adidas Adizero Boston 13 Review: 7 Comparisons

adidas Adizero Boston 13 ($160)

Introduction

Boston, the Boston Marathon and Adidas Boston and I have an extended historical past collectively. I’ve run the marathon many instances together with again in 2014 after I ran the race within the Boston Increase contemporary out of the field after it was launched in very restricted portions at that marathon’s Expo.

The Boston has at all times been the Adizero for the longer and quicker runs and for a lot of, pre supershoes, a perfect marathon racer on hillier programs (i.e..Boston).

With the Boston 13 the custom continues with a extra refined and luxury centered version. The Boston 12 noticed the type go up in stack peak, get not less than some Lightstrike Professional supercritical foam with remainder of the midsole, a brand new softer Lightstrike 2.0 and with Power Rods derived from the Adios Professional.

Fairly agency and inflexible, particularly the Boston 11 though the 12 improved, with race shoe impressed fairly minimal uppers they considerably lagged the traits in direction of extra forgiving and energetic cushion and extra consolation even in “quick” footwear.

With the Boston 13, adidas will increase the proportion of springy supercritical Lightstrike Professional by 13.8% (love the precision!) on the lateral facet of the shoe and upfront whereas growing the padding on the achilles collar and tongue.

The outsole strikes to a mix of Continental rubber and a brand new Lighttraxxion compound, my sense a CPU kind rubber stated to be lighter and shared with the Adios Professional 4.

And naturally the Power Rods proceed and are hinted at within the medial cutout.

The burden basically stays the identical, growing bit whereas the stack peak stays at a comparatively average 36mm heel / 30mm forefoot..The pricing at $160 stays unchanged and I believe represents a powerful worth for such a complicated development and newest applied sciences. Let’s see the way it all comes collectively. Please learn on.

Professionals:

Robust worth: $160 for a brilliant foam and carbon rods coach and for certain racer

Critical: constant, linear driving and secure

Versatile: quicker tempo future and each day coaching and even racing

Friendler: deeper smooth entrance Lightstrike Professional and cheap not over sprung Power Rods result in a dynamic journey with snappy flex

Improved match over Boston 11 and 12: extra consolation and safer

Cons:

Sized giant? My entire dimension down from my regular is near becoming appropriately if a bit tight in quantity

Want for barely extra forgiving feeling heel cushion, not significantly sluggish paces pleasant however improved

A bit mechanical in really feel

First rate weight however want lighter: complicated development provides to weight

Stats

Spec Weight: males’s 9.1oz / 258g (US9) Boston 12: males’s 8.7 oz / 247g (US9)

Pattern Weight: males’s 8.2oz / 232g (US7.5 / EU40 ⅔)

Stack Top: males’s 36mm heel / 30mm forefoot (6mm drop) Boston 12: 37.5mm heel / 30.5mm (6.5mm drop)

Platform Width: 75mm heel / 75mm midfoot / 115mm forefoot

Most comparable footwear

Boston 11

Saucony Endorphin Velocity

Nike Zoom Fly 6

ASICS Magic Velocity 4

Adidas Supernova Prima

Hoka Mach X 2

Please discover the testers full run bios on the finish of the article after Comparisons.

First Impressions, Match and Higher

My early launch pair is in adidas EQT colorway, very sharp and a pleasant distinction to the present mono brilliant coloured racers with daring black stripes. Clear, traditional and easy in higher type, the attention is instantly drawn to the midsole and outsole, to the engine of the shoe the place the tan deep deep and plunging Lightstrike Professional on the entrance actually stands out promising an brisk toe off. Flipping them over one sees the twin compound (Continental and Lightraxxion) outsole

I have to make some caveats proper up entrance concerning the match. My pattern (and I’m anticipating a real to dimension pair quickly) is US7.5 whereas my commonplace dimension is US8.5… I assumed no manner they might be runnable greater than a bit however with skinny socks it turned whereas quantity comfortable they’re truly advantageous, not very best however OK. So I believe they might run a half dimension giant as I discovered the latest EVO SL.

