The adidas Adizero Boston 10 is designed to be a workhorse trainer and partner to the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 2-similar to the Next% and Nike Zoom Fly 4!
If you’ve run in the previous versions of the adidas Adizero Boston, you’ll notice the 10th version is not the same. It has more cushion and but the ride has also drastically improved.
adidas Adizero Boston 10 Quick Facts:
Weight: 10 oz
Heel to Toe Drop: 8 mm
Price: $140
adidas Adizero Boston 10 Introduction:
In previous years, adidas was missing an important shoe from their lineup, and that was a training partner to their racer, the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 2. Running in carbon plated footwear all of the time can cause injury, plus the shoes wear out faster. The Adizero Boston 10 was updated to be that partner. Instead of carbon fiber plates, it uses fiberglass energy rods.
Sorry adidas Boost loyalists, the Boost material is now outdated. It’s heavy, and brands are making lighter, faster, and cheaper shoes.
While I didn’t run much in previous versions of the adidas Adizero Boston, comparing them doesn’t make sense. Think of the Adizero Boston 10 as a brand new shoe with very few characteristics to previous versions. It’s nearly 2 oz heavier, 13.5 mm more stack height, and it’s more expensive. To be honest, adidas should have renamed it.
Is the adidas Adizero Boston 10 better than the Boston 9? Yes and no.
Finally, I do appreciate the environmental commitment from adidas. Stamped across the adidas Boost 10 is “end plastic waste.”
adidas Adizero Boston 10 Fit:
While the Adizero Boston 10 looks good, the upper isn’t that great. To be honest, it seems to be a trend with a lot of adidas shoes. Many adidas shoes look great but don’t perform well and then sell out as lifestyle shoes.
So what does the Adizero Boston 10 miss its mark? The tongue lays flat with no padding. It causes the heel to feel loose. The forefoot is slightly bigger than true to size. Despite playing around with sizes, I couldn’t find one that was “my favorite.” Eventually, I settled on a 10.5, but the toebox felt slightly too big. (Going down to a 10 would result in a loss of toenails).
The Adizero Boston 10 is made of two uppers:
- perforated mesh
- On top, a transparent plastic-like material on top of it.
The upper definitely runs hot. I live in the Mojave Desert, and there have been days that my foot has felt like a sauna. I can’t say it’s the most breathable shoe, and in fact, during the summer months I might avoid it altogether. Why are there suede pieces on a running shoe? That seems silly and unnecessary. It makes them heavier and less breathable?
Back to the heel counter: the hard heel counter adds more structure to the shoe. There is also foam padding in the heel collar internally and externally to not rub.
In all, the adidas Adizero Boston 10 fit is ok. It’s neither the best nor the worst, and a few elements bother me, including running hot, the suede as well as the weird sizing. Ultimately, I settled on my regular 10.5 size, but it still feels slightly boxy. But, it does look good, so there’s that, I suppose.
adidas Adizero Boston 10 Ride:
The Adizero Boston 10 is one of the heavier shoes in its class (against shoes like the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 or Nike Tempo Next% ). It seems silly to me because they could easily remove weight from the adidas Adizero Boston 10 by removing the suede.
The bigger midsole of the Adizero Boston 10 makes it better for longer distances and longer tempos. It’s also firm enough for easier runs (although I probably wouldn’t have advise it…save it for a workout shoe).
Inside the adidas Adizero Boston 10, you have the Lightstrike Pro, which gives the ride energy return, whereas the Likestrike on the bottom creates the firm and durable ride.
I was surprised with how it quickly rolled from heel to toe as it feels like it should be a fairly stiff shoe. The plate inside the adidas Boston 10 makes the rear of the shoe more firm than the forefoot. Despite being heavy, the adidas Adizero Boston 10 feels more natural than many other carbon-plated shoes.
If you flip the Adizero Boston 10, you can also see the Energyrods through the window. I always think it’s fun when you can see the technology.
Durability and Traction: Something adidas has always excelled at is the durability and traction of their shoes, and the Adizero Boston 10 is no different. The outsole has Continental Rubber which grips to the ground well and keeps the durability long. It performs well in inclement weather (and probably one of the best). I’ve put about 100 miles on them with no signs of them wearing down.
The Adizero Boston 10 is exactly what adidas wants it to be. It’s made for workouts and performs well. I prefer it for tempos or longer, faster runs. I like something lighter for track workouts or intervals.
adidas Adizero Boston 10 Conclusion:
There is no way to get around the Adizero Boston 10 has been drastically updated. I think it’s a great update to the line and adidas needed this type of shoe. While the upper and fit isn’t my favorite, I do believe the Adizero Boston 10 performs well. Despite being so heavy, I was pleasantly surprised with how easy it rolled from heel to toe. It’s not my favorite workout shoe, but it’s an ok one.
What’s the difference between the adidas Adizero Boston 10 versus the Adios Pro?
The adidas Adizero Boston 10 is the training partner to the Adios Pro. The rides are similar, but the adidas Adizero Boston 10 is more durable, stable, and cheaper. The Adios Pro is lighter and faster.
What is the difference between the adidas Adizero Boston 10 and the Boston 9?
Everything. Just kidding…but really. The adidas Adizero Boston 10 is nearly 2 oz heavier, 13.5 mm more stack height, and it’s more expensive. To be honest, adidas should have renamed it.
My Current Shoe Rotation:
Easy/Daily Runs: Brooks Aurora, Diadora Mythos Blushield Volo, New Balance 1080 v11, Hoka Bondi 7, adidas Ultraboost 22
Speed Work: adidas Adiozero Boston 10, 361 Flame, Nike Tempo Next%, New Balance Fuelcell TC Shoe Review, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro,
Long Runs: Hoka Clifton Edge, Under Armour Sonic HOVR 3
Trail Running/Hiking: Hoka Torrent 2, Saucony Peregrine 11, North Face Flight VECTIV
Races: Asics Metaspeed Sky, Hoka One One Rocket X, adidas Adizero Pro, New Balance Fuelcell 5280, Nike Next%, Saucony Endorphin Pro, New Balance fuelcell TC, Reebok Run fast Pro
You Can See All Current Shoe Reviews Here.
Looking to learn more about running shoes? In my ebook, I talk about why you need a good running shoe, a shoe’s anatomy, neutral vs. stable, and even myths of running shoes.
Questions for you:
Have you tried the adidas Adizero Boston 10?
What is your favorite workout shoe?