Saucony
Endorphin Speed 4 Running Shoe - Men's
$149.95
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The Grivet Take
The Endorphin Speed 4 is Saucony's nylon-plated tempo-and-race trainer, dialed more aggressive than the v3. Same PWRRUN PB PEBA foam and 36/28 stack with 8mm drop, plus a more aggressive forefoot rocker that snaps you forward through toe-off. Best for tempo runs, workouts, half-marathon and shorter racing, and any uptempo training where you want some plate assist without committing to a full race shoe. Skip it for easy daily miles or longer marathon-pace efforts; the v4 is less forgiving than the v3, and the foam and plate are tuned for pace, not cruise.
Fit & Feel snapshot
Fit
LengthHow the shoe fits compared with true-to-size expectations.
True to size
Toe box widthHow much side-to-side room the shoe has across the front of the foot.3 of 5
NarrowWide
Toe box volumeHow much vertical room the shoe has above the toes.3 of 5
LowHigh
MidfootHow snug or roomy the shoe feels through the arch and laces.3 of 5
SnugRoomy
Heel holdHow securely the back of the shoe holds the heel.3 of 5
LooseLocked
Ride
CushionHow much material sits underfoot. This is about amount of cushioning, not how soft it feels.3 of 5
MinimalMaximal
SoftnessHow soft or firm the cushioning feels underfoot.3 of 5
FirmPlush
RockerHow much the shoe's shape rolls you forward through the step.4 of 5
FlatAggressive
ResponsivenessHow much pop or energy return the shoe feels like it gives back.5 of 5
DeadBouncy
Support
Support TypeSupport Type describes how much built-in guidance the shoe has. Neutral shoes do not add support structure. Stability shoes use geometry, rails, firmer foam, or frame designs to create a more guided feel. Motion control shoes are the maximum-support category and are rare in modern running.
Neutral
Stability
Motion Control
No added support structure
PlatformPlatform describes the width and shape of the shoe's base underfoot. A wider platform can feel steadier even when the shoe is neutral. This is separate from Support Type.
Standard platform
How it fits
Fits true to size with a slightly snugger lockdown than the v3. Toe box runs slightly tapered with normal vertical room; best for runners with normal-width feet. Heel sits slightly narrow and may require lace tightening for full lockdown; a few runners report the heel collar feels scratchy without socks. Midfoot is secure. Available in Standard (D) only for men's; runners with wide feet should consider the Adidas Adizero Evo SL or Brooks Hyperion Max 3 instead.
How it feels
PWRRUN PB PEBA foam delivers a peppy, responsive ride with quick energy return; the v4 reads firmer than the v3 with less squish underfoot. The nylon winged plate is more aggressive in the v4, with mild forefoot flex through the wing geometry. Forefoot rocker is pronounced and snappy; the shoe rolls you forward at tempo pace without forcing the geometry at slow pace. Lattice-pattern rubber outsole grips well on pavement and tracks. Ground feel is connected but cushioned.
Quick specs
- Category
- Long run trainer
- Surface
- Pavement · Treadmill · Track
- Heel stackHow much shoe sits between your foot and the ground.
- 36.0 mm
- Forefoot stack
- 28.0 mm
- DropThe difference between heel height and forefoot height, measured in millimeters.
- 8.0 mm
- Weight (men's 9)
- 8.2 oz · 233 g
- CushionHow much material sits underfoot. This is about amount of cushioning, not how soft it feels.
- 3 / 5
- Support TypeSupport Type describes how much built-in guidance the shoe has. Neutral shoes do not add support structure. Stability shoes use geometry, rails, firmer foam, or frame designs to create a more guided feel. Motion control shoes are the maximum-support category and are rare in modern running.
- Neutral
- PlatformPlatform describes the width and shape of the shoe's base underfoot. A wider platform can feel steadier even when the shoe is neutral. This is separate from Support Type.
- Standard platform
- Midsole
- PWRRUN PB (PEBA)
- Outsole
- lattice-pattern rubber
- PlateA stiff layer, usually carbon, nylon, or TPU, built into some shoes to add structure, snap, or propulsion.
- Nylon winged plate
- WidthsThe width options this shoe is made in. Actual availability depends on current inventory.
- D
Tech, translated
PWRRUN PB is Saucony's PEBA foam, the same blend used in the race-day Endorphin Pro line. In a daily-trainer formulation here in the Speed line, it's slightly denser and more durable while keeping the bounce.
Nylon winged plate is the structural element that gives the Speed line its character. Less aggressive than the carbon plate in the Pro 4, the nylon plate provides snap through toe-off without locking out forefoot flex. The wing geometry adds stability without adding weight.
SPEEDROLL technology is Saucony's term for the forefoot rocker geometry that, combined with the plate, rolls the foot through toe-off. The v4 makes this more aggressive than the v3.
Frequently asked
Does the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 run true to size?
Yes, the Endorphin Speed 4 fits true to size for most runners. The fit is slightly snugger than the v3, with a tapered toe box and a normal-width midfoot. Heel sits slightly narrow and may require lace tightening for full lockdown. Best for runners with normal-width feet; wide-footed runners should consider the Adidas Evo SL or Brooks Hyperion Max 3.
How does the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 compare to the Endorphin Pro 4?
Both share PWRRUN PB foam and the SPEEDROLL rocker geometry; the difference is the plate. The Endorphin Speed 4 uses a nylon winged plate that gives snap without locking out forefoot flex. The Endorphin Pro 4 uses a carbon plate for race-day propulsion. Choose the Speed 4 for tempo workouts, half-marathon racing, and versatile uptempo training. Choose the Pro 4 for dedicated marathon and shorter race-day use.
Is the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 firm or soft underfoot?
Balanced, with the plate and rocker doing more of the work than foam squish. PWRRUN PB foam is responsive and bouncy rather than soft; the v4 reads firmer than the v3. The nylon plate adds structure, and the forefoot rocker rolls the foot rather than relying on cushion give. Best at tempo and race pace; less forgiving for easy long miles than a softer daily trainer.
Is the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 good for treadmill running?
Yes for tempo and uptempo treadmill workouts. The lattice-pattern rubber outsole grips the belt well, the plate and rocker work nicely with steady-state pace, and the responsive PEBA foam keeps efforts feeling fresh. For longer easy treadmill miles, a softer daily trainer would be more forgiving; the Speed 4 is dialed for pace.
Compare it toSimilar shoes or common alternatives, with the key fit and ride differences called out.
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4
Choose the Endorphin Speed 4 for tempo workouts, half-marathon racing, and uptempo training with the nylon winged plate. Choose the Endorphin Pro 4 for dedicated race-day use with the carbon plate and the most race-leaning Saucony tuning.
Compare Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 →
Adidas Adizero Evo SL Woven
Choose the Endorphin Speed 4 for the snap of a nylon plate and Saucony fit. Choose the Evo SL for full-length Lightstrike Pro PEBA without a plate at a more accessible daily-tempo price.
Compare Adidas Adizero Evo SL Woven →
Hoka Mach 6
Choose the Endorphin Speed 4 for nylon-plate snap and aggressive forefoot rocker. Choose the Mach 6 for a plateless tempo trainer with Hoka's softer geometry and a friendlier price.
Compare Hoka Mach 6 →
Brooks Hyperion Max 3
Choose the Endorphin Speed 4 for plate-assisted tempo and shorter racing in the Saucony fit. Choose the Hyperion Max 3 for Brooks's DNA Flash v2 nitrogen foam with less aggressive rocker and a smoother daily-tempo feel.
Compare Brooks Hyperion Max 3 →