Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 review
A nylon-plated performance trainer on PWRRUN PB foam that handles tempo sessions, long runs and race day without the harshness of a carbon super shoe.
- Drop
- 8 mm
- Heel stack
- 36 mm
- Forefoot
- 28 mm
- Weight
- 238 g
- Support
- Neutral
- Plate
- Nylon
Our verdict
One shoe for fast and long.
The Endorphin Speed 5 is a bouncy, lightly plated trainer that goes from workouts to long runs to races without feeling like a specialist tool. It fits neutral runners and those who roll in slightly at the heel, and it is less convincing if you need lateral support or maximum shock absorption.
Strong points
- Versatile: easy days, workouts and race day
- Softer forefoot that no longer bottoms out late in long runs
- Smoother heel with mild medial guidance
- Wider fit than the Speed 4, plus a wide version
Weak points
- Not for runners who roll outward or need lateral support
- Not the most protective choice for slow, long outings
- Thin mesh feels scratchy without socks
Who it fits
- Runners who want one shoe for everything
- Neutral runners, or a slight inward roll at the heel
- Tempo and track sessions
- Normal to slightly wide feet
Who should skip it
- Runners who roll outward
- Comfort first, pace second
- Walkers and long days standing
- Sockless runners
Shoe profile
Where the Endorphin Speed 5 sits among the 395 shoes in our catalogue.
| Axis | Endorphin Speed 5 |
|---|---|
| Cushioning | 24 |
| Lightness | 71 |
| Stability | 30 |
| Drop | 45 |
| Response | 80 |
Fig. 1 · How to read it. Each axis runs from 0 at the centre to 100 at the edge. Cushioning, lightness and drop are the shoe’s rank in the catalogue from listed figures; stability and response are scored from the support type, the plate, the rocker and the intended use. The dotted grey line is the catalogue median. Source: Strideprint catalogue (cat).
Where it sits in the catalogue
Weight238 g, lighter than 70% of shoes
Drop8 mm, higher than 45% of shoes
Heel stack36 mm, lower than 69% of shoes
Forefoot stack28 mm, lower than 72% of shoes
How it feels
Written from 3 published tests. We quote measurements, not impressions we did not have.
Bouncy, with fewer bad miles. PWRRUN PB with a nylon plate is cushioned and bouncy, softer than the Speed 4, though not plush enough for slow long efforts.
Neutral, with a gentle medial lean. Neutral with a gentle medial lean from the plate’s medial wing. It does nothing for a foot that rolls outward.
Quick, not a super shoe. SPEEDROLL geometry and the plate push you onto the toes, with high lab energy return. Great at faster efforts, though not a super shoe.
Bouncy, with fewer bad miles. The midsole is full-length PWRRUN PB foam, with the nylon plate sandwiched between two layers. Doctors of Running describes it as cushioned, bouncy and responsive, and softer and less stiff than the Speed 4.
The forefoot no longer bottoms out or turns firm late in a long run, a common complaint about the previous version. It is still not a plush ride: RunRepeat measured 44.5 AC and suggests something more protective for slow long efforts.
Neutral, with a gentle medial lean. Saucony dropped the lateral wing of the plate and kept the medial one. Running Warehouse describes it as a redesign for more torsional flexibility with a medial wing for support. The result, per Doctors of Running, is a smoother heel transition, mild medial guidance at the heel and centered guidance at the forefoot.
That suits a heel that rolls in a touch. It does nothing for a foot that rolls out, and the same review notes this geometry adds an outward bias at the heel.
Quick, not a super shoe. Saucony’s SPEEDROLL geometry and the nylon plate push you onto the toes. Believe in the Run finds a good balance of softness, responsiveness and bounce, and a touch more flexibility up front than before. RunRepeat measured 73.2% energy return at the heel and 78.2% at the forefoot.
Doctors of Running found it felt great at faster efforts, but not as fast as other super shoes. That is the point: you can run a marathon in it, but it is built to train in.
