Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 Review
Get More of What You Love With the New Saucony Endorphin Speed V4
Likes
- Highly versatile with a responsive ride
- Lightweight with highly secure upper
- No break-in period
Dislikes
- Gains a little weight from the previous version
What's New
The Saucony Endorphin Speed has been a well-established favourite within the uptempo training category since its launch back in 2020. Now, Saucony introduces version 4 of this speed day sidekick, and with a host of updates, the Endorphin Speed is geared to take uptempo performance to all-new heights.
You read that right. Thanks to an updated plate design, a high stack of PWRRUN PB super foam, and a newly added super responsive sock liner (SRS), the Endorphin Speed 4 promises to deliver a more responsive ride with a highly efficient, super smooth heel-to-transition that will deliver on all of your faster efforts. Furthermore, with vertical reinforcements in the plate design, the Endorphin Speed 4 is more stable than ever, which promises even higher quality footstrikes, as well as a more enjoyable running experience.
To go along with the updated midsole, Saucony has outfitted the Endorphin Speed 4 with an improved zonal mesh upper and an integrated tongue design that will not only keep your foot secure but comfortably cool as well. The shoe's all-new aesthetic is just another high point for this updated tempo trainer, and other runners will not be able to keep their eyes off these shoes as you zoom by them on the run.
The Bottom Line
No secrets here – the Endorphin Speed series has been stealing the hearts of our RW testers for years, and our team was more than excited to get the Endorphin Speed v4 on foot for testing. We are happy to report that the Endorphin Speed v4 has once again solidified its place as a top performer within the uptempo category, and our testers were raving about the shoe's updated performance and improved on-foot feel.
The Endorphin Speed's PWRRUN PB foam midsole was commended by our testers for its performance throughout the testing period, as it delivered a soft yet responsive ride that flawlessly induced speed and responsiveness into a variety of daily training runs. The winged plate's new design helped provide improved stability in the heel, which was noticeable during faster efforts and ultimately gave our testers the confidence to push their training paces to new limits. The midsole also passes the protection test, as our testers highlighted the Endorphin Speed v4's improved ability to crush longer distances without compromising the shoe's signature nimbleness.
The Speed v4's updated upper has also captured the hearts of our RW testing team, being praised for its incredible lightweight feel and highly secure hold. The upper is a bit more race-like in version 4, but this does not mean it lacks comfort. Quite the contrary, as both of our testers enjoyed irritation-free running throughout testing. Though it might be a bit early in the year, the Endorphin Speed v4 is already making waves. With its revamped upper, bouncy midsole, and tester approval, this shoe is setting quite the early pace for the uptempo training category in 2024. Brace yourselves because this shoe could easily become everyone's new training day favorite. Time to clear some space on those shoe racks.
Specifications & Fit
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 8.2 oz (size 9) | Women's: 7.2 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 36 mm (Heel), 28 mm (Forefoot) | 8 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True |
Our In-Depth Look
Upper
Jon: "The upper of the Endorphin Speed 4 is fantastic. It strikes the perfect balance between being as lightweight as possible while still offering the security and durability to make longer efforts feel comfortable. Additionally, the integrated mesh tongue offers a welcoming step-in that feels exquisite on foot."
Risa: "I loved the more race-like feel and look of the Endorphin Speed 4's upper. It was so breathable that I ran through a puddle and felt like the shoe was dry within minutes. I had no problem getting a secure lockdown and had no points of irritation throughout testing."
Midsole
Jon: "When it comes to Saucony's PWRRUN PB foam, it is one of the best foams I have ever run in, and the magical underfoot performance continues to shine in the Endorphin Speed 4.
It delivered a soft responsiveness reminiscent of the previous version, making running fast easier, and the winged nylon plate was really noticeable during my fastest efforts on the track. Despite pushing the pace around the turns, I could feel the enhanced stability in the heel, which, in turn, helped make the entire experience feel almost effortless. The midsole also passed the protection test with flying colors as well. There is just enough foam in the forefoot to withstand longer efforts, all without compromising the shoe's nimble feel.
After a 12.5-mile run, my legs and feet were surprisingly fresh, which bodes well for those runners who want to take these shoes even further during their training. Overall, the PWRRUN+ midsole is how the Endorphin Speed shoe separates itself from the competition within the uptempo training shoe category."
Risa: "It could just be me, but I swear the midsole of the Speed 4 felt more responsive than the last version, even though they feature the same foam. The shoe is lightweight, which I appreciated. It is soft, without being overly soft, and has a bit of bounce. It is comfortable at any pace, but you get a nice energy return when you pick up the pace."
