ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 vs adidas Adizero Boston 13

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4
adidas Adizero Boston 13

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Jan 06, 2026 07:13 PM

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Asics.com

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Dec 16, 2025 10:37 PM

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Adidas.com

Our Verdict

ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4

adidas Adizero Boston 13

The adidas Adizero Boston 13 and ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 are both super trainers built for uptempo training, but they go about it in very different ways. The MAGIC SPEED 4 is lighter and uses a full-length carbon plate, with a more cushioned underfoot experience. The Boston 13 relies on ENERGYRODS instead, pairing them with a Lightstrike Pro-based midsole in the forefoot that feels bouncier, but the shoe is also noticeably firmer overall. That firmness is a big part of the Boston’s identity: it can feel snappier and more aggressive, but you have to load it with higher force and commit to the pace to really unlock the payoff. The adidas is also flatter, with a less pronounced rocker, so it doesn't feel as smooth when rolling forward. The MAGIC SPEED 4 is less demanding and retains more of its cushioning performance, making it the more reliable option when distance starts to pile up. 

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Variants

  • MAGIC SPEED 4 (Flash Red/White - (Men - US 9))
  • MAGIC SPEED 4 (Flash Red/White - (Women - US 7))
  • MAGIC SPEED 4 (Huddle Yellow/Metropolis - (Men - US 9))
  • MAGIC SPEED 4 (Purple Spectrum/Pale Pink - (Women - US 7))
  • MAGIC SPEED 4 (Soothing Sea/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • MAGIC SPEED 4 (Soothing Sea/Black - (Women - US 7))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (Black/Cloud White/Grey - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (Chalk White/Gold Metallic/Orange Tint - (Women - US 7))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (Cloud White/Black/Lucid Red - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (Cloud White/Core Black/Lucid Red - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (Cloud White/Core Black/Lucid Red - (Women - US 7))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (Cloud White/Matte Silver/Dash Grey - (Women - US 7))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (Cloud White/Pure Teal/Grey - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (Cloud White/Pure Teal/Grey - (Women - US 7))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (Core Black/Cloud White/Grey Five - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (Flash Aqua/Cloud White/Lucid Lemon - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (Halo Silver/Silver Metallic/Blue - (Women - US 7))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (Lucid Blue/Lime Burst/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (Lucid Lemon/Black/Halo Silver - (Men - US 9))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (Semi Flash Aqua/Zero Metalic/Lucid Lemon - (Women - US 7))
  • Adizero Boston 13 (White/Matte Silver/Dash Grey - (Women - US 7))

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

7.6
7.2

Heel Stack Height 
 

43.7 mm
35.9 mm

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

6.7
8.0

Heel Energy Return 
 

4.8
6.7

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

33.9 mm
29.1 mm

Weight  

6.9
6.3

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

6.9
6.3

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

237.7 g (8.38 oz)
252.2 g (8.90 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

43.7 mm
35.9 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

33.9 mm
29.1 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

9.8 mm
6.8 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.0 mm
6.0 mm
Show Text 

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
adidas Adizero Boston 13 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

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

Outsole Arch Width 
 

71 mm (2.8")
62 mm (2.4")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

106 mm (4.2")
122 mm (4.8")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

1.90
2.31

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.13
4.19
Show Text 

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
adidas Adizero Boston 13 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

277 mm (10.9")
277 mm (10.9")

Internal Heel Width 
 

57 mm (2.2")
63 mm (2.5")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

91 mm (3.6")
97 mm (3.8")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Semi-gusseted
Semi-gusseted

Plate 
 

Carbon Fiber
Carbon Fiber Rods
Show Text 
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

4.8
6.7

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

71.5%
75.1%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

6.7
8.0

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

75.2%
80.8%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

8.4
5.9

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Heel Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.55 J
2.76 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

10.56 J
7.59 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

18.14 J
13.09 J
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

8.2
6.6

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

4.65 J
4.14 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

8.89 J
7.08 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

14.06 J
10.17 J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

4.4
6.8

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 Heel Firmness
 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Heel Firmness

Firmness At 550N 
 

42.1 N/mm
65.5 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

97.7 N/mm
133.0 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

211.8 N/mm
299.2 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

6.7
8.7

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 Forefoot Firmness
 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Forefoot Firmness

Firmness At 800N 
 

90.2 N/mm
120.7 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

166.8 N/mm
257.3 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

299.7 N/mm
541.9 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

7.6
5.9

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Preview Graph
adidas Adizero Boston 13 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

8.27 J
6.47 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

8.08 J
6.30 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

7.97 J
6.21 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

7.89 J
6.12 J
Show Text 

ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4

adidas Adizero Boston 13

Comments

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ASICS MAGIC SPEED 4 vs adidas Adizero Boston 13: Main Discussion

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