Again to the higher itself. Adidas instructed us of their presentation that the Boston 12 higher was too “easy”, too race-like and for the 13 they needed to extend consolation and enhance maintain, one thing that was not very best within the 12 in direction of the rear of the shoe for me with its race shoe like interior bolsters development.

The mesh itself is a single density and never significantly “smooth” or stretchy. It supplies a “critical” decently snug match reflecting the quicker up-tempo longer runs deal with the shoe greater than consolation each day cruiser. For a considerably extra consolation kind higher (and each day cruiser journey) in adidas look additionally to the Supernova Prima (RTR Overview)

The higher will get extra construction and improved maintain.

The slim entry achilles collar is now extra standard and could be very snug and effectively however not excessively padded.

The heel counter is inflexible with a translucent overlay in direction of the entrance. Maintain is superb.

The tongue is now additionally extra padded and as a substitute of attachednear the lacing space, now we have a extra standard fuller wrapping tongue with gusset.

The toe field is reasonably broad.

Total, whereas not probably the most refined of uppers or probably the most snug it will get the job executed effectively sufficient for me permitting adidas to speculate the “greater bucks” underfoot.

Midsole & Platform

The Boston 13 clearly has a complicated underfoot platform and development, surprisingly so for a $160 shoe.

We regularly see twin layer midsole and plates nowadays most frequently as layers (supercritical softer underfoot and firmer EVA mix or supercritical beneath) or a development with an outer service of EVA kind foam and interior core of supercritical foam.

Right here we even have two foams: Lightstrike Professional (the tan), considered a TPEE based mostly supercritical foam and Lightstrike 2.0 (white) doubtless an EVA mix.

Boston 13 Boston 12

They aren’t layered within the standard sense however asymmetrical in structure, various in thickness in several components of the shoe in addition to being totally different medially and laterally.

On the lateral facet we see most clearly the place the 13.8% improve in Lightstrike Professional comes from as in contrast to the Boston 12 now we have LS Professional all the way in which to the outsole upfront on the skin edge in addition to extra LS Professional extending in direction of the midfoot.

Additional in direction of the rear, the silver painted space with diagonal traces forward of the sharp angle down at midfoot is now all LS Professional with in direction of the rear, even when painted silver we stick with Lightstrike.

’Pointing to the prolonged new space of Liightstrike Professional in direction of the midfoot.

The Boston 12 had a decrease layer of standard LS beneath the Professional and on either side.

Boston 12

The elevated depth of Professional foam offers extra cushion and return because the tempo picks up with a decisive faster return that’s much less uninteresting feeling than at slower paces, or was total in Boston 12.

On the medial facet we see fewer foam structure adjustments with the decrease layer of Lightstrike 2.0 upfront persevering with and serving to stabilize toe offs and offering response.

I do word a extra carved out midfoot facet wall within the 13 which may assist clarify the now higher flex beginning at midfoot in comparison with the 12.

The web consequence in comparison with the 12 is a neater toe off however to not fear nonetheless an brisk and aggressive one.

We now have a extra outstanding medial heel bump out than within the 12 and extra just like the 11 which is clearly felt including some stability to the far rear of the shoe.

Backside Line: The Boston 12 platform and midsole is designed to ship an brisk, secure, “critical” up tempo journey throughout each day and longer quicker runs. Its mixture of foams, Power Rods and geometry give it a handy guide a rough and springy flex; it’s not a inflexible rocker shoe even with its Power Rods.

Don’t come searching for a really smooth and bouncy heel touchdown right here however a gentle secure and quickly responding one. At a 36mm heel, comparatively low for 2025, the main target just isn’t sluggish tempo heel hanging however on quicker tempo each day coaching delivering secure consistency stride after stride.

