Running shoes · owner-verdict comparison

Adidas Adizero Boston 13 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 55% of 309 for the Adidas Adizero Boston 13.

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

Adidas Adizero Boston 13

55%of 309 owners recommend

55% recommend · 20% neutral · 25% don't

Owners praise

Much-improved upper over the 12
Versatile do-everything trainer
Great for tempo and faster paces

Owners complain about

Too firm for easy, slow long runs
Laces and lockdown are fiddly
Narrow, tapered toe box

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 13 if

✓Runners doing tempo and faster workouts
✓Those wanting one versatile do-it-all trainer
✓Runners who like a firm, stable ride
✓Heavier runners needing stability and durability

Skip it if

Runners wanting soft cushioning for slow long runs
Wide feet or those needing a roomy toe box

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 13 owners say

“I love the 12 so much I will choose the 13 over EVO SL any time”
— @olsa2k on YouTube

“So i bought the Boston 13 and like it much more.”
— @marcojo111 on YouTube

“i found the 12’s. WAY too hard.”
— @neilhulme8426 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 13 vs Saucony Endorphin Speed 5: frequently asked questions

Is the Adidas Adizero Boston 13 or the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 better?

Real owners lean toward the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5: 62% of 60 owners recommend it, vs 55% of 309 for the Adidas Adizero Boston 13.

Who should get the Adidas Adizero Boston 13?

Owners point the Adidas Adizero Boston 13 at runners doing tempo and faster workouts, and those wanting one versatile do-it-all 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 13 is too firm for easy, slow long runs. For the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5, it's firmer, more muted ride that lost some of the bounce and punch of earlier Speeds.