New Balance SC Trainer V2 vs Saucony Endorphin Speed 4: Which Plated Trainer Fits Your Running?

Introduction

Plated training shoes have quietly become the sweet spot for many runners: more snap than a daily trainer, far less aggressive than a full race day super shoe. Two of the biggest names in that category are the New Balance SC Trainer V2 and the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4, and both deserve a close look before you spend your money.

This comparison is written for runners targeting longer efforts, especially four-hour marathoners, who want something comfortable for relaxed miles but with a little more bite than a soft max-cushion daily trainer.

Two Very Different Plated Trainers

The New Balance SC Trainer V2 is the relaxed one of the pair. It is a super comfortable shoe built for long runs, marathon-pace recovery work, and easy cruising with a smooth rolling sensation. It is not the lightest shoe on the market, but its friendly ride makes it an easy recommendation for runners logging longer miles at moderate paces.

The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 positions itself as the snappier, faster-feeling option of the two. In practice, it can go fast when you want it to, but the overall experience has some noticeable drawbacks that hold it back.

Both shoes can work as alternatives to more aggressive marathon racing options like the Nike Alphafly or the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4, particularly when you are not running at your top-end speed but still want more pop than a non-plated trainer.

Midsole and Plate: Carbon Fiber Versus Winged Nylon

The SC Trainer V2 uses New Balance’s FuelCell foam and, unusually for this segment, a genuine carbon fiber plate. Most other plated trainers use plastic plates, rods, or carbon composite. The stack sits around 40 mm, trimmed down and made more streamlined compared to the first version, which reportedly ran taller at around 43 to 45 mm.

The Endorphin Speed 4 uses a plastic plate Saucony calls winged nylon, with a stack around 37 to 38 mm and a moderate drop. The plastic plate gives it noticeably more flexibility than the SC Trainer V2, while the SC Trainer V2 feels softer and more cushioned despite being a very stiff ride from the carbon plate.

The rocker geometry is a key difference. New Balance uses a much more aggressive rocker up front, producing a rolling sensation that feels natural at almost any pace and stays comfortable for walking too. Saucony popularized the rocker training shoe, but the Speed 4’s rocker feels less prominent here, and the contoured foam at the back makes walking and jogging feel clunky. That extended rear platform is meant to add stability, but it can act almost like a braking force on foot strike.

Upper and Fit Comparison

Fit is where these two diverge sharply. In the same US men’s size, the SC Trainer V2 offers a roomier, wider fit and a much smoother, more natural step-in feel. The Endorphin Speed 4 is snug and narrow, with noticeable pressure at the sides and a chunky, awkward heel when walking.

The upper material itself is arguably a touch better on the Saucony, with more stretch and breathability, but the tight fit undercuts it. If you want a plated trainer you can comfortably wear for everyday life and walking around, the SC Trainer V2 is the clear pick.

One fit note worth passing along: some runners have reported irritation inside the SC Trainer V2 behind the laces on the top of the foot, and others have mentioned the toe box area, though neither issue showed up in extended testing here.

Ride and Long Run Experience

On the run, the SC Trainer V2 delivers a comfortable, smooth, cushioned, relaxed ride. The rolling rocker tips you along at any pace, and the FuelCell foam provides good compression and impact absorption. The carbon plate adds necessary stability to the very soft foam, and the wider rear base helps too. It worked well for 22-mile long runs alternating marathon pace around 6:15 to 6:45 with relaxed everyday paces, and it stays comfortable on foot for two-plus hours. It is too soft for fast 5K or 10K pace work, but it is excellent for marathon pace and everyday efforts.

The Endorphin Speed 4 is best at steady miles around 7-minute pace. It did not feel great for slow running or for workouts, and for almost every run type there was a better option on hand. The foam itself, Pwrrun PB, is genuinely bouncy and nice; it is the geometry that makes the ride awkward. For lighter, forefoot-striking runners it could still work, and one runner reported enjoying it for a 10K, but overall it feels like a step back from the Speed 3: more awkward rocker, heavier, tighter fit.

Outsole and Durability

With roughly 100 miles on each pair, both shoes show similar wear: outsole rubber rubbed flat on the lateral area and wear starting to reach the foam. Neither is a durability champion. The Boston 12 and the Puma Deviate Nitro 2 are the better picks if longevity matters most to you.

In terms of rubber performance, the Speed 4 has better traction in the wet, while the SC Trainer V2 uses New Balance’s older rubber compound, which is just okay; the newer compounds in the Rebel v4 and SC Elite v4 are a clear improvement. On foam longevity, some runners report the FuelCell going flat around 100 miles, though it still felt bouncy at that point here. Softer foams generally do not last as long as firmer ones. The Pwrrun PB in the Speed 4 offers average durability, with roughly 300 to 500 miles a reasonable expectation.

Which One Should You Buy?

If you want a plated trainer that is soft, comfortable, and forgiving for relaxed miles, long runs, and four-hour marathon efforts, the New Balance SC Trainer V2 is the stronger choice. It is a shoe that makes you want to keep going, mile after mile, and it doubles as a comfortable everyday shoe for walking.

If you want something fast and fun, the Endorphin Speed 4 is hard to recommend right now; the Boston 12 or the Puma Deviate Nitro 2 are better options depending on whether you want firmer or bouncier. The Speed 4 only really makes sense for lighter, forefoot-striking runners who want a less aggressive race day option than a Vaporfly, with a bit more support and trainability.

Conclusion

These are two of the best plated training shoes for longer miles where you are not chasing top-end speed, but they deliver very different experiences. The SC Trainer V2 is the comfort pick with a superb rolling ride, while the Speed 4 offers snap and speed for a narrow group of runners who get along with its geometry and fit. Match the shoe to how you actually run, and either can earn a place in your rotation.