Saucony Endorphin Speed Review
The Speed Machine for Any Run
Likes
- Lightweight
- Responsive
- Smooth ride
- Great fit
- Breathable upper
Dislikes
- Slightly unstable at slower speeds
What's New
As the middle shoe in the Endorphin series, the Saucony Endorphin Speed features much of the race-inspired technology found in the Endorphin Pro but in a package designed to work for both daily training and racing. Rather than using the same carbon-fiber plate as the Endorphin Pro (Shop Men's | Shop Women's), the Endorphin Speed features a more flexible TPU plate for a softer and smoother running experience. The plate combines with a reinforced heel counter and a lightly padded upper for better comfort and stability during everyday training.
The Endorphin Speed also features PWRRUN PB midsole foam, which offers incredible energy return in a featherweight package, and the midsole's SPEEDROLL design provides an optimal amount of rocker to keep the runner moving forward through their stride. The Endorphin Speed is finished off with a FORMFIT upper adapted from Saucony's track spikes. This engineered mesh upper is highly breathable and has enough structure to secure the foot in place without adding bulk.
The Bottom Line
If you want a fast shoe with ample underfoot protection for any type of run, the Saucony Endorphin Speed might become your new go-to. The bouncy PWRRUN foam is just soft enough for daily training, and the shoe's top-notch energy return and plated design make it an easy choice for uptempo efforts. The mesh upper provides a performance fit that is more accomodating and padded than the Endorphin Pro, but despite the added structure, our testers still thought that the Endorphin Speed felt slightly unstable at slower speeds. Overall, the Endorphin Speed may not have quite as much pop as its carbon-plated sibling, the Endorphin Pro, but runners looking for a cheaper or more versatile alternative will love the Endorphin Speed's blend of reliable durability, race-day speed, and everyday comfort.
Shoe Performance
Softness i
Ride/Energy Return i
Underfoot Protection i
Flexibility i
Upper Support i
Specifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium | Height: Medium | |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium | |
| Heel Width | Medium | |
| Arch Height | Medium to low |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 7.8 oz (size 9) | Women's: 6.8 oz (size 8) | |
| Stack Height | 33 mm (Heel), 25 mm (Forefoot) | 8 mm Heel-Toe Offset | |
| Terrain | Road | |
| Stability | Neutral | |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softness i
The PWRRUN PB foam is designed for speed, so it's no surprise that our testers found this shoe most comfortable at faster paces. Although the Endorphin Speed's cushioning isn't especially plush, it's soft enough for everyday training.
Justin: "There is definitely a softness to the Speed. The cushioning isn't mushy by any means, but it is more of a bouncy softness."
Liz: "Although there is a bit of sinking-in softness, the foam of the Endorphin Speed seems to be geared for responsiveness over squishiness. This shoe is very comfortable to run in but not as soft as something like the Vaporfly."
Ride/Energy Return i
The Endorphin Speed's PWRRUN PB foam is combined with a TPU plate and SPEEDROLL design to provide a highly responsive running experience. Our testers loved this shoe for uptempo workouts and felt that it had them running faster with less effort.
Justin: "This shoe can GO. I know it isn't just the material underfoot. The speedy feel is also thanks to the plate and the overall rockered shape. That's what makes running fast in this shoe so much fun. I love tempos and workouts in the Endorphin Speed."
Liz: "These shoes have a bouncy responsiveness that I love. I keep finding myself running faster than I realize in them. They do a great job of propelling me forward."
Underfoot Protection i
With a generous stack height and a midsole plate, the Endorphin Speed offers plenty of underfoot protection. Our testers felt that it kept their legs feeling fresh after workouts and agreed that the shoe could comfortably handle up to marathon distances.
Liz: "A large amount of cushioning underfoot provides plenty of protection from the road. I was concerned that the firmness of the cushioning would feel jolting to my knees, but my legs never felt beat up after running in them."
Derek: "There is a ton of underfoot protection for such a lightweight running shoe. The Endorphin Speed is cushioned enough for some runners to consider using this shoe as a daily trainer."
Underfoot Flexibility i
Although the Endorphin Speed is designed to be more flexible than the carbon-plated Endorphin Pro, its S-shaped TPU plate still limits the shoe's flexibility for a snappier ride. Despite this, the SPEEDROLL design helps to rock the wearer smoothly forward through their stride.
Liz: "The Endorphin Speed has enough flex to move naturally with your foot, but the springiness of the foam combines with the nylon plate to create a springboard effect that makes transitions fast and smooth."
Derek: "This shoe isn't the most flexible, which is part of the way it reduces the stress and strain on your feet and helps to propel you forward. Despite this, I found the stiffness of the plate limiting the shoe's smoothness at slower speeds."
Upper Feel i
With a race-inspired upper, the Saucony Endorphin Speed has a breathable design that's stripped down to save on weight. The sandwich mesh offers a secure hold through the midfoot without feeling as snug as most racing flats. For added comfort during daily training, this shoe features extra padding in the heel and tongue.
Liz: "I really enjoyed the upper on the Endorphin Speed. I have bunions that sometimes get aggravated by the snugness of performance-based uppers, but the Endorphin Speed's lightweight mesh upper did a great job of securing my foot in place without feeling restrictive in the toe box."
Derek: "This upper is thicker and more supportive than the upper on the Endorphin Pro, but it is still lightweight and breathable. It is definitely sufficient for runners who want to use this shoe as a daily trainer."
Women's Saucony Endorphin Carbon Running Shoes
Individual Thoughts
The Saucony Endorphin Speed is my go-to uptempo shoe. I had been using the Nike Zoom Fly 3 as my tempo and workout shoe, but it was quickly replaced by the Endorphin Speed after my first couple of workouts. This shoe feels smooth, light, and bouncy. I only had one "negative" about the shoe (and it isn't much of one), but the Endorphin Speed felt a little unstable since I slightly overpronate and should wear a stability shoe. My arches felt a little tender after my first few runs in the Endorphin Speed, so I put my custom Wiivv insoles into the shoes to add a bit of pronation control.
Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
The Endorphin Speed may be my new favorite shoe. It's cushioned enough to handle everyday training and high-mileage days, but the lightweight, responsive midsole makes this shoe a great choice for race day as well. The upper provides the amazing fit and plush softness we've come to expect from Saucony, but it offers this comfort without compromising breathability, performance, or weight. Although the shoes felt best at faster paces, they had enough cushioning to be comfortable at any speed.
Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
The Endorphin Speed wasn't my favorite lightweight running shoe, but I do feel like it's something a lot of runners will enjoy. Because of my severe overpronation, this shoe just didn't transition smoothly for me at slower paces. The more I picked up the pace, the more I ran on my toes, and the more I liked the ride. After a few runs, I decided to use this shoe exclusively for faster workouts like tempos and fartleks. People with better biomechanics will likely be able to use the Endorphin Speed as a lightweight daily trainer.