Outsole
Jon: "After 70+ miles in the Endorphin Speed 4, I am optimistic that the outsole will have the durability runners need and expect to put this shoe through multiple training cycles. Neither the rubber nor the exposed foam outsole is showing signs of wear, and I did not experience any issues with traction on my testing runs. That said, I only ran on the pavement and the track in dry weather throughout the testing period."
Risa: "Surprisingly, I was really happy to get a chance to test this shoe in rainy conditions, as that does not happen much on the California Central Coast. I did not experience any issues with slippage in wet or dry conditions, and I could always rely on the Endorphin Speed 4, regardless of pace as well."
Comparable Shoes
Saucony Speed 4 vs. Saucony Speed 3
Jon: "Running shoes are not cheap and only seem to be getting more expensive as the years pass, so now more than ever, runners want to know if and why they should upgrade to the latest version of a particular shoe. Naturally, it makes sense to compare the Endorphin Speed 4 to its predecessor, the Endorphin Speed 3.
I have only done about 14 miles in the Endorphin Speed 3, so take that for what it is worth, but I really enjoyed my experience in them. I first ran in the Speed 3 when I was testing the adidas adizero Boston 12, and I found them to be way more exciting than the Boston 12s, as they proved to be much better suited for faster efforts. I also did a speed workout in them during the Endorphin Speed 4 testing period so that I could accurately compare and contrast the two models at fast paces, and I thought the underfoot experience of the Endorphin Speed 3 held up extremely well compared to version 4. However, the 4 had a slight edge due to the new winged plate design. The Speed 3 is a tad lighter and has the same midsole setup, so you are not overly losing out on the performance benefits provided by the Endorphin Speed 4.
In my opinion, this creates a win-win situation. If you are a deal hunter like myself and can find the Endorphin Speed 3 on sale, do some runner's math and buy them, and then use the money "saved" to buy some nutrition since it is basically "free" at that point. But, if you are a runner who craves the latest and greatest technology and gets satisfaction (whether you admit it or not) in turning heads at the group run, then the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 is definitely worth the upgrade."
Risa: "Honestly, I preferred the Speed 4 over the Speed 3. It felt speedier, and I liked the slight tweaks to the upper and the overall aesthetic. That said, the Endorphin Speed 3 is still a great shoe if you want to save a little money."
Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 vs. ASICS Magic Speed 3
Jon: "Another model somewhat similar to the Endorhpin Speed 4 is the ASICS Magic Speed 3. The Magic Speed 3's were a surprise hit for me in 2023, and I really felt like the shoe graduated from being an uptempo shoe to a legitimate race day option for runners who do not want to break the bank on a racing shoe.
The carbon plate in the Magic Speed 3 feels very aggressive, and when you combine that with the race-ready MOTION WRAP upper, you feel like you should be lining up for a race every time you lace them up. However, as a consequence, the Magic Speed 3 did not feel great at easy paces, making it less versatile than I prefer in plated trainers.
In contrast, the Endorphin Speed 4 is the jack-of-all-trades. It is fast, it is lightweight, and it is incredibly comfortable. Did I mention that it features a full-length peba (PWRRUN PB) foam cushioning in the midsole? For those reasons, I would pay the extra $10 to get the Endorphin Speed 4."
Individual Thoughts
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 met and exceeded my expectations and has easily been one of the best shoes I've tested within the last year. Every once in a while, we get to test a shoe that reaffirms our love for running, and that was definitely the case for me during the testing period of this shoe. I will also add that I was testing the Endorphin Pro 4 simultaneously with the Speed 4, so I had the dream testing scenario. The two shoes complement each other magnificently, and I would highly recommend pairing them together if possible.
But back to the Speed 4, one thing to emphasize is that I think this shoe will work for any runner who wants to incorporate speed training into their weekly mileage. It has a lightweight yet very accommodating upper fit, the winged nylon plate delivers a snappy and energetic ride without being overly aggressive, and I believe that the benefits (to a degree) of PWRRUN PB can be felt at any pace. I have a slew of exciting shoes on the docket to test, but I do not doubt that I will be lacing these up a lot going forward.
Some people might say version 4 is a minor update, but I found myself really enjoying the Speed 4 over the Speed 3. Although it is the same foam utilized in the midsole, I felt like version 4's midsole was more responsive, and I also appreciated the race-like upper. A part of my appreciation for this newer, faster Endorphin Speed maybe because I, myself, have gotten faster, having incorporated more speedwork into my weekly running routine throughout the last few months. That said, I truly believe that the Endorphin Speed 4 is a fun shoe that any runner could appreciate, and I felt like it gave me some encouragement on days I did not feel like running. Overall, it is an amazing shoe for any runner looking to incorporate more speed workouts into their running routine, especially for someone preparing for a race. It would be a great training companion to go along with a marathon racing shoe like its sibling, the Endorphin Pro.