Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 vs 3 Running Shoe Review
The main difference between the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 and the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 is that the Endorphin Speed 4 is upgraded with a more breathable zonal engineered mesh upper, fresh take on the winged nylon plate and a re-imagined outsole.
Improved outsole coverage with a new lattice rubber configuration increases traction through the forefoot. The upper has been fine-tuned with a thinner tongue and more effective ventilation holes for tackling warm weather runs.
A thicker sockliner elevates comfort, complementing the resilient PWRRUN PB superfoam of the midsole. Paired with the SPEEDROLL technology that stays true to this energy-preserving ride, you can run faster more effortlessly.
As Sportitude running shoe expert Josh Willoughby explains in his shoe review, the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 is in its element when shifting the pace up a gear - boosting responsiveness to soar over the pavement during threshold and tempo runs.
Although some runners may try to push it into their high mileage training, true to its name, speed over distance is where the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 excels.
Runners loyal to the Saucony Endorphin Speed family will transition from the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 to the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 with ease. This new evolution remains consistent to the fit and the high-rebound feel of the previous model, while enjoying notable improvements in comfort and performance.
"There are so many people that get the benefits of this shoe because it is so versatile across all different categories of running... this shoe is absolutely fantastic - it's fun, it's light, it's responsive and it's honest." - Josh Willoughby
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Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 - Womens Running Shoes -
Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 - Womens Running Shoes
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Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 Boston Marathon - Mens Running Shoes
Check out the review with full transcript below.
Hello everyone, Josh here from Sportitude. It is shoe review time and in front of me I have the new Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 and to my right I have the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3.
In all my shoe reviews we go over the outsole, the midsole, the upper, talk about the changes and profile the person that should be considering the shoe.
I’ll give you my subjective opinion on how the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 has gone for me and share all the information that you need at home to maybe make this your next shoe purchase. Without further ado, let's get stuck in.
Who Is The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 For?
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 and the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 are extremely versatile shoes. Nothing has changed.
It is targeting that person that's looking for a running shoe they can pick the pace up in and do some interval running. It also doubles down as a running shoe that you can put on your foot and get out the door and go for a long run.
There is a few trade-offs when you take this running shoe over 60 minutes, but that's like any shoe - there's always an element of compromise.
The Saucony Endorphin Speed franchise, especially the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 and the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3, are very good shoes for those who want to use them for a race day option that may not be able to tolerate a carbon plate or may not have the budget to be spending over $300 Australian dollars on a racing shoe.
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 is a fantastic shoe, it's accessible under that $300 price point and has all the attributes that you're looking for in a performance shoe.
Outsole
Let's jump into the fun part of today's review. We're going to talk about all things outsole first. There's not a lot to talk about here. There is a little bit of increased outsole coverage in the new Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 versus the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3.
There is a slight change with reference to how much outsole is on offer through the forefoot. Looking at the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4, you can see that the entire forefoot is covered with this new lattice outsole construction.
Saucony have tried to improve the overall grip and the grab with the ground. By executing this criss-cross lattice construction through the forefoot, you certainly get plenty of grab on that bitumen surface which gives you confidence to pick the pace up and also on cornering as well. The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 has a great grab with the ground.
In comparison to last year, the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 was absolutely fine. I didn't have any issues and nor did a lot of our people who purchased this model.
The outsole was relatively covered. A couple of vertical decoupled lines up through the centre piece offered a little bit of weight reduction, but for the most part the grip on that running shoe was absolutely fine.
Addressing the back of the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3, there's the strategically placed rubber for those runners who come down heel first. Nothing has changed in the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4. For that first point of contact with the ground on that lateral side of the heel, you get good grab and purchase with the rubber outsole.
There’s a little bit of exposed PWRUN PB through the midfoot but for the most part the outsole is covered well in the forefoot.
There’s a cut-out at the rearfoot. I like these little features that reduce the weight without sacrifice to the performance and function of the shoe. The plated construction or the EVA board has been strategically injected into this midsole which you can see through the outsole.
Upper
Saucony have put a little bit more time and effort into executing a better upper in the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4.
