Endorphin Pro 5

For most runners, yes. We would order your usual Saucony size and expect a snug, race-day fit through the midfoot with a secure heel. The toe box is performance-narrow rather than roomy, so if you have wide feet or your feet swell late in a marathon, consider going up half a size. If you want the same rolling geometry in a more relaxed everyday fit, the Endorphin Speed 5 is the roomier option.

It is one of its main jobs. The slotted carbon SpeedRoll plate and PWRRUN PB foam give you a fast, rolling ride with enough protection to hold your legs together over 26.2 miles. It is built for racing anything from 10k up to the marathon, and in our view it is a genuine PB tool for an efficient neutral runner. Just do a couple of longer runs in it first so your legs adapt to the firm, rockered feel before race day.

Not as a first running shoe. It is a firm, stiff carbon racer tuned for pace, so it feels unrewarding at easy jogging speeds and offers no stability for a developing gait. A new runner is far better served by a cushioned daily trainer and, if racing tempts you later, a more forgiving super-trainer first. Keep the Pro 5 on the list for when you are chasing a specific race time and running efficiently at pace.

Both are elite carbon marathon racers in the same price and performance bracket. The Vaporfly 4 tends to feel softer and lighter underfoot, while the Endorphin Pro 5 rides a touch firmer and more planted thanks to its rocker and firmer foam. Which wins comes down to your foot and stride: rocker-lovers and midfoot strikers often prefer the Saucony, while runners who want maximum softness lean Nike. Both are proper PB shoes.

The Pro 5 keeps the rolling, plated character of the Endorphin Pro 4 but refines it. In our testing it feels slightly more planted and a little more forgiving on tired legs, without losing the snap through toe-off. If you already love the Pro 4 and it is heavily discounted, that is still a strong buy. If you want the most complete, up-to-date version of the shoe, the Pro 5 is the one.

Like all carbon super-shoes, the Pro 5 is a race-and-key-session shoe rather than a high-mileage trainer, and the light race foam will lose its best bounce faster than everyday cushioning. Treat it as a special-occasion shoe: races, sharpening sessions and a few tune-up long runs. Rotate a daily trainer for the rest of your mileage and you will get plenty of good races out of it before the pop fades. Using it for every run will burn the foam out quickly.