Saucony has been on a real heater this year, if we do say so ourselves. We’ve continued to cycle through a lot of Saucony shoes, and we keep coming back to them when it’s time to put in the miles.
Click here for all our Saucony reviews!
Looking back through our archives, we’ve found plenty of Saucony reviews over the years, but we were surprised to realize that our last experience with the Endorphin Speed series was way back in 2022 with the Endorphin Speed 2. We’ve logged miles in more recent versions of the Endorphin Elite and Endorphin Pro, but getting back into the Endorphin Speed is basically like starting over at ground zero.
So let’s talk about the Endorphin Speed 6.
Construction and Fit
Personally, if I were talking to my neighbor about Saucony — which is actually the tone we try to capture at Run Oregon — I’d probably describe the Endorphin lineup like this:
- Elite = maximum-bounce race-day shoe with a carbon plate
- Pro = more stable race-day shoe with a carbon plate
- Speed = daily trainer with a nylon plate
The Endorphin Speed is a lightweight shoe that can handle tempo runs and pace pushes, but it doesn’t feel out of place on shorter distances or at more measured paces. I really enjoy the Saucony Endorphin Elite 3, even as someone who doesn’t traditionally gravitate toward super-bouncy shoes. I find it works especially well when I’m pushing the pace over half-marathon-plus distances, but it feels a little out of place when I’m just knocking out more measured daily-training miles.
That’s where the Speed line-up lands – one for the dailymiles. The stack height increases by 2mm from the previous version, while the midsole construction has been tweaked slightly to balance weight and cushioning. Saucony has also made some changes to the nylon plate.
Looks
The Endorphin Speed 6 looks like a running shoe. There’s really not a ton to talk about here — it’s approachable, familiar, and has a moderate amount of flair, which is totally cool. There’s nothing groundbreaking going on with the design, but the lines flow nicely and, if I do say so myself, it’s a pretty good-looking shoe.
Specs
- Weight: 8.1 oz (Men’s 9); 7.1 oz (Women’s 7.5);
- Stack Height: 38mm heel / 30mm forefoot
- Drop: 8mm
Upper
The upper is made from a breathable lightweight mesh that has apparently been reworked a bit from previous versions (though we can’t comment on that). There’s ample padding on the heel and around the entry, making it a very nice step in and feel right from the jump.
That, coupled with the lacing system and a wider base, provides a solid lockdown and hold
Midsole
The Endorphin Speed 6 uses a semi-rigid nylon plate sandwiched between layers of PWRRUN PB foam. Saucony has reportedly tweaked the midsole construction to add a little more cushioning while trimming some weight, while the nylon plate gets a new design intended to create a snappier roll-through during faster efforts.
Nylon plates, at least to me, tend to feel a little less aggressive than their carbon counterparts, and I think that’s a good thing in a shoe like the Speed. I like the propulsion a plate provides when I’m going after sustained speed and putting in the miles, but I don’t necessarily want that same aggressive feeling when I’m just running at a more measured pace.
That’s why a nylon plate, which can add some rigidity and propulsion when you want to pick up the pace, but is a little more forgiving and less demanding than a carbon plate, can work. The result is a shoe that can move when you ask it to without constantly feeling like it’s trying to push you into race mode.
Personally, I found this a great everyday ride with a bit more propulsion and speed due to that plate. It really is sort of a do-it-all type of shoe.
Outsole
The outsole is pretty standard – good coverage on the forefoot and some strategic placing on the heel with a surprisingly amount of exposed midsole – allowing it to stay a little lighter. Grip has not been an issue thus far.
Conclusion
The Endorphin Speed 6 is a really easy shoe to like. It has enough cushioning for everyday miles, enough stability to feel comfortable, and just enough plate-assisted pop to make faster running more fun. It’s a daily trainer that can handle pretty much whatever I throw at it.