Boston and the surrounding area is a hot bed for various shoe companies’ brand headquarters. From Converse to New Balance in the city, to Reebok and Puma out in the suburbs, the area has drawn in big names in footwear. And it’s not only the brands with nearby headquarters that have ties to the city.
Take Adidas, for instance. While Reebok is owned by Adidas, and based in Canton, Mass., Adidas’s US headquarters operate out of Portland, Oregon. Still, Adidas has direct ties with the city of Boston: The brand, which you probably know, is partnered with the Boston Athletic Association and the Boston Marathon, which just happens to be one of the biggest sporting events in the country.
On September 1, the brand rolled out a new shoe in honor of our city: It’s called the Adidas Adizero Boston Boost 5, and according to Adidas rep Caitlin Albaugh, the shoe is “a nod to adidas’ partnership with the B.A.A. and the Boston Marathon over the past 25 years.”
So, this Boston-edition Adidas shoe has some nostalgia to it. What does a 25th anniversary shoe look like? Like this:
Men’s Boston Boost, left; Women’s Boston Boost, right. Images via Adidas
A classic Adidas tennis shoe, except you can see that the side is emblazoned with the words “Boston Boost.” More Adizero Boston shoes have come before it, but this one is the first to feature the “Boost” technology. According to the website, the shoe boasts “superior cushioning and unmatched energy return” in its sole, a “FORMOTION” mesh upper, a “Midfoot Torsion System,” 21 percent more traction in dry condition and 23 percent more traction in wet conditions thanks to the Continental Rubber exterior, and a 10 mm heel-to-toe drop.
If you’re drawn to these orange and pink sneakers (the men’s version is also available in gray, but ladies, hopefully you like pink), you’re in luck. There’s a Marathon Sports coupon floating around for 15 percent off the shoes until September 30, which can be redeemed at the Boston and Wellesley stores.
For comparison, we sought out a recent limited-edition Boston shoe from the local frontrunners of city-themed shoes: New Balance. This particular shoe, the 2014 Boston 990v3, was released this spring right before St. Patrick’s Day (a holiday, it’s worth nothing, taken quite seriously by many Bostonians), and is still available online.
Here’s the 990v3:
Men’s Boston 990v3, image via New Balance
New Balance describes the shoe as paying homage to both the runners and sports fanatics that make up Boston’s population, and attributes the bright green color to the city’s hometown basketball team, the Celtics. Additionally, the shoe was “inspired by Boston’s Irish history and connection to St. Patrick’s Day,” according to the website.
As for the stats, the 990v3 features a “dual-density collar” that provides both comfort and sturdy support, a blown rubber forefoot and a reflective detailing for added visibility. Additionally, the shoe was made in the USA.
So, how do you think these Boston-inspired shoes stack up? The Adidas shoe incorporates more advanced sneaker technology, like the Torsion System, which “provides stability and propulsion through the midfoot phase of the gait cycle.” New Balance’s shoe, on the other hand, links the design directly to Boston culture, sports and history.
It’s hard to say which shoe serves its athletic purposes better without trying them, but if you’re looking for a way to flaunt your Boston roots on your feet, the New Balance shoe comes in first. Stay tuned for more Boston-themed shoes from the local brand in the future.
Featured image via Adidas
