Adidas Adizero Boston 13 vs Saucony Endorphin Speed 5
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.
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.
Boston 13 is firmer, blockier and less versatile; Speed 5 is lighter, smoother and better across a wider pace range
Boston 13 is GBP 40 cheaper, fits better, and is more durable; loses only on weight and on out-and-out speed work.
Similar weight and stack but £40 cheaper than the Speed 5
Speed 5 feels faster, nimbler and more versatile; Boston 13 is firmer, blockier and flatter with less energy return
Boston 13 is firmer, snappier, a bit cheaper but less smooth over long paces
Boston is GBP 40 cheaper, fits the reviewer's narrow foot better and grips superbly; the Speed 5 only edges it for serious speed training. Reviewer keeps the Boston.
Excellent shoe but more focused on long runs and marathon-goal-pace higher-effort sessions; Speed 5 covers more of the versatility spectrum
Adidas Adizero Boston 13 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , neutral stability .
-
#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"
-
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"
-
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"
-
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"
Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , neutral stability .
-
Still a favorite genuine all-rounder; a lively, nicely cushioned, light and propulsive ride more like a carbon racer, now leaner, firmer and snappier, though not the bounciest for the slowest miles.
In their words: "snapback and the rocket energy" · "fast, light, snappy"
-
Kofuzi considers the Endorphin Speed 5 one of his top tempo shoes — softer and more daily-trainer-leaning than the DV84, using beaded PEBA foam and a plastic plate for a lightweight, peppy yet cushioned ride.
In their words: "a daily trainer that can go fast" · "the softest of the bunch"
-
A nimble, soft, well-balanced speed-day shoe whose biggest weakness is price — at GBP 180 it's hard to justify against the cheaper Zoom Fly 6 and Boston 13.
Ride:Softest midsole of the four (around Shore A 23) with a nice compressive heel and a rolling action; full PEBA midsole feels compressive and easy to shift up through the gears. Outsole durability has improved over previous versions.
Fit:Configurable upper but less generous than the previous Speed 4; works for slightly narrow feet; traditional running-shoe feel over the top of the foot.
In their words: "more consistent and soft ride" · "easy to go up through the gears" · "a nice rolling action"
-
A versatile daily-trainer-focused super trainer that the reviewer prefers over the V4 thanks to improved upper, slightly springier toe-off and added heel stability — the ideal do-everything shoe for the everyday runner, held back only by the £180 price tag.
Ride:PWRRUN PB midsole combined with nylon plate gives a springy, responsive ride that's not mushy. Speed Roll rocker assists heel-to-toe transition. Wider heel adds stability without being a stability shoe — more forgiving than other super trainers. Slightly more springy and rigid off the toe than V4.
Fit:New upper feels slightly wider and more comfortable. Locks down well with no heat spots or rubbing in previous Speed shoes. Fits the reviewer's foot shape well — 'like putting on an old friend'.
In their words: "responsive, but it's not mushy" · "fast yet sort of stabilish" · "a little bit more springy off the toe"
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 Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 if
- All-round daily training and faster efforts for runners who don't mind a firmer, snappier ride — The Run Testers
- Runners who want a versatile workout/daily/long-run shoe with mild medial guidance and a wider, more forgiving fit — and who don't need top-end race-pace snap. — Doctors of Running
- Runners wanting a versatile speed-focused trainer that can double as a race shoe over shorter distances, with a nimble, responsive feel — The Run Testers
- Streamlined allrounder for marathon training and racing. — The Run Testers
- A do-it-all shoe for easy, recovery, tempo miles, and even racing — especially suited to lighter runners — EDDBUD
- Versatile speed training and faster intervals for runners who prefer a more traditional, firmer, responsive feel over big bouncy cushion. — The Run Testers
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the Adidas Adizero Boston 13 and the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5?
The Adidas Adizero Boston 13 is a daily trainer and the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 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 Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 weighs 238g, has a 37mm heel stack and an 8mm drop. MSRP is $160 for the Adidas Adizero Boston 13 and $175 for the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5.
Should I buy the Adidas Adizero Boston 13 or the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5?
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. The Run Testers on the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5: All-round daily training and faster efforts for runners who don't mind a firmer, snappier ride.
Per The Run Testers.
Has anyone reviewed both the Adidas Adizero Boston 13 and the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5?
Yes — The Run Testers, EDDBUD, and FORDY RUNS directly compared the Adidas Adizero Boston 13 and the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 in their reviews.
Per The Run Testers, EDDBUD, FORDY RUNS.
Which is lighter, the Adidas Adizero Boston 13 or the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5?
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 is lighter, at 238g versus 255g (men's 9) — about 17g less.
Which is cheaper, the Adidas Adizero Boston 13 or the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5?
The Adidas Adizero Boston 13 is cheaper at $160 versus $175 MSRP — about $15 less.