Outsole

Persevering with the subtle design the outsole incorporates a mixture of at all times dependable laborious carrying Continental rubber with adi’s new lighter Traxxion compound on the lateral facet up entrance and medial facet on the heel. Traxxion can also be used within the Adios Professional 4.

Sturdiness must be excellent. Grip on moist and dry roads has been simply advantageous. Grip on crushed granite paths and moist grass is just so so.

Experience, Conclusions and Suggestions

The Boston stays true to type because the versatile, reasonably cushioned, flexing snappy, up tempo plated each day coach within the Adizero line. The extra excessive strung, quicker paced, extra inflexible and rocker based mostly EVO SLi it’s not, neither is the wildly energetic not significantly secure tremendous max cushion Prime X.

As I ran them, the very first phrase I considered was “critical” and later within the adidas briefing that’s precisely the phrase they used to explain them. Sure critical, however extra accessible and versatile for me than the 12 and definitely the 11.

The elevated flexibility and deeper entrance Lightstrike Professional take a few of the over critical (and tough) edges off of latest prior Boston.

I ran them at quite a lot of paces from about 11 minute miles right down to beneath 9 minute miles and it was after I hit the 8’s that the shoe actually got here alive. The comparatively agency heel elevated in fast rebound, I actually engaged the Rods, rolled ahead with snappy flex and was in a position to rebound off the entrance of the shoe with the deep Lightstrike Professional there actually activating.

The complicated development is considerably mechanical in really feel, reminding vaguely of the Nike Tempo Subsequent% in a extra muted, decrease and extra secure style. When you wind them up the items all click on in unison and develop into a bit much less “machine” like really feel and development, a bit extra smoothness could be good to have.

Simplifying the development whereas retaining the expertise may also cut back the shoe’s weight of about 9 oz / 255g at its 36/30 stack peak. Tthere are a number of footwear in its normal class (comparable to the newest Magic Velocity, Endorphin Velocity and Zoom Fly) in contrast beneath with extra stack peak or equal stack peak that weigh much less.

Whereas my pair was not my dimension, the elevated help and luxury and help of the rear of the shoe (midfoot collars, tongue and overlays) was noticeable and appreciated.

All in all, the Boston 13 stays true to type as a quicker paces each day coach. Whereas not a significant redo, It has improved mechanics for me in addition to improved consolation on and beneath foot.

It evolves the method of a direct quick uptempo coach with out altering the shoe’s character. Loyalists must be comfortable and people looking for extra average stack heights and extra responsive direct rides now have a substitute for think about,` and one that’s at a really cheap $160

Sam’s Rating: 9.2 /10

Strengths: versatility, stability, dynamic journey and worth

Deductions: weight at its stack peak and considerably mechanical overly critical journey

😊😊😊1/2

7 Comparisons

Adizero EVO SL (RTR Overview)

The opposite Adizero each day coach, the SL has an all Lightstrike Professional midsole with a mix of a small immediately beneath foot shank like plate and steady entrance rubber outsole which places the platform in pressure combining to create a extra inflexible rocker each day coach choice. It’s much less slower tempo pleasant than the Boston 13. It’s significantly lighter at 7.9 oz and can also be larger in stack peak at 38.5mm / 32mm. I used to be in my true to dimension 8.5 and located the higher (no gusset tongue) much less supportive than the Boston’s. When you have any pronation management wants , want a shoe for lengthy regular quicker paced runs and like not less than some flex the Boston will likely be a greater choice. If you need a shorter distance pure quick coach with a inflexible rocker then the SL.

