Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 review: running bliss

Saucony's Endorphin Collection has been an absolute success so far. Of the lot, the Endorphin Speed family has always been the biggest fan-favourite, as it sits in the Goldilocks zone of comfort and performance. And with the Endorphin Speed 4, the Waltham, Massachusetts-based company seems to have perfected the formula of what makes a peppy daily trainer good enough to wear for – well – everything.

Like thousands of other runners, I liked the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3; it's a decent trainer that does what it says on the box. It might not be the best running shoe out there, but it's definitely good enough as a workhorse-style trainer.

The new Endorphin Speed 4 takes everything good about its predecessor and fine-tunes the rest to create a shoe that feels just right as soon as you slip your feet in it. I've used the Endorphin Speed 4s on many runs, and it's safe to say I'm completely in love with them.

Read my full Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 review below to find out why you should get a pair as soon as you can.

Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 review

Price and availability

The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 was announced alongside the Endorphine Pro 4 in February 2024 and is available to buy now in both women's and men's versions at Saucony US, Saucony UK and Saucony AU for a recommended retail price of $170/ £180/ AU$ 290.

The Endorphin Speed 4 is available in men’s sizes 7-13, 14, and 15 and women’s sizes 5-12. Both versions are available in a ton of different colourways.

Specifications

• Best for: Racing/Speed runs/Tempo training
• Offset/drop: 8mm
• Stack height: 36mm (heel), 28mm (forefoot)
• Weight: Men’s 8.2oz. (233g), Women’s 7.2oz (206g)
• Tested weight: 9.1 oz/ 257g (UK men's 10)

Design and features

The Endorphin Speed 4 features some of the now-classic Saucony technologies, including the SPEEDROLL and the PWRRUN PB 'superfoam'.

The former is the aggressive rocker shape of the sole that helps you roll forward easier at every step, while the latter helps dissipate landing forces and provides energy return.

The foam is the same as in the Endorphin Speed 3 and has the same maximum stack height and drop ( 36 mm and 8 mm, respectively). Nevertheless, the new model feels more stable than before.

For the record, the PWRRUN PB used in the Endorphine Speed 4 isn't the same as that used in the Saucony Endorphin Elite, which utilises the PWRRUN HG.

The Endorphin Speed 4 has a re-engineered winged nylon plate for more 'torsional rigidity' and 'forefoot flexibility', as well as the SRS (Super Responsive Sockliner), which is said to add bounce to your stride. 

My personal favourite is the zonal mesh construction upper. I remember not being the biggest fan of the brand's ISO fit years and years ago, but I simply can't get enough of the Endorphin Speed 4's 'connected fit'.

Peformance and comfort

Some might think testing running shoes for a living is all fun and games, but I actually dread getting new shoes to test from certain brands. No matter how hard I try to predict fit based on past experience, product descriptions, and online reviews, I often end up with ill-fitting shoes that I have to test anyway, no matter how tight or loose they might be.

Thankfully, this has never been the case with Saucony (maybe apart from the Ride ISO 2 from 2019 or 2020, but that's water under the bridge at this point). The Endorphin Speed 4, in particular, fits like a dream. There are no hotspots, rubbing or pressure anywhere; nothing that would hinder the running experience.

As soon as you slip into the shoes and tighten the laces, they disappear from your feet—in the best way possible. I love the lace cage construction, which pulls the upper together perfectly when you tighten the shoes. The fit really is fine-tuned to perfection.

Then there is the running experience. The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 is a speed shoe best suited for pacier, faster runs and racing. The winged nylon plate might not be as stiff – and, therefore, as propulsive – as carbon plates, but it's peppy enough to keep you going mile after mile.

I used the shoes for anything from calmer long runs to threshold sessions, and at no point did I wish I wore different shoes. Despite having plenty of foam underfoot, stability and ground feel are both superb.

After 50-60 or so miles, there is nothing I would criticise about how it feels to run in the Endorphin Speed 4. I enjoy running a little faster, and these shoes enable me to do just that with less effort than other shoes.

Not only that, but they also accommodate my wide feet and make me feel like a prince who just found his glass slipper. Love it.

Verdict

I know it's only March, and we'll see many more running shoes launched this year, but the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 will be up there among the best running shoes in 2024.

The zonal mesh upper and the way the laces pull it together just work, and so does the propulsion system, aided by the winged nylon plate and the PWRRUN PB foam. The more I run in the shoes, the more I like them and reach for them when I head out for my runs –  considering I have all the top shoes from the last five years at my disposal, it's no small feat!

Some might find the recommended retail price slightly steep, but sadly, this is how much you have to pay for a decent pair of running trainers these days. If you can't justify it and are happy to wait, I'm sure there will be plenty of offers later this year and definitely in 2025.

For the rest of you, go and get the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 immediately!

Also consider

The Nike Pegasus 40 continues the legacy of its predecessors as a dependable daily trainer. With incremental upgrades to comfort and fit, it offers a versatile experience for casual runners and athletes. Despite not being revolutionary, its affordability and consistent performance make it a compelling alternative to the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4.

Another tempo training option would be the Adidas Adizero Adios 8. It improved upon its predecessor with a more comfortable mesh upper and an updated EnergyTorsion Rod 2.0 system for enhanced propulsion. It's tighter than the Endorphin Speed 4s, but thanks to its blend of Lightstrike foams that delivers a responsive yet cushioned ride, the Adios 8s are almost as ideal for training and occasional racing.