Battle: Saucony Triumph 21 vs Adidas Boston 12

Do we need a plate for long runs? I’ve been using plated shoes for my long runs (almost exclusively the Saucony Endorphin Speed) because I felt that I needed them to have more energy return, more bounce, and even more fun to help me cope with long distances up to 38 km (24 mi) that are a part of my marathon training. Today, I am not so sure I need a plate for this.

To answer this question, I’ll do a 10-comparison points battle between the non-plated max-cushion Saucony Triumph 21 (read the full review here), a favorite among runners for long runs, and the Adidas (Adizero) Boston 12 (read the full review here), a shoe that most runners consider a super-trainer (not me though) specially designed for speed and long runs, that has fiber-glass energy rods that act like a plate.

Let the battle begin!

Comfort

The Triumph 21 is a max-cushion shoe designed to bring you premium comfort for your daily and long runs. The Boston 12 is a speed shoe designed to be lightweight, agile, and fast and it’s a minimalist shoe regarding padding and overall comfort.

The difference between both shoes is felt immediately as you put on the shoes. The Triumph is comfortable and cozy while the Boston is a harsh shoe. On the run, the Boston’s dual foam setup with LightStrike 2.0 and LightStrike Pro is no match to the softer and bouncier PWRRUN+.

The Triumph easily wins this round.

Winner: Saucony Triumph 21

Midsole

While the Triumph 21 kept the exact midsole formulation used in the previous version, the Boston 12 midsole was revamped for the better.

The Boston 12 features a dual foam setup with LightStrike 2.0 and LightStrike Pro. The EVA-based LightStrike 2.0 is softer than the first iteration but still is on the firmer side, despite not being a firm foam. The TPEE (thermoplastic polyester elastomer) LightStrike Pro is well known and has nothing to prove at this point. Is soft, bouncy, and very resilient, but it’s also not the softest of the super foams. This dual setup works best for forefoot strikers because they are the ones who will get more LightStrike Pro. Heel strikers will get more of the LightStrike 2.0 and the ride will be less enjoyable for them.

The Triumph 21 is still equipped with the same PWRRUN+ midsole and is soft and very bouncy even after a full marathon.

So, the Triumph midsole is softer, bouncier, more comfortable, and more cushioned, but this is a long run battle, so the best midsole depends on the long-run type. If you are doing a steady and easy long run, then the best midsole is the Triumph’s. If you want to do a progression or fast finish long run, then the Boston’s midsole is the best for that type of runs.

So, both midsoles are great, but they target different long run types. I’ll declare this round a draw.

Winner: Draw

Outsole

Saucony’s outsoles never impressed me. They are very durable, and by looking at all of my shoes, the Saucony’s XT-900 rubber is one of the most durable. But perhaps the price for that is the lesser grip that this rubber offers. Combined with the decision (that I appreciate) to add only the essential rubber and nothing more, we don’t have the needed grip for those rainy days. The Triumph’s outsole seemed better than the Endorphin speed though. Perhaps the wider platform contributes to a better grip.

The Boston 12, as expected from an Adidas shoe, not only has one of the best rubbers, the Continental, but also has a lot of it, especially in the forefoot. So, with the Boston, we get a great grip no matter the weather conditions.

This round is easily won by the Boston 12.

Winner: Adidas Boston 12

Weight

On one hand, we have probably the lightest max-cushion shoe, and on the other, we have a not-so-light speed shoe.

In the end, the Boston 12 is the lightest but this difference is only felt if you're doing speedier long runs. Nevertheless, I'll give this round to the Boston 12.

Winner: Adidas Boston 12

Fit

It’s not easy to slide the foot in the Boston 12 and, afterward, lace it to get a secure lockdown. This seems to be a pattern in Adidas Adizero shoes (at least with the Takumi Sen 9 is the same) because I always need much more time to properly lace my Adidas shoes. After some time, the lacing is done, but in the end, I never get a complete secure lockdown as my heel is not 100% secure. Nevertheless, I never had any issues.

