We put in the mileage running in the Endorphin Speed 6 after Saucony announced its release exactly a month ago. It’s a companion shoe to Saucony’s marathon racers, the Endorphin Pro 5 and Endorphin Elite 3. The Speed 6 is a top choice as a go-to trainer for logging all those long runs before race day.
An improved beaded midsole foam and more tilted positioning of the rocker make this Endorphin Speed the snappiest one yet. It’s also an excellent alternative for runners who want a less aggressive plated racing shoe; the newly designed nylon plate is more compliant than rigid carbon fiber. A minor caveat was that some of our testers experienced hot spots on their long runs due to the upper material.
We let you know if it’s worth the risk. With the Endorphin Speed 6, Saucony introduces Pwrrun PBX, a beaded PEBA foam that’s lighter and softer than Pwrrun PB, the foam used in previous iterations of the Speed. I felt the difference on my first run; the shoe’s cushioning doesn’t feel as dense and firm underfoot.
It also feels more responsive. I stepped on the gas during a looped long run in an industrial complex with hills. Despite some lethargy on my part (take it from me: get those Z’s), the shoes helped me sail through the hard stretches that came later in my run.
Saucony also added 2 mm of height to increase the angle of the rocker. The nylon piece sandwiched in the shoe has ribbing and slots so it isn’t as stiff as carbon fiber. The combination of more angled rocker and more flexible nylon plate results in a snappier, more propulsive ride than you’d find in previous iterations of the shoe.
For Senior Health and Fitness Editor Kristen Wagner, who had never run in a plated shoe, the Endorphin Speed 6’s more malleable nylon plate allayed her worries of too volatile a ride. I felt like I was really able to take off in them and maintain a speed I was comfortable at.” The Endorphin Speed is one of Runner-in-Chief Jeff Dengate’s favorite shoes for its solid, speedy performance and value (the shoe is $180, which is much cheaper than the $240 Pro 5 and $290 Elite 3). He compared the Endorphin Speed 6 to earlier versions of the shoe and found he gravitated toward choosing to run faster workouts while testing it.
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