Saucony Endorphin SPEED 4 vs. Adidas Boston 12: Which to Choose?

Summary

In this video, David from Doctors of Running compares the Adidas Adizero Boston 12 and the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4, two versatile performance trainers. He highlights their similarities in weight, stack height, and drop, but notes differences in fit, particularly in the midfoot and heel. David discusses the shoes' upper materials, the snugness of the Adizero's midfoot, and the Endorphin's softer, more accommodating fit. He also covers the performance aspects, including traction, underfoot platforms, and the unique feel of each shoe from heel to toe, suggesting the Boston 12 for a firmer heel and faster transition, while the Endorphin Speed 4 offers a more balanced and plush experience.

Takeaways

• 👟 The video compares the Adidas Adizero Boston 12 and Saucony Endorphin Speed 4, both performance trainers suitable for various running activities.
• ⚖️ The Boston 12 weighs 99.4 Oz (267g) and has a 37mm heel stack and 30mm forefoot stack with a 6.5mm drop, while the Endorphin Speed 4 is lighter at 8.2 Oz (233g) with a 36mm heel stack and 28mm forefoot stack with an 8mm drop.
• 🔍 Adidas Adizero shoes typically have a narrower midfoot with a good lockdown, while the Boston 12 is slightly wider with more volume but still has a dialed-in heel and midfoot.
• 🌐 The Endorphin Speed 4 offers a more accommodating heel and midfoot with a softer, plusher upper material, providing a more traditional training shoe feel.
• 🏃‍♂️ For runners seeking a tight midfoot and heel fit, the Boston 12 is more likely to provide the desired snugness compared to the Endorphin Speed 4.
• 👣 Both shoes feature wide forefoot designs with good traction, using Continental rubber in the Boston 12 and a lattice design in the Endorphin Speed 4.
• 🛠 The Boston 12 uses energy rods and Light Strike Pro in the forefoot with a bottom layer of Light Strike in the heel, creating a firm base with a soft, bouncy forefoot.
• 🔄 The Endorphin Speed 4 has a consistent midsole platform with Power PB (polyester block amide) and a nylon plate, offering flexibility and a balanced feel throughout.
• 🔄 The Boston 12 features a posterior lateral bevel for quick transition into the midfoot and a firmer heel due to the Light Strike midsole.
• 🚀 The Endorphin Speed 4's heel is softer and more compliant, focusing on a balanced and centered platform, providing a slightly different transition feel.
• 🏅 Both shoes are solid performance trainers, with the Boston 12 being recognized in the previous year and the Endorphin Speed 4 likely to be in the current year's honorary list.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the Adidas Atzo Boston 12 and the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 shoes?

Both the Adidas Atzo Boston 12 and the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 are performance trainers designed for a variety of running activities, including daily training, speed workouts, and even racing.

What are the weight differences between the men's size 9 of the Adidas Boston 12 and the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4?

The men's size 9 Adidas Boston 12 weighs 99.4 Oz (267 G), whereas the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 weighs 8.2 Oz (233 G), making the Endorphin Speed 4 approximately 1 Oz lighter.

What is the heel-to-toe drop measurement for the Adidas Boston 12 and the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4?

The Adidas Boston 12 has a 6.5 mm drop, with 37 mm of stack in the heel and 30.5 mm in the forefoot. The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 has an 8 mm drop, with 36 mm of stack in the heel and 28 mm in the forefoot.

How does the midfoot fit differ between the Adidas Boston 12 and the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4?

The Adidas Boston 12 tends to have a more narrow midfoot with a good lockdown, while the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 has a more accommodating fit in the heel and midfoot with a softer, more plush upper material.

What type of rubber is used in the outsole of the Adidas Boston 12?

The Adidas Boston 12 uses Continental rubber in its outsole, which provides excellent traction.

What is the material composition of the midsole in the Adidas Boston 12 and the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4?

The Adidas Boston 12 features a combination of Light Strike and Light Strike Pro midsoles, with a firmer base in the heel. The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 uses a PEBA-based midsole with a nylon plate, providing a consistent feel throughout.

How do the heel and midfoot feel in terms of firmness and transition in the Adidas Boston 12?

The Adidas Boston 12 has a firmer heel due to the Light Strike midsole and a quick transition into the midfoot, with an undercut design that promotes a fast pronation moment.

What is the main difference in the heel and midfoot experience between the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 and the Adidas Boston 12?

The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 has a softer and more compliant heel with a balanced platform, while the Adidas Boston 12 offers more rigidity and a streamlined fit in the heel and midfoot.

How does the rocker placement affect the running experience in both shoes?

Both shoes have a gradual rocker that provides a rolling sensation onto the forefoot, but the Adidas Boston 12 has a more pronounced roll through the heel and midfoot, whereas the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 has a gentler rocker for a balanced transition.

