Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 Review (2024): Still on Top?

Julien Guyod

Published on 04/02/2024

As the name suggests, the Speed was initially conceived for… speed. But the series won over many runners with its versatility and quickly became a reference, fast daily trainer. Version 3 was especially great and was ranked by many experts as one of the best shoes of 2023.

Saucony has expanded its Endorphin series with the release of the Elite. As a result, the Endorphin Pro 4 has become more forgiving, leaving pure performance to the Elite. So, where does this new iteration of Endorphin Speed fit in?

Let’s find out in this in-depth review, based on my test runs comprising several types of sessions and the experiences of other runners whose judgment I respect.

What You Need to Know

Cushioning

Let’s take a look at the midsole technologies:

• PWRRUN PB is described by the brand as its lightest and most flexible foam. It’s the same as v3.
• The nylon plate comes with greater torsional rigidity and pairs with the SPEEDROLL rocker design for smooth back-to-front transitions
• The Super Responsive Sockliner (SRS) provides extra bounce

The balanced feel offers a very pleasant ride. The decent stack, with a 36 mm heel height (28 mm under the toes), delivers excellent shock absorption.

However, some testers noted that the shoe is less suited for long-distance running over a certain weight. That’s the only limitation: the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 offers the cushioning needed for the marathon for most runners.

The heel-to-toe drop of 8 mm is classic and won’t require any transition time.

Energy return

Despite a very slight weight increase (236 g/8.3 oz vs. 229 g/8.1 oz in size 42), the shoe remains lightweight. Overall, runners find the shoe more responsive than v3, and that’s also what I felt during my tests. Indeed, there’s more propulsion as the rocker works better to facilitate transitions, providing more running economy.

Since the construction and foam are the same, we can assume the extra weight comes from the new plate, which features vertical overlays for greater rigidity and better energy return while retaining flexibility at the front for a snappy toe-off.

The responsiveness is very good. The shoes aren’t necessarily bouncy, but you feel propelled forward with the plate and the rocker. As a result, the Speed 4 is an excellent choice for runners looking to go fast, but who find carbon shoes too stiff.

Support and stability

The previous version was already very stable, and this v4 is just as good on this front. The precise lockdown, effective grip, and balanced feel allow for a confident stride despite the fairly high stack.

The wider platform (5 mm more) also provides excellent stability for this neutral shoe (no gait correction).

Foot Lockdown

The upper has undergone several changes. We’ve gone from a single-layer design to a double-layer design, one of which is integrated for a close fit to the foot. The shoes are comfortable, and the mesh stretches.

I thought there would be less ventilation, but that’s not the case. The numerous perforations all along the mesh do a good job keeping the Endorphin Speed 4 breathable, while the extra layer offers better protection in cooler temperatures.

Runners unanimously praised the fit. It’s close enough to the foot for an effective lockdown when picking up the pace while retaining enough room for comfort. The gusseted tongue is effective, and the semi-rigid heel counter keeps it firmly in place.

Also, the padding in these areas, including the heel collar, gives comfort similar to regular daily trainers. I also enjoyed the lateral overlays that contribute to the five-star fit.

The shoe runs true to size. I picked my usual size and didn’t have any issues despite my wife feet.

Traction

The outsole performs even better than in the previous edition (where it was already fantastic).

The new layout of the XT-900 rubber translates into a lattice design with a large piece in the forefoot.

On the heel, there’s a piece of rubber on each side and a deep groove in the middle for good flexibility.

According to the testers, the rubber is more grippy and traction is better. I also found the grip very good on wet surfaces; I didn’t have any scares even when turning at fast speed. I felt safe in all conditions.

Of course, it’s a road shoe, so traction is not as impressive on more technical terrain. However, the shoes are perfectly suitable for easy off-road dry paths.

Use

Originally, the Speed was designed for speed, leaving the training part to the Shift series. But with each successive version, runners began to adopt them as a pair of trainers. Not in the same categories as the Saucony Guide or Saucony Triumph, but rather as a snappy shoe for fast sessions with superior versatility.

This new version is a little different. Indeed, runners who have experienced the previous ones describe it as a mix of the v1 and v3. It’s more responsive, and some runners find it less suited to low paces.

It all depends on what you’re looking for: the v4 is now closer to other brands’ responsive models like the Asics Magic Speed 3 than to everyday trainers like the Nike Pegasus 40.

As far as I’m concerned, the Speed fully lives up to its specification, i.e. it can be used for a wide range of paces, whatever the distance. On this point, some people note that they find it more demanding and don’t think they could push it all the way to a marathon. Here again, it all depends on individual goals and preferences.

Last but not least, the shoe is an excellent competition alternative for runners looking for a pair of lightweight, fast shoes with more flexibility than a carbon plate model.

Quality and Durability

The outsole is more durable than the previous version, which was already convincing. The upper shows no signs of early wear, and the PEBA foam will retain its properties over time (we didn’t find any negative comments, and I didn’t notice any deterioration).

This is still a relatively expensive product, but it’s undoubtedly high-quality.

The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 contains recycled materials (in an unknown proportion) and is vegan.

Conclusion

The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 doesn’t disappoint and should continue to appeal to a wide range of runners of all levels, from beginners who want to improve performance without going down the carbon road yet to experts who will enjoy the combination of comfort and performance in their rotation.

There are no real restrictions regarding scenarios: the cushioning is sufficient to extend the distance confidently, and the propulsion provides performance whenever you need to accelerate, whether in competition or for daily training.

Facts

Technical Specs

Cushioning

Technologies

Use