The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 is a versatile super trainer meant to perform across various paces. It features a PEBA-based midsole and a winged nylon plate and is intended to deliver an energized feel suited for tempo runs and longer distances. With an updated upper and heel structure, the shoe feels secure while keeping the ride smooth and light. However, it may not be ideal for runners seeking a softer, more cushioned experience at slower paces.
Our Verdict
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 combines energetic foam with a nylon plate, delivering impressive responsiveness, which is a quality that works well for marathon racing. However, it's not the plushest option, so it will feel harsh over longer distances, and its weight slightly limits its ability to compete with top-tier marathon shoes.
Premium foam delivers high energy return.
Very stable.
On the heavier side.
Lacking underfoot protection for longer distances.
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 is a strong, agile performer, good for shorter race distances. Its firm forefoot translates into swift, powerful toe-offs, allowing competitive runners to push the pace confidently during shorter races. The great energy return from the midsole and plastic plate means runners can rely on it for speed, making it a good option for achieving personal bests at 5K and 10K events. However, it's on the heavier side, which can negatively impair running economy.
Premium foam delivers high energy return.
Nylon plate adds stiffness.
On the heavier side.
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 delivers impressive energy return. Its PEBA-based PWRRUN PB midsole effectively converts each stride into forward propulsion, boosting efficiency and reducing fatigue, especially during faster-paced efforts. This shoe's dynamic midsole configuration provides runners with a notably springy, enjoyable bounce that makes each stride feel smooth.
Premium foam delivers high energy return.
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4's cushioning is alright. The midsole isn't ideal for those who desire maximum comfort or frequently tackle extended distances. While it doesn't compromise the shoe's overall usability for speed-focused sessions, runners expecting a plush or soft ride will find it insufficient for longer, high-impact runs.
Lacking underfoot protection for longer distances.
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 has very good lateral stability, providing runners with solid and reliable support for maintaining confident strides even during longer runs. The heel width and secure tongue construction significantly contribute to its stable feel, allowing runners to maintain consistent performance as fatigue sets in.
Nylon plate adds stiffness.
Fully-gusseted tongue.
Quite high stack.
Performance Usages
Changelog
- Updated Apr 29, 2026: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.10, adding a new set of fit tests to the Design section and an overall fit performance usage. Check out the details in our changelog.
- Updated Apr 13, 2026: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.9, which adds a Forefoot Long Run Cushioning test to our performance section. Read more in our changelog.
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Updated Oct 21, 2025:
We've adjusted this review's writing to align with the new test bench, including updates to all usage scores and test boxes for Cushioning, Firmness, and Energy Return. We've updated the side-by-side comparisons with other shoes accordingly.
- Updated Oct 20, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.8.2, which updates our methodology for the impact force range used in our compression tests to improve their accuracy. This also affects all usage and performance usage boxes using those compression tests as score components.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 in men's US size 9, as indicated on the label. The color shown here is Navy | Spice, and the shoe is available in several other colorways, including Black, Verdant | White, ViziBlue | Navy, ViZiOrange, and Moon | Plum. Additionally, there's a special edition created in partnership with Black Girls Run X Saucony, featuring a Black | Pink colorway and including a commemorative box, drawstring bag, and keychain. Wide versions are not available for this model.
Popular Running Shoe Comparisons
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 stands out among versatile super trainers due to its combination of responsiveness and stability across different paces. This shoe is ideal for interval workouts and even short-to-medium distance racing. While its performance-oriented midsole is very energetic, those seeking maximum cushioning and plushness for extended runs might prefer models like the HOKA Mach X 2 or the ASICS SUPERBLAST 2.
Within Saucony's lineup, this shoe sits comfortably above daily trainers such as the Saucony Triumph 22, yet it remains below the carbon-plated, race-focused Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 and the more aggressive Saucony Endorphin Elite 2, designed for peak race-day performance.
Check out our recommendations for the best running shoes to find more options.
