{"id":44342,"date":"2023-11-27T03:50:47","date_gmt":"2023-11-27T08:50:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.runningshoesguru.com\/?post_type=reviews_road&p=44342"},"modified":"2024-02-03T00:43:47","modified_gmt":"2024-02-03T05:43:47","slug":"saucony-endorphin-speed-4-review","status":"publish","type":"reviews_road","link":"https:\/\/www.runningshoesguru.com\/reviews\/road\/saucony-endorphin-speed-4-review\/","title":"Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 Review","author":95,"featured_media":44360,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"brands":[129],"shoes_type":[257,781],"shoes_family":[783],"_stcr@_rolfkleinfeld@hotmail.com":null,"review_3_website_name":null,"test_trail":null,"_test_trail":null,"usd":null,"_usd":null,"aud":null,"_aud":null,"cad":null,"_cad":null,"gbp":null,"_gbp":null,"eur":null,"_eur":null,"shoe_brand":null,"_shoe_brand":null,"shoe_name":null,"pros":"4","cons":"3","verdict":"The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 is a flexible, plated trainer which is best suited to uptempo runs. It doesn\u2019t offer as much speed assistance as other plated trainers but it has a natural ride with excellent traction. Version 4 feels faster than version 3 due to its firmer ride. It has a higher level of ground feel and a more streamlined design. \r\n","weight":null,"heel":null,"toe":null,"heeldrop":null,"reccomended_for":null,"rrp":null,"review":null,"keywords":"Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 , Saucony running shoes review, best Saucony running shoes, Lightweight running shoes,","description":"The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 is a flexible, plated trainer which is best suited to uptempo runs. It doesn\u2019t offer as much speed assistance as other plated trainers but it has a natural ride with excellent traction. Version 4 feels faster than version 3 due to its firmer ride. It has a higher level of ground feel and a more streamlined design. \r\n","professional_image":"44374","_professional_image":"field_5d9574dae3414","usage":["speedwork"],"_usage":"field_5943593f1d1c2","rsg_subtitle":null,"subtitle":null,"_subtitle":null,"introduction":"[caption id=\"attachment_44356\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1440\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Endorphin Speed has been one of Saucony\u2019s most successful shoe releases of the last 3 years. It\u2019s lightweight, it\u2019s comfortable, and it\u2019s well cushioned, but the main reason it sells so well is because it looks like its more expensive, carbon-plated counterpart, the Endorphin Pro. This latest version of the Speed looks even more like the Pro version. \r\n\r\nThe Endorphin Speed is designed to be the training companion of the<\/strong> Endorphin Pro<\/a> but if you\u2019ve run in both shoes, you would have noticed that they have very different rides. \r\n\r\nThey both use PWRRUN PB (PEBA foam) in their midsoles but the Speed is very flexible while the Pro is not<\/strong>. \r\n\r\nThat\u2019s the reason why Saucony created the Kinvara Pro<\/a>: a stiffer trainer which delivers a similar ride to the Saucony racers. I prefer using the Kinvara Pro over the Endorphin Speed for uptempo runs because it feels more propulsive and it provides more speed assistance. \r\n\r\nIn my opinion, the Endorphin Speed 3<\/a> felt more like an everyday trainer than a dedicated workout or racing shoe due to how flexible it was. It didn\u2019t feel as fast as other training companions such as the Deviate Nitro 2<\/a>, Asics Magic Speed 3<\/a> or the Hoka Mach X<\/a>. \r\n\r\nMany runners use the Endorphin Speed as their daily trainer<\/strong>- it\u2019s more exciting than the Ride series and the Triumph series, and it\u2019s much lighter than the average daily trainer. The Speed doesn't have as much cushioning or as good durability though because it wasn't designed to be a workhorse.