Saucony Endorphin Speed 6: Speed Meets Everyday Versatility

ON THE RUN

Amanda: The Endorphin speed 6 almost made me go too fast. My first run in them I decided to do a workout because I felt THAT good. The faster I started to go I really felt that plate in there. I ran Track and XC in college. I never invested in a speed shoe for workouts because I thought it was going to be a waste of money. Since this shoe can be used for those faster days and also those daily miles I feel like my investment is worth it. I really enjoyed the spring off of the toe of the shoe. The spring really made the load on my legs easier and made me that much more confident in my stride.

Joe: The Saucony Endorphin Speed & I have had a rollercoaster-esque history. I absolutely loved the first and second versions. Maybe it was the allure of an affordable Super Shoe, maybe it was the bright & flashy colors, but when I laced up in my Endorphin Speeds, I felt fast; I felt confident. Then the Endorphin Speed 3 came along, and while I didn’t own a pair, I tried it on enough times to wonder if Saucony had broken something really, really good. But when the Endorphin Speed 4 launched, it won me back over, only to leave me feeling pretty, “meh” with the Endorphin Speed 5. I know many who loved the 5, but after a couple of weeks, mine just felt dead & flat.

So when I saw a pair of Endorphin Speed 6s in my box for review, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Were they going to be a return to glory, or was it going to feel like waiting in line for the Top Thrill Dragster, only to have it break down yet again before stepping into the car. Additionally, I was in the second half of a marathon training block, and I wanted to feel confident & comfortable in every shoe I was lacing up in.

Well, my fears were quickly abated after I slipped them on for my first run, and the Endorphin Speed 6 fairly instantly made its way to the top of my rotation as a workout shoe for the rest of the block – not just because I was reviewing it, but because it continued (and still continues!) to perform step after step, mile after mile. The ride is smooth & consistent, and when you’re ready to pick up the pace for that next interval rep, the Endorphin Speed 6 is ready to roll!

THE FIT 

Amanda: I was running in it, but it was a half size too big. Despite that, I was not plagued by blisters or discomfort. There is not a lot of extra material in the upper and the lightweight, breathable material attribute to that. The heel is locked, the midfoot felt secure, and the toes have ample room. The upper is like someone that knows when to stop talking. It is there without a constant uncomfortable reminder

Joe: The fit has been great so far. I didn’t quite like the way the Endorphin Speed 5 fit my foot – I could never get a good lock down in my lacing, but I haven’t had any of those issues in the Endorphin Speed 6. The upper is constructed with a lightweight, breathable mesh that locks the foot down the moment you shift gears – there’s no sloshing and no sliding, even when you're winding up for a faster effort. The SRS Sockliner completes the step in feel, providing premium comfort that’s ready to tackle whatever your run will bring. Underfoot, the platform widens through the midfoot and heel, giving the shoe a steadier, more secure feel than its speedy looks might suggest.

THE FEEL

Amanda: The cushion is bouncy, which is not to be confused with squishy. The foam really bounces you forward with each step. You don’t feel like you're stepping in quicksand, but rather oobleck. And the harder you step the more you bounce. The nylon plate allows there to be this snap that you don't get in a normal cushioned trainer. It is more flexible than a carbon plate allowing it to be used for daily runs without detriment to the runner. With this shoe you can really have your cake and eat it too. It is light enough to feel speedy, but it is also cushioned enough to protect your legs in longer reps and higher mileage.

Joe: In the Endorphin Speed 6, Saucony introduces a new midsole foam: PWRRUN PBX. PWRRUN PBX replaces the PWRRUN PB midsole, coming in at an increase of 2mm in stack height (up to 38/30mm from 36/28mm) with a decrease in weight (8.2oz compared to 8.4oz in the Speed 5). What’s this mean for you? The increased cushioning and decreased weight, paired with a redesigned nylon plate, provides you an Endorphin Speed with its strongest propulsion and smoothest transitions to date.

Let’s talk about that nylon plate for a second. A nylon plate flexes in a way that a carbon plate cannot, so instead of an all-or-nothing response, you get a snappy toe-off that cooperates with you whether you’re racing, in the middle of an interval, or taking an enjoyable trip around the neighborhood. Additionally, the plate is winged in the toebox, offering you a sure-footed and lively toe-off every step of the run.

THE NITTY GRITTY

Amanda: I enjoyed using them for my structured long runs as well as my tempo/threshold work. They really hit their stride during my structured long run. It worked for my 20 minute normal long run pace, 40 minute marathon pace, and then 20 minute cooldown. It was able to make me feel fast during my rep, but also comfortable in my slower paces. Although it can be used for recovery runs, I prefer not to. I just think that it is wasting the potential of the shoe. This shoe wants to sprint and take you with it. Saucony did a great job of taking what the running community liked about the Speed 5, and enhancing it. The added cushion allows for the shoe to be more comfortable for those long runs. All the while the updated plate keeps the peppy feeling of the Speed 5 we all know and love.

Joe: The Endorphin Speed 6 is for the runner who wants one pair that can cover tempo work, intervals, and everyday miles without needing a rotation of three different shoes to do it. If a full carbon racer has ever felt like too much gun for daily training, this is the middle ground you've been looking for: plate-driven propulsion you can actually log volume in, not just save for race day.

Where the Endorphin Speed 5 left me wanting more – it never quite felt ready to run fast when I wanted to, the Endorphin Speed 6 shows up with intent. Two workouts stood out in particular to me in the shoe.

The first was a 10K cutdown, and actually my second 10K of the day (Thanks to an extreme heat warning in Michigan the day before). The aim of the run was to steady and work down from 10K pace to 5K pace over the final 5K. Tired legs and all, I hit my splits right on target, sometimes a touch faster. The real win, though, was the next day: my legs felt fresh, and there was no lasting achiness from my first double in a handful of years.

 The second was a half marathon tempo effort, my last tune-up before the marathon itself: 2x3K with a 2K jog between reps, after a 1K warm-up. I settled into my half marathon pace for the first rep and had to actively rein myself in on the second rep as I kept drifting under goal pace. Looking over my splits after the workout, I hit exactly what I needed to hit, and just like the day I doubled up, my legs were fresh the next day.

If you’re looking to try on the Endorphin Speed 6, but don’t currently run in Sauconys, some similar comps across brands are the: Brooks Hyperion Max 4, New Balance SuperComp Rebel, Nike Zoom Fly 6, & Asics Sonicblast 2.

THE RUNDOWN

Amanda: I enjoy the upgrades. I believe that it adds more versatility to the shoe. Every time I wear it my run is in danger of morphing into a workout. Its not obnoxiously fast and it is not belligerently cushioned. It is the perfect balance. I was genuinely sad every time my workout ended, I wanted to keep running fast. The fast felt good rather than surviving. 

Joe: In the words of the familiar McDonald’s slogan – I’m lovin’ it! I haven’t had a bad run in it yet, and it still feels as fresh as day 1! Saucony, in describing the Endorphin Speed 6, says that it’s a shoe where, “every run feels like momentum in motion,” and honestly, I’ve found that to be the case for the past couple of months.

As I continue to run in the Endorphin Speed 6, I’m excited to see where they can take me – I’ve yet to eclipse 8.5mi in a single effort, and I want to see how far I can go. I’ve also yet to race in them, so I want to get a fall race lined up to see exactly how they fare against some of my carbon-plated shoes. If you’re looking for a budget friendly Super Shoe that’ll handle just about any kind of run you want to throw it’s way, I highly recommend the Endorphin Speed 6, so you, too, can experience the beauty of momentum in motion.