Which shoe would be better for runners who prefer a more dialed-in, track spike-like fit in the midfoot and heel?

Runners who prefer a more dialed-in fit would likely prefer the Adidas Boston 12, which offers a tighter midfoot and heel lockdown.

Which shoe might be better for runners who want a more accommodating and plush feel?

The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 would be more suitable for runners seeking a more accommodating and plush feel, with a softer heel and a more balanced transition.

Outlines

00:00

👟 Shoe Comparison: Adidas Boston 12 vs Saucony Endorphin Speed 4

In this video script, David from Doctors of Running compares the Adidas Boston 12 and Saucony Endorphin Speed 4, two versatile performance trainers. He addresses the similarities and differences, focusing on heel and midfoot design, weight, and fit. The Boston 12, weighing 99.4 Oz (267 G) with a 37 mm heel stack and 6.5 mm drop, is noted for its narrow midfoot and good lockdown, while the Endorphin Speed 4, at 8.2 Oz (233 G) with a 36 mm heel stack and 8 mm drop, is slightly lighter and offers a more normal fit with a softer, plush upper. Both shoes feature wide forefoot designs with good traction, utilizing Continental rubber and lattice designs respectively. The midsole of the Boston 12 combines Light Strike and Light Strike Pro for a firm base in the heel and a soft, bouncy forefoot, while the Endorphin Speed 4 uses a consistent Power PB midsole with nylon plates for flexibility and a balanced feel throughout.

05:00

🏃‍♂️ Performance and Fit Differences in Running Shoes

The second paragraph delves deeper into the performance and fit differences between the Adidas Boston 12 and Saucony Endorphin Speed 4. The Boston 12 is characterized by a firm heel, quick transition into the midfoot, and an undercut design that promotes a fast pronation moment. It provides a more rigid and streamlined fit, ideal for those seeking a track spike-like experience. Conversely, the Endorphin Speed 4 offers a softer, more compliant heel with a balanced platform, focusing on a centered feel and gradual rocker for a smooth roll. While both shoes have similar forefoot experiences, the Boston 12 has a more pronounced heel-to-midfoot transition, whereas the Endorphin Speed 4 provides a balanced transition across the entire shoe. David concludes by highlighting both shoes as solid performance trainers, with the Boston 12 being an honorable mention last year and the Endorphin Speed 4 potentially making the list this year.

Keywords

💡Adidas Boston 12

The Adidas Boston 12 is a performance running shoe from the Adidas brand, specifically designed for a range of activities from daily training to racing. It is mentioned in the script as having a 99.4 Oz weight for men's size 9, a 37 mm heel stack, and a 30 mm forefoot stack with a 6.5 mm drop. The shoe is part of the comparison in the video, highlighting its performance capabilities and unique features like the energy rods and Light Strike Pro midsole.

💡Saucony Endorphin Speed 4

The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 is another performance running shoe that is compared with the Adidas Boston 12 in the video. It is described as being lighter, weighing 8.2 Oz for men's size 9, with a 36 mm heel stack and a 28 mm forefoot stack, resulting in an 8 mm drop. The shoe is noted for its softer and more compliant feel, especially in the heel, and its use of a PEBAX-based midsole.

💡Performance Trainers

Performance trainers are running shoes designed for athletes who require shoes that can handle various types of training, including speed work, long-distance running, and even racing. In the script, both the Adidas Boston 12 and Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 are referred to as performance trainers, indicating their versatility and suitability for a range of running activities.

💡Stack Height

Stack height refers to the measurement of the shoe's midsole material from the ground to the top of the shoe at the heel and forefoot. It is an important aspect of running shoe design as it affects cushioning and performance. The script provides specific stack heights for both the Adidas Boston 12 and Saucony Endorphin Speed 4, emphasizing their different levels of cushioning.

💡Drop

Drop in running shoes is the difference in height between the heel and forefoot stack. It is a key design element that influences the shoe's fit and feel. The script compares the 6.5 mm drop of the Adidas Boston 12 with the 8 mm drop of the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4, indicating different levels of heel-to-toe transition and support.

💡Fit

Fit refers to how well a shoe conforms to the shape of the foot, including aspects like width, volume, and overall comfort. The script discusses the fit of both shoes, noting that the Adidas Boston 12 has a more narrow midfoot and heel, while the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 offers a more accommodating fit with a softer and plusher upper.

💡Ride

The term 'ride' in the context of running shoes describes the overall feel and performance of the shoe during running. The script compares the ride of both shoes, highlighting similarities in forefoot design and traction, but also differences in heel and midfoot feel due to the distinct midsole materials and constructions.