\r\n\r\nThe Endorphin Speed 4 weighs exactly 8 oz (227 g), a mere 0.1 oz (3 g) more than the Speed 3. I predict its price will remain $170 when it launches in the first quarter of 2024. I paid $183 (including taxes and shipping) for my pair. \r\n","introduction_text":null,"conclusions":"[caption id=\"attachment_44359\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1920\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\nWhen the original Endorphin Speed came out, it was something special. There was nothing like it on the market. I've tested a lot of speed trainers in the last 3 years and now, the Endorphin Speed 4 doesn't feel special anymore<\/strong>.\r\n\r\nThere are plenty of competitors which can do what the Endorphin Speed can do but with a more engaging, more enjoyable ride. The Kinvara Pro<\/a>, the Supercomp Trainer v2<\/a> and the Mach X<\/a> are all trainers I would pick above the Endo Speed 4 because they feel more energetic and more modern. \r\n\r\nAlthough the Speed 4 feels faster than its predecessor, it still doesn\u2019t feel as fast as other speed trainers, mainly due to how flexible its plate is. The flexible plate also makes it feel completely different to the Pro 4, the racing version. \r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_44354\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1440\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nI would however pick the Endorphin Speed 4 over the 3 because it feels more like a speed trainer now<\/strong>. Version 3 feels like a daily trainer. I think the majority of runners will prefer the 3 to the 4 because it has a softer, more cushioned ride which is preferable for daily training. \r\n\r\nAt $170, the Speed 4 is overpriced. The Deviate Nitro 2 is cheaper<\/a>, as is the Magic Speed 3<\/a> and the Razor 4<\/a>. \r\n\r\nIn the Saucony range, I would rather use an older version of the Endorphin Pro or pay $10 more for the Kinvara Pro for speed runs as their plates are stiffer. A stiffer plate results in more speed assistance. \r\n","model":"Endorphin Speed 4","_model":"field_5c1600ad0113f","who_is_it_for":"If you prefer your speed trainers to have a flexible ride which makes you work harder, the Endorphin Speed 4 is a good option for you. It has enough cushioning for long distances and it has decent stability. \r\n","pros_0_pro_line":"Excellent traction","_pros_0_pro_line":"field_5c16011c4fed6","pros_1_pro_line":"More stability","_pros_1_pro_line":"field_5c16011c4fed6","pros_2_pro_line":"Faster ride","_pros_2_pro_line":"field_5c16011c4fed6","cons_0_cons_line":"Still a very different ride to the Endo Pro ","_cons_0_cons_line":"field_5c16011c70a57","cons_1_cons_line":"Colour bleeds onto the laces ","_cons_1_cons_line":"field_5c16011c70a57","cons_2_cons_line":"Less cushioning","_cons_2_cons_line":"field_5c16011c70a57","water_resistance":null,"_water_resistance":null,"pros_3_pro_line":"Better agility ","_pros_3_pro_line":"field_5c16011c4fed6","pros_4_pro_line":null,"_pros_4_pro_line":null,"cons_3_cons_line":null,"_cons_3_cons_line":null,"cons_4_cons_line":null,"_cons_4_cons_line":null,"in_page_subtitle":null,"_in_page_subtitle":null,"image":null,"_image":null,"cushioning_type":"responsive\/balanced","_cushioning_type":"field_594357fba24e6","cushioning_amount":"Medium cushioning","_cushioning_amount":"field_5c1a16c4d4c23","sizing":"0","_sizing":"field_59435b58fd832","heel_fit":"normal","_heel_fit":"field_59435bbc45b07","midfoot_fit":"normal","_midfoot_fit":"field_59435d1684838","toebox_fit":"normal","_toebox_fit":"field_59435d1484837","flexibility":"medium","_flexibility":"field_59435d1284836","stability":"some stability","_stability":"field_5944aca41583c","midfoot_fit_copy":null,"_midfoot_fit_copy":null,"best_for":"","pe_timestamp":null,"ds_query":"+saucony +\"endorphin speed 