Running shoes · owner-verdict comparison

Adidas Adizero Boston 12 vs Saucony Endorphin Speed 4: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4: 75% of 134 owners recommend it, vs 56% of 230 for the Adidas Adizero Boston 12.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Adidas Adizero Boston 12

56%of 230 owners recommend
56% recommend · 14% neutral · 30% don't
Owners praise
  • Excels at tempo and speed work
  • Extremely durable, high mileage
  • Firm, stable, responsive ride
Owners complain about
  • Stiff, unforgiving upper
  • Laces won't stay tied
  • Narrow forefoot causes blisters
Full owner report →

Saucony Endorphin Speed 4

75%of 134 owners recommend
75% recommend · 6% neutral · 19% don't
Owners praise
  • Versatile do-it-all daily and tempo shoe
  • Great for uptempo, tempo and race-pace runs
  • Nice bounce, pop and protective cushioning
Owners complain about
  • Narrow, pointy toebox cramps and rubs the pinky toe
  • Firm, dead-feeling midsole with little bounce
  • Toe numbness or circulation issues mid-run
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Adidas Adizero Boston 12 if
  • ✓Runners doing tempo, interval, and speed workouts
  • ✓Those wanting a durable, high-mileage daily trainer
  • ✓Runners who prefer a firm, low-stack ride
  • ✓Bargain hunters buying at sale prices
Skip it if
  • Runners wanting soft cushioning for easy or long runs
  • Narrow or blister-prone forefeet
Get the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 if
  • ✓Runners wanting a plated tempo and uptempo shoe
  • ✓Those doing race-pace workouts and faster efforts
  • ✓Runners with narrow to medium-width feet
  • ✓Runners wanting one versatile do-everything trainer
Skip it if
  • Wide-footed runners (narrow, pointed toe box)
  • Runners wanting soft, bouncy cushioning

What Adidas Adizero Boston 12 owners say

“la recomiendo ampliamente”
— @King_Therion on YouTube
“ya puedo decir que disfruto con la 12”
— @juanluiscalvo6838 on YouTube
“Adidas parece que sigue sin darse cuenta de las grandes mejoras y evoluciones que el resto de marcas hace”
— @davidbelmonte2305 on YouTube

What Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 owners say

“Endo Speed 4 being great”
— @dhgpan on YouTube
“i love them so much i decided to run the marathon i was preparing with”
— @jeremybmxfr on YouTube
“Speed 4 is by far my least favourite version. I loved version 1-3 but this one just doesn't feel right on my foot.”
— @nickskier1 on YouTube

Adidas Adizero Boston 12 vs Saucony Endorphin Speed 4: frequently asked questions

Is the Adidas Adizero Boston 12 or the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 better?

Real owners lean toward the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4: 75% of 134 owners recommend it, vs 56% of 230 for the Adidas Adizero Boston 12.

Who should get the Adidas Adizero Boston 12?

Owners point the Adidas Adizero Boston 12 at runners doing tempo, interval, and speed workouts, and those wanting a durable, high-mileage daily trainer.

Who should get the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4?

Owners point the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 at runners wanting a plated tempo and uptempo shoe, and those doing race-pace workouts and faster efforts.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Adidas Adizero Boston 12 is stiff, unforgiving upper. For the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4, it's narrow, pointy toebox cramps and rubs the pinky toe.