Boston series has a reputation surpassing most others; its name links the shoe with the legendary Boston Marathon; historically, it was one of the lightest marathon shoes; recent years have seen it move from the minimalist silhouette.
This year is no exception, as the 13th generation builds on its predecessor's stability focus, adding more speed with clear inspiration from its aggressive big brother adidas Adizero Pro 3.
Breathable upper made for rough conditions
The mesh upper is hard to comment on, and that's a good thing. It fits well from the first run.
The overall construction is robust, setting high expectations for durability. I took it on intervals over rough gravel, and it shows no wear. The technique with coarse "weaves" creating holes is relatively new but here to stay. Breathability is excellent.
Adidas’ signature narrow fit is present, and if you have wide feet, consider a size up. The heel cup grips your heel in a sharp V, created by a relatively firm heel counter.
Compared to the Adizero Pro 3, the heel cup is well-padded, and I prefer this comfort over the Pro 3’s harsher heel treatment. The tongue is also padded, and attached on both sides, enhancing the feeling of being held by the shoe.
The padding naturally adds to the weight, which for the Boston 13 is 258 grams in a size 42 2/3 (US9). The shoe is thus six grams heavier than its predecessor. Six grams is negligible, especially when spent on improving fit.
Midsole with versatile intensity
This year, adidas has lowered the midsole height and adjusted the ratio between the two foam types used. This also changed the drop, now six millimeters compared to the 12’s seven.
Adidas hasn't just removed foam: they added over 13% more Lightstrike Pro foam compared to last year. The supersoft foam is TPEE, also found in full length in the Adizero EVO SL and Adizero Pro 3 shoes. This addition makes a noticeable difference, and Boston 13 became my go-to shoe for interval runs from 5k to marathon intensity.
It's important to note that the “less exciting” Lightstrike material is still relevant in this type of shoe. Many compare it to adidas’ Adizero EVO SL, which has a full-length Lightstrike Pro midsole, but I wouldn't use that foam on gravel. Here, the bottom Lightstrike layer makes it the versatile training partner most seek.
The shoe also feels very stable due to the heel's use of firm Lightstrike. This makes it ideal for heavier runners seeking a fast shoe.
In the midsole, you'll find adidas’ EnergyRods 2.0, the German brand’s answer to carbon plates. Instead of a plate, you get five “fingers” ergonomically mimicking foot bones. Together with the energy-returning Lightstrike Pro, these “fingers” create a forward thrust sensation.
New Continental grip
You'll also find updates in the outsole. Like the upper, the outsole is crucial for the surfaces I use a shoe on. Here, they align perfectly.
A large layer of outsole crafted with Continental covers the entire bottom of the shoe. It even curves slightly up around the midsole details, so uneven surfaces don't leave a mark.
This year, there's also a layer of soft, light LIGHTTRAXION rubber along the foot’s outer edge. This is another clear inspiration from the big brother Adios Pro 3, which also uses the soft rubber.
It's especially useful with the shoe’s aggressive midsole. The outsole material grips asphalt, and its strategic placement on the outside provides excellent propulsion.
The new Boston generations steer the series in a more versatile direction. It means a shoe that can do almost everything.
I highly recommend the shoe for jogging, light marathon training, and high-intensity intervals under 1000 meters. The shoes meet many needs, making them perfect for summer trips when you pack just one pair.
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