4\"","_ds_query":"field_5c1600ad01052","release_date":"","_release_date":"field_5c176d6fffe21","weight_oz":"8","_weight_oz":"field_5c176d34ffe1f","heel_drop_mm":"8","_heel_drop_mm":"field_5c176d57ffe20","intro_to_the_shoe":null,"_intro_to_the_shoe":null,"main_text":null,"_main_text":null,"protection":null,"_protection":null,"durability":"7","_durability":"field_6272de0b5fdf5","responsiveness_&_speed":null,"_responsiveness_&_speed":null,"comfort_and_fit":null,"_comfort_and_fit":null,"lugs":null,"_lugs":null,"rockplate":null,"_rockplate":null,"good_for_running":null,"_good_for_running":null,"previous_model":"38526","_previous_model":"field_5c1a17279c9f9","usage_these_shoes_for":null,"_usage_these_shoes_for":null,"rrp_us":"170","_rrp_us":"field_5c176dba632ff","rrp_au":"","_rrp_au":"field_5c176dd363300","rrp_ca":"","_rrp_ca":"field_5c176df863301","rrp_gb":"","_rrp_gb":"field_5c176dfe63302","rrp_de":"","_rrp_de":"field_5c176e0d63303","purchased_from_name":"a store","_purchased_from_name":"field_5c374d8cdb87d","purchased_from_url":"https:\/\/www.runningshoesguru.com","_purchased_from_url":"field_5c374d9bdb87e","heel_mm":"37","_heel_mm":"field_630506e911fdf","toe_mm":"29","_toe_mm":"field_630506f011fe0","carbon_plate":"other","_carbon_plate":"field_63065e4848c57","360":"","_360":"field_630662fb826e3","_video":"field_63066304826e4","who_should_buy_it":"If you prefer your speed trainers to have a flexible ride which makes you work harder, the Endorphin Speed 4 is a good option for you. It has enough cushioning for long distances and it has decent stability. \r\n","_who_should_buy_it":"field_63132fa733767","who_should_not_buy_it_":"If you want a similar ride to the Endorphin Pro 4, the Speed 4 is not the shoe for you. It has a much more flexible midsole which results in less propulsion. \r\n","_who_should_not_buy_it_":"field_63132ff0865f5","build_quality":"7","_build_quality":"field_6272ddc1b33de","comfort":"7","_comfort":"field_6272dd6fa6b88","value_price":"5","_value_price":"field_6272de0a5fdf4","third_shoe":"43326","_third_shoe":"field_630bbf8341294","upper_rate":"8","_upper_rate":"field_6272de2a5fdfb","sole_unit_rate":"7","_sole_unit_rate":"field_6272de295fdfa","landing":"7","_landing":"field_6272de285fdf9","transition":"7","_transition":"field_6272de285fdf8","toe_off":"7","_toe_off":"field_6272de275fdf7","traction":"8","_traction":"field_6272de265fdf6","first_impressions":"[caption id=\"attachment_44348\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1920\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nMy first run was a hill sprints session. My first impression was that the Speed 4 felt faster than the Speed 3<\/strong>. There was more ground feel, the ride felt firmer and I could feel the forefoot rocker more than in the Speed 3. \r\n\r\nI enjoyed that first run. The ride felt faster than a daily trainer but not as fast as a stiff, carbon-plated racer. This version felt more like a speed trainer than a relaxed daily trainer which I thought the previous version felt like. \r\n\r\nIt reminded me of the ASICS Magic Speed 3<\/a> because the Magic Speed 3 also felt leaner and more agile than its predecessor. Both the Endorphin Speed 4 and Magic Speed 3 have midfoot cavities underneath, on their outsoles and you can hear a clapping sound from the cavity when your foot strikes the ground. ","_first_impressions":"field_6313304ba000e","sole_unit":"[caption id=\"attachment_44351\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1920\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Speed was designed to be a shoe for fast running (hence the name), and in order to make the Endorphin Speed 4 feel faster, Saucony has done 2 things: they\u2019ve made the midsole firmer and made the forefoot rocker more aggressive<\/strong>. These 2 changes make transitions faster, so it's easier to increase your pace. \r\n\r\nI did mainly speed workouts in the Speed 4, ranging from marathon pace to 200 m interval pace and I enjoy this version much more than version 3 for uptempo paces<\/strong>. It feels like it has more punch. I prefer using the Speed 4 for fast-paced runs rather than easy\/recovery runs. This was the