Read more
Bouncy, with fewer bad miles. The midsole is full-length PWRRUN PB foam, with the nylon plate sandwiched between two layers. Doctors of Running describes it as cushioned, bouncy and responsive, and softer and less stiff than the Speed 4.
The forefoot no longer bottoms out or turns firm late in a long run, a common complaint about the previous version. It is still not a plush ride: RunRepeat measured 44.5 AC and suggests something more protective for slow long efforts.
Neutral, with a gentle medial lean. Saucony dropped the lateral wing of the plate and kept the medial one. Running Warehouse describes it as a redesign for more torsional flexibility with a medial wing for support. The result, per Doctors of Running, is a smoother heel transition, mild medial guidance at the heel and centered guidance at the forefoot.
That suits a heel that rolls in a touch. It does nothing for a foot that rolls out, and the same review notes this geometry adds an outward bias at the heel.
Quick, not a super shoe. Saucony’s SPEEDROLL geometry and the nylon plate push you onto the toes. Believe in the Run finds a good balance of softness, responsiveness and bounce, and a touch more flexibility up front than before. RunRepeat measured 73.2% energy return at the heel and 78.2% at the forefoot.
Doctors of Running found it felt great at faster efforts, but not as fast as other super shoes. That is the point: you can run a marathon in it, but it is built to train in.
Which runs it’s for
| Run | Fit | Why | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tempo | Made for it | Believe in the Run’s top use: tempo days and track workouts. | Believe in the Run |
| Intervals | Made for it | Quick toe-off from the nylon plate, without a carbon racer’s harshness. | Doctors of Running, Believe in the Run |
| Marathon race | Can do | Comfortable late in long runs, but not as fast as super shoes. | Doctors of Running, RunRepeat |
| Long runs | Can do | The forefoot no longer goes firm late, though it is not plush. | Doctors of Running, RunRepeat |
| Easy runs | Can do | Reviewers use it for easy days, but a softer trainer protects better. | Doctors of Running, RunRepeat |
| Light trail | Can do | Believe in the Run found it handled dirt roads and light trails well. | Believe in the Run |
| Walking | Not for it | Doctors of Running rules out walking and standing all day. | Doctors of Running |
Source: Believe in the Run, Doctors of Running, RunRepeat
What the tests say
Reviewers agree the Endorphin Speed 5 is a versatile plated trainer, softer and roomier than the Speed 4. They differ on how protective and how fast it really is.
| Test | Type | Our reading | In one sentence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doctors of Running | Review | Positive | Doctors of Running mostly grades it A minus and calls it its favourite Endorphin Speed so far, with a roomier forefoot than before. | Read |
| Believe in the Run | Review | Mixed | Believe in the Run puts it in its B tier: a solid tempo shoe that does a lot well but gets lost in a rotation. | Read |
| RunRepeat | Lab | Positive | RunRepeat scores it 94 out of 100, in its Superb band, and measures super-shoe-level energy return with a wider, taller toe box than before. | Read |
They agree
- One shoe for most of the weekDoctors of Running, Believe in the Run and RunRepeat all describe a trainer that covers easy days, workouts and racing.
- Softer and roomier than the Speed 4Doctors of Running find it softer and less stiff, and both Doctors of Running and Believe in the Run found a slightly roomier fit, true to size.
- A balanced, bouncy toe-offBelieve in the Run describe a good balance of softness and bounce, and RunRepeat measured high energy return, especially at the forefoot.
They split
- Protection on slow long effortsDoctors of Running say the forefoot no longer bottoms out late in a long run, while RunRepeat measured 44.5 AC and suggests a more protective shoe for slow, long outings.
- SpeedBelieve in the Run see it at its best on tempo and track days, while Doctors of Running found it great at faster efforts but not as fast as other super shoes.
How it’s built
A single-layer engineered mesh upper on a full-length PWRRUN PB midsole with a semi-rigid nylon plate inside, over an outsole that mixes XT-900 rubber with exposed foam.
