The Adidas Adizero Boston 13 and the Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 11 belong to the same Adizero line with Energy Rods, but they don’t target the same distances. The Boston 13 is the versatile one that trains and races over any distance. The Takumi Sen 11 is a pure racing shoe, ultralight and low, built for speed over 5K and 10K.
The weight difference is glaring: the Boston is heavier by 76 g / 2.7 oz. But it also packs more foam, with 5 mm of extra height at the heel. The Takumi therefore sits closer to the ground. The drop is fairly standard on both models.
Both carry the Energy Rods 2.0, fiberglass rods that deliver propulsion and bounce without the stiffness of a carbon plate. The Boston 13 stacks Lightstrike Pro over a second, denser foam (Lightstrike 2.0), for more cushioning and durability. The Takumi Sen 11 sticks to Lightstrike Pro, the racing foam, for explosive feel and a demanding ride (the same one as on the Adios Pro 4).
The Boston 13 is far more versatile: it soaks up daily training, tempo workouts and long runs, and can even line up for a race all the way to the marathon. The Takumi Sen 11 is built for racing: low and light, it excels on short, fast efforts, from 5K to 10K, with a demanding ride.
Both light uppers deliver lockdown suited to fast running. The Boston 13 fits true to size; the Takumi Sen 11 bets on a lighter, more fitted upper cut for racing.
Boston 13 or Takumi Sen 11: which should you choose?
For almost every runner, it is the Boston 13 (9.3/10): one pair that covers training and racing alike, where the Takumi only knows how to do one thing (or close to it).
The Takumi Sen 11 only earns its place if you chase pure performance on short road races, with the stride to exploit it and the higher price that comes with it.
The Boston for versatility, the Takumi for pure speed specialists.
