Adidas Boston 12 vs Asics Superblast: Best Marathon Training Shoe?

Over the past few years, a new category of trainers has emerged, blending racing technology with affordability. These "Super-trainers" have propulsive rides and increased durability compared to their racing counterparts, leading to widespread popularity, with nearly every major brand now incorporating a Super-trainer into their lineup. The Adidas Boston 12 and Asics Superblast are two shoes that fall into this category, and below we will look at how they compare.

Overview: Adidas Boston 12 vs Asics Superblast

The Adidas Boston 12 stands out as a performance-plated trainer created with a dual construction midsole and Adidas' Energyrods 2.0. The innovative dual-construction midsole incorporates a new blend of Adidas' Lightstrike Pro and Lightstrike, resulting in a softer feel compared to past iterations. Although it may still be a bit firm for lighter runners, the Boston feels highly responsive, snappy and fast at uptempo paces. Priced at $160, the Boston is a little pricy but has been on sale for much less since launch.

Adidas Boston 12 Specs

• Weight: 260g/9.2 oz
• Stack: 38mm heel/31mm heel
• Drop: 7mm
• $160

The Superblast, Asics' flagship super-trainer, takes a different approach by not featuring a plate. Instead, it relies on the stiffness of its dual-foam constructed midsole and an impressive stack height to deliver a bouncy and fun ride. Featuring 45.5mm of PEBA and EVA/OBC, the Superblast is highly protective but will feel great at any pace. Priced at $200, the Superblast may be on the higher end, but its versatility stands out compared to other super-trainers.

Uptempo

Adidas Boston 12

Fast marathon training shoe with cushioned and propulsive ride

Price

$160

Plated?

Yes

Foam

EVA, Supercritical TPEE

Weight (oz)

9.5

Drop (mm)

7

Support

Neutral

see details

Asics Superblast Specs

• Weight: 256g/9 oz 
• Stack 45.5mm heel/37.5mm forefoot  
• Drop 8mm 
• $200 

Midsole: Two Dual-Foam Constructions

The Adidas Boston 12 is jam-packed with Adidas' flagship technology, featuring Lightstrike Pro, Lightstrike 2.0, and Energyrods 2.0. The midsole is constructed with a top layer of Lightstrike Pro, a TPEE-based foam used in all of Adidas' performance racing shoes, that provides a soft and propulsive feel underfoot. At the base, we see a layer of Lightstrike 2.0, which utilizes an EVA blend to bring added stability and durability at the cost of cushioning. Although softer than its predecessor, Lightstrike 2.0 may be a bit firm for lighter runners and will take around 50-100 miles to break in. Sandwiched between these two foams, the Boston 12 incorporates fiberglass Energyrods 2.0, which contribute to the shoe's rigidity and energy return, enhancing its overall performance.

The Asics Superblast also adopts a dual-foam construction featuring FlyteFoam Turbo and FlyteFoam Blast+ without the inclusion of a plate. FlyteFoam Turbo is a PEBA-based foam that is responsiveness and not overly cushioned. Found in all of Asics' marathon racers, it has proven to be an extremely popular foam and will quickly spring back with each step. The Superblast also incorporates a thin layer of FlyteFoam Blast+, a blend of EVA/OBC, a softer foam that helps to soak up the miles and keep your legs from taking a beating. With a generous stack height of 45.5mm, the Superblast is very protective and will keep you feeling fresh for your next workout. Although lacking a plate, the Superblast is notably stiff, contributing to its energy return.

Ride: Balanced vs Firm Experience

The Adidas Boston 12 offers a slightly firmer ride compared to other super-trainers, but, in turn, it is incredibly snappy and responsive. Out of the box, the Boston may feel extremely firm, as an EVA shoe will, but after some time, it really springs to life. At faster paces, the Boston gives you back exactly what you put in, making it great for uptempo work and longer progressions. However, at slower paces, it may feel a bit clunky and weird as it encourages a faster tempo. It does feel stable, however, thanks to EnergyRods and the fairly wide landing platform, though it is not a stability shoe.

The Asics Superblast stands out for its balance of cushioning and bounce, offering a comfortable and responsive experience that is great for both uptempo running and easy miles. It feels great straight out of the box, creating a more relaxed feel while still returning a lot of energy thanks to the massive stack of super-foam. Despite the massive stack, the Superblast still feels pretty light underfoot, only weighing in at 256g/9 oz. Overall, the lightweight construction combined with the responsive foam will protect your legs at a wide range of paces.

Comparing the Adidas Boston 12 and Asics Superblast, the Boston 12 is much firmer but snappier than the Superblast, and it has a bit more of a propulsive feel. However, it does require a break-in period before it really feels best. The Superblast, on the other hand, feels great out of the box and has a much more cushioned and bouncy ride than the Boston 12. It will also feel much more natural and less clunky for slower efforts. The Superblast really protects your legs as you go deeper into a run, but if you're bigger or want to push the pace, the Boston 12 is your best bet. As you get to the end of a long run, the Superblast will feel a little more cushioned for a lighter runner, but neither bottoms out so it’s really up to preference.

Upper & Fit

The Adidas Boston 12 features a thin and breathable upper, but achieving a secure lockdown is not easy due to the thin tongue. Tightening the laces may lead to discomfort, causing the shoe to consistently feel loose and requiring frequent retying. Furthermore, the heel lockdown isn't amazing either, causing further retying. However, with some effort, there is a sweet spot where the shoe will lock you down without discomfort, and once you get there, you can enjoy the lightweight, breathable nature of the upper. I found the shoe to run a bit big, so going down a half size down may be advised.

The Asics Superblast features a mesh upper that isn't super stretchy, providing a secure fit during runs. The lightweight and padded tongue on the shoe will also allow you to tighten the laces as much as you desire without discomfort. There is a bit of heel slippage, but it isn't too noticeable on runs. The shoe does run a little long, so if this bothers you, going down half a size could be smart.

Outsole & Durability 

The Adidas Boston 12 outsole is hands down the better option, featuring Continental rubber for the best grip possible. In wet conditions, the Boston 12 offers reliable traction that prevents you from slipping, regardless of conditions. The Superblast, on the other hand, is alright, and on everyday runs, it will get the job done. However, in wet conditions, you may feel yourself slipping a bit. In terms of durability, the Boston also takes the cake thanks to its EVA foam, and you can expect to get around alot miles out of it. The Superblast is also pretty durable, with the outsole seeing minor wear in the 150 miles I've run.

Who Are They Best For?

The Adidas Boston 12 is a fast shoe that will feel nice and snappy uptempo, so if you are looking for a speedy shoe to add to your rotation, this is the one. It also is a bit firmer, so if you like that or are a bigger, more powerful runner, this shoe will feel great. However, the Superblast is much more versatile as it provides extensive leg protection and energy return at a wide range of paces. For long runs, both shoes are great options as neither bottoms out, and they both offer lots of energy return to help you through those last few miles.

Final Thoughts

Overall, both shoes are super exciting and fun to run in, so you can't go wrong. For more information, check out the shoe matcher tool, where we'll choose the best running shoes for you based on your goals and preferences.