Adizero Boston 12 vs Deviate Nitro 3

The Boston 12 is where adidas fixed the Boston. Versions 10 and 11 had a reputation for a hard, brick-like midsole, and reviewers mostly agreed this one rides softer and livelier while keeping the snap that makes it a tempo running shoe. On paper it's 267g with a 7mm drop and fibreglass rods rather than a carbon plate, so think of it as a training partner for faster sessions and marathon-block long runs, though one reviewer reckoned it could double as a budget racer. Women's Running UK gave it four stars, and Runnea's reviewer picked out how stable it stays on long runs. Where it falls down is fit: a thin tongue, laces that slip and a soft heel counter that heel strikers may not trust. Adidas has since released the Boston 13, which keeps a similar ride and pads the heel and tongue. So the 12 makes most sense when it's clearly the cheaper of the two.

The Puma Deviate Nitro 3 is a carbon-plated do-it-all running shoe: enough pop to handle tempo work and race day, enough cushioning and rubber underfoot to survive your everyday miles. That dual-purpose brief is what sets it apart from a pure racer. Think of it as one shoe for the runner who wants a single versatile trainer rather than a rotation. With a 10mm drop and a firm-but-lively ride, it rewards you when you get on your toes and press the pace, while staying stable enough for steady runs. At 250g it is not the lightest plated shoe out there, and you notice that on the fastest reps, so treat it as a workhorse tempo and long-run trainer rather than a featherweight 5k weapon. For the £160 RRP you get real durability and a genuinely versatile ride. If you want one carbon shoe that does a bit of everything, it earns its place.