A single-layer engineered mesh upper on a full-length PWRRUN PB midsole with a semi-rigid nylon plate inside, over an outsole mixing XT-900 rubber with exposed foam.
| # | Part | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | UpperEngineered hexagon mesh | Breathability 5 / 5 |
| 2 | Tongue | 5.7 mm |
| 3 | Heel3D heel counter | Stiffness 4 / 5 |
| 4 | MidsolePWRRUN PB with SPEEDROLL | 44.5 AC |
| 5 | PlateNylon plate | – |
| 6 | InsoleSRS sockliner | 4.7 mm |
| 7 | OutsoleXT-900 rubber | 2.5 mm |
Fig. 3 · Side profile. Stack heights to scale (listed: 36 mm heel, 28 mm forefoot; measured: 2.5 mm outsole); the split between the two foams is not measured and is drawn at mid-height. Dashed: insole, hidden. Sources: Doctors of Running, Running Warehouse, Believe in the Run, RunRepeat, Saucony.
Upper. A single layer of engineered hexagon mesh, thinner and more breathable than on the Speed 4. Under RunRepeat’s microscope each hexagonal cell has more than a dozen ventilation holes, and the lab ranks it among the best uppers in the industry. It feels scratchy against bare skin, so wear socks.
Tongue. Mild to moderately thick and gusseted only at the top, according to Doctors of Running. RunRepeat measured 5.7 mm of padding against 2.0 mm on the Speed 4. Several customer reviews at Running Warehouse find it too short for a heel-lock lacing. Believe in the Run found the collar and tongue padding comfortable enough for daily training.
Heel. A stiff, rounded heel counter with padding in front of it and mild padding around the collar. RunRepeat rated its stiffness 4 out of 5, one step up from the Speed 4, which adds support for heel strikers. Runners sensitive to heel counters may notice it at first.
Midsole. Full-length PWRRUN PB, Saucony’s PEBA-based bead foam, used since the first Endorphin Speed in 2020. SPEEDROLL geometry rolls you forward, and a full-length groove adds torsional flexibility. Underfoot it feels cushioned and bouncy rather than plush.
Plate. A full-length, semi-rigid nylon plate sits between two layers of foam. Saucony removed the lateral wing and kept the medial one. RunRepeat measured 12.9 N in its flexibility test and 13.5 Nm of torsional rigidity: it adds snap without the stiffness of a carbon plate.
Insole. Saucony’s Super Responsive Sockliner adds a thin layer of molded supercritical foam. RunRepeat measured it at 4.7 mm, and it is removable if you use orthotics.
Outsole. XT-900 carbon rubber covers the heel and forefoot, with exposed PWRRUN PB around a midfoot cutout that shows the yellow nylon underneath. Saucony expanded heel coverage, and RunRepeat measured the rubber at 2.5 mm against 2.0 mm on the Speed 4. Grip is best on roads and track.
Read more
A single-layer engineered mesh upper on a full-length PWRRUN PB midsole with a semi-rigid nylon plate inside, over an outsole that mixes XT-900 rubber with exposed foam.
1. Upper. A single layer of engineered hexagon mesh, thinner and more breathable than on the Speed 4. Under RunRepeat’s microscope each hexagonal cell has more than a dozen ventilation holes, and the lab ranks it among the best uppers in the industry. It feels scratchy against bare skin, so wear socks.
2. Tongue. Mild to moderately thick and gusseted only at the top, according to Doctors of Running. RunRepeat measured 5.7 mm of padding against 2.0 mm on the Speed 4. Several customer reviews at Running Warehouse find it too short for a heel-lock lacing. Believe in the Run found the collar and tongue padding comfortable enough for daily training.
3. Heel. A stiff, rounded heel counter with padding in front of it and mild padding around the collar. RunRepeat rated its stiffness 4 out of 5, one step up from the Speed 4, which adds support for heel strikers. Runners sensitive to heel counters may notice it at first.
