Running shoes · owner-verdict comparison

Adidas Adizero Boston 12 vs Saucony Endorphin Speed 5: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5: 62% of 60 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 5

62%of 60 owners recommend
62% recommend · 13% neutral · 25% don't
Owners praise
  • More stable and planted than past versions and rivals like the Evo SL
  • Versatile do-everything trainer that handles tempo, speed work, and longer runs
  • Improved fit with roomier toe box and more secure upper than the 4
Owners complain about
  • Firmer, more muted ride that lost some of the bounce and punch of earlier Speeds
  • Outsole and midsole wear early, going flat by roughly 230-350 km
  • Happiest at shorter, faster efforts; feet ache past the half marathon
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 5 if
  • ✓Runners wanting a stable, versatile do-everything trainer
  • ✓Tempo and speed-workout runners
  • ✓Runners who found the Speed 4 too narrow
  • ✓Runners who prefer a firmer, planted ride
Skip it if
  • Runners wanting soft, plush cushioning
  • Those logging long, slow easy miles

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 5 owners say

“find it good for pretty much everything”
— @TimGrose on YouTube
“More pep, more bounce, more comfort, very pleasant overall”
— @destrucciondeldiablo on YouTube
“I wanted so badly to love the ES4 but the toe box taper made it unbearable just crushing my pinky toe.”
— @nate_collins on YouTube

Adidas Adizero Boston 12 vs Saucony Endorphin Speed 5: frequently asked questions

Is the Adidas Adizero Boston 12 or the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 better?

Real owners lean toward the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5: 62% of 60 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 5?

Owners point the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 at runners wanting a stable, versatile do-everything trainer, and tempo and speed-workout runners.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Adidas Adizero Boston 12 is stiff, unforgiving upper. For the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5, it's firmer, more muted ride that lost some of the bounce and punch of earlier Speeds.