Products
adidas Adizero Boston 12
adidas Adizero Evo SL
Tested using Methodology v0.8.2
Updated Oct 21, 2025 07:30 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Tested using Methodology v0.9
Updated Nov 24, 2025 06:10 PM
SEE PRICE
Adidas.com
Weight
265.3 g (9.36 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
7.7 mm
Plate
Fiberglass Rods
Weight
220.0 g (7.76 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
6.7 mm
Plate
Plastic Shank
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.
Variants
- Adizero Boston 12 (Black/White/Carbon - (Men - US 9))
- Adizero Boston 12 (Black/Zero Metallic/Spark - (Men - US 9))
- Adizero Boston 12 (Black/Zero Metallic/Spark - (Women - US 7))
- Adizero Boston 12 (Blue Spark/Zero Metallic/Cobalt Blue - (Women - US 7))
- Adizero Boston 12 (Cloud White/Aurora Met./Solar Red - (Men - US 9))
- Adizero Boston 12 (Cobalt Blue/Zero Metallic/Lucid Blue - (Men - US 9))
- Adizero Boston 12 (Core Black/Cloud White/Carbon - (Women - US 7))
- Adizero Boston 12 (Dash Grey/Lucid Red/Lucid Lemon - (Men - US 9))
- Adizero Boston 12 (Preloved Ink/Zero Metallic/Aurora Ink - (Women - US 7))
- Adizero Boston 12 (Sandy Pink/Aurora Met./Solar Red - (Women - US 7))
- Adizero Boston 12 (Silver Violet/Cloud White/Silver Daw - (Women - US 7))
- Adizero Boston 12 (White/Dark Blue/Pure Ruby - (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))
- Adizero Evo SL (Cloud White/Core Black/Cloud White - (Women - US 7))
- Adizero Evo SL (Core Black/Cloud White/Core Black - (Men - US 9))
- Adizero Evo SL (Core Black/Iron Metallic/Core Black - (Women - US 7))
- Adizero Evo SL (Lucid Blue/Silver Metallic/Lucid Lemon - (Men - US 9))
- Adizero Evo SL (Lucid Lemon/Core Black/Matte Silver - (Men - US 9))
- Adizero Evo SL (Orbit Grey/Zero Metallic/Halo Silver - (Men - US 9))
- Adizero Evo SL (Silver Metallic/Iron Metallic/Halo Silver - (Men - US 9))
- Adizero Evo SL (Wonder White/Cyber Metallic/Warm Vanilla - (Women - US 7))
Main Differences for
Marathon Racing
Marathon Racing
Threshold
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
Left Shoe Weight Photo
Weight
265.3 g (9.36 oz)
220.0 g (7.76 oz)
Stack Heights
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
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
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
Other Features
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
Heel Energy Return
70.8%
81.4%
Forefoot Energy Return
7.2
8.4
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Forefoot Energy Return
76.8%
83.3%
Heel Cushioning
6.1
8.0
Heel Cushioning Picture
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
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
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
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
7.6
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Energy Absorbed At 10km
8.31 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
8.17 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
8.07 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
7.99 J
To access
and
Become an Insider
unlimited full product reviews,
product prices
other exclusive site features
adidas Adizero Boston 12
adidas Adizero Evo SL
Comments
adidas Adizero Boston 12 vs adidas Adizero Evo SL: Main Discussion
What do you think of these products? Let us know below.
Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Insiders have direct access to buying advice on our insider forum.