Saucony Endorphin Speed 5

The Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 is the most popular running shoe from the American brand, designed for neutral runners looking for versatility without compromise, a perfect choice for tight budgets and even smaller shoe racks. At 238 g (US 9 / EU 42) and with a redesigned nylon plate combined with PWRRUN PB foam, it offers remarkable energy return at fast paces without sacrificing comfort on long runs. The engineered mesh upper gives a light, breathable fit with secure midfoot lockdown, ready for more or less sudden movements. Unlike rivals such as the Nike Zoom Fly 6 or the Adidas Adizero Boston 13, the Speed 5 stands out for its perfect balance between speed and durability. It is a serious investment, but justified for anyone looking for a shoe that does it all and, besides, you can always find an interesting deal on websites like this one.

Compared with its predecessor, the Speed 4, the changes are evolutionary refinements plus the inevitable price rise, what can you do. Saucony has kept the same proven geometry that made the previous version a success, but has refined the nylon plate to reduce weight and increase torsional stiffness. The mesh upper is extremely light with an "almost invisible" feel, improving ventilation in strategic areas. The traditional lacing is complemented by a padded tongue that reduces pressure points. The heel area has an external counter that gives better lockdown without sacrificing comfort.

The midsole of the Endorphin Speed 5 stands out for its TPU-based PWRRUN PB foam, which offers responsive cushioning, with the integrated nylon plate providing propulsion without the stiffness of a full carbon plate. The official 8 mm heel-to-toe drop (37 mm heel / 29 mm forefoot) ensures smooth transitions for heel or forefoot strikers and rewards a reasonably polished technique. The reconfigured XT-900 rubber outsole ensures reliable traction and better durability than previous versions. Ideal for daily training, moderate to fast paces, intervals and runners looking for a versatile shoe. Spoiler: no shoe makes you faster on its own, but the Endorphin Speed 5 will make every hard kilometre feel more natural and more fun.