Asics Super Blast vs Adidas Adizero Boston 12: Which Super Trainer Should You Buy?

Introduction

The Asics Super Blast and the Adidas Adizero Boston 12 both sit firmly in the super trainer category: daily training shoes that borrow technology from super shoes and apply it in a more durable, everyday-friendly way. They aim to cover easy runs, long runs, and faster sessions from a single pair, but they get there in very different ways.

The Super Blast is a big, bouncy, high-stack shoe with no plate at all, built around Asics’ best foam. The Boston 12 feels more like a traditional super trainer, with a midsole setup that echoes the Adizero Adios Pro, energy rods included, but tuned for daily use. Both deliver on their promise of versatility. The question is which flavor of versatility suits your running.

Specs and Price Comparison

On paper, the differences are immediately clear. The Super Blast costs £195 in the UK or $200 for the latest color release, while the Boston 12 comes in considerably cheaper at £140 or $160. Despite being the bigger, taller shoe, the Super Blast is the lighter of the two at 251 grams (8.8 oz) in a UK 9, versus 259 grams (9.1 oz) for the Boston.

The stack heights tell the real story: 45.5 mm at the heel and 37.5 mm at the forefoot for the Super Blast (8 mm drop), against 38 mm and 31 mm for the Boston (7 mm drop). This is a matchup between a maximal cushioning shoe and a more grounded, responsive one.

Midsole and Outsole

The Boston 12 uses a dual-density midsole with a layer of Lightstrike Pro on top, Adidas’ bounciest and lightest foam, found in the Adios Pro. Underneath sits Lightstrike 2.0, an EVA foam that is firmer and more durable than the versions seen in the Boston 10 and 11. Between the two layers sit Energy Rods 2.0, glass fiber infused rods running under the forefoot that act like a plate and create a more propulsive ride. The outsole has good coverage of Continental rubber, grippy and durable, with the forefoot almost entirely covered and two large strips at the heel. It is not the thickest layer, but it grips exceptionally well.

The Super Blast also runs a dual-density setup, but the majority is one foam: a thick layer of FF Turbo on top, Asics’ bounciest foam, also used in the Metaspeed Sky Plus and Edge Plus. Below it sits a thin layer of FF Blast Plus, a firmer, more durable foam used in shoes like the Magic Speed. Foam sidewalls and a really wide base help with stability, while AHAR Plus rubber covers the key impact areas. It is a hard material with decent grip, but it is not as good as the Continental rubber on the Adidas.

Upper and Fit

Both shoes worked in normal running sizes for each brand: a UK 9, which translates to a US 9.5 in the Boston and a US 10 in the Super Blast. The fits differ in character, though. The Boston is the tighter fitting shoe, with a thin, stripped-back mesh upper, minimal padding, and a small internal heel counter. It has a racy feel that suits speed sessions, but it is a less comfortable upper for daily training. Expect a little lace pressure on top of the foot, and if you have had heel issues with Adidas uppers of this design, heel-lock lacing helps.

The Super Blast upper has been problem-free: roomy, genuinely comfortable, with a solid hold around the heel and midfoot and plenty of toe room. On width, the Asics is the wider shoe. The Boston is not narrow by modern standards, and it is certainly wider than the torpedo-like Adizero shoes of old, but the Super Blast wins on everyday comfort here.

Ride Character and Performance

Running the two shoes back to back makes the contrast obvious. The Super Blast is noticeably softer and sinkier, with a prominent heel that heel strikers will feel clearly on every landing, followed by a smooth transition and a very bouncy ride. It almost feels like it has a plate with the amount of punch it delivers, and on the track it produced a genuinely surprising surprise: 800 meter reps that felt relaxed but came out far quicker than expected. The lack of ground feel makes the pace a bit of a mystery sometimes, but you are moving fast whether you feel it or not.

That bouncy rhythm makes the Super Blast superb for tempo runs, long progression runs, and hour-long steady efforts, where it protects the legs and just hoovers up the miles. It is a shoe you genuinely look forward to pulling on, which counts for more than it sounds.

The Boston feels more grounded. At faster paces it is snappier, with a quicker transition onto the midfoot and forefoot and a much clearer sense of how fast you are actually moving. During 400 meter reps, the pace was easy to read. Slow the pace down and the character shifts: the foams meld together, the ride smooths out, and it never felt harsh on long easy runs despite the rods. The upper remains the sticking point; it is just a bit too aggressive for a do-it-all shoe, with lace pressure and heel rubbing to manage. Where the Boston does have the edge is grip. The Continental rubber is excellent on wet pavement and durable enough for road and track sessions, giving real confidence when cornering at speed. The Super Blast’s grip is fine but not amazing, and the outsole holes can pick up small stones on anything gravelly.

Buying Advice

Both are cracking, versatile shoes, and they even work as a two-shoe rotation together: the Super Blast taking long runs, easy runs, and tempo work, with the Boston as the slightly speedier option. If you are building a rotation from scratch, the Super Blast paired with a dedicated speed shoe, such as a carbon racer, covers nearly everything in just two pairs, which may offset its higher price.

If you are buying a single all-rounder, the Boston 12 is the slightly better pick, especially if your training includes a lot of short, sharp workouts. It is more nimble, race legal, grips better, and costs far less, and it is popping up in sales fairly often. The Super Blast is a luxury shoe, but it is a luxury that lives up to its price: more comfortable, better for daily training and long runs, and still impressively quick. If budget matters, the Boston is the clear pick; if the experience matters most, the Super Blast earns it.

Conclusion

The Super Blast is the more comfortable, more fun shoe for daily training and long runs, with a bouncy ride that masks its own speed. The Boston 12 is the more practical, snappier option with better grip, a lower price, and an edge in fast workouts. Choose the Super Blast if comfort and enjoyment lead your list, and the Boston 12 if you want the versatile, budget-friendly do-it-all trainer.