Adidas Adizero Boston 13 vs Nike Zoom Fly 6
A side-by-side comparison grounded in verdicts from 4 reviewers with every source linked. We don't invent quotes; every claim below is attributed.
Specs at a glance
The consensus read
Each paragraph is a synthesis across every reviewer in our database for that shoe — what they collectively concluded after wear-testing. Not a quote. Not one person's take. The shape of the room.
Adidas Adizero Boston 13
A versatile daily trainer with a firmer, stable platform that handles easy runs through tempo work, though some testers find it less snappy than expected and prefer the Evo SL. The refined upper and wide forefoot suit a broader range of runners, especially those seeking reliable long-run durability.
Nike Zoom Fly 6
A versatile plated trainer that balances soft ZoomX cushioning with a responsive carbon plate, handling everything from easy runs to marathon pace at a competitive price; most testers praise its durability and value, though some find it slightly firm for a daily trainer.
Reviewers who wore both
Direct paired observations — reviewers who actually ran in both of these and wrote the contrast. This is the strongest comparative signal on the page.
Direct competitor in the super-trainer category.
Closest competitor from another brand; Zoom Fly 6 is more expensive and Continental rubber on the Boston 13 lasts longer than Nike's outsole rubber
Zoom Fly is taller in the heel, higher drop, more aggressive and better for pace; Boston is wider in the forefoot, more breathable upper, cheaper, and more versatile as a daily trainer
Zoom Fly 6 is softer, stiffer, less snappy/bouncy but better for easy runs and more centered/neutral; Boston is snappier, more flexible, better for workouts/racing with a more directionally biased guidance
Boston 13 is a fraction more versatile and won the Top 3 ranking; Zoom Fly 6 is more racy and a great super-trainer in its own right
A competing plated daily option
Cheaper at 140 quid, very durable, closer in feel to the Adios Pro/Takumi Sen race shoes
Reminds Ben of the Boston 12 in feel and rotation slot
Zoom Fly is taller heel, higher drop, more aggressive and better for pace; Boston has wider forefoot, more breathable upper, better tongue/laces, cheaper, and more versatile
Adidas Adizero Boston 13 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , neutral stability .
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#5 long-run shoe. Hard to categorize — Kofuzi puts it here for long runs with some pace.
In their words: "i do like it for longer runs" · "pick up the pace a little bit"
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A solid, good-value super trainer with a firmer, denser ride; works well for faster efforts but feels less natural and versatile than the Speed 5.
Ride:Firmer, flatter, blockier ride than the Speed 5 with a snappy feel from the energy rods between Lightstrike Pro and Lightstrike 2.0 layers; less energy return and less versatile at easy paces
Fit:UK sizing comes up small — go half a size up for Adidas; upper is much more comfortable than Boston 12 with good toe-box clearance and a snug-but-secure midfoot hold
In their words: "a snappier, more engaging ride" · "a bit more blocky by comparison" · "comfortable at easy paces"
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Outstanding value at GBP 140 with excellent fit, grip, and durability — the desert-island pick over the Speed 5 for the reviewer.
Ride:Firmer and denser than the Speed 5 with a cruiser feel from the wide forefoot; superb Continental + Lightstrike outsole grip and durability.
Fit:Widest forefoot of the comparison set but narrowest heel — heel width is the one thing putting some runners off; otherwise dialled-in fit, especially for slightly narrow feet. About 15g heavier than the Speed 5.
In their words: "the Boston's a cruiser" · "superb durability" · "a little bit firmer and denser"
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A genuine improvement over the Boston 12 with a softer ride, better upper and tongue, and good value at £140, but it's a hard sell against Adidas's own Evo SL.
Ride:Softer than the v12 due to 14% more Light Strike Pro; slightly less stable but improved ride. Stack height reduction from 37mm to 36mm is not really noticeable. Energy rods 2.0 work very well.
Fit:Fits narrow; reviewer went up half a size. Upper, tongue, and heel comfort much improved over v12.
In their words: "this version definitely feels softer" · "it fits narrow" · "definitely a little bit more unstable"
Nike Zoom Fly 6 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , neutral stability .
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#1 tempo shoe. Best Zoom Fly ever made — fun for daily training and excellent at going fast. Comfortable, peppy, lightweight.
In their words: "comfortable. it's peppy. it's lightweight" · "everything that i want in a tempo shoe"
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Fordy says the Zoom Fly 6 is a great shoe but skews toward race-day rather than versatile training; would like Nike to make it less firm and more exciting.
Ride:Reviewer calls it a great shoe but more towards a race-day shoe — a toned-down race-day shoe from Nike — and feels it's a bit firm; wishes Nike would inject more excitement and innovation into it
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An excellent versatile super-trainer that does every kind of run well; not quite as lively as the Megablast but a fantastic shoe at a much lower price, making it the value pick.
