REVIEW
THE ‘ SUPER SIDEKICK ’ BOSTON 10
They say every super-hero needs a sidekick to back them up , like Batman and Robin , and the adidas adizero Boston 10 is the ideal training partner for the adidas adizero adios Pro
2 racing shoe . – BY MODERN ATHLETE EDITOR SEAN FALCONER
THE UPPER
This is a two-layer upper , with an inner layer made from a perforated material mesh , with a mostly see-through plastic outer layer . This does make it a bit warmer than the adios Pro 2 ’ s upper , but still comfy on the long run thanks to the breathability of both layers . Another reviewer described the suede toe bumper as “ retro-looking ,” and there I have to agree . Thus , the Boston 10 does look slightly older-fashioned than the adios Pro 2 , but yet again , I find that appropriate for a workhorse trainer .
The tongue on the Boston 10 is super thin and gusseted ( attached to the inner mesh layer of the upper ) so I found it provided a comfortable but still firm grip on my foot . Meanwhile , a conventional heel counter ( cup ) and added padding in the heel and ankle areas contribute to the secure fit of the shoe .
THE DIMENSIONS
Weight : 245g ( UK 8.5 ) Stack Height : 39.5mm ( heel ), 29.5mm ( forefoot ) Heel-to-toe Drop : 10mm
The modern trend in shoe design is for brands to introduce a training companion to accompany their top-of-the-line racing model . It makes sense , when you think about it , to train in similar shoes , one with a bit more cushioning for the long training mileage , and a lighter , more responsive model for racing , but both with the same ride and characteristics . And in the case of the adios Pro 2 , with its EnergyRod propulsion system , it makes sense to train in the Boston 10 , which now offers the same system in a training model for the first time . It also means you can save your racers for racing …
The biggest difference between the two , besides their price , is that the Boston 10 ’ s EnergyRods are made from fibreglass instead of carbon , while the midsole and outsole rubber compounds are a bit thicker , to cope with more mileage , but the overall ‘ feel ’ of the shoes is similar , and that makes them a great super-hero duo in my books .
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Running shoes with tall , built up midsoles are fairly common these days . I think many runners were a bit taken aback by this trend a few years ago , but we ’ ve gotten used to them , so my first impression of the Boston 10 was all good . Because it arrived in the same box as my test pair of the adios Pro 2 , it did perhaps suffer by comparison , because the latter shoe is a damned fine looking racer , compared to this more conservative , solid-looking trainer , but even saying that is unfair to the Boston 10 . I still think it ’ s a good-looking shoe , and like the adios Pro 2 , adidas has brought the shoe out with a blue-green based colourway that I find attractive .
THE PROPULSION
Similar to the adios Pro 2 , the Boston has a small plate just embedded into the footbed of the heel , running to the midfoot , and then the fibreglass EnergyRods running from midfoot to forefoot a bit lower , embedded between the two midsole layers . This makes the heel feel firmer , while the transition to toe-off feels snappy and responsive . The designers say they have aligned the rods with the metatarsal bones just behind the toes , and to me it feels like they got that just right .
74 ISSUE 145 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021 | www . modernathlete . co . za