The Endorphin Speed 5 is Saucony's do-it-all tempo trainer, and in our view it is one of the most useful running shoes you can own. It sits below the carbon race shoes and above the plush daily trainers: a springy, nylon-plated shoe built for the fast half of your week. At 155 pounds it costs less than a carbon racer, and the nylon plate means it flexes rather than dictating your stride, so it stays friendly across a range of paces. Push into a tempo and the PWRRUN PB foam gives you real bounce and rebound. Slow it down for a steady long run and it still feels smooth and protective. Plenty of runners will race a half or even a marathon in it. If you want one lightweight shoe to cover workouts, tempo days, progression runs and the odd race, this is the running shoe we would point you to first. The nearest rival is the adidas Adizero Boston 13.
The Endorphin Speed 5 fits true to size for most runners, so order your usual Saucony size and you should be fine. The forefoot is medium width with just enough room to splay when you land, though runners with genuinely wide feet may find it a touch snug at the widest point. Midfoot lockdown is secure without pinching, and the heel holds well with no slip once laced. The tongue is thin and the upper wraps close, which suits the shoe's fast intent. If you are between sizes or plan to use it for long runs where your feet swell, size up half. Runners who want a roomier daily fit for easy miles might prefer a more relaxed shoe, but for a tempo trainer this is a well-judged, secure race-day fit that stays comfortable for hours.
This is where the Endorphin Speed 5 earns its reputation. The PWRRUN PB foam is light and lively, and the nylon plate adds a smooth roll through the gait rather than a stiff, aggressive snap. Hold a steady effort and it feels bouncy and encouraging. Lift to tempo or interval pace and it comes alive, rewarding a quicker cadence with genuine rebound. It is versatile in a way carbon racers are not, because the flexible plate lets you shuffle through easy miles without feeling like you are fighting the shoe. The ride is fun and forgiving, which is exactly what you want from a shoe you will reach for several times a week.
Cushioning is generous for a shoe this light. The PWRRUN PB midsole is soft enough to protect your legs on longer efforts yet resilient enough to spring back at pace, so you get comfort without a mushy, dead feeling. On a two-hour long run there is enough underfoot to keep fatigue at bay, and on a hard tempo the foam still returns energy late in the session. It leans soft rather than firm, so if you prefer a planted, low-to-the-ground feel this may seem a little tall. For most runners the balance of protection and pop is close to ideal for daily fast work.
This is a neutral shoe and it makes no pretence otherwise. There is no medial post, no guidance rails, and the soft PWRRUN PB foam sits on a fairly tall stack, so it asks a bit more from your ankles and feet than a low, firm trainer would. For neutral runners with a reasonably efficient stride it feels planted enough at speed, and the plate lends some structure through the middle of the shoe. Runners who need real support or who overpronate noticeably should look elsewhere, because pushing a soft neutral shoe at tempo when you need stability is a recipe for niggles. Judged as a neutral tempo trainer, it is stable enough for its job.
No reviews yet, be the first to review this shoe.
Sign in to write a review.
| Category | Tempo |
| Surface |
Prices and sizes can change, so always check the latest availability at the retailer. Some links earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
The engineered mesh upper is light, breathable and race-ready. It wraps the foot closely without hot spots for most runners, and the thin tongue keeps weight down while still sitting comfortably under the laces. Breathability is good, which matters on hard summer sessions when your feet heat up. The heel counter is structured enough to lock you in without being stiff or irritating. It is not a plush, padded daily-trainer upper, and it is not trying to be. It is a fast, minimal wrap that does its job and stays out of the way, which is exactly right for a shoe built to be run quickly.
| Road |
| Drop | 8mm |
| Heel Stack | 36mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 28mm |
| Weight | 241g |
| Carbon Plated | No |
| Stability | No |