Moving to the Triumph, it’s easy as it should be to put the foot in and lace the shoe, and it’s also easy to get a secure lockdown. I didn’t expect to get a more secure lockdown with a max-cushion shoe than with a speed shoe, but it’s what’s happening.

So, the Triumph 21 wins the round.

Winner: Saucony Triumph 21

Cushioning

At this point, you already know who’s winning this round.

Both shoes have the same stack height in the heel, but the Boston 12 is firmer both on the forefoot and heel, being worst in the heel.

I’ve done several consecutive runs with the Boston 12, including, of course, long runs, and in the end, my feet were beginning to feel tired and sore in some parts.

With the Triumph 21, I logged >30 km (18 mi) long runs once a week for several consecutive weeks and my feet never complained about it. The Triumph 21 cushioning is superior, without any doubts.

Winner: Saucony Triumph 21

Energy Return

It was not easy to determine this round winner, because both have a good amount of energy return, but that responsiveness can change with different paces.

The Triumph 21 has an excellent energy return no matter the pace. From slow runs to tempos, the Triumph 21 keeps bouncing for several miles.

The Boston 12 energy on long runs is more noticeable only when I run at higher paces, and is more interesting at paces higher than 4:00 min/km (6.5 min/mi). Slower than that, we need to land harder to feel the bounce back.

So, because the Triumph’s energy return is better at any pace, the Triumph 21 wins the round.

Winner: Saucony Triumph 21

Stability

Both are neutral running shoes, but they are also both very stable. I didn’t have any hint of instability on any of these shoes.

Because the Triumph 21 foam is softer, it could be somewhat unstable, but I didn’t feel it. The Boston 12 with its wider forefoot platform and firmer ride will be better for those seeking stability, but again, based on my rides, I can’t pick a winner here.

Winner: Draw

Versatility

Both shoes are very versatile as I would do almost all runs with any of these shoes, but I would pick the Triumph 21 for longer and easier efforts and the Boston 12 for speed sessions and races.

But what's the most versatile? I can do all runs with the Triumph 21, but I wouldn’t pick it for a race. They are heavier and not snappy enough for a race.

On the other hand, the Boston 12 are not the most comfortable option for easy long runs, but I wouldn’t mind picking it up for those runs.

So, in the end, the Boston 12 are the most versatile.

Winner: Adidas Boston 12

Price

There’s not much to write in this round. The Boston costs 160€ (160$) and the Triumph 190€ (160$). The price is the same in the US, but the Boston 12 is cheaper in Europe and, I live in Europe so the Boston 12 wins this round.

Winner: Adidas Boston 12

Final score

With 6 points each, the Triumph 21 and Boston 12 have tied!

This was a total surprise for me. When I began this battle, I was expecting the Triumph 21 to be the clear winner because it's my favorite for long runs. It's more comfortable, more cushioned and it has a bouncy and fun ride.

In the end, the draw makes sense because the best shoe for long runs will depend on the type of the long run. But don't forget that these battles are fun but somewhat blind. For me, the Triumph 21 won the most important categories for a long run. If you are picking one of these shoes, then see for yourself what are the most important categories and who won it.

So, do we need a plate? It seems so if you want a speedy shoe for faster long runs. Otherwise, we don't need a plate for long runs. What we need is a fantastic foam, like the PWRRUN+.

What do you think about this result? Tell me about it in the comments below.

Also, drop me a line if you have any questions, and don't forget to follow the blog on social media and subscribe to receive a notification when I publish a new blog post.

If you're interested in buying one of these shoes, follow the links below.

Saucony Triumph 21:

• US: Road Runner Sports
• EU: Top4Running - Code "allaboutrunning" for an additional 5% discount.
• UK: Sportsshoes.com | Prodirectsport.com

Adidas Boston 12:

• US: Road Runner Sports
• EU: Top4Running - Code "allaboutrunning" for an additional 5% discount.
• UK: Sportsshoes.com | Prodirectsport.com

These are affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. It helps out my blog so I can keep bringing new content.

Portuguese-speaking readers, I have this same content in video format here (video below). Visit my YouTube channel.