It has become somewhat of a tradition for running shoe companies to release special editions of their most popular models ahead of big-city marathons. With the 2018 Boston Marathon happening next week, a profusion of flashy, over-the-top road-running shoes are hitting the market. Some are complex masterpieces full of historical symbolism, while others are cultural odes. Who knew you could expect so much from a pair of shoes? We couldn’t resist grading our favorites—using rigorous scientific criteria, of course.
Brooks Boston Launch 5
Bean Town Tribute: 4/5
Flashiness: 3/5
Potential to Educate About a Rare Marine Species: 5/5
For its take on the Boston Marathon shoe, Brooks found inspiration in one of New England’s most majestic sea creatures: the blue lobster. The brand decked out its popular midcushion Launch 5 road shoe with a graphic of rope coils, nautical chart contour lines, anchors, and the aforementioned lobstahs.
Altra Escalante Racer
Bean Town Tribute: 0/5
Flashiness: 5/5
Reminding You What Year You Ran Boston: 4/5
To celebrate road marathon season, Altra is releasing a special-editon version of its acclaimed Escalante road shoe: the Escalante Racer. The Escalante Racer will be available in custom graphics for some of the country’s biggest marathons. The Boston edition features a blue-and-yellow colorway with the number 18 (short for 2018) printed on the side.
Saucony x Dunkin’ Kinvara 9
Bean Town Tribute: 3/5
Flashiness: 5/5
Broadcasting Your Love for Sweets: 5/5
This Saucony x Dunkin’ Donuts collab wins for uniqueness. No blue-and-yellow colorways here. The Kinvara 9 gets spiced up in all white with a doughnut-and-sprinkles decal on the heel. The partnering of running shoe and coffee brands does seem fitting—after all, what more does a runner need besides a good pair of shoes and a cup of pre-race coffee to, ahem, get things moving.
Adidas Adizero Boston 7
Bean Town Tribute: 3/5
Flashiness: 3/5
Looking Like a Member of a Semipro Running Club: 4/5
Adidas, head sponsor of the 2018 Boston Marathon, took a classic approach to its special-edition kicks: dark blue, with the iconic Boston Marathon unicorn in yellow on the heel and the classic Adidas stripes on the side.
New Balance 890v6 Boston
Bean Town Tribute: 5/5
Flashiness: 1/5
Consulting When You Get Lost: 2/5
Perhaps the most subdued of this year’s crop, the New Balance 890v6 comes in dark blue with a subtle light-blue pattern meant to invoke the Charles River. Bonus: The insoles are printed with a Strava heat map of the most popular running routes around the Charles. If you get lost, just take off your shoe and pull out the insole.
Asics Gel-Nimbus 20 Boston
Bean Town Tribute: 0/5
Flashiness: 5/5
Telling Everyone You Ran Boston: 4/5
In case anyone missed the part of the conversation where you said you were about to run Boston, these shoes will do the job for you, courtesy of the bright-blue fabric and huge “BOSTON” lettering on the side. Did you mention you were running Boston?
Newton Special Edition Boston Fate 3
Bean Town Tribute: 5/5
Flashiness: 2/5
Historical References: 5/5
The British are coming! Heartbreak Hill is looming! Newton’s special-edition Boston Fate 3 is perhaps one of the most inventive of the bunch. It features a graphic of Paul Revere’s famous ride in muted blues.