💡Traction

Traction is the ability of a shoe's outsole to grip the ground, which is crucial for performance running. Both the Adidas Boston 12 with Continental rubber and the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 with its lattice design are praised in the script for their excellent traction, contributing to their performance capabilities.

💡Midsole

The midsole is the part of a shoe between the outsole and insole, providing cushioning and support. The script discusses the midsole materials of both shoes, such as the Light Strike Pro and Light Strike in the Adidas Boston 12, and the PEBAX-based midsole in the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4, which contribute to their unique performance characteristics.

💡Energy Rods

Energy rods are a feature in some Adidas running shoes, designed to provide additional support and energy return. The script mentions that the Adidas Boston 12 uses energy rods for stiffness, which are made of plastic and provide some flexibility, contributing to the shoe's performance and responsiveness.

💡Rocker

A rocker in running shoes is a design element that encourages a smoother, more efficient roll from heel to toe during the running gait. The script notes that both shoes have a gradual rocker design, which helps in providing a rolling sensation onto the forefoot, enhancing the overall running experience.

Highlights

David from Doctors of Running compares Adidas Atzo Boston 12 and Saucony Endorphin Speed 4, both versatile performance trainers.

Adidas Boston 12 weighs 99.4 Oz (267 G) with a 37 mm heel stack and 30 mm forefoot stack, offering a 6.5 mm drop.

Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 is lighter at 8.2 Oz (233 G), with a 36 mm heel stack and 28 mm forefoot stack, featuring an 8 mm drop.

Adidas footwear typically has a narrower midfoot for a good lockdown, with a more accommodating forefoot.

Boston 12 has a wider fit and more volume, with a thin, non-plush mesh upper for performance.

Endorphin Speed 4 offers a softer, more plush upper material for a trainer-like feel with good ventilation.

For a tight midfoot and heel fit, Boston 12 might be more suitable than Endorphin Speed 4.

Both shoes have wide forefoot designs and excellent traction with Continental rubber and lattice design respectively.

Boston 12 features energy rods and Light Strike Pro midsole for flexibility and firm base in the heel.

Endorphin Speed 4 uses a consistent PEBA-based midsole with nylon plates for a lighter and balanced feel.

Boston 12 has a posterior lateral bevel for quick transition into the midfoot and a firmer heel.

Endorphin Speed 4 provides a softer, more compliant heel for a balanced and centered platform feel.

Boston 12 offers a fast pronation moment with an undercut midfoot for a performance-oriented ride.

Endorphin Speed 4 has a gradual rocker and a more balanced transition from heel to forefoot.

Boston 12 is recommended for those seeking rigidity in the heel and a streamlined fit.

Endorphin Speed 4 is more accommodating and plush, suitable for runners wanting a balanced transition.

Both shoes are solid performance trainers with the Boston 12 on last year's honorary list and the Endorphin Speed 4 a contender for this year.

