Article by Peter Stuart and Sally Reiley
Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 ($170)
Introduction:
Peter: The Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 is, as you might have guessed, the 5th iteration of the Endorphin Speed. The original Endorphin Speed came out in 2020. It was about 0. 6 oz lighter and 10 bucks cheaper.
The drop stays consistent at 8mm and the stack height has increased very slightly from 35.5/27.5 to 36/28
The Speed 5 is still rocking PowerRun PB as the foam and still sports a winged nylon plate. The upper is a brand new engineered mesh and there is more rubber on the heel of the shoe along with some other changes on the outsole including a longitudinal groove that’s meant to enhance flexibility.
Overall the Endorphin Speed hasn’t changed that much over the years, but with this version the upper becomes more breathable and the ride seems to stay pretty consistent with earlier versions.
Pros:
Very quick turnover–Peter/Sally
Breathable, comfortable upper–Peter/Sally
Streamlined design–Peter
Efficient–Peter
Ride harkens back to my preferred V2 and V3 of this shoe - Sally
Clean, sharp looking, attractive package - Sally
Cons:
On the firm side–Peter
Doesn’t bounce or return as much energy as I might like–Peter
Stats
Spec Weight: men's 8.4 oz / 238g US9
Sample Weights:
men’s’ 9.33 oz / 265g US11
women’s 7.27 oz / 206 g US W8 (exact same weight as my Endo Speed 4, 206 g)
Stack Height: men’s 36mm heel / 28mm forefoot (mm drop) 36/28
Platform Width: 85 mm heel / 55 mm midfoot / 107 mm forefoot (US W8)
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
Peter: The Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 is a good looking shoe with a little bit of a design throwback to old school neon shoes. The upper is light and feels great on step-in. Pretty clear from the outset that Saucony hasn’t made any huge changes to the Speed line.
The tongue is gusseted and has just the right amount of padding. The heel collar is decently padded and holds the foot well.
The very back of the shoe is higher but I haven’t experienced any chafing or irritation on the back of the heel/achilles. Lacing is easy and the upper is simple and breathable. Fit is true-to-size.
Sally: Of the numerous running shoes I am fortunate to be able to choose from, the Saucony Endorphin Speed has long been one of my all-time favorites. Since my first pair in the mutant neon colorway in 2020 and through each of the updates in the ensuing years, the Speed has been reliably light, versatile, quick, energetic, and comfortable, great for moderate long runs or workouts or uptempo training or even racing.
That first version was considered by many to be the OG supertrainer, a performance shoe with a nylon plate intended to be the training companion for the carbon plated Endorphin Pro, and it found its niche right away. Version 2 (remember the black checkered race flag upper?) was my favorite of all with what was for me the most rewarding (quick!) feel and ride, and 2023’s V4 was my least favorite with a firmer ride and sloppier upper hold.
Of course I was anxious to see what direction Saucony would go with this next update, hoping that they would merely refine it and not overhaul it. The Speed is a fan favorite of so many runners, so if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The good news is that Saucony seems to have heard us! The Speed 5 once again combines lightweight PWRRUN PB foam and SPEEDROLL geometry and a nylon plate.
But now we have a new engineered hexagon mesh upper for better fit and breathability, more outsole coverage for improved grip and durability, and a modified 3D heel counter that is a bit higher and definitely more secure.
The drop remains 36mm/28mm.
Saucony tends to run delightfully true to size for me, and the 5 is no exception.
The fit is now a bit lower in volume with a more secure race day feel, a plus for me (with a slightly narrow woman’s foot) over the previous model where I had issues with the fabric of the tongue folding and bunching under the laces.
Top: Endorphin Speed 4 Bottom: Endorphin Speed 5
There is more room up front now due to a bit less toe box structure, so no need to size up for length.
The tongue is improved with less width to the fabric (no bunching like V4) and now an added lace loop in the center.
Top: Endorphin Speed 4 Bottom: Endorphin Speed 5
The heel collar is padded adequately but not overly so, and extends a bit higher up the achilles now, though this did not cause any issues with comfort.
Even after a ten mile run I had no hot spots or areas of concern, and everything feels great on my foot. Heel hold and overall foot hold, even when cornering is excellent. The laces are refreshingly perfect in length and hold securely.
