What are the primary ideas that come to thoughts while you hear the phrases “Boston Marathon”? I’m guessing just a few responses might be historical past, unicorn, heartbreak, or peak efficiency. The aptly named Adidas Adizero Boston 13 dials in on the latter as a quick, enjoyable, and responsive speedwork shoe.
The Boston line was first launched in 2009 as a dynamic, light-weight shoe constructed for pace and execution.
Sure, I do know we’re now in 2025, and that trainers have vastly developed previously few years, however the Boston 13 nonetheless delivers the products. Plus, Adidas made considerate upgrades on this launch, delivering a extra comfy experience whereas not compromising what has made this shoe so standard.
I put the Boston 13 by an array of exercises, together with relaxed restoration efforts, speedwork, and lengthy runs.
50 miles in, I’m proclaiming it as my favourite on a regular basis coach in 2025. Not solely did it meet my admittedly lofty requirements for a coaching shoe, however I additionally loved each single step I’ve taken in it.
Should you’re searching for a quick, snappy, and enjoyable coaching shoe, the Boston 13 delivers on all counts.
Who Is It Good For?
Who’s the Boston 13 an excellent match for, let’s break it down by some frequent classes:
- Broad Toes: Not splendid. The midfoot runs a little bit slim, so it’d really feel tight for these with wider toes.
- Heavier Runners: The much less stiff rods make it extra accommodating!
- Lengthy Runs: Not a max cushion shoe by any stretch, however undoubtedly designed to go the space.
- Entrance of the Pack: The Boston 13 will hit with runners all through the pack.
The Boston 13 is a top-tier coach that’s versatile sufficient to deal with speedwork, tempo efforts, and lengthy runs. It’s additionally a darkhorse choice for a race day shoe!
Jeff is certainly one of our resident speedy runners so we additionally seemed to a few of the mid-pack for suggestions. Whereas in addition they loved the shoe, it wasn’t a go to day by day coach for many of them looking for out extra cushion. As a substitute, it really works properly for the mid-pack and our heavier athletes as a pace shoe.
Whether or not that’s exercises or race day…however once more as you’ll see it’s not the identical bouncy really feel you would possibly discover in our high carbon plated trainers.
Adidas Adizero Boston 13 Overview
As a marathon fan, something with “Boston” within the identify catches my consideration. Whereas I don’t normally run in a ton of Adidas fashions, I do have historical past with the Adizero Boston—particularly the Boston 8, which I educated in forward of my first Boston Marathon.
The road has come a good distance since then, and I used to be pumped to reconnect with the most recent version. Particularly after so many discovered the Boston 12 to be far too agency…Adidas heard that chatter and went to work.
The Boston 13 has a clear, traditional look and delivers a quick, responsive experience.
They made some key tweaks—together with 13.8% extra Lightstrike foam, significantly within the forefoot, which goes to enhance that push off feeling. Plus they added padding within the tongue and heel collar for general match consolation.
It’s a considerate refresh that makes the shoe extra comfy with out sacrificing efficiency.
The shoe provides a firmer experience, so don’t count on that pillow-soft really feel underfoot. The shoe undoubtedly comes alive in quicker paces and tempo efforts, but additionally delivers a constant really feel in longer efforts. The 6mm heel-to-toe drop retains issues refined, which helps the shoe really feel steady with out being too aggressive.
Boston 13 Specs
- Weight: 9.17oz Males’s, 7.72 oz Girls’s
- Stack Peak: 36 mm
- Heel Drop: 6 mm
- Presently obtainable in 1 shade, with extra on the approach
- Not obtainable in extensive
- Obtainable on adidas.com for $160
We have now a pair drawbacks with the Adidas Boston 13 which are vital to notice. It’s slim which goes to restrict the match for lots of oldsters and the firmer experience simply isn’t going to be successful for everybody.
Many of us have change into used to that bouncier really feel in carbon plated sneakers and can miss it right here. That being mentioned, for the pace and the value level it’s a BIG win.