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 and adidas Adizero Boston 13 are both versatile, plated trainers that can handle everything from steady daily miles to faster workouts, but they lean into slightly different strengths. The Saucony is lighter and more energetic, featuring a softer, more cushioned heel and a more bouncy feel. Its plastic plate is a bit less stiff than the adidas' ENERGYRODS. The Boston 13, on the other hand, is built for those who prefer a firmer feel in the heel and a more connected ride overall. It's also slightly heavier than the Saucony, so overall, the Saucony is the better performer in most use cases, while the Boston 13 offers a classic, workhorse feel that's great for runners who want a firmer, more grounded ride during tempo efforts.
The Nike Zoom Fly 6 and the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 are both positioned as super trainers, designed to bridge the gap between daily trainers and race-day shoes. The Nike features a higher stack and full-length carbon plate, paired with a thin ZoomX top layer over firmer SR-02 foam, delivering a rockered, stable ride with decent cushioning. In contrast, the Saucony uses a plastic plate and PWRRUN PB foam, resulting in a ride that feels more energetic and responsive, but also less protective, especially under the heel. While both shoes can handle steady runs, up-tempo workouts, and occasional racing, the Saucony is lighter, bouncier, and better suited for runners who want a livelier, more grounded underfoot feel.
While they're both plated trainers, the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 is better overall than the Brooks Hyperion Max 2. The Saucony is notably lighter and delivers better energy return thanks to its PEBA-based midsole, making it a bit more versatile and more efficient at faster paces.
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 and the PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 are both plated super trainers, but they offer different rides. The PUMA is a higher-stack shoe, with a steeper heel-to-toe drop and more absorbent heel cushioning, making it a better fit for heel strikers. The Saucony, on the other hand, is notably lighter and has better energy return, making it more efficient for speedwork despite using a nylon plate rather than a carbon fiber plate like the PUMA.
We buy and test running shoes with a very data-oriented approach. While we're just getting started, our methodology already has dozens of tests to help you make the right purchasing decision for your needs. Not only do we use high-end equipment to gather objective data, but we also order multiple sizes of the same shoes so team members can log in miles. This real-world testing is conducted at various paces and conditions, across different types of workouts, to cover all the bases. This allows us to verify our results and ensure they align with what you might feel with a specific pair.
Test Results
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 isn't the lightest in its category, but it's relatively lightweight compared to running shoes overall. While some super trainers, like the adidas Adizero Evo SL, shave off a bit more weight, this model won't weigh you down too much.
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 offers great energy return from the heel, making transitions smoother for those who land further back. The PEBA-based foam efficiently rebounds after compression, helping propel runners forward with minimal energy loss.
With an even higher energy return than the heel, the forefoot of the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 is built for bounciness. When pushing off, runners will feel the foam compress and bounce back efficiently, making toe-offs snappy. It's especially useful in faster-paced efforts where maximizing every stride's output is key.
This super trainer's heel provides a moderate level of impact absorption. It's not very plush, yet it still protects heel strikers from each strike. However, the cushioning is lacking compared to some max-cushioned super trainers like the HOKA Mach X 2, particularly for those seeking a pillow-soft landing.
Up front, the cushioning is less substantial than in the heel and doesn't really provide sufficient protection. The forefoot retains enough give to be usable for shorter speed sessions, but runners looking for a squishy ride should look towards another option like the HOKA Mach X 2.
The heel leans toward the firm side, offering a stable landing platform that prevents excessive sink-in. While this helps with stability, runners seeking a plush, soft heel might find it a bit rigid compared to other shoes like the Mizuno Neo Vista, especially at lower forces. But compared to a super trainer like the adidas Adizero Boston 13, it's quite a bit softer, offering a good balance in this area.
The forefoot of this shoe is very firm. This characteristic benefits runners who prefer a snappier feel up front, especially for speed sessions and race efforts. Those accustomed to softer foams will find it too rigid, but it enhances stability and control during faster paces.