Midsole & Platform
Peter: The midsole foam is PWRRN PB that has been in all versions of the Endorphin Speed. There is a winged nylon plate and “SPeedroll” technology. The platform is inherently stable and rolls well off of the toe. For me, the PWRRUN PB has always been just a hair on the firm side. I generally prefer a slightly more cushioned feeling shoe. That said the midsole material, and its relative firmness work really well at quicker paces. The plate adds a torsional rigidity which adds to the overall stability of the shoe.
The upside of the firmness here is that the Endorphin Speed 5 turns over very quickly and is incredibly efficient. I don’t feel like I have to push the shoe to go quicker at all.. It wants to move. Even the easy runs I took in the Endo Speed 5 turned out to be faster than they felt.
Sally: PWRRUN PB foam continues to power the midsole of the Speed 5, though it has been sculpted a bit more for weight reduction and performance. The midfoot is narrower in the Speed 5 and the heel does not flare out as much as it did at the bottom of V4.
Top: Endorphin Speed 4 Bottom: Endorphin Speed 5
The full length nylon plate has been tweaked so that the wings extend more on the medial side and not on the lateral side, giving more stability and support under the medial side. Saucony continues to employ the SPEEDROLL geometry that rolls your foot forward from landing to toe-off. The overall effect of the PWRRUN is firmer than many of the current trainers with their very soft and bouncy midsoles, but this firmness contributes to the quick and snappy turnover of the shoe.
Outsole
Peter: The Speed 5 adds a longitudinal groove to the forefoot in addition to the groove that was already present in previous versions. There’s slightly more rubber on the back of the shoe as well. Overall traction is excellent and I’m not seeing any appreciable wear after about 40 miles.
Sally: Saucony added more rubber to the outsole in strategic places, improving the traction and the durability of the Speed 5.
Top: Endorphin Speed 4 Bottom: Endorphin Speed 5
The addition of the full length longitudinal groove increases the flexibility of the shoe by enabling the shoe to better adapt to the ground under your feet. I found this helps make the ride feel smoother. Another bonus of this outsole? It is delightfully quiet underfoot.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
Sally: The many fans of the Endorphin Speed line will be thrilled to discover that version 5 remains true to its DNA as a fast, snappy, smooth, versatile do-it-all-trainer.
This OG of super trainers excels at moderate paced long runs, quick up-tempo workouts, intervals, race day, and everything in between. I enjoy the smooth and controlled yet quick turnover of this shoe. The revised upper fits me better than the previous V4 and holds my foot very comfortably and securely with no hot spots whatsoever.
As with all the Endorphin Speeds with their responsive PWRRUN PB foam and nylon plate, it can be used as a gateway to carbon plated racers as an effective but affordable race day shoe. As I rebuild my running routine after a brief recovery post the Boston Marathon, I am pleasantly surprised to see the paces on my watch exceed the perceived effort on my runs. The Speed 5’s want to turnover quickly and pick up the pace! Though firmer and not as bouncy and soft as many other shoes recently, there is more ground feel and the firmness helps lead to a smooth energetic toe off. Always a top shoe of the year for me, the Speed 5 is possibly my favorite Endorphin Speed of the five!
Sally’s score: 9.8 / 10.0
Ride (50%): 9.7 Fit (30%): 10.0 Value (15%): 9.8 Style (5%): 10.0
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Peter: The Endorphin Speed series has always had a quick turnover,and an efficient, snappy and relatively firm ride. The Speed 5, which is my favorite Speed yet, delivers everything you’d expect from a Saucony Endorphin Speed and tops it off with the most breathable, best fitting and least restrictive upper yet. Most uppers do their job, but there’s something about the simple, graceful utility of the Speed 5 upper that just works. Laces, tongue and highly breathable mesh all work together to create a midfoot hold, natural feeling fit and no hot spots at all. I just came back from a very hot run in which I switched shoes out every mile and the Endo Speed 5 was the most breathable and comfortable of the bunch. Also the most efficient of the bunch.
The Endorphin Speed 5 works really well at tempo and race pace and is fine and dandy at slower paces too. It excels when you go faster though. I prefer a slightly softer landing these days for my daily trainer, but the Endorphin Speed 5 is a great workout, fartlek or race shoe. I found that I was faster in the Endo Speed 5 than in other similar shoes–with the same perceived effort. They don’t have that laugh out loud fun vibe that some of my other race or tempo shoes have, but they are an excellent tempo shoe and well worth checking out!