opposite for the Speed 3. \r\n\r\nWhen I wear the Endorphin Speed 4 on 1 foot and the Endorphin Speed 3 on the other foot, the 4 feels noticeably less bulky. Version 4 feels more streamlined and doesn\u2019t feel as squishy underfoot- it feels leaner. \r\n\r\nThe midsole of the Speed 4 is about 10% firmer than the Speed 3. This results in better stability. The base also feels slightly wider than the Speed 3 so footstrikes feel more planted. \r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_44357\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1920\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nI feel that the PWRRUN PB in the Speed 4 isn\u2019t as good as other midsole foams. It doesn\u2019t compress enough and doesn\u2019t return enough energy. Hoka\u2019s ProflyX and NB\u2019s FuelCell are much more effective because they feel more engaging and more energetic. The Endo Speed has a flat ride in comparison. \r\n\r\nOne of the main differences between the Endorphin Speed and the other premium Saucony running shoes is that the Speed has an EVA insole. The Endorphin Pro<\/a>, Triumph<\/a>, Ride<\/a> and Kinvara Pro<\/a> all have PWRRUN+ (TPE) insoles which provide a plusher step in feel so the Endo Speed wouldn't be my first choice for long runs. \r\n\r\nThere\u2019s a flexible, winged nylon plate in the midsole of the Speed 4 which provides structure but it doesn\u2019t provide much propulsion<\/strong>. Saucony needs to stiffen up the plate so that the forefoot feels more snappy. This will give it a more similar ride to the Endorphin Pro. \r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_44362\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1920\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nJust like the Endorphin Pro 4, the outsole of the Speed 4 has also been improved. The forefoot rubber has a raised pattern which grips the ground more effectively so traction is better. \r\n\r\nI used the Endo Pro 4 when it was raining and I didn\u2019t have any issues when it came to traction. On the lateral heel, the rubber stops a couple mm short of the edge, so there is some scuffing of the midsole edge if you\u2019re a heel striker but it doesn\u2019t affect the ride. ","_sole_unit":"field_6313305d53bc4","custom_fields":{"model":"Endorphin Speed 4","cons":[{"cons_line":"Still a very different ride to the Endo Pro "},{"cons_line":"Colour bleeds onto the laces "},{"cons_line":"Less cushioning"}],"pros":[{"pro_line":"Excellent traction"},{"pro_line":"More stability"},{"pro_line":"Faster ride"},{"pro_line":"Better agility "}],"vote":"7","weight_oz":"8","heel_drop_mm":"8","purchased_from_name":"a store","purchased_from_url":"https:\/\/www.runningshoesguru.com","comfort":"7","build_quality":"7","upper_rate":"8","sole_unit_rate":"7","landing":"7","transition":"7","toe_off":"7","traction":"8","durability":"7","value_price":"5","who_is_it_for":"If you prefer your speed trainers to have a flexible ride which makes you work harder, the Endorphin Speed 4 is a good option for you. It has enough cushioning for long distances and it has decent stability. \r\n","verdict":"The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 is a flexible, plated trainer which is best suited to uptempo runs. It doesn\u2019t offer as much speed assistance as other plated trainers but it has a natural ride with excellent traction. Version 4 feels faster than version 3 due to its firmer ride. It has a higher level of ground feel and a more streamlined design. \r\n","who_should_buy_it":"

If you prefer your speed trainers to have a flexible ride which makes you work harder, the Endorphin Speed 4 is a good option for you. It has enough cushioning for long distances and it has decent stability. <\/p>\n","who_should_not_buy_it_":"

If you want a similar ride to the Endorphin Pro 4, the Speed 4 is not the shoe for you. It has a much more flexible midsole which results in less propulsion. <\/p>\n","introduction":"

\"Picture