Innova Boss Review: The First Speed 13 Distance Driver
The Innova Boss (13/5/-1/3) holds the distinction of being the first Speed 13 distance driver ever brought to market. When it debuted, disc speeds topped out at 12; the Boss pushed the boundary. Its flight numbers are identical to the Innova Destroyer (12/5/-1/3) except for the one speed unit jump from 12 to 13. That single point difference makes the Boss slightly more demanding of arm speed, slightly more stable at high speeds, and capable of slightly more distance for players who generate enough power to reach its flight window.
Innova Boss - Quick Specs
- Flight Numbers 13 / 5 / -1 / 3 (Speed / Glide / Turn / Fade)
- Disc Type Distance Driver (Max Speed)
- Stability Slight high-speed understability; reliable overstable finish
- Weight Range 140g-175g (power players throw 165-175g)
- Plastics DX, Star, Champion, GStar, Blizzard, Echo Star
- Approx. Price $13-22 depending on plastic
- Best For Advanced players who have maxed out the Destroyer; forehand throws
Who Should Throw the Boss?
- Beginners and most intermediate players: The Boss requires serious arm speed - more than the Destroyer. If you're not already throwing the Destroyer well, the Boss will behave too overstably and be disappointing. Focus on the Destroyer first.
- Advanced players (380+ feet with Destroyer): The Boss becomes a relevant step up. At arm speeds that "power through" the Destroyer's -1 Turn, the Boss's Speed 13 rating requires more speed to reach the turn, meaning it holds a more overstable flight at the same arm speed - more useful for forehand distance and headwind drives.
- Forehand specialists: The Boss is one of the best forehand distance drivers made. Its overstability at high arm speeds prevents the flip that ruins more understable discs on forehand throws.
How the Innova Boss Flies
The Boss and Destroyer share 13/5/-1/3 and 12/5/-1/3 respectively. In flight, the difference is subtle but meaningful at high arm speeds. The Boss takes slightly more arm speed to reach the -1 Turn; thrown at the same speed as a Destroyer, it may fly slightly more overstably. Players who are powerful enough will find the Boss produces a longer, more controlled S-curve with maximum reach.
Note from InfiniteDiscs: Champion plastic Boss is often stamped with 13/5/0/3 rather than 13/5/-1/3 because the stiffness of Champion plastic makes it fly more overstably. If you want the full -1 Turn flight, reach for Star plastic.
The Blizzard plastic Boss (ultra-lightweight) deserves a mention: at 130-160g, it produces an extremely understable flight that gives players with lower arm speeds a way to experience Boss-speed rim width at accessible distances. Not the same disc in flight, but a useful tool for working on the Boss rim feel.
Boss vs Destroyer: The Key Decision
- Destroyer (12/5/-1/3): Better for most players. More accessible speed, reaches its full flight window at lower arm speeds. The standard choice for serious distance driving.
- Boss (13/5/-1/3): Better for players who power through the Destroyer at max arm speeds. One step up in speed and demand. If the Destroyer doesn't fade reliably for you at max power, try the Boss.
Innova Boss Plastics Compared
- Star: Best all-around. Grippy, durable, flies at the intended -1 Turn profile. Around $18-20.
- Champion: Stamped 13/5/0/3 on many runs - more overstable than Star due to stiffness. Good for forehand distance shots and strong headwinds.
- DX: Affordable. Beats in faster than Star, eventually becoming more understable.
- Blizzard: Extremely lightweight (under 160g). Flies very understable - an entirely different use case from the standard Boss.
Pros
- First Speed 13 driver in disc golf history - legendary status
- Excellent forehand distance driver
- Handles max power without turning over
- Available in nearly every Innova plastic including lightweight Blizzard
Cons
- Requires more arm speed than the Destroyer to fly correctly
- Most players will find the Destroyer is sufficient
- Champion plastic flies more overstable than the stamped numbers suggest
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Boss better than the Destroyer?
Not for most players. The Destroyer (Speed 12) reaches its intended flight at a lower arm speed and is the better choice for the majority of disc golfers looking for a workhorse distance driver. The Boss is specifically for players who generate so much power that the Destroyer starts to flip, or for forehand specialists who need maximum overstability at distance-driver speeds.
Why is the Boss labeled 13/5/0/3 in Champion plastic?
Champion plastic's stiffness makes the disc fly more overstably than softer plastics at the same mold. Innova acknowledges this by using different flight number stamps for Champion vs Star versions of many discs. The 0 Turn on Champion Boss means it resists turning even at high speeds, making it a pure stable-to-overstable disc rather than a slight S-curve driver. Star plastic flies as the standard 13/5/-1/3.
What is the Blizzard Boss?
Blizzard plastic is Innova's super-lightweight blend using hollow microbeads to reduce disc weight to 130-160g. At these weights, discs fly much more understably than their standard counterparts. A Blizzard Boss at 150g flies more like an understable fairway driver than a stable distance driver - it is a different tool for players who need understability without the high-speed requirement of normal discs.