Addressing a couple of key changes, we have more breathability through the tongue. By no means was the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 a shoe that didn't offer great breathability, it was a fantastic shoe in that department.
However, the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 has a thinner tongue and slightly more open, breathable holes through the forefoot so there is a lot more ventilation going through the foot.
It's very hot during the Australian summer and I have used the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 out on a relatively warm day at around 33°C. A couple of our other Sportitude team members have done warm weather sessions in this shoe, and it offered plenty of breathability which is absolutely on point.
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 running shoe is still gusseted like we had last year, but now it has the lacing eyelet around the top of your arch. Saucony have gone a little bit wider than what they did last year with the traditional eyelet set-up.
The little loopholes in the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 offer more conformity around the top of your arch, so you can really dial that fit in around your navicular to get more comfort. You can also go a little bit tighter, so if you happen to be a shallow or narrow foot type you can really dial the fit in up top which is great.
Another feature is that the heel counter is internal. It’s nice and solid, and offers the exact amount of support you want at the back of a running shoe like this considering it's a lightweight shoe and you're going to pick up the pace in it quite easily. You have enough security around the back of your heel to lock it in, so you don't get unnecessary movement through midstance which would impact your toe-off.
The heel counter at the back is very similar in height to the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3. There’s a subtle change with reference to the execution and the memory foam. It is almost identical with the amount of comfort you get in that first step in.
Midsole
With performance shoes or running shoes of this ilk, the midsole is the fun part. You can see with the naked eye there is significant change with the overall geometry. Saucony have addressed a couple of areas - not of concern, but of need of improvement in performance.
Regarding statistics, nothing has changed with reference to the stack height. The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 features 36mm in the heel and 28mm in the forefoot for that offset of 8mm. It was exactly the same in last year's Saucony Endorphin Speed 3.
There’s the same technology on play with PWRUN PB and that PEBA foam which is resilient and offers enough cushioning. It’s a very stable and honest foam that allows you to run with confidence when you pick the pace up, but also offers enough support and overall cushioning in the ride when you happen to float or slow the pace down. You get a really good experience inside the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4.
It’s something that has always been of note with this franchise ever since the first iteration that came to market as a very popular shoe. Through the last couple of years, Saucony have kept it very honest and consistent with the overall midsole performance because that would be the main reason someone is buying this shoe - to get the same output from their midsole.
If you've used the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 previously, you know what the midside has done for you. I guarantee you'll transition into the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 with no issues.
There’s a little bit of a change up with reference to the plated construction. It is still full-length, however Saucony have called it a winged construction. They have attempted to come nice and close or close enough to the foot with reference to the mid part of this midsole.
On the medial side the plate is called out with reference to how high or how close to the foot it gets, and it’s the same thing on the lateral side.
The winged construction offers more stability through midstance, but comes a fraction closer to the foot. It’s like having a convex set-up, with the angle of approach with the plate allowing for a slightly more responsive ride or transition through to your forefoot.
Saucony didn't need to do too much to make that significant improvement, just a subtle change. You'll notice the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 to be slightly snappier on toe-off than what you would have found in the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3.
The other cool improvement ties into the midsole quite well. It is a subtle change with the sockliner. I love a good sockliner - it helps the overall comfort from first step in. Sockliners can be underrated if not executed well.
If you take a well-executed sockliner and replace it with a very cheap sockliner in a shoe like the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4, I guarantee it will not give you the same comfort or performance benefits as it currently does with this great sockliner.
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 sockliner is thicker than normal and a little bit thicker than last year's model. It's going to improve cushioning, but it will allow you to sink into the midsole of this shoe and get that top layer of support from the sockliner. This allows for more comfort in in reference to your training and it's going to breathe quite well.
In regards to the overall experience with the sockliner, I can't speak highly enough of Saucony and their sockliners. They do a fantastic job across all of their top end shoes from your Saucony Triumph to your Saucony Kinvara Pro, Saucony Endorphin Pro and obviously the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 to name a couple.
