Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 Review: The Best do-it-all Daily Trainer?

Stack Height, Drop, Weight and Price

The Endorphin Speed 4 stack height stays the same with 36mm in the heel and 28mm in the forefoot, for an 8mm drop. That’s now a mid-stacked shoe compared to some other bigger volume daily trainers like the ASICS Novablast 4.

It weighs in at 8.6oz or 245g in a US 9.5 test shoe size. That’s ever so slightly heavier than the Speed 3. But we’re talking a fraction and it’s still among the lightest daily trainers. For context, it’s around the same weight as a Nike Alphafly 3, lighter than a Saucony Triumph 21 but slightly heavier than a HOKA Mach 6.

Price wise the Endorphin Speed 4 comes in at $170 – staying the same as the Speed 3. So it remains towards the top end you’d expect to pay for a daily trainer.

Design

The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 sticks with the combination of a decent-sized midsole stack of PWRRUN PB Pebax superfoam, a winged nylon plate that’s been re-engineered to provide some stability, rigidity and forefoot flexibility and Saucony’s trademark Speedroll rockered midsole that looks unchanged from the Speed 3.

Inside the shoe, there’s what Saucony calls a ‘Super Responsive Sockliner’ basically an insole that adds some extra comfort and bounce to each stride.

Up top there’s a zonal mesh with a light, airy perforated design that offers plenty of flex into the toe box. The heel collars now have a touch more padding, but are still medium padded. While the Speed 4’s now has slightly thicker padded – and gusseted – tongues, though these seem a bit more flimsy in the Speed 4

The outsole has been updated with a new grip design. They feature one large, lattice design section covering the whole forefoot and two rear sections in the heel that cover more of the key impact points. The Speed 3 had a tendency to scuff a little on the outer edges and there’s more rubber here to boost protection there.

Fit

I ran in my regular Saucony running shoe size, which is a US 9.5 and I found the fit bang on. I found that initial step in was unfussy, easy to get locked in and comfortable. On the move I got good hold in all the key areas with reliable heel and midfoot lock down.

There’s a nice roomy, flexy feel to the toe box overall I’d say the fit offers a reliable security without restriction. I’d also recommend going true to size.

Performance

Before we get into it, one quick caveat - I liked the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 and 3 so much I ran across Europe, covering 67 marathons in 67 days, in a combination of the two. (Read this if you want to know how the Speed 3 durability held up).

In testing, I’ve covered more than 60 miles in the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4. That includes 90-minute efforts at the top end of my easy pace, half marathon pace training runs with some faster strides at the end and plenty of interval work. I’ve worked this shoe across the range of paces and on mixed terrain, road and light off road.

The good news - the Speed 4 offers more of the same as the Speed 3. There’s excellent step-in comfort from a shoe that feels natural and unfussy instantly. The disappearing feel that signifies a good shoe is here and I found this was a shoe I wanted to run in right from the off.

The ride is balanced enough to run at almost any pace. Like the Speed 3, there’s a snappy, lightweight cushioned ease to moving in the Speed 4. You’re getting a winning mix of speed, protection and comfort in one happy shoe.

When you get moving, there’s plenty of energy from that midsole with lots of spring. There’s also bucket loads of protection from the Profly+ foam that cushions the road without sinking too far. The midsole returns right when you need it to, to give a lively punchy feel.

One warning - If you need things super stable, there’s some wobble here. But overall, when I was running focused, I felt controlled.

When you push the pace they respond well with a light, punchy, controlled response. When you drop the pace down to an easy cruise, there’s enough softness and protection underfoot to eat those heavier miles, too.

There’s a lightweight precision here in each step, nothing feels bulky, cumbersome or baggy. That’s where these definitely have the edge for me over shoes like the Novablast that just feel a bit more shoe on the foot.

When it comes to grip, I ran in some wet conditions and I found the outsole updates work well to improve the traction. They struggled a bit with wet drain covers but most shoes do and cornering was nicely controlled.

One thing I’m not 100% convinced by are the new-style knitted tongues. They feel a little flimsy and unstructured – like they might not hold their shape. The Speed 3’s no nonsense lacing set up has been swapped for stitch-style lace tabs that also feel less robust.

My Verdict

Saucony has tweaked a winning shoe and largely delivered more of the same to create an excellent versatile shoe. A genuine do-it-all allrounder.

The Speed 4 offers a lively cushioned ride that feels light and full of energy without any harshness or fussy business. ⁣It’s a shoe that feels immediately natural on the foot.

It has all the reliable comfort of a Ride 17 but a propulsive ride that’s more like an Endorphin Pro.

This is a shoe you can rock back and cruise easily in, safe in the knowledge you're nicely protected but it’s also built to perform when you kick up through the gears. ⁣That’s where the midsole, rocker and that nylon plate kick in for an energetic and fun ride.

If someone told me I was only allowed to buy one shoe, to do all of my training and racing for a marathon, this would be high on the shortlist.

The big question - if I was running across Europe again would I choose the Speed 4 over the Speed 3? You’ll have to read my Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 vs Speed 3 review for the answer to that.