The Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 continues the legacy of being the “do-it-all” trainer in Saucony’s Endorphin line. I was excited to try this particular Endorphin Speed, because it was the NYCM release. Officially known as the Keith Haring X Saucony Endorphin Speed 5, I love the fun colors. It’s New York City Marathon, Big Apple, without being overly done. I always appreciate Saucony has fun, race themed shoes.
Since the original release, the Speed has stood out as a lightweight shoe with a nylon plate that made speedwork feel efficient without the harsh stiffness of carbon. For years, it was the best option for runners who wanted one shoe for workouts, long runs, and even racing. I distinctly remember the first two versions being two of my all time favorite shoes.
With version 5, Saucony makes some noticeable changes. The nylon plate design has been tweaked, the upper has been updated, and the outsole gets a durability boost. On paper, the shoe looks like a solid update and it is but it does feels different then previous versions.
It’s not that I haven’t liked recent versions of the Endorphin Speed, but there are so many options these days. In the early days of the Endorphin, it didn’t have much competition. Now, there are so many options. What is the biggest difference between the Saucony Endorphin 5 and Endorphin 4? The plate. The new design is less stiff, transitions feel softer, and the rocker isn’t as pronounced. Instead of pushing me forward, the shoe wanted me to settle into a more natural rhythm and personally I like that. I think we’ve gone too far into plates assisting us with everything and we need more shoes where your body is doing most of the work.
Quick Facts
-
Weight: 8.5 oz
-
Stack Height: 36 mm heel / 28 mm forefoot
-
Drop: 8 mm
-
Price: $175
-
Plate: Flexible nylon
-
Best For: Daily training, long runs, speedwork
Before trying the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5, I had some questions:
Is the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 good for marathon training?
The Speed 5 can handle long runs thanks to its lightweight build and comfortable cushioning, but it’s not as efficient as carbon plated trainers. If you want a shoe for marathon workouts and race-pace efforts, the Endorphin Trainer or Pro may be better options.
What’s the difference between the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 and Speed 4?
The Speed 5 uses a new nylon plate design with only one medial wing, making it more flexible and less stiff than the Speed 4. This creates smoother transitions but removes some of the snap and propulsion that made the Speed 4 feel faster.
How does the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 fit?
The Speed 5 runs true to size and has a spacious toebox, making it a great option for wide or high-volume feet. Narrow-footed runners may notice extra material in the forefoot when laced tightly.
Is the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 worth $175?
While it’s durable and versatile, the price increase feels steep given the less responsive ride. We hate to admit running shoes are going up in price, so while it’s inline with several other options, it’s still expensive.
Who should buy the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5?
Runners who dislike stiff carbon plates and want a more natural, flexible feel. It’s best for daily training, long runs, and runners with wider feet.
Now let’s get into an honest review of the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5.
Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 Fit
Saucony swapped the Speed 4’s zonal mesh for a new engineered hexagon mesh. The new mesh is not as premium in feel, but it breathes better and holds up well in hot conditions. (function over looks, always…right???) I really like the shoe now for warmer conditions because it just breathes better. No more feeling like my feet are running in a sauna. The gusseted tongue stays in place, and the heel counter provides secure lockdown without irritation.
The best running shoe uppers disappear off your feet and for the most part I’ve found that to be the case with the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5. I haven’t had any hot spots or issues. Saucony typically has a more shallow upper and occasionally people with higher arches may feel like there isn’t enough space. My arches go to the moon and I haven’t really had any issues with this version. Really, I’ve found the shoe very comfortable.
As far as fit, I tend to wear between a women’s size 10-11 wide. I’ve found the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 to fit a bit short, so you may end up wanting to go up a half size. The midfoot does fit a little wider, but honestly the fit has been pretty good.
Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 Ride
The midsole is where the magic happens and the foam of the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 hasn’t changed too much. The feel has changed, but not so much the midsole so keep reading. The PWRRUN PB midsole is back, with the same 36/28 stack height as the Speed 4. Saucony claims it’s been tuned to feel faster.
