A dedicated cyclist often has more than one bike, tennis players have a bulging bag of racquets and surfers a quiver full of boards for all occasions. Lately, runners have also been stocking up on shoes more dialled in for their exact needs. Getting specific about what shoe you use for required needs can help you build your strengths efficiently, match training day variability in pace and distance, and then have the best tools to execute any speed goals. 

Below is a combination pairing of the new adidas Solarglide 5 and adidas Adizero Boston 11, which complement each other well for your road running journey.  It’s also the choice of shoes for Olympian, Comrades Marathon record holder, Two Oceans record holder and 2022 New York Marathon hopeful Gerda Steyn.

What’s Different?
When putting in the hard yards during training the workhorse Solarglide 5 is your sturdy partner. The boost midsole gives the cushioning you need on those long training days. This is especially relevant when you are doing back-to-back long-distance days and your feet are in need for that little extra comfort. The LEP 2.0 Torsion system in the midsole is also of great value in assisting you move through the stride as you transfer energy from a heel strike through to the toe-off. When your feet are fatigued in training this guidance technology can be of great assistance. 

In the last two years, the profile of the Adizero Boston has changed dramatically with the inclusion of significantly more midsole cushioning to lift the shoe higher off the road. In the case of the Adizero Boston 11, 39.5mm high at the back and 31mm in the forefoot, which is loftier than the 36mm and 26mm respectively of the Solarglide. The midsole combination of Lightstrike Pro+ and standard Lightstrike EVA, together with the insertion of Energyrods in the Lightstrike cushioning, not only place you higher off the ground than the Solarglide 5, but create a snappier propulsive race day feel from the Boston 11. You might expect the Adizero Boston 11 to be the heavier of the two, but the ventilated mesh upper helps keep the weight down to 271 grams to the Solarglide’s 335 grams.

What’s The Same?
Training for a marathon can deliver a lot of different weather, which means a change of surface grip underfoot. Both shoes use Continental rubber to give you the benefits of staying grippy in wet and dry conditions and running on tar, sidewalk or concrete. This is most relevant and noticeable with the Adizero Boston 11 when you are running at speed and need that little extra grip to keep confidence in your pact stride. 

The yarn used to make the upper of both shoes is made from at least 50% recycled Parley plastic intercepted before it reaches the oceans. 

What Are Your Running Goals?
Once you know your running goals you need a plan to reach them. Making your shoes part of that plan is a great way to keep you motivated and sticking to your task. Leaving the Solarglide 5 at the door as the faithful servant ready to join you on those repetitive mileage-building days, they become a form of training buddy. And then when you need to execute the speed sessions, pulling the Adizero Boston 11 out of the cupboard can be the signal to your brain that your body needs to perform with some extra zip. Together the combination adds a great dynamic to your training experience, helps keep your sessions fresh, and hopefully assists in smashing your goals. 

Perfect Pairing
Comfort and speed for all your training is covered with both shoes at R2499, this is especially enticing for the Adizero Boston 11 as it includes the carbon Energyrods.

Get up to 42.2% off selected running shoes until 30 Sept!
As proud technical sponsor of the 2022 Cape Town Marathon, adidas is spreading the running fever with 42.2% off some of its top running silhouettes.
Offer ends Friday 30 September 2022, so check out the deals here.

Follow @adidasZA on Instagram for more info or download the free adidas app.

Shop the Solarglide 5 HERE
Shop the Boston 11 HERE

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