Saucony Endorphin Speed 5

December 21, 2025

Saucony Endorphin Speed 5: The Road Shoe for Tempo Mood, PRs, or Everyday Zooms

At Foveo Running — because sometimes you feel the need for speed!

If quick kms are your jam--tempo runs, intervals, repeats, strides, race-pace mileage, or even races themselves-- Saucony's now-legendary Endorphin Speed line of "super-trainers" could just be the shoe for you. The Endorphin Speed 5s exist at the sweet spot between a lightweight daily trainer and full on race-day shoe.

What Makes It Special

The Endorphin Speed 5 blends ultra-responsive PEBA midsole foam, with a flexible plate + rocker geometry for a ride that’s snappy, smooth and fast!

Quick Specs & Build Highlights

Stack / Drop: ~ 36 mm heel / 28 mm forefoot → 8 mm drop
Midsole: PWRRUN PB foam + a full-length semi-rigid nylon plate for a balance of impact absorption and propulsion.
Outsole & Geometry: SPEEDROLL rocker + full-groove decoupled sole for fluid heel-to-toe transitions.
Weight: ~ 8.4 oz / 240 g (men’s US 9) — light and quick underfoot.
Upper & Fit: Lightweight engineered mesh, secure heel & midfoot, slightly more roomy forefoot compared to prior versions.

In plain Foveo terms? It’s a nimble, responsive road super-trainer — especially suited for when you want to pick up the pace, but good at all speeds.

How It Feels On the Run

Smooth transitions & consistent roll: The SPEEDROLL rocker + plate combo delivers a fluid, momentum-enhancing ride at any running pace above a shuffle.
Versatile across paces: Surprisingly capable at easier jogs, the Endorphin Speed 5 really comes alive and works its magic when pushed through a runner's full gait and quicker cadences.
Light and breathable: Designed to be light and breathable, the upper stays airy even on warm runs or sunny days and adds to the shoe's quick, sleek feel.
Balanced cushioning: Not “a max-cushion bomber,” but enough softness to protect joints. while still giving a direct, efficient feel and incredible energy return.
Flexible & forgiving: The semi-rigid nylon plate gives just enough tow-off snapback and energy-return for speed, without the rigidity of carbon-plated racing shoes.

Why We at Foveo Running Love It

⚡ It's a versatile training shoe that acts like a race shoe. Designed to shine on up-tempo runs, the Endorphin Speed 5 also gets love from those of us who like a light-weight shoe for other activities as well.

🏃 Balanced "friendly" ride. Not too soft and definitely not hard, the Endorphin Speed gives many of the benefits of plated "super-shoe" without the aggressive, sometimes unforgiving stiffness of its siblings, the Endorphin Pro or Endorphin Elite.

💨 Light, lively, and fun. Sometimes shoes feel heavy. This one feels quick — perfect for sessions when you want to dig into pace or just enjoy a fast, fluid run.

💵 Great Value. The Endorphin Speed offers many of the features and qualities of high-priced performance shoes--a PEBA super-foam midsole, a propulsive plate/rocker system and a great low weight--for a price that's closer to daily trainers than most race-day shoes.

Who It’s Best For

🏃 Runners chasing speed — tempo days, interval sessions, mixed sessions that involve pace-work. Great for 5K to half-marathon race distances as well.
🔄 Mixed-pace runners — those who alternate easy runs, strides, and harder efforts without changing shoes.
🌍 Urban / coastal / mixed-surface runners — good on pavement, boardwalks, greenways and light off-road conditions.
🩹 Everyday mileage runners who want a responsive, efficient shoe without over-cushioning.
🎯 Runners who appreciate versatility over specialization — a single shoe that works for many run styles.

Things to Know / Trade-Offs

It’s not a maximal-cushion shoe, so if you prefer “soft pillows underfoot” for long, easy runs, you might find it a bit firm.
The nylon plate gives less rigid propulsion than a carbon-plate “super shoe.” Great for flexibility — maybe less “pop.”
For very long runs or ultras, some may prefer a more cushioned or plush ride.

Foveo Running Verdict

There is a reason why the Saucony Endorphin Speed series has continued to top "best of" lists for many years. This shoe hits a sweet spot: fast enough for tempo and race day, comfortable enough for daily miles, and light enough to make running feel smooth, efficient and, yes, "speedier."

Swing by Foveo Running, try them on, and see if the Speed 5 earns a spot in your rotation.