Transcripts

hi everybody it's David from doctors of

running and today we're going to be

doing a head-to-head battle between the

Adidas atzo Boston 12 and the socony

Endorphin speed 4 I have been getting a

lot of questions between these two shoes

they're both performance trainers that

can do a little bit of everything some

daily training miles some speed miles

for workouts and even Racing for some

there are some similarities between the

two shoes but there is also some

differences especially in the heel and

midfoot that I would like to talk about

between what would tease out which shoe

would work for the each individual and

what you want for your own personal

needs but I will start with some

specifications Adidas Boston 12 men's

size 99.4 Oz that is 267 G 37 mm of

stack in the heel 30 mm of stack in the

4 foot 30.5 my apologies 6.5 millim drop

when we look at the sakon Endorphin

speed 4 we're looking at men's size 9

8.2 Oz 233 G 36 mm of stack in the heel

28 mm with stack back in the 4 foot that

is an 8 mm drop so pretty similar

specifications you do have about 1 o

lighter in the Endorphin speed 4 I do

think it shows itself in the right

situations but we'll go over fit right

now see how they're similar see how

they're different with the uh add zero

line in general usually what I see with

Adidas Footwear is that the midfoot does

tend to be a little bit more narrow and

they do really get you a good lock down

through that midfoot and heel the

forfoot is a little bit more

accommodating

uh when you look at the Boston 12 it's a

little bit wider and there's a little

bit more volume but the heel and the

midfoot Very dialed in and the mesh

upper here is very thin I wouldn't

necessarily classify it as soft plush

it's not uncomfortable it's just not

super plush and comfortable and I

wouldn't really expect that it's in the

add zero lineup it's a shoe that's meant

to be performance-based when we look at

the Endorphin speed

for they have a somewhat similar forfoot

where they have decently wide forfoot

decent volume through the top I will say

the width in the heel and the midfoot is

much more of a normal type fit for the

Endorphin speed 4 compared to the Boston

12 a little bit more accommodating the

upper material is a little bit softer a

little bit more plush it does feel a

little bit more trainer like in some

ways but it's still pretty Airy and

performance esque as well so that's

actually really good that they were able

to kind of knock out both of those I

will say if you want that dialed in

track spike tight fitting midfoot and

heel H you might not get that with the

Endorphin speed 4 you're probably going

to be leaning more towards the Boston 12

on that one but they both have pretty

similar for foots in that regard when we

look at the ride and the performance

they are similar but different and again

the similar story here is in the 4f foot

they both have pretty wide foot beds

they both have really good traction for

the type of shoe that they are so you

have Continental rubber in the Boston 12

and you have this kind of lattice design

in the Endorphin speed 4 they both are

really really good at gripping the

ground they both give you wide bases to

pull from and the underfoot platform

between the plate designs are actually

kind of similar too I mean they use the

stiffening agent for the Boston 12 is

the energy rods but they are plastic it

gives you some flexibility so if I go to

bend it it will bent so there's a little

bit of give the midsole is Light Strike

Pro mostly in the forfoot but in the

heel it's mostly Light Strike so you

have a bottom layer of Light Strike that

thins out as you get to the 4 foot with

more light strike Pro on the top that

comes down and thickens as it gets to

the 4 foot so you have much more of a

firmer base in the heel soft compliant

bouncy 4 foot in the Boston 12 the

midsole is consistent across the whole

platform and we look at the Endorphin

speed for so that's probably some of the

reasons why it's a little bit lighter as

well because the Pea based midsole

that's power on PB is also just a little

bit lighter so if the whole platform is

that then it might shave off that extra

ounce there but Power mpb across the

whole thing nylon plated also has some

flexibility as well so you go to bend

either of these shoes you'll get some

Bend but there's a little bit of

rigidity as well the foot bed the

placement of The Rocker they're both

pretty gradual but they're noticeable so

the 4 foot designs you can kind of see

they're a little bit late stage but

they're very gradual and I think it

works really well because it gives you a

little bit of a rolling sensation onto

the forefoot but it does give you a

decent amount of pop and really lets you

use that for foot how you want to the

big differences between these platforms

I I would say is the heel and the

midfoot and they are just wiely

different shoes in that regard when we

look at the Boston 12 you have a big

posterior lateral bevel where it's

almost undercut intentionally it just

really gets you to transition into that

midfoot really quickly and the heel is a

lot firmer because of the Light Strike

midsole and you also just have more

rubber around in General on the Boston

12 but you have this firm quick

transitioning healed into the midfoot on

that initial contact and loading

response and it it's undercut all the

way through the midfoot there and so you

just have a really fast kind of

pronation moment but you go into this

wide footed that really lets you kind of

lever and use it how you want to so

that's what you feel in the Boston 12

definitely a firmer feel on the heel and

at initial contact you can kind of feel

it standing between the two shoes the

power R PB is definitely softer and more

compliant in the heel they tend to focus

more on keeping you feeling a little bit

more centered and kind of having a more

balanced and platform there where it's

not quite as biased into getting you

into that midfoot and so it might feel a

little bit clunky at first but as you

break it in and you start getting some

miles on it or you're running a little

bit faster like that goes away pretty

quickly because of how compliant the Pea

midsole is so I'll say the as far as the

midsole experience goes from Heel To Toe

it's going to feel a little bit more

balanced in the Endorphin speed for just

because the whole thing's peba it's the

whole thing's plated there it's a very

consistent feel throughout you have just

a little bit of flexibility up front a

little bit of rigidity very gentle

rocker I wouldn't necessarily say it's

super rocker by any means it doesn't

feel like you're falling forward but it

does feel like you're getting a little

bit of a roll whereas Boston 12 you have

a lot of a roll through the heel and

then the same story from the kind of

that late midfoot going to the for foot

so they both have similar experiences

going in the front half of the shoe but

the back half of the shoe is different

so if you want a little bit more

rigidity in the heel you really want

want to kind of have more of a

streamlined fit like a track spiky

narrow midfoot heel really dial it in

onto the platform the Boston 12 is going

to give you that if you want it a little

bit more accommodating a little bit more

plush that's going to be more the

Endorphin speed 4 and it won't have

quite as firm of a heel as well and

you'll have a little bit more of a

balanced transition from that heel

midfoot and for foot whereas you have a

really fast transition in healing

midfoot in the Boston 12 so that is our

head-to-head between the Adidas Boston

12 and the end speed 4 again both really

solid performance trainers the Boston 12

was on my honorary list last year the

Endorphin speed 4 will probably be on my

honorary list this year we'll see as the

year develops but both really solid

options