The key change is the nylon plate. Previous versions had dual wings for structure and stability. In version 5, Saucony trims that down to a single medial wing. The result is a plate that’s more flexible and less propulsive. I really like the more flexible nylon plate, because it doesn’t feel as harsh on my feet. The trade off here is that the more flexibility feels slower. Maybe Saucony is trying to differentiate between their Endorphin Elite and the Endorphin Speed. Why buy the Elite if you feel just as fast in the Speed? Anyway, I like the more flexible plate.
This flexibility makes the ride feel natural, smooth, and accommodating.The rocker is less noticeable, so the shoe feels more like a daily trainer than a sharp speed shoe. It’s lightweight enough to pick up the pace for strides or intervals, but it doesn’t deliver that springboard sensation other super trainers do.
Where does the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 fit into my rotation? Originally, it was a speed work shoe. Now, I feel like I can do daily runs and training in it without worrying. You can still pick up the pace and run fast, but it’s not my first choice for ripping a fast track workout. I find it best for longer tempo runs and daily training, versus all out sprints. It’s a lot more versatile now and can handle daily runs or longer/harder efforts. I’d find something lighter or more responsive for track days or short sprints though.
Outsole and Durability
Saucony improves the outsole by adding a solid strip of rubber along the lateral heel, which helps heel strikers. Amen! I hate when shoes only use blown rubber for traction, because I’ll be sliding around. The forefoot rubber is split into two flatter sections, which increase flexibility but reduce rigidity and traction.
I’ve taken the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 out in inclement weather and trails with no major issues. I wouldn’t go mountain running in it, but for flatter trail sections, it’s fine. The improvements in the outsole have helped this!
With the extra durability, I think the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 will last somewhere between 250-300 miles. I already have 100 miles on it with some signs of wear, but it has plenty of life.
Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 Conclusion
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 is comfortable, breathable, and versatile. Saucony has created a shoe that feels more like a flexible daily trainer than a true speed day option and honestly I like where it fits now. It’s important to note that it’s just different.
If you loved the Endorphin Speed 4 for its speed, you might be disappointed in version 5 because it feels different. But if you’ve always wanted a plated shoe that feels natural, roomy, and flexible, the Speed 5 could be the right fit.
Who Should Buy the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5
-
Runners who disliked the stiffness of carbon plates but still want a plated trainer.
-
Runners who found the Speed 4 too rigid and want something more flexible.
-
Athletes looking for a versatile, high-mileage trainer that can handle long runs and everyday paces.
Who Should Not Buy the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5
-
Runners who want a plated shoe that mimics the feel of a carbon super shoe.
-
Those looking for a prominent rocker or aggressive forward roll.
-
Anyone expecting a “super trainer” level of propulsion.
My Current Shoe Rotation:
Easy/Daily Runs: Salomon Aero Glide 3, Mizuno Neo Zen, Topo Magnifly 5, Antepes Muscle Runners, adidas Adizero Evo SL, Newton Gravity 12, ASICS Superblast 2
Long Runs: Topo Specter 2, 361 Degrees Eleos Shoe Review
Trail Running/Hiking: 361 Futura, Speedland SL: PDX, Hoka Tecton X 3
Races/Speedwork: Adidas adizero adios pro 4, 361 Degrees Furious Future 2.0, ASICS Metaspeed Edge Paris, Puma Fast-R Elite 3, Nike Streakfly 2, Nike Vaporfly 4
Curious about how I do gear reviews? You can read about that here.
You Can See All Current Shoe Reviews Here.
Looking to learn more about running shoes? In my ebook, I talk about why you need a good running shoe, a shoe’s anatomy, neutral vs. stable, and even myths of running shoes.
Questions for you:
What is your favorite running shoe?
Have you tried the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5?