Puma Deviate Nitro 3 (RTR Overview)

Cross city rival Puma’s Deviate is barely larger in stack peak and weight however basically an identical by the numbers. The Puma has a less complicated development of two layers of Nitro supercritical foam (firmer on the floor as LS is within the Boston) and softer underfoot with a full size carbon plate sandwiched between. The Puma journey is considerably bouncier and a contact softer total whereas the Boston is extra sharply reacting in really feel. Uppers are comparable in match and development

Saucony Endorphin Velocity 4 (RTR Overview)

A bit lighter with the identical heel peak and a 2mm decrease forefoot (8mm vs 6mm drop for the Boston) the Saucony has a softer friendlier higher, a less complicated fairly a bit softer one supercritical foam development and a extra versatile plastic plate. Whereas in the identical class because the Boston, it’s a extra mellow tackle the uptempo coach with a bouncier midsole and fewer total quickness of response. It is usually significantly much less secure than the Boston. Very nice and extra enjoyable, it’s not as “critical “ or as constant driving.

Nike Zoom Fly 6 (RTR Overview)

Greater stack, extra aggressively plated and inflexible, the newest Zoom Fly is extra racer than coach for me whereas the Boston is a extra versatile coach for quicker days. Priced the identical at $160 the Nike has a superior higher whereas for my tastes the adidas has a friendlier if not fairly as quick journey.

ASICS Magic Velocity 4 (RTR Overview)

ASICS contender within the greater stack peak longer uptempo run class, the Magic, as with the Boston, has a twin foam development with EVA mix in direction of the bottom and supercritical FF Turbo foam in direction of the foot with a full carbon plate between the 2 layers.

Significantly larger stack peak at 43.5 mm heel / 35.5mm forefoot and in addition considerably lighter weight at 8.38 oz / 237g US9 it’s plenty of shoe for its cheap $170 value ($10 greater than the Boston). It’s loads secure even at its heights of stack. Its higher is smoother becoming, not less than as safe and with comparable quantity to the Boston. Whereas not fairly as slower paces pleasant because the Boston, or as easily operating, it nonetheless leads for me within the class with the added bonus that its decrease weight makes it a extra viable racer.

Supernova Prima (RTR Overview)

The Prima is a extra plush, extra mellow driving cousin to the Boston 13. As a substitute of a composite plate as within the Boston, its Help Rods are hardened EVA sitting nearer to the bottom simply above the outsole. Its important midsole foam is supercritical Dreamstrike, a bit denser in really feel than LS Professional and heavier because the Prima checks in about 1 oz / 28g on a barely larger platform. Steady and versatile, if you’re looking for a extra normal each day coach with a extra standard journey I might choose it over the Boston. Take the Boston when you want a speedy regular future coach.

Mach X 2 (RTR Overview)

In the identical uptempo longer run class because the Boston. Significantly lighter at 8.5 oz / 241 on the next 44/39 stack peak, the Mach midsole has a decrease EVA layer and higher PEBA layer midsole with a full-length PEBAX plastic plate. Its higher is extra minimal and fewer snug, particularly on the heel counter and collars. Whereas admirable for its massive stack and decrease weight (seen), I discovered its journey extra sluggish and inflexible than the adidas with the Boston, a simple choose for me.

The Adizero Boston 13 will likely be obtainable from Might 5, 2025

in-store, on adidas.com and by way of the adidas flagship app, with extra colorways of

the Adizero Boston 13 obtainable from June 4, 2025

Tester Profile

Sam is the Editor and Founding father of Highway Path Run. He’s in his 60’s with 2025 Sam’s 53th 12 months of operating roads and trails. He has a many years outdated 2:28 marathon PR. Nowadays he runs halves within the simply sub 1:40 vary if he will get very, very fortunate. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week principally at average paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, mountaineering or on nordic skis. He’s 5’9” tall and weighs about 160 lbs, if he’s not having fun with too many advantageous New England IPA’s.

Purchasing at our companions is far appreciated and helps help RoadTrailRun

Samples had been offered at no cost for evaluation functions. RoadTrail Run has affiliate partnerships and should earn fee on merchandise bought by way of procuring hyperlinks on this article. These partnerships don’t affect our editorial content material. The opinions herein are fully the authors’.

Feedback and Questions Welcome Beneath! Please tell us mileage, paces, race distances, and present most popular footwear