4. Midsole. Full-length PWRRUN PB, Saucony’s PEBA-based bead foam, used since the first Endorphin Speed in 2020. SPEEDROLL geometry rolls you forward, and a full-length groove adds torsional flexibility. Underfoot it feels cushioned and bouncy rather than plush.
5. Plate. A full-length, semi-rigid nylon plate sits between two layers of foam. Saucony removed the lateral wing and kept the medial one. RunRepeat measured 12.9 N in its flexibility test and 13.5 Nm of torsional rigidity: it adds snap without the stiffness of a carbon plate.
6. Insole. Saucony’s Super Responsive Sockliner adds a thin layer of molded supercritical foam. RunRepeat measured it at 4.7 mm, and it is removable if you use orthotics.
7. Outsole. XT-900 carbon rubber covers the heel and forefoot, with exposed PWRRUN PB around a midfoot cutout that shows the yellow nylon underneath. Saucony expanded heel coverage, and RunRepeat measured the rubber at 2.5 mm against 2.0 mm on the Speed 4. Grip is best on roads and track.
Durability. Expect average durability. RunRepeat’s Dremel test left 1.0 mm of damage, close to the 1.1 mm average, and the heel padding scored 5 out of 5. The thin upper scored 2 out of 5 in the toe box test, and Doctors of Running saw wear on the exposed foam after 45 miles, so keep it off gravel and dirt.
Durability. Expect average durability. RunRepeat’s Dremel test left 1.0 mm of damage, close to the 1.1 mm average, and the heel padding scored 5 out of 5. The thin upper scored 2 out of 5 in the toe box test, and Doctors of Running saw wear on the exposed foam after 45 miles, so keep it off gravel and dirt.
Specs, listed and measured
Every figure carries its source.
Drop, mm
Heel stack, mm
Forefoot stack, mm
Weight (men’s), g
| Spec | Listed | Measured |
|---|---|---|
| Drop |
|
|
| Heel stack |
|
|
| Forefoot stack |
|
|
| Weight, US M9 |
|
|
| Support |
| – |
| Plate |
| – |
| Surface |
| – |
| Release year |
| – |
Fig. 4 · Listed vs measured. Bars start at zero. Sources: Running Warehouse, RunRepeat, Saucony.
Lab measurements
| Spec | Measured |
|---|---|
| Midsole hardness |
|
| Energy return (heel) |
|
| Torsional rigidity |
|
| Heel counter stiffness |
|
| Traction coefficient |
|
| Breathability |
|
| Spec | Measured |
|---|---|
| Toe box width |
|
| Toe box height |
|
| Outsole thickness |
|
| Insole thickness |
|
| Tongue thickness |
|
| Flex force |
|
Sizing and fit
Take your usual size. If you sit between sizes or have long toes, check the length before a long run.
Length
True to size
Widths
standard and wide
Toe room
Toe room is a strength. RunRepeat measured a wide, tall toe box, Doctors of Running describes a slightly tapered tip opening into a slightly wide forefoot, and Believe in the Run found it roomier than the Speed 4.
Doctors of Running, Believe in the Run, RunRepeat
Full sizing notes from testers
Doctors of Running and Believe in the Run both found the Speed 5 true to size, with a slightly roomier fit than the Speed 4. Some customer reviews on Running Warehouse say it runs a little short, so if you are between sizes, try both.
The toe box tapers slightly before opening into a forefoot that is a little wide. Running Warehouse rates the heel, midfoot and toe box as average. The heel counter is stiff with light padding, and the short tongue can make a heel-lock lacing harder.
Saucony makes the Speed 5 in regular and wide.
Doctors of Running, Running Warehouse, Believe in the Run, Saucony
Vs Endorphin Speed 4
Same foam and the same geometry on paper, but the changes add up: a reworked plate makes the Speed 5 smoother at the heel and softer up front, with a lighter, more breathable upper.
