Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 vs ASICS Magic Speed 4: Which Plated Trainer Fits Your Running?

Introduction

The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 and ASICS Magic Speed 4 are two of the most popular plated lightweight performance trainers on the market, and both received substantial changes in their fourth versions. They share a similar job, handling daily training while staying ready for faster efforts, but the similarities mostly end there.

One favors longer, more relaxed running, while the other is built around a snappier, more aggressive ride. Picking between them comes down to the kind of running you actually do most of the time.

Specs and First Impressions

In a men’s size 9, the Endorphin Speed 4 comes in at 8.2 oz, with the women’s size 8 at 7.2 oz. The Magic Speed 4 is slightly heavier at 8.5 oz in men’s size 9 and 7.3 oz in women’s size 8.

Stack heights diverge noticeably. The Endorphin Speed 4 measures 36 mm in the heel and 28 mm in the forefoot for an 8 mm drop. The Magic Speed 4 is taller at 43.2 mm in the heel and 35.2 mm in the forefoot, also with an 8 mm drop, and both are considerably higher than the previous versions.

Both shoes still function as trainers that can handle daily mileage, but that is where they begin to diverge.

Ride and Foam Feel

The Endorphin Speed 4 uses Saucony’s PowerRun PB foam, while the Magic Speed 4 combines FF Blast Plus and FF Turbo, with FF Blast Plus making up the larger share of the midsole. The result is a firmer feel in the Magic Speed 4 and a softer feel in the Endorphin Speed 4.

That is the first thing you notice when you put these on. Both are plated, but the Endorphin Speed 4 has a softer and bouncier ride, while the Magic Speed 4 is firmer, slightly stiffer, and snappier.

The plate choices explain a lot of this. The nylon plate in the Endorphin Speed 4 is not as aggressive and feels very smooth at both training paces and faster runs. The carbon plate in the Magic Speed 4 is noticeable the second you put it on, and it delivers a far snappier ride. The Magic Speed 4 also has a much more aggressive, steeper rocker, where the Endorphin Speed 4 rolls more gradually.

Performance: Long Runs vs Shorter Efforts

The Magic Speed 4 works a lot better for short to moderate distance runs and faster efforts, where it has been excellent as a workout shoe. It has struggled during long runs, partly because of the firmer ride and the tall stack, and the ride leans slightly medial. It is not unstable, but at midfoot the foot tends to drift a little medial. For shorter distances, think 10K and half marathon racing, it is the stronger match.

The Endorphin Speed 4 is the more comfortable of the two and rolls a little slower because of its softer foam. It has a really good balance: it does great for tempo runs and some light fartleks, but it truly excels at long runs, which became the bread and butter of the shoe. For many runners, this is a great marathon racer, especially for those who find the Endorphin Pro a little too aggressive. It struggled during really fast efforts, but that is not what it is for, and most runners will be fine with that.

Stability and Durability

Stability is another clear difference. The Endorphin Speed 4 is the more stable of the two, thanks to really nice sidewalls and a nylon plate that expands in the midfoot. The Magic Speed 4 has a large cutout on the medial side of the midfoot, and the forefoot has a little extra lateral flare that pushes you slightly medial, which helps load the medial toe. If you are sensitive to that, it could be an issue on longer efforts, though the stiff plate limits the problem.

Durability is excellent on both shoes. The Endorphin Speed 4 covered 100 miles of testing, and the Magic Speed 4 shows no wear on the outsole at 40 miles. Both have broken in nicely, with the initial stiffness softening slightly without losing the snappiness that makes shorter faster workouts enjoyable.

Fit and Comfort

Fit is extremely different between the two. The Endorphin Speed 4 is the wider shoe of the pair, while the Magic Speed 4 fits more snug and has a slightly more racing-esque feel.

Volume gets interesting: the height of the toe box is a touch lower on the Endorphin Speed 4, while the Magic Speed 4 has just a little more volume, not enough to feel wide, but enough that they feel somewhat similar on the run.

Both have decently stiff heel counters with some padding, so if you are particularly sensitive to that, be cautious. Lace security is excellent on both, with no need to crank the laces down. As a rule of thumb: if you have had width issues, the Endorphin Speed 4 is the safer pick; if you want something snugger with just a touch more volume, the Magic Speed 4 might work better for you.

Which One Should You Buy

Both are excellent, durable shoes that can handle a variety of paces, including training. If you want longer efforts, the Endorphin Speed 4 is the better match and may double as a marathon racer for many runners. If you want shorter efforts, faster workouts, or 10K to half marathon racing, the Magic Speed 4 is the one to lean toward.

Conclusion

The Endorphin Speed 4 is the smoother, softer, more stable option that shines on long runs, while the Magic Speed 4 is the firmer, snappier shoe built for shorter distances and faster workouts. Match the shoe to the majority of your running and either one will serve you well.