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 good 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 responsiveness 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 has good responsiveness, with a lively forefoot and enough stiffness from its nylon plate to create a snappy toe-off. Its forefoot compression energy return is especially strong, giving the shoe a bouncy feel when you load the front of the platform. The rocker geometry is less aggressive, so the ride doesn't roll forward as forcefully as some plated trainers, but the rocker stiffness and strong heel rebound help keep transitions controlled and energetic across a range of paces.
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.
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 has excellent sizing, and most runners can stick to their normal size. The length is true to size, with plenty of room through the arch and enough forefoot width for most feet. The toe box has slightly less vertical space, so runners with taller toes may notice some pressure up front, but the overall fit is very close to standard.
Performance Usages
Changelog
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Updated May 12, 2026:
We've updated this review to add text for the new Responsiveness usage box and the True To Size box, and updated the language in the Marathon Racing and 5/10K Racing boxes. We also updated phrasing in some side-by-side comparisons for consistency.
- Updated May 05, 2026: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.11, adding two new rocker measurements to the Design section, and three new responsiveness tests to the Performance section. The Energy Return usage score has been replaced with Responsiveness. Check out the details in our 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.
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 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 ASICS SUPERBLAST 2 and the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 are both versatile trainers but cater to slightly different priorities. The ASICS is an unplated, uptempo premium trainer that emphasizes maximum cushioning and provides a stable, plush ride, making it especially appealing for longer runs. The Saucony, however, is a super trainer that prioritizes a more energetic and responsive experience, featuring a bouncy midsole and a nylon plate, making it better suited for shorter races and faster workouts. While both shoes handle versatility well, the ASICS excels in comfort and protection. In contrast, the Saucony is the preferred option if you want a snappier shoe that can comfortably pick up the pace for faster efforts like intervals or tempo runs.
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.
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 more responsive, making it more efficient for speedwork despite using a nylon plate rather than a carbon fiber plate like the PUMA.
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 and Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 may look similar on paper, but they differ meaningfully. The Speed 5 is slightly softer than its predecessor, but not dramatically so, especially in the forefoot, which remains relatively stiff when toeing off. That's partly due to the new geometry: the Speed 5 has a slightly lower stack and higher drop, so it feels a bit more traditional than in the Speed 4. One notable update is the removal of the pronounced heel flare, which now allows for smoother heel landings and transitions. The Speed 5 also fits differently. It has more room through the forefoot and a wider platform, making it more comfortable for wider-footed runners or those prioritizing step-in comfort. However, the looser fit may feel less locked-in for those seeking a snug performance feel during fast sessions.
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.
