This is my third version of the Adidas Boston series, and when they changed over to the Boost midsole material it was pretty much game over.
This is an incredibly straight-forward and well made uptempo neutral shoe which experienced runners will really enjoy.
Some significant updates were made this time around including a more substantial upper and a lower achilles notch on the heel cup, but overall this is the same shoe that Boston lovers have been wearing for three years now.
The Boston 6 really is the counterpart to the Adizero Tempo, a shoe that provides some medial posting for runners with slight over-pronation.
I would encourage runners with stability needs to look in that direction, as the Boston 6 really does work best for neutral runners or those with only the most minor stability needs.
Overall, the Boston 6 remains in the same vein as the fifth version, marked by semi-firm cushioning, a racing last, and a fairly narrow fit through the forefoot.
Adidas Adizero Boston 6 General Info
Adidas Adizero Boston 6 Top
The Adizero Boston 6 replaces the Boston 5, both of which employ Adidas’ Boost midsole material. The Boston 6 is Adidas’ third lightest shoe after the Takumi-Sen and Adios Boost, both of which are true racing flats.
The feel of the Boston 6 is very similar however, and I would recommend this as an uptempo or racing shoe which can easily handle the marathon distance.
In the market it is my opinion that the Boston 6 competes against other uptempo shoes such as the Nike LunarTempo, the New Balance Zante v2, and the HOKA One One Clayton, all of which are neutral shoes designed for faster paced running and weigh less than 9 ounces.
The Boston 6 definitely has the firmest feel of the bunch, especially in the forefoot. While many runners prefer this semi-firm feel, this looking for a softer forefoot feel should look elsewhere.
In fact it is hard to believe that the Boston 6 weighs in at 8.8 ounces as the feel of the shoe is much lighter. I was immediately impressed with the top notch materials Adidas has used in this model to increase durability and ride.
Most notably, Adidas makes a significant upgrade to the mesh around the toe box using knitted CoolEver mesh which was pliable and accommodating rather than the somewhat brittle, thinner mesh they’ve used in the past.
Adidas Adizero Boston 6 Sole Unit
The highlight of the Adizero Boston 6 really is the Boost midsole cushioning. This midsole material, comprised of compressed TPU pellets, holds up over 500 miles and I think its the most durable EVA foam on the market.
In fact, I’m still wearing a pair of Boston 5s that I bought over a year ago and they still have life in them. This firmer cushioning also allows for more protection over rough surfaces, and I’ve enjoyed trail runs in the Boston 6 without sacrificing my feet to the errant rock.
The midsole feel is complimented by the superb road traction of a Continental rubber outsole. Again, made to last, this rubber seems to grip even better on wet roads where other uptempo shoes might leave you feeling vulnerable through turns.
All of these features really make the heel-toe transition in the Boston 6 very smooth, and fast paced running in this shoe is a pure joy. I was actually surprised just how smooth this transition felt with the 10mm heel to toe drop.
As stated before, there is some structural support in the midsole from Adidas’ Torsion system which allows the forefoot and midfoot to move independently.
I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with this thermoplastic unit which sits in the midfoot area on the outsole, but most runners appreciate the increased feeling of control and firmness in an otherwise very flexible shoe.
Adidas Adizero Boston 6 Upper Info
The upper really is where the biggest changes to the Boston are, and some will like them, some runners won’t. A knit material over the toe box replaces on almost see-through mesh which was incredibly light and drained well.
I thought that this mesh material on the Boston 5 wrinkled up as you put more miles on the shoe, and the Boston 6’s knit mesh is simply more comfortable.
The last and overall fit remain the same, and this is a shoe that works best for narrow footed runners that do not require a wide toe box.
The more open mesh predominates the midfoot and back of the shoe leading into a supportive heel cup. The heel collar on the Boston 6 is lower and Adidas got rid of the noticeable achilles notch which irritated runners wearing the Boston 5.
Adidas Adizero Boston 6 Conclusions
While I have enjoyed wearing several incarnations of the Adizero Bostons, this is ultimately a shoe that doesn’t work all that well for me personally.
Adidas Adizero Boston 6 Medial Side
I love the Boston 6 for faster paced tempo runs from 6-12 miles, but as a runner with a wider forefoot I start to feel hemmed in over longer distances.
Comparatively, the Nike LunarTempo is a shoe that fits my foot much better and weighs an ounce less. However, I think that I am in the minority of runners finding this narrow last to be an issue.
The Boston 6 is a shoe I see many runners choosing for 10ks, half marathons, and marathons. I’ve even witnessed elite trail runners using the Boston 6 for 100 mile races such as the Western States 100.
Overall, this is a great shoe worthy of a fitting at a specialty running store. Its $120 price tag is justified by its durability and many runners will enjoy using the Boston 6 as their racing flat with just a bit more protection.
We thank the nice people at Adidas for sending us a pair of Adizero Boston 6 to test. This did not influence the outcome of the review, written after running more than 50 miles in them.
