apr 13, 2026 02:55 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v0.10

Updated Apr 16, 2026 04:27 PM

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Adidas.com
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Picture

Track

adidas Adizero Evo SL Picture

Track

  1. Recommended in 2 articles:
  2. Women
  3. Marathon

Our Verdict

adidas Adizero Boston 12

adidas Adizero Evo SL

The adidas Adizero Boston 12 and the adidas Adizero Evo SL are two versatile options from the German giant, but despite the Boston 12 being named after a major marathon, you're probably better off racing one in the Evo SL. This is thanks to the Evo SL's superior cushioning, lighter build, and more responsive midsole. The Boston, however, remains the better choice if you highly value stability and prefer its full-length ENERGYRODS.

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Variants

  • Adizero Boston 12 (Black/White/Carbon - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Boston 12 (Black/Zero Metallic/Spark - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Evo SL (Carbon/Lucid Red/Solar Slime - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Evo SL (Cloud White/Core Black/Cloud White - (Men - US 9))
Read more

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

6.8
7.7

Weight  

5.8
7.5

Heel Energy Return 
 

4.2
8.1

Plate 
 

Fiberglass Rods
Plastic Shank

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

7.2
8.4

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

28.9 mm
30.2 mm

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

5.8
7.5

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Evo SL Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Evo SL Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

265.3 g (9.36 oz)
220.0 g (7.76 oz)

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Evo SL Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

36.6 mm
36.9 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

28.9 mm
30.2 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

7.7 mm
6.7 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

7.0 mm
6.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
adidas Adizero Boston 12 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
adidas Adizero Evo SL 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

83 mm (3.2")
84 mm (3.3")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

68 mm (2.7")
64 mm (2.5")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

114 mm (4.5")
114 mm (4.5")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.26
2.27

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.94
3.77

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
adidas Adizero Boston 12 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
adidas Adizero Evo SL 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

272 mm (10.7")
276 mm (10.8")

Internal Heel Width 
 

61 mm (2.4")
61 mm (2.4")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

93 mm (3.7")
94 mm (3.7")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
No

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

7.6

Forefoot Width Photo  

adidas Adizero Evo SL Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

-2.2 mm (-0.085")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-6.4 mm (-0.253")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

8.5

Forefoot Height Photo  

adidas Adizero Evo SL Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-2.1 mm (-0.081")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

8.5

Arch Fit Photo  

adidas Adizero Evo SL Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

-2.6 mm (-0.103")

Length Fit 
 

10

Toe Clearance Photo  

adidas Adizero Evo SL Toe Clearance Photo

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Evo SL Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Semi-gusseted
Non-gusseted

Plate 
 

Fiberglass Rods
Plastic Shank
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

4.2
8.1

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Evo SL Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

70.8%
81.4%

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

7.2
8.4

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Evo SL Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

76.8%
83.3%

Heel Cushioning 
 

6.1
8.0

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Evo SL Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Evo SL Heel Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

2.70 J
3.46 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

7.81 J
10.03 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

13.87 J
17.07 J

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

6.7
8.1

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Evo SL Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Evo SL Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

3.95 J
5.16 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

7.26 J
8.87 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

11.02 J
12.68 J

Heel Firmness 
 

6.4
5.0

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Heel Firmness
 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Evo SL Heel Firmness

Firmness At 550N 
 

64.5 N/mm
47.8 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

123.6 N/mm
98.2 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

257.1 N/mm
234.4 N/mm

Forefoot Firmness 
 

8.2
8.0

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Forefoot Firmness
 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Evo SL Forefoot Firmness

Firmness At 800N 
 

113.4 N/mm
96.4 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

217.7 N/mm
209.8 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

427.8 N/mm
459.6 N/mm

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

6.3
7.6

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Evo SL Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

6.88 J
8.31 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

6.71 J
8.17 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

6.61 J
8.07 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

6.52 J
7.99 J

adidas Adizero Boston 12

adidas Adizero Evo SL

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