- Weight: 237g (men’s), 204g (women’s)
- Stack height: 36mm (heel), 28mm (forefoot)
- Heel-to-toe drop: 8mm
- Type: Road
- Best for: Tempo efforts, race day
The shoe
Here’s a scenario: you want to find a fast shoe for your next race, but you’re loathe to join the super shoe brigade – you find carbon plate racers too aggressive, uncomfortable, physiologically detrimental or, indeed, pricey for your liking.
Here’s another scenario: you do want to wear a carbon plate shoe for your next race, but you don’t want to have to wear it for all your faster training runs as well – you want to save most of your super shoe miles for race day and train in something that’s a little more forgiving on the feet.
While both scenarios are different, they do point to the same solution: fast, carbon-free running shoes like the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5. Infused with a nylon plate rather than a carbon plate, as well as Saucony’s performance-oriented PWRRUN PB foam in the midsole, the Endorphin Speed 5 is essentially a ‘super trainer’ – with a legal stack height, mind – that can be worn for all manner of outings, from weekend long runs and tempo sessions to race day itself.
What everyone's reading
As the Endorphin Speed 5 proves, running shoes can still be fast without a carbon plate – so let’s explore the model more closely.
What’s new about the Endorphin Speed 5?
In terms of measurements and aesthetic, the Endorphin Speed 5 has not strayed at all far from its predecessor, boasting the same stack height and drop, roughly the exact same weight and a very similar look.
However, what we do now have is a new engineered mesh upper, which is lighter, more breathable and more comfortable around the midsole than the one that we experienced with the Endorphin Speed 4, which feels almost stuffy in comparison.
While it isn’t obvious at a first look, there is also now a redesigned outsole with greater coverage in the heel to increase durability, while the previous criss-cross pattern has been replaced with grooves and circles to promote better grip on the roads. In my eyes, having a dependable, robust and grippy outsole – no matter how many grams of weight that it may add – should never be understated, since nobody wants to be sliding about when running at speed. Although I haven’t been able to run in the Endorphin Speed 5 in wet conditions, essentially due to the lack of rain during the heatwave-heavy testing period, I have been impressed by the grip of this shoe so far.
How does the Endorphin Speed 5 fit?
I wear a women’s UK size 6 for most running shoes, but with the Endorphin Speed 5, the size feels a touch too short. So, going by my experience, you’d be well to go up half a size to give your toes some more wiggle room in the toe box, which is quite narrow.
Aside from the snugness around the toes, I really rate the fit of this shoe. The soft mesh upper locks nicely around the midfoot, resulting in a secure fit that doesn’t feel restrictive. The lacing system is spot on – you don’t need to pull the laces too tight, nor are the laces too short to tie with – and the cushioned tongue has enough ‘substance’ without being too thick and squashy, assisting the lightweight but locked-in feel.
It’s worth noting two more things at this point. First, this shoe is only available in a standard width – but this needn’t be a dealbreaker. Yes, it is quite narrow, but not so slim as to deter those with a slightly wider foot. Secondly, you shouldn’t judge this shoe by its cover – well, colour. I’ll be honest and say that the ‘White/Crocus’ colourway that I’ve tested (and which is pictured here) hasn’t stolen my heart. For me, it’s giving ‘primary school girly girl’ or ‘My Little Pony’, but don’t let my opinions put you off. Besides, there are (thankfully) plenty more colourways to choose from.
What’s it like to run in the Endorphin Speed 5?
Before I even put it on for the first time, I knew that the Endorphin Speed 5 was not – despite its name – going to stand out as Saucony’s speediest running shoe. Part of the brand’s Endorphin Collection, this shoe is faster than the Endorphin Trainer, which is heavier option that’s plumper in the midsole and built for everyday, fuss-free running. However, the Endorphin Pro 4 is about 20g lighter than the Endorphin Speed 5 and features a full length carbon plate, while the Endorphin Elite 2 – the fastest, most PB-hungry of the bunch – has a slotted carbon plate and Saucony’s IncrediRUN foam in the midsole. In the brand’s own words, IncredRUN foam offers ‘next-generation superfoam cushioning with unheard of levels of energy return’ – and, yes, it is extremely bouncy and responsive.
But comparisons aside, the Endorphin Speed 5 is not a slow shoe. Its winged plate, made of semi-rigid nylon rather than fully-rigid carbon, is still snappy enough to urge you forward, while the combination of a cushioned heel, stiffer forefoot and rocker shape makes it even easier to turn over your legs quickly but smoothly. A semi-rigid nylon plate may not sound particularly sexy, but, as I’ve found, it still helps to generate a surprising amount of speed – and your feet will be thankful for it. Unlike carbon plate shoes, which hold your feet firmly in place for however long you’re wearing them, the Endorphin Speed 5 gives your feet some freedom to move and flex, which is important for maintaining their strength and overall health. That gets a big tick from me.
This nylon plate is sandwiched between two layers of PWRRUN PB foam, which has been engineered with foam beads to be as light as possible. Although it is not as lively as its IncrediRUN cousin, PWRRUN PB delivers both softness and springiness in a convenient, airy package, helping you to pick up the pace without sacrificing comfort.
In fact, that’s another great thing about this shoe: it’s wearable for the long haul. While most super shoes skimp on cushioning in the upper of the shoe in a bid to save weight, the Endorphin Speed 5 is generous enough to supply plenty of padding around the heel collar, giving heels and ankles the support that they crave.
Overall, through my testing, I’ve been repeatedly surprised by the nimbleness and swiftness of this shoe. When I’ve taken it out for easy runs, my pace has – accidentally but consistently – been quicker than it should have been, to the point where easy pace has nudged toward tempo pace (sorry coach). When I’ve worn it for (deliberate) tempo runs, this shoe feels at home – and although it’s not quite there for my fastest intervals, it still does a mighty fine job of helping me to run more rapidly, in comfort.
RW verdict
The Endorphin Speed 5 is a strong option for runners who want to race in something that offers more support and is easier on the wallet than an all-out super shoe. Since you won’t find a brand-new carbon plate model on sale for less than £200 these days, the Endorphin Speed 5’s price tag of £180 is not to be sniffed at.
Even if – like me, to be transparent – you wouldn’t choose the Endorphin Speed 5 for race day, it is still an excellent shoe in which to rack up faster miles in training. I really rate it’s ability to be both comfortable and quick, as well as the fact that the semi-rigid nylon plate is more forgiving on the foot. In other words, from a foot health perspective, you can justify wearing this shoe more often than a super shoe, making it an economical choice.
Performance-wise, the Endorphin Speed 5 is similar to the Hoka Mach 6 (£140) - a fast take on the daily trainer that could serve many runners well on race day. It’s also comparable to the Asics Superblast 2, which is a pricier (£200) super trainer that offers trampoline-like cushioning to deliver a big hit of speed and responsiveness. Mind you, the Superblast 2 has a stack height that exceeds 40mm, which is the maximum legal limit for competition under World Athletics rules. So, at least with the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5, you’d be racing within the running law.