Ride:Comfortable at easy paces yet capable of fast running; slightly firmer at the heel than the Megablast which makes it feel more stable there for some runners; not as flat-out fast or as bouncy as the Megablast but still moves well at pace
Fit:Comfortable upper with thick dual-layer mesh, generous heel padding; true-to-size fit with secure heel and midfoot lockdown and adequate toe room
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A capable, versatile, better-priced alternative to the Endorphin Speed 5 — the easier overall pick on price and availability even though the Speed 5 is the more nimble shoe.
Ride:Dual-foam midsole (rubbery SR-02 base, ZoomX on top) with a slightly more flexible plate; firmer than the Speed 5 and very versatile for easy through faster running.
Fit:Similar forefoot/heel width to the Speed 5 but slightly less breathable upper.
In their words: "deceptively stacked" · "two different midsole foams here" · "use them for just about anything"
Who should buy which
Use cases the reviewers above actually call out — one bullet per distinct take, attributed. Where reviewers converge (e.g. "5K to half marathon" appearing across multiple takes) the agreement is a stronger buying signal than any single voice.
Consider the Adidas Adizero Boston 13 if
- Value-focused runners looking for a firm, snappy fast training shoe that also serves as a companion to the Adios Pro 4 for racing — The Run Testers
- Runners who want one shoe that can handle daily training, long runs, tempo, and even race day reasonably well — especially travel or one-shoe runners, and bigger/heavier runners who will load the rods more. — Believe in the Run
- Everyday runners wanting a super trainer that can handle daily miles, tempo work, and race day. — FORDY RUNS
- Value-minded daily training and tempo work for runners who want a cruise-y, durable ride. — EDDBUD
- Runners who prefer a firmer, more responsive and stable shoe for faster daily sessions, intervals and tempo runs up to around 10-15K. — The Run Testers
- Versatile daily trainer for easy paces through marathon pace, including long runs with faster intervals. — EDDBUD
Consider the Nike Zoom Fly 6 if
- Mid-packers wanting one do-it-all carbon-plated shoe at a competitive price — workouts, tempo, long runs and even race day, especially good for heavier runners who need protection. — Ben Parkes
- Versatile do-everything carbon-plate trainer for runners on a budget vs the Speed 5. — EDDBUD
- A versatile, responsive plated daily trainer across all paces short of extreme long runs, at the cheapest price point in the group — EDDBUD
- Runners who want a versatile lightweight trainer that handles easy days well, with a wider anatomic toe box and neutral guidance — and an alternative to aggressive super shoes — Doctors of Running
- Marathon-block long runs and longer tempo efforts where a plush, rhythmic, road-mile-eating super-trainer is preferred — Doctors of Running
- Workout/tempo days plus daily training in a single shoe — pairs well with a race-day Vaporfly. — Kofuzi
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the Adidas Adizero Boston 13 and the Nike Zoom Fly 6?
The Adidas Adizero Boston 13 is a daily trainer and the Nike Zoom Fly 6 is a speed trainer. By the numbers, the Adidas Adizero Boston 13 weighs 255g, has a 37mm heel stack and a 7mm drop, while the Nike Zoom Fly 6 weighs 244g, has a 40mm heel stack and an 8mm drop. MSRP is $160 for the Adidas Adizero Boston 13 and $170 for the Nike Zoom Fly 6.
Should I buy the Adidas Adizero Boston 13 or the Nike Zoom Fly 6?
The Run Testers on the Adidas Adizero Boston 13: Value-focused runners looking for a firm, snappy fast training shoe that also serves as a companion to the Adios Pro 4 for racing. Ben Parkes on the Nike Zoom Fly 6: Mid-packers wanting one do-it-all carbon-plated shoe at a competitive price — workouts, tempo, long runs and even race day, especially good for heavier runners who need protection.
Per The Run Testers, Ben Parkes.
Has anyone reviewed both the Adidas Adizero Boston 13 and the Nike Zoom Fly 6?
Yes — FORDY RUNS, EDDBUD, Doctors of Running, and Ben Is Running directly compared the Adidas Adizero Boston 13 and the Nike Zoom Fly 6 in their reviews.
Per FORDY RUNS, EDDBUD, Doctors of Running, Ben Is Running.
Which is lighter, the Adidas Adizero Boston 13 or the Nike Zoom Fly 6?
The Nike Zoom Fly 6 is lighter, at 244g versus 255g (men's 9) — about 11g less.
Which is more cushioned, the Adidas Adizero Boston 13 or the Nike Zoom Fly 6?
Measured by stack height, the Nike Zoom Fly 6 has more underfoot foam — 40mm at the heel versus 37mm.