adidas Adizero Boston 12 vs Adizero Boston 13

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

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adidas Adizero Boston 12
adidas Adizero Boston 13

Tested using Methodology v0.11

Updated May 12, 2026 01:32 PM

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Tested using Methodology v0.11

Updated Apr 30, 2026 07:04 PM

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adidas Adizero Boston 12 Picture

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adidas Adizero Boston 13 Picture

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Our Verdict

adidas Adizero Boston 12

adidas Adizero Boston 13

The adidas Adizero Boston 13 and adidas Adizero Boston 12 are close siblings, but the 13 refines the formula in ways that make it more approachable and enjoyable for a broader range of runners. Both share the same fundamental super trainer DNA (a dual-density midsole with Lightstrike Pro on top and a stabilizing Lightstrike carrier underneath, combined with the ENERGYRODS), but the Boston 13 brings notable updates that smooth out the ride. The combination of improved energy return and a more accommodating fit makes the Boston 13 feel less harsh and more fun to run in, especially when you're holding marathon pace. That said, the Boston 12 is a better option for those with narrower feet or who prioritize ground feel.

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Variants

  • Adizero Boston 12 (Black/White/Carbon - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Boston 12 (Black/Zero Metallic/Spark - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (Black/Cloud White/Grey - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (Chalk White/Gold Metallic/Orange Tint - (Women - US 7))

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

6.8
7.2

Heel Compression Energy Return 
 

4.2
6.7

Forefoot Compression Energy Return 
 

7.2
8.0

Weight  

5.8
6.3

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

5.8
6.3

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Left Shoe Weight Photo
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adidas Adizero Boston 13 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

265.3 g (9.36 oz)
252.2 g (8.90 oz)

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

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adidas Adizero Boston 12 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

36.6 mm
35.9 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

28.9 mm
29.1 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

7.7 mm
6.8 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

7.0 mm
6.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
adidas Adizero Boston 12 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
adidas Adizero Boston 13 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

83 mm (3.2")
83 mm (3.3")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

68 mm (2.7")
62 mm (2.4")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

114 mm (4.5")
122 mm (4.8")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.26
2.31

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.94
4.19

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
adidas Adizero Boston 12 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
adidas Adizero Boston 13 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

272 mm (10.7")
277 mm (10.9")

Internal Heel Width 
 

61 mm (2.4")
63 mm (2.5")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

93 mm (3.7")
97 mm (3.8")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
No

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

7.1
8.9

Forefoot Width Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Forefoot Width Photo
Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

9.3 mm (0.365")
3.1 mm (0.122")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-0.4 mm (-0.015")
-2.6 mm (-0.104")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

7.2
8.1

Forefoot Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Forefoot Height Photo
Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-3.3 mm (-0.131")
-2.4 mm (-0.095")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

7.6
7.5

Arch Fit Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Arch Fit Photo
Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

-3.9 mm (-0.152")
-4.0 mm (-0.156")

Length Fit 
 

10
10

Toe Clearance Photo 
 

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adidas Adizero Boston 12 Toe Clearance Photo
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adidas Adizero Boston 13 Toe Clearance Photo

Heel Rocker Geometry 
 

7.2
5.2

Heel Rocker Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Heel Rocker Photo
Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Heel Rocker Photo

Heel Spring 
 

22 mm (0.9")
13 mm (0.5")

Heel Apex Position 
 

23.3%
20.8%

Heel Rocker Angle 
 

17.4°
12.0°

Forefoot Rocker Geometry 
 

6.8
6.6

Forefoot Rocker Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Forefoot Rocker Photo
Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Forefoot Rocker Photo

Toe Spring 
 

47 mm (1.9")
45 mm (1.8")

Toe Apex Position 
 

65.0%
62.5%

Forefoot Rocker Angle 
 

24.1°
22.2°

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Semi-gusseted
Semi-gusseted

Plate 
 

Fiberglass Rods
Carbon Fiber Rods
Performance

Heel Compression Energy Return 
 

4.2
6.7

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

70.8%
75.1%

Forefoot Compression Energy Return 
 

7.2
8.0

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

76.8%
80.8%

Heel Cushioning 
 

6.1
5.9

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

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adidas Adizero Boston 12 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Heel Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

2.70 J
2.76 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

7.81 J
7.59 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

13.87 J
13.09 J

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

6.7
6.6

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

3.95 J
4.14 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

7.26 J
7.08 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

11.02 J
10.17 J

Heel Firmness 
 

6.4
6.8

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Heel Firmness
 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Heel Firmness

Firmness At 550N 
 

64.5 N/mm
65.5 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

123.6 N/mm
133.0 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

257.1 N/mm
299.2 N/mm

Forefoot Firmness 
 

8.2
8.7

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Forefoot Firmness
 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Forefoot Firmness

Firmness At 800N 
 

113.4 N/mm
120.7 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

217.7 N/mm
257.3 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

427.8 N/mm
541.9 N/mm

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

6.3
5.9

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

6.88 J
6.47 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

6.71 J
6.30 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

6.61 J
6.21 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

6.52 J
6.12 J

Rocker Stiffness 
 

7.5
7.2

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video  

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph  

 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph

Force To Flatten The Rocker 
 

101 N
90 N

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

7.2
8.3

Forefoot Bending Video  

Forefoot Bending Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Forefoot Bending Energy Return
 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Forefoot Bending Energy Return

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

66.3%
74.1%

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

8.2
8.5

Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture

Forefoot Bending Resistance  

 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 12 Forefoot Bending Resistance
 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Forefoot Bending Resistance

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

16.9 N/mm
24.3 N/mm

Forefoot Bending Force 
 

405 N
359 N

adidas Adizero Boston 12

adidas Adizero Boston 13

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