Saucony Endorphin Speed 5: First Impressions of a Familiar Fast Trainer

Introduction

The Endorphin Speed line has long been one of the most dependable uptempo trainers around, and the fifth generation has now landed. Across its previous versions, this shoe has been a favorite among testers for faster training miles, and it has often earned a place among the top all-rounders thanks to its versatility. The big question with any update to a winning formula is simple: has Saucony improved on it, or meddled with it?

Early miles suggest the latter is not the case. The Speed 5 looks and feels very close to its predecessor, with tweaks to the plate, upper, heel, and outsole rather than a ground-up redesign. For a shoe many runners already love, that should be welcome news.

Quick Details and Specs

The core numbers stay the same as the Speed 4. You get a 36mm heel and 28mm forefoot stack for an 8mm drop. On the scales, the Speed 5 weighs 8.7 oz (247g) in a UK men’s 8.5 test shoe, essentially the same weight as the previous version.

Pricing has not moved either: £180 in the UK or $170 in the US, which is always a pleasant change when so many shoe prices creep upward.

What Has Changed

At first glance, not a great deal looks different from the Speed 4, and that fills testers with hope rather than concern. The midsole still uses PWoRRUN-style PowerRun PB foam with Saucony’s Speedroll geometry, slightly tweaked this time around. The winged nylon plate remains, but the outer wing has been reduced to provide better control and improved cornering while still delivering torsional flexibility and the snap you want through the roll.

Up top, there is a new engineered mesh upper. It stays lightweight and breathable, with noticeably less material across the top of the toe box than the more enclosed Speed 4. The heel collar package has changed too: the medium padding remains nicely balanced, but the shape has moved from a rounded, sculpted design to a narrower, higher-rising fit. Saucony also says there is more space in the forefoot, and testers generally confirm the Speed 5 feels a touch roomier than the Speed 4, particularly around the little toe area.

Fit and Sizing

Across multiple testers, the advice is consistent: stick with your usual Saucony size. Testers in UK sizes 8, 8.5, and 9 all reported a secure, comfortable fit with good toe clearance and no heel slipping. The new tapered heel collar gives more room around the Achilles and avoided any rubbing, which some testers prefer over more rounded heel designs.

The forefoot is spacious with plenty of wiggle room, the midfoot lockdown is solid, and the tongue padding hits a nice balance, not overdone and not underpadded. One tester noted the slightly firmer heel counter was noticeable late in a run but caused no irritation. For very long efforts, one tester suggested going half a size up for extra toe room, but true to size remains the recommendation for most. Runners with wider feet may find the midfoot fills out quickly, so it is worth trying on if that applies to you.

Ride Impressions From Early Miles

The Speed 5 rides much like the Speed 4: fast, light, but comfortable, without feeling exposed or overly racy. The PowerRun PB midsole mixes controlled softness with spring, and testers describe a snappy, instant feedback with quick return and smooth transitions from the Speedroll geometry. It feels marginally softer and bouncier underfoot than the Speed 4, though that may partly be down to comparing a new shoe with a compressed one.

Where this shoe shines is when you pick up the pace. It kicks into gear quickly, feels efficient at faster paces, and urges you to run quicker. Testers found themselves pushing faster than planned during progression runs. At easier paces, it is competent but firmer than some dedicated daily trainers, so runners who want maximum plushness for slow miles may look elsewhere. The takeaway: it remains a versatile super trainer that can handle long runs, tempo sessions, and even racing.

Outsole and Durability

Saucony says there is now more rubber coverage, particularly in the heel and on the lateral sides, with more XT-900 rubber to improve durability. In practice, testers did not find a huge difference, but grip on hot, dry pavement and roads was fine. The outsole also gains a full-length groove intended to increase flexibility for a more natural, smoother transition, and the midfoot cutout is slightly bigger and deeper. Rubber is concentrated largely in the roomy forefoot, with less at the heel. Durability has not historically been an issue for the Speed line, and the extra coverage may add a little life.

Buying Advice

If you are an existing Speed fan, this shoe will not surprise you, and that is largely the point. It is a slick performer that builds on the same ingredients: a good weight, responsive foam, Speedroll geometry, and a tweaked nylon plate. Testers compared it favorably to other versatile super trainers, noting alternatives like the Adidas Evo SL as a cheaper option, the Hoka Mach X2 with more foam underfoot, the Nike Zoomfly 6 as a comfortable but speedy trainer, and the Adidas Boston 12 and 13 as strong value picks.

Choose the Speed 5 if you want a light, fast training shoe with enough cushioning and smoothness to cover a wide range of sessions, and you prefer a shoe that gives some punch without doing all the work for you.

Conclusion

The Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 looks like another strong entry in a line that has consistently delivered. The changes are subtle: a roomier, more breathable upper, a slightly refined plate, a higher-rising heel collar, and a touch more outsole rubber. The ride remains snappy, smooth, and versatile across paces. Nothing here is revolutionary, but for a shoe that was already working, refinement is exactly what fans will want.