If you liked the Speed 4 for its stiff, snappy toe-off, the Speed 5 will feel softer and a little less aggressive.
Version history: Endorphin Speed 4 to Endorphin Speed 5
Single medial wing on the plate. The Speed 4 had wings on both sides. Removing the lateral one adds torsional flexibility and smooths the heel transition. (Doctors of Running, Running Warehouse, Believe in the Run)
Softer, livelier forefoot. Reviewers find it bouncier and less stiff, and the forefoot no longer feels firm over distance. The trade-off is a less aggressive toe-off and a slightly heavier shoe: RunRepeat measured 1.6 percent more weight than the Speed 4, mostly from a thicker tongue. (Doctors of Running)
Lighter single-layer mesh upper. More breathable, with a slightly roomier fit than the Speed 4. (Believe in the Run, Saucony)
More rubber at the heel. Saucony expanded heel coverage on the outsole for durability. (Saucony)
Alternatives compared
Each one fixes one thing the Endorphin Speed 5 does not do.
| Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 |  Adidas Adizero Evo SL |  New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 |  ASICS Novablast 5 |  Puma Deviate Nitro 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pick it for | This page | Lighter | Lower drop | More cushion | Same support |
| Drop | 8 mm | 7 mm | 6 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm |
| Heel stack | 36 mm | 37 mm | 35 mm | 41.5 mm | 38 mm |
| Weight | 238 g | 230 g | 225 g | 252 g | 250 g |
| Support | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
Questions runners ask
Is the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 good for a marathon?
Yes, for many runners. Doctors of Running, Believe in the Run and RunRepeat all describe the Endorphin Speed 5 as versatile enough for racing, and the forefoot no longer goes firm late in long runs. It is not as fast as a carbon super shoe, so it suits runners who value comfort over the last few seconds.
Does the Endorphin Speed 5 fit true to size?
Mostly. Doctors of Running and Believe in the Run found it true to size and a bit roomier than the Speed 4. Some customer reviews on Running Warehouse say it runs slightly short, so try your usual size and a half size up if you are between sizes. A wide version exists.
What is the difference between the Endorphin Speed 5 and Speed 4?
The Endorphin Speed 5 keeps PWRRUN PB foam and the same stack, but its nylon plate drops the lateral wing and keeps only the medial one. That makes the heel transition smoother and the forefoot softer and more flexible. The upper is a lighter single-layer mesh with a slightly roomier fit.
Does the Endorphin Speed 5 have a carbon plate?
No. The Endorphin Speed 5 uses a full-length, semi-rigid nylon plate between two layers of PWRRUN PB foam. Doctors of Running notes the plate still adds stiffness up front but flexes more than the Speed 4’s, which is why the shoe feels quick yet forgiving.
What is the drop of the Endorphin Speed 5?
Saucony retailers list an 8 mm drop, with stack heights of 36 mm heel and 28 mm forefoot in Doctors of Running’s review and 37 mm and 29 mm at Running Warehouse. RunRepeat’s lab measured a 10.6 mm drop, so it may feel a little higher than 8 mm.
Sources
- Doctors of Running, Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 Review (2025). Accessed Oct 9, 2026.
- Running Warehouse, Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 Men’s Shoes. Accessed Oct 9, 2026.
- Believe in the Run, Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 Review. Accessed Oct 9, 2026.
- RunRepeat, Cut in half: Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 Review (2025). Accessed Oct 9, 2026.
- Saucony, Endorphin Speed 5 Performance Road Trainer. Accessed Oct 9, 2026.
- Strideprint, Strideprint running shoe catalogue (ranks computed on 2026-10-11). Accessed Oct 11, 2026.
- cat: Strideprint catalogue, 395 shoes
How we review. We read published tests, brand and retailer pages and lab measurements, cross-check the figures and flag where they disagree. We did not test this shoe ourselves. Last updated October 12, 2026.