Trail runner and ATRA team member Sarah Barber reviews Saucony Endorphin Speed 5. Product was provided for the test and review at no charge.
If there’s one thing many trail runners neglect, it’s speed. However, the days when staying power alone could win off-road races are over. Records are falling every few weeks, and things like technological advancements and improved nutrition and hydration strategies cannot take all the credit.
The very same athletes who are at the pointy end of ultras are also using intervals on flat pavement and track workouts to hone their hustle. And guess what: they’re not wearing the same shoes for speed sessions that they wear when they’re on dirt. Whether you enjoy trotting on trails purely for recreation or chewing through rocky climbs while dreaming of podiums, putting some zip in your step once or twice a week will pay off in the long run—literally.
Enter Saucony for the oval office
Saucony has been one of the world’s leading running shoe and apparel brands for over 100 years, so it’s no surprise that their legacy of performance continues to revolutionize the sport. The fifth iteration of their Endorphin Speed line is about to drop, and you don’t want to miss it. The Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 will steal your stride, make it longer and quicker, and give it back to you having shaved precious seconds off your pace per mile. I’m not joking. I knew from the moment I jogged out the front door that I was going to have a good session at the oval office, and my intuition was spot on.
Track workouts might leave me soaking in dopamine for hours afterward, but they rarely elicit bliss when I’m pushing VO2 max efforts. However, running in the Endorphin Speed 5 was like being in an alternate universe—one where seeing the split on my watch was a pleasant surprise, causing me to recalibrate my perceived level of exertion. Have you ever found yourself smiling while gasping for air? Now I can honestly say that I have. Amazing.
Firm propulsion on the toe-off
I’m no stranger to racing in super shoes and working out in super trainers. The Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 qualifies as the latter because instead of having a carbon plate, it has a full-length nylon plate, but I’d have no qualms about squaring up on a start line with these bad boys on. The PEBA foam in combination with the rocker shape offers firm propulsion on the toe-off that’s guaranteed for speed. This is a shoe that will hold its own in competition and outlast a true super shoe designed specifically for race day. It’s also more budget-friendly than anything containing carbon, so the win exists on several levels.
Functionality props for Saucony
Normally when I’m testing out a new pair of kicks, I scrutinize them heavily prior to lacing up, but this time I waited until after my first run to evaluate features other than raw performance. In fairness, I was already smitten (and did I mention the dopamine haze?) when I compared their heft to another brand of super trainers in my quiver. The Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 was palpably lighter even without verification from the scale. With an upper that is one step away from mesh, it’s clear that Saucony has ensured that every gram of weight is dedicated to functionality. Even under intense efforts and warm conditions, the upper remains breathable, allowing airflow to keep your feet cool and comfortable. The snug fit molds the shoe to your foot, creating a seamless connection between you and the running surface (which, just to be clear, should not be a trail if you’re wearing the Endorphin Speed 5!).
Saucony Enorphin Speed5.
Redefine your training regimen
Bottom line: if you’re reading this review on this website, you probably choose trails over pavement or track most days. But if you’re reading this review, you’ve also opened your mind to the possibility of redefining your training regimen to include some turnover and swiftness that simply isn’t doable on dirt. I’m here to encourage you to take that next step and make sure you have the right tool in your toolbox to level-up your performance. The Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 is poised to elevate your experience and take you to that alternate universe where effort and joy cleanly converge into the fast flow state that we mostly only dream about.
Editor’s Note: Read more articles and reviews from ATRA gear wrangler Sarah Barber here.