Peter’s Score 9.7 / 10
Ride (50%): 9.6 Fit (30%): 10.0 Value (15%): 9.6 Style (5%): 10.0
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5 Comparisons
Endorphin Speed 4 (RTR Review)
Peter: The Speed 4 and Speed 5 are very, very similar. I put one on each foot for a mile today and couldn’t remember (without looking down) which shoe was on which foot). It was a warm day, so the 5 won out by having the more breathable upper. The upper on the 5 is more comfortable overall and the rides are very similar. Saucony did a good job of keeping all of the excellent things about the Speed 4 and making a few tweaks without losing sight of the strengths of the line.
Sally: I agree with Peter here. As pointed out in the review, runners can breathe a sigh of relief that the Speed 5 is not that much different than the Speed 4, only better. The upper is now more breathable and fits a bit more securely with a more structured heel and snugger midfoot. The ride remains pleasantly smooth and energetic and quick. I am confident that the Speed 5 remain the versatile fan favorite for many.
New Balance Fuel Cell Rebel v4 (RTR Review)
Peter: The Rebel has a slightly softer landing with a little more bounce. I think I’d probably race in the Speed 5 but run long in the Rebel. The Speed 5 has a little more room in the upper than the Rebel. This is a preference thing. The Rebel is, for sure, one of my favorite running shoes ever made. The Speed 5 gets close, but for a day in, day out trainer I’d still go Rebel.
Sally: These two shoes are possibly my two favorite daily trainers. The Rebel 4 is a bit softer and bouncier, so I think of the Speed 5 as the firmer and slightly faster choice. The Rebel has no plate, the Speed 5 has a nylon plate, but both encourage a quick turnover. Both are winners. The Rebel is more affordable at only $140, the Speed is $170, but again, both are versatile do-it-all shoes that I would choose any day.
Mizuno Neo Vista (RTR Review)
Peter: The Neo Vista has the super bouncy, laugh out loud fun ride that the Speed 5 is missing. That said, it’s not as efficient and I find the upper to be a bit baggy. For tempo work and race day I’d go with the Speed 5. For a fun daily trainer the Neo Vista is pretty badass.
Nike Zoom Fly 6 (RTR Review)
Peter: The Zoom Fly is also firm, but feels a little more built up and stiff than the Speed 5. Overall I’d choose the Speed 5–especially for workouts.
Sally: The Zoom Fly 6 is a fun and fast trainer that works especially well for runners training to race in the Alphafly or Vaporfly. The Zoom Fly is somewhat firmer and stiffer than the Speed 5 and loves the faster uptempo runs, but I think I would pick the Speed 5 for its comfort and versatility and quickness.
Endorphin Speed (1)
Peter: I took these out back to back with the Endorphin Speed 5. It’s fun to see how far this shoe has come without huge major overhauls. The OG Speed is a bit harsher on the forefoot, the upper is not as comfortable and it feels tighter around the forefoot than the current version. While it’s a pretty small change from the Speed 4 to the Speed 5–putting the original speeds on showed me just how far the Speed series has come!
Index to all RTR reviews: HERE
The Endorphin Speed 5 is expected to release June 2025
Tester Profiles
Peter lives in California and has been a sub 3 hour marathoner as well as a 1:21 half marathoner in recent years.
Sally is a lifelong runner and mother of five who agreed against her better judgment to run her first marathon at age 54; she has since run the past eleven Boston Marathons, three NYC Marathons, two Chicagos, and one London with the WMM Six Star Medal now in her sights (Berlin in 2025). With a Boston PR of 3:25:55 in 2022 (9th place in AG) and three consecutive 2nd place in Age Group awards in NYC, she has competed in several Abbott WMM Age Group World Championships and placed 6th in the world in W 60-64 when she ran an all-time PR of 3:24:02 at age 63 at the 2022 London Marathon. She also competes in USATF races of all distances with the Greater Lowell Road Runners team. To add meaning to her Boston Marathon races she runs with Team Eye and Ear and has raised over $320,000 for Massachusetts Eye and Ear Hospital. Sally stands tall at 5’2’’ and 105 pounds, and lives in Marblehead, MA where she trains outdoors year round. She blames her love of skiing out West for any and all Boston Marathon training challenges.
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