Adidas Adizero Boston 11 Review (2024): A Good Daily Trainer?

Published on: 01/25/2023

The Adidas Adizero Boston 11 is a firm cushioning running shoe with carbon plate running shoes Energy Rods. Its purpose? For daily training and easy long runs.

The Consensus

Check out the newly released and much better Adidas Boston 12!

Adidas Adizero Boston 11 Complete Review Analysis

Introduction

Don’t expect a tectonic shift with the Adizero Boston 11; that one already happened in 2021. Adidas surprised everyone by venturing its popular model into the realm of maximal cushioning shoes. If some athletes have quickly found their marks, others are still looking for them or have simply given up!

It’s the latter category that Adidas is trying to convince with this new lighter and more stable updated version. Will the Adidas Boston 11 be enough to convince the original fans of the series and reach new runners? This is what we will find out in this in-depth analysis.

Cushioning (midsole)

This Adidas Adizero Boston 11 keeps using the Lightstrike foam that, in 2021, had retired the good old Boost that helped Adidas back among the leading running brands a decade ago.

So there’s no change on this midsole:

• The regular Lightstrike foam in the bottom layer at the base of the sole delivers a firm yet effective cushioning while lacking a bit of bounce, according to the testers
• Lightstrike Pro foam in the upper layer is flexible and relatively soft, especially under the forefoot, where it’s thicker
• A partial carbon plate adds stability to the heel but also contributes to the overall feeling of firmness.

In the middle, we also find Energy Rods carbon plates tucked in at the center of the midsole. They provide additional responsiveness under the toes, flexibility, and stability. In short, the recipe is the same!

Adidas stands by its choice to transform the Boston into a max cushion daily trainer. The stack is 0.5 mm higher to reach 39.5 mm in the heel. As a result, the heel-to-toe drop is now 8.5 mm.

As with the previous model, the midsole received mixed reviews from testers. While some agree with the direction Adidas has taken regarding the stack, they regret the use of Lightstrike, which they feel is inadequate for the Boston. Some even compared it to a brick!

Continue reading to discover how the shoe’s ride feels.

Foot lockdown (upper)

The upper is the only part of the Adidas Adizero Boston 11 that has significantly changed from the previous version. Nylon is the primary upper material of the engineered mesh, which uses 50% recycled material. The thin layered construction gives the upper a somewhat avant-garde transparent look. The result is a thinner, more breathable fit and stiffer, providing a good foot lockdown.

Weighing in at 9.6 oz/271 grams in the men’s version, this rockered shoe is a bit lighter, addressing one of the criticisms of the Adizero Boston 10.

Runners’ reviews on this upper are mixed. The forefoot is roomy while offering a good lockdown. However, things get a bit messy at the back of the shoe. Indeed, the midfoot is quite steep and narrow. Some testers had to experiment for a few runs before being able to find the most comfortable adjustment. Also, the heel area is wider than on the Adizero Boston 10, which hinders the shoe’s lockdown and can lead to heel slippage, despite the thicker collar padding. This is clearly the weak point of this new Adidas upper.

Luckily, the Adizero Boston 11 is true to size, which is one less thing to worry about! If you opted for a half size down on the B10, you may need to try the shoes in-store to be sure as sizing down may not be necessary here.

Finally, let’s appreciate this new shoe’s fun Solar Yellow colorway. Don’t worry if it’s too flashy for you; Adidas has also thought of you with more classic color options.

Grip (outsole)

If the upper is the only shoe part that has evolved, we can easily deduce that the outsole has not been transformed. Here again, we take the same design and start over! As a result, we find again Continental rubber, known for its strength and durability. It was one of the strongest points of the previous model (literally), so there was no reason to change it.

Traction is excellent on pavement, even on rainy days. Some testers also ventured outside of urban areas and had no problems on dirt roads.

That’s about all there’s to say about this outsole. It’s great in every way – and probably the last thing that will wear out on this shoe!

The ride

The evolution being minimal compared to Boston 10, the ride is essentially the same. Thus, the firm ride is pleasant and naturally stable, with the midsole shape providing medial heel stability. The rocker and carbon plates allow smooth and efficient transitions, with a discreet bounce at toe-off. However, as we’ve seen previously, some runners lament using Lightstrike Pro foam, which makes the shoe a bit heavy at slow paces.

The new upper is also not a clear-cut win. It appears both better and worse than the previous version. Better because the upper is more ventilated, and the forefoot less spacious, thus allowing a better lockdown. Worse because the heel is too big and prevents the foot from locking into the back of the shoe. The sweet spot for version 12 would be the Boston 10 upper from midfoot to heel and the Boston 11 from midfoot to toe.

In summary, the new Boston 11 is absolutely not a racer despite its carbon-fiber plate. It’s the quintessential trainer for daily sessions and long runs at an easy-to-moderate pace. And yes, that means marathon training too! Performance and speedwork (e.g. tempo runs) are not excluded, but for such use, other models are much more suitable (e.g., Adios or Adios pro).

Conclusion

Considering the little evolution with this model, Adizero Boston 10.5 would be a more appropriate name than Boston 11. Indeed, the underfoot feel and ride are nearly identical in every way. The upper changes have both lightened the shoe and changed the fit for the better (forefoot) and worse (rear).

Nonetheless, the Adidas Boston remains a good running shoe for long or daily training runs. It will especially appeal to heavy runners who can enjoy the structure provided by the firm cushioning in the heel or runners looking for a stable yet neutral shoe with high-stack cushioning.

In conclusion, it will appeal to athletes who already appreciate the qualities of the Boston 10. Still, it will struggle to convince those who did not embrace the radical new course set for the Boston series.

Facts

Technical Specs

Terrain	Road
Pronation type	Neutral
Drop	8.5 mm
Heel height	39.5 mm
Forefoot height	31 mm
Weight (men)	271 g/9.6 oz
Weight (women)	258 g/9.1 oz
Features	Carbon-fiber plate, Rocker
Athletes	Kibiwott Kandie
Release year	2022
Price	Check prices

Cushioning

Softness	Firm
Responsiveness	Medium

Technologies

Outsole	Continental Rubber
Midsole	LightStrike Pro, LightStrike, Energy Rods
Upper	Lightweight Mesh Upper

Use

Speed	Moderate
Distance	Mid, 10K, Half marathon, Long, Marathon
Workout	Daily running

Comparisons – Adidas Adizero Boston 11 vs.:

Adidas Adizero Boston 10

When it comes to the differences between the Boston 11 and Boston 10, the game is very short as there are so few of them! Forget the midsole and outsole, virtually the same, and focus on the upper.

Both have 50% recycled materials, but the similarity stops here. The Boston 10 upper is more conventional and easier to adjust, but the mesh is rather thick and warm. The Boston 11 has a lighter weight, with thinner overlays that allow better air circulation.

The volume of the toe box has been reduced on the Boston 11, allowing for a more precise fit in the forefoot. On the other hand, the heel area has been enlarged, making it more difficult to find the perfect fit.

For the best foot lockdown in the forefoot, the Boston 11 is worth a look. If you tend to have issues with the heel slipping, then it’s best to stick to the Boston 10.