Keep that in mind if you find when first stepping in the shoe that it’s a bit softer and maybe more comfortable than what it is in the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3. I would argue that there's a few variables that come into that consideration, but the sockliner is a significant change and a big improvement.
Josh’s Subjective Opinion Of The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4
Let's talk all things Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 and how this running shoe has gone for me personally. I've always liked the Saucony Endorphin Speed franchise. It's worked well, it's honest and I love fitting it downstairs here at Sportitude Running.
There are so many people that get the benefits of this shoe because it is so versatile across all different categories of running.
For me personally, I like it for when I get out the door, go for a 30 to 45 minute run, and pick the pace up to get to that threshold and hold. This shoe is absolutely fantastic - it's fun, it's light, it's responsive and it's honest which is a great thing for a shoe like this.
I wouldn't use it for any long days because I don't get enough support out of this running shoe. I would gravitate towards the Saucony Triumph franchise or even my On Cloudmonster. I love my On Cloudmonster, they're a fun shoe to run in, but I do have my mileage shoes covered.
You could certainly run some distance in the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 and it would be absolutely fine if you are not requiring too much overall stability and support in your shoes, and you’re biomechanically pretty sound. It'll be a fun shoe to do some long runs in, that's for sure.
When I picked the pace up in this running shoe, I found the roll through the forefoot to be slightly more effortless on release. Coming through your mid to toe-off region of the gait cycle, I really enjoyed this shoe.
It gives enough pop through the forefoot, it's nice and comfortable and it's easy to get your foot in and out of your gait cycle as quick and as easy as possible.
That's a lot to do with the weight of this shoe. The men’s size 9 is around 233 grams and the women’s size 7.5 is coming in at around 206 grams - almost identical to last season.
One thing I'd like to add into my subjective opinion is that it’s true to size. Last year’s size 9.5 is this year’s size 9.5.
When brands alter their sizing chart for whatever reason, we'd like to make you aware of that. If you’re a size 10, 10.5, 11 or whatever you were in last year's model, you will be the same in this year's Saucony Endorphin Speed 4.
Similar Running Shoes To The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4
To say that this running shoe was a pioneer back in the day is an understatement. When the Endorphin Speed franchise hit the market, we all didn't expect it to be what it is today. It's a very great shoe and versatile as I've touched on a few times.
To give you some context, if you're coming from let's say an Adidas Adizero Boston 12 (above) and you've enjoyed what that shoe has done for you and you want to try something different, then I'd certainly consider the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4.
Another shoe to throw in the conversation which we have been testing right now and we will be reviewing soon is the Asics Magic Speed 5.
The Asics Magic Speed franchise has had some hits and misses over the years and that's nothing new to you the running community, but the Asics Magic Speed 5 is absolutely on point and it will certainly come into very similar conversations to the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4.
The Wrap Up
Thanks for tuning in and if you have any questions, comments, queries or theories about the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 please contact our Sportitude shoe experts.
Please subscribe to the Sportitude YouTube channel if you haven't already done so to stay notified and we will keep knocking out these shoe reviews for you the fantastic running community all over the world.
If you've been lucky enough to run in the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4, please let us know. I'd love to hear your feedback. If you've come from a Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 to a Saucony Endorphin Speed 4, let us know how you've gone.
While we're talking Saucony Endorphin Speed, why don't you tell me which was your favourite, the Saucony Endorphin Speed 1, 2,3 or 4?
Until next time stay safe, be kind to one another, happy running and we will see you on the road. Take care.
FEATURES
- Support: Neutral
- Upper: Mesh
- Midsole: Saucony PWRRUN PB
- Heel Height: 36mm
- Forefoot Height: 28mm
- Offset / Drop: 8mm
Men
- Weight: 233g / 8.2oz (US 9)
- Width: D (standard)
Women
- Weight: 206g / 7.3oz (US 7.5)
- Width: B (standard)
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Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 - Womens Running Shoes
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Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 - Womens Running Shoes
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Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 - Womens Running Shoes
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Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 Boston Marathon - Mens Running Shoes
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Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 - Mens Running Shoes
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Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 London Marathon - Mens Running Shoes
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Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 - Mens Running Shoes
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