Best for tempo work
saucony-endorphin-speed-5
Softer, bouncier PWRRUN PB foam and nylon plate deliver energy return without aggression at 4:20 pace; lighter and more forgiving than Boston 13.
Picked for: Can you compare for me Adidas Boston 13 against Saucony Endorphin Speed 5? I'm looking for a tempo/speed workouts shoes and am debating between these two. I'm a midfoot striker, looking for tempo of 4
Firmer alternative
adidas-adizero-boston-13
Snappy, direct ride from energy rods suits runners who prefer a blockier feel; good value but less versatile at easy paces than Speed v5.
Your current shoe
nike-zoom-fly-6
Excellent reception and wide fit; if it's not meeting your tempo needs, the Speed v5 offers softer cushioning in a similar stack/drop profile.
See how this conversation went →
user: Can you compare for me Adidas Boston 13 against Saucony Endorphin Speed 5? I'm looking for a tempo/speed workouts shoes and am debating between these two. I'm a midfoot striker, looking for tempo of 4:20 for these kind of runs. I'm 70kg, 60-70km/week. Looking for an upgrade over my not-so-fun Zoom Fly 6.
assistant: Both are solid tempo shoes, but they're built for different runners. **The Endorphin Speed v5 is the better choice for you** — it's lighter, bouncier, and more forgiving at your 4:20 tempo pace, while the Boston 13 is firmer and more aggressive, designed for runners who want snappy responsiveness over versatility.
**Endorphin Speed v5** ($175) is the speedier option. It weighs 238g with a nylon plate that gives you that energizing pop without the harshness of a full carbon racer. The PWRRUN PB foam is softer and more compressive than the Boston's Lightstrike Pro, which matters at tempo pace — you get cushioning that doesn't fight back. The 37/29mm stack and 8.0mm drop match your Zoom Fly 6 exactly, so the transition should feel familiar. EDDBUD calls it "softer and more compressive, especially in the heel," and The Run Testers praise its "lively and bouncy" speedroll geometry for tempo work. At your weight (70kg) and mileage (60–70 km/week), this shoe rewards lighter runners with better energy return.
**Adidas Boston 13** ($160) is the grittier alternative. It's 255g — 17g heavier — with a firmer, denser ride from the Lightstrike Pro/Lightstrike hybrid. The Run Testers note it's "blockier" and "less versatile at easy paces," and while EDDBUD praises its value and refinement, they also flag it needs break-in on the heel. The Boston runs half a size small, so you'd size up. It's a capable tempo shoe, but it's built more for runners who want a snappy, direct feel — less forgiving if you're doing a lot of easy miles around those tempo efforts.
**Why the Speed v5 wins for you:** Your current Zoom Fly 6 is excellent (excellent reception, wide forefoot fit), but you're looking for something more forgiving at tempo pace. The Speed v5 gives you that softer, bouncier character while keeping the same stack and drop you know. The Boston 13 is actually *firmer* than what you're running in now, which might feel like a step backward for versatility.
One follow-up: are you planning to use this shoe for *only* tempo/speed work, or do you want something that can also handle easy runs and long runs in the same week?