Boston 13 Match
The Boston 13 provides a pleasant foot-hugging, barely there sort of match, with considerate updates that present Adidas is listening to runner suggestions—particularly on the subject of the tongue and heel collar.
The heel and heel collar work collectively to create a strong, comfy match. Whereas the padding isn’t overly plush, it’s excellent: gentle, supportive, and safe. I skilled zero slipping or motion, and lockdown was simple to dial in with out having to crank the laces tight. The refined padding across the collar provides a pleasant contact of consolation with none further bulk.
By way of the midfoot, the match is steady and comfortable with out being overly tight. Nonetheless, if in case you have particularly extensive toes, you would possibly discover this space of the shoe too confining.
Within the forefoot, there’s loads of room round and above the toes. My toes felt relaxed and uncramped, even on longer efforts. Should you like a roomy toe field, this setup ought to work properly for you.
The tongue is one other spotlight—it’s frivolously padded, stays in place, and feels comfy with out being cumbersome or getting in the best way. A giant enchancment from the Boston 11 and 12.
As with many Adidas sneakers, you would possibly must experiment with the lacing a bit to get your match excellent. The laces are on the narrower aspect however hit the fitting size, and I didn’t have any points with them coming untied.
Total, the Boston 13 suits gentle and safe, with a easy, versatile really feel on the run. It’s not the lightest shoe round, however it’s undoubtedly much less boxy than earlier editions of the shoe. One observe on sizing: my traditional males’s 11 felt a bit comfortable, so in the event you’re between sizes or desire a little bit extra room, think about going up a half dimension.
Adidas Boston 13 Really feel
Proper out of the field, the Boston 13 delivers a experience that feels responsive, speedy, and pleasantly snappy. Whereas it leans extra on the agency aspect, it’s not harsh—there’s simply sufficient give to maintain issues comfy with out feeling overly squishy or sluggish.
Adidas added 13.8% extra of their Lightstrike foam to this model, and you may really feel the payoff. The midsole blends Lightstrike and Lightstrike Professional foams, with EnergyRods sandwiched between so as to add a little bit of propulsion. The outcome?
A experience that’s easy and environment friendly, with simply the correct amount of vitality return to make every stride really feel fast and pure.
The engineered mesh higher is one other spotlight. It’s breathable, quick-drying, and much more comfy than earlier variations. It’s gentle and versatile throughout the foot, and adapts properly throughout motion with out bunching or rubbing.
Traction is strong, due to a mix of Continental rubber and Lighttraxion on the outsole. I had no points on moist roads, and the grip held regular all through every run. Plus, the shoe’s 20% recycled content material is a small however appreciated nod to sustainability.
It’s not the bounciest experience on the market, however it feels quick, steady, and fluid. Should you’re searching for a shoe that may deal with a mixture of coaching efforts whereas nonetheless feeling pure and grounded, this one’s a powerful contender. Total, the Boston 13 is a dependable on a regular basis coach that may shift gears while you want it to.
Comparable Footwear to the Boston 13
We’ve examined just a few that really feel related, however totally different based mostly on the model match:
- Nike Pegasus Plus – related experience and really feel however rather less responsive
- Puma Deviate Nitro 3 – extra cushioning and strong vitality return
- Asics Superblast 2– Nice cushion and tremendous gentle and not using a plate
Okay buddies, that’s our tackle the Adidas Adizero Boston 13! Tell us your ideas concerning the it and the way it stacks as much as the sneakers in your rotation.
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Whereas our speedy tester LOVED the Boston 13 and can be reaching for it day by day, we don’t assume it’s an throughout shoe that may communicate to each runner which lowered our ranking. It’s gentle. It’s quick. It’s agency. It’s simply not going to be a win for everybody.
Who Tried It?
I’m Jeff, a marathon-loving runner in Kansas Metropolis! Daily, I fall extra in love with operating. It retains me mentally and bodily wholesome, and continues to show me all of the life classes. Usually, I run round 50 miles every week if I’m not constructing for a race. However I’m operating Grandma’s Marathon in June and Chicago this fall, so let me know in the event you’ll be at both one! You’ll find me on Instagram @jaruane
