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The Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 is a nylon-plated road shoe for tempo runs, intervals, strides, race-pace kilometres and race day itself. It sits in the sweet spot between a lightweight daily trainer and a full-on race shoe, which makes it a favourite here at Foveō Running in Courtenay, BC, for runners who feel the need for speed. The Speed 5 is now being replaced by the Endorphin Speed 6, so sizes in the 5 are limited.
What is the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5?
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 is a "super-trainer": a PEBA-foam, plated shoe you can train in every week, not just save for race day. It blends a responsive midsole with a nylon plate for a ride that's snappy, smooth and fast.
Key specs:
- Stack: 36 mm heel / 28 mm forefoot (8 mm drop)
- Weight: 237 g (8.4 oz) men's; 204 g (7.2 oz) women's
- Midsole: two layers of PWRRUN PB (PEBA) foam
- Plate: nylon, for a snappy, propulsive toe-off
- Outsole: rubber with expanded heel coverage and a full-length groove for smooth transitions
- Upper: new lightweight engineered mesh
In plain Foveō terms: a nimble, responsive road shoe that's especially happy when you pick up the pace, but good at all speeds.
How does the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 feel on the run?
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 feels quick, smooth and balanced: bouncy rather than harsh, and firmer than its tall stack suggests. It really comes alive when you push through a full stride at faster cadences.
Smooth, consistent roll. The plate and outsole groove deliver a fluid, momentum-friendly ride at any pace above a shuffle.
Versatile across paces. It's surprisingly capable on easier jogs, then wakes up on tempo and interval work.
Light and airy. The engineered mesh upper holds you in at speed and adds to the shoe's quick, sleek feel.
Flexible and forgiving. The nylon plate gives enough snap for speed without the rigidity of carbon-plated racing shoes.
Who is the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 best for, and who should skip it?
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 is best for runners who want one shoe for workouts, faster long runs and racing from 5 km to the half marathon. It's a versatile training shoe that acts like a race shoe, and some of us like it as a light shoe for other activities too.
- Good fit: tempo and interval fans; mixed-pace runners who alternate easy runs, strides and harder efforts without changing shoes; road, boardwalk and greenway regulars; runners who'd rather have one versatile shoe than a closet full of specialists.
- Skip it if: you want "soft pillows underfoot" for long, easy days (the cushion feel is firm), you want maximum pop for race day (the nylon plate is less aggressive than carbon), or your runs are mostly on trail.
We like its balanced, friendly ride. Its siblings, the carbon-plated Endorphin Pro 5 and Endorphin Elite 3, are stiffer and more aggressive. The Speed 5 gives you many of the benefits of a plated racer (PEBA foam, a propulsive plate, low weight) at a price closer to a daily trainer.
Endorphin Speed 5 vs Speed 6 vs Pro 5: which should you choose?
Choose the Speed 5 or Speed 6 for training and racing in one shoe, and the Pro 5 if you want a dedicated carbon-plated race shoe. The Speed 6 is the newer version with more foam underfoot and a redesigned plate.
| Endorphin Speed 5 | Endorphin Speed 6 | Endorphin Pro 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Tempo, racing | Tempo, daily training | Racing, tempo |
| Midsole | PWRRUN PB (PEBA) | PWRRUN PBX (PEBA) | PWRRUN HG + PWRRUN PB |
| Plate | Nylon | Nylon (redesigned) | Carbon |
| Stack (heel / forefoot) | 36 / 28 mm | 38 / 30 mm | 39.5 / 31.5 mm |
| Drop | 8 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm |
| Weight (men's) | 237 g (8.4 oz) | 233 g (8.2 oz) | 206 g (7.3 oz) |
Specs from Saucony. The Endorphin Speed 6 also comes in wide for women and men.
How does the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 fit?
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 runs about a half size small, so we usually recommend going up a half size. The toe box is a traditional shape in a standard width. Bring the socks you race in and we'll check length before you commit.
Endorphin Speed 5: quick questions
Does the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 have a carbon plate?
No. It has a nylon plate, which gives a snappy toe-off with more flex than the carbon plates in the Endorphin Pro 5 and Elite 3.
Can I use the Endorphin Speed 5 for easy runs?
Yes, it's capable at easy paces. If most of your week is slow and long, a softer daily trainer will feel more comfortable.
What's new in the Endorphin Speed 6?
The Speed 6 switches to PWRRUN PBX foam, adds a little more foam underfoot and gets a redesigned nylon plate.
Is the Speed 5 waterproof?
No. It has an engineered mesh upper with no waterproof membrane.
Swing by the shop to try the Endorphin Speed 5 while sizes last, or shop it online in men's and women's.
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