Cody and Eric put Saucony’s plated trainer through 82 combined miles.
Back to ShoesThe Saucony Endorphin Speed has been a fan favorite for years, so naturally we had to see what the 9 to 5 Runners crew thought about version 6.
With updated foam, an additional 2 mm of stack, and that familiar nylon plate, the Speed 6 is still trying to be the do-it-all trainer we’ve come to expect. We put plenty of miles into this one across different runners, workouts, and paces to see if the Speed 6 still deserves all the hype—or if it’s finally starting to show its age.
A sign of a good shoe is when I keep reaching for it, and that’s exactly what happened with the Speed 6. I’ve used it for daily miles, workouts, and 15- and 17-mile long runs during my marathon block. Every time, the ride has just felt smooth.
The updated foam and extra stack are definitely noticeable. It’s responsive, comfortable, and once I get into a rhythm, picking up the pace feels almost effortless. Almost… I still have to do some work here.
The lockdown is also on point. My normal 9.5 fit perfectly. I laced it up, forgot about the shoe, and just ran. That’s about the best compliment I can give an upper.
And versatility might be its biggest strength. Daily miles, long runs, speed work, even recovery runs—the Speed 6 can pretty much do it all.
The Geometry/Stack - Saucony added 2mm in the midsole and also updated the PwrrunPB for PwrrunPBX. Its still a peba based foam, however this is a much for supportive and cushioned ride compared to last year. The geometry has a nice balance between aggressive yet stable which allows you to take this shoe fast or easy depending on what the schedule dictates
The Price - EXCELLENT price point which really doesn’t exist much anymore. Almost anything that is geared towards speed of any kind seems to be $190+ so it’s good to see something from a US brand at $175.
The Upper - Overall I think this is a great upper balancing comfort and breathability. Performance based but not so minimal that you sacrifice the comfort elements.
The Endorphin Speed 6 is a really nice update, especially compared to the Speed 5. The new PWRRUN PBX foam is noticeably softer and bouncier than regular PWRRUN PB, and the added 2mm of stack gives the shoe a little more cushioning. At slower paces and when landing farther back, it feels softer and more forgiving, while picking up the pace makes the foam feel firmer and snappier.
The geometry is another big improvement. The rocker feels more aggressive and the transition is smoother, giving the shoe a snappier toe-off than the previous version. While it's designed primarily for speed work, I actually enjoyed it at moderate paces as well, which gives it more versatility than I expected.
The upper is comfortable and secure, with a breathable engineered mesh, lightly padded gusseted tongue, and a heel design that keeps you locked in. The fit has decent volume through the midfoot and forefoot, although the pointed toe box makes it feel a little short.
I have a love/hate relationship with the Saucony Endorphin Speed. The OG model was my ultimate shoe. It blew me away from the first mile all the way to my very last mile in the shoe. Since that first version, I've grown less excited about the Speed. Perhaps that's because when it first came out, there was nothing quite like it. Now, in 2026, there are plenty of shoes offering the "super trainer" concept, and some of them do it better than the Speed.
However, that changes with the Speed 6. The mesh upper is comfortable and breathable. I had some issues with the fit that we'll get into, but once I got the sizing sorted out, I really enjoyed the fit. It's minimal but provides enough structure to keep the shoe versatile and practical across different paces.
In the midsole, Saucony has switched from PWRRUN PB to PWRRUN PBX, and I'm into it. It's not too soft, but it has enough give to be comfortable on a long run while providing enough energy return to get you through tempo workouts. The Speed 6 made me run faster than I planned on easy days, and I'll never complain about that. During tempo work, the shoe felt decently propulsive and didn't get in the way of my turnover. I also appreciated the stability. I think the Speed 6 is the type of shoe that could be the only one in your rotation. I was genuinely excited whenever I had to put miles in it.
For as versatile as it is, this isn’t the fastest shoe on the market. During 800-meter repeats, I found myself wishing it had a little more aggression. I got the workout done, but your boy was WORKING.
And the looks? It’s fine. It’s not ugly, but it’s definitely a little boring. The ride says sports car. The upper says, “I have a 401(k).”
The Midsole - Ok so hear me out, I understand I have midsole in the good and that was intentional. At the same time…I still expected more? I think that while the foam is capable it’s not quite as “fun” as some of the other options on the market these days. It’s not that it’s PEBA either because there are plenty of brands out there that are doing really good things with PEBA. The midsole is capable but I was hoping for a little more “wow” factor just overall bounce. The shoe doesn’t make fast feel as effortless as I was hoping.
The fit - I feel like the sizing of the Endorphin Speed line has always been weird. That’s not different with this one. My regular 10.5 feels a little bit short with how the toe box tapers.
My biggest complaint is that the Endorphin Speed 6 is starting to feel a little dated compared to some of the newer competition. The PWRRUN PBX foam is an improvement, but I still wish Saucony had gone a step further and incorporated something like IncrediRun into the forefoot to give it more bounce and energy.
I also don't think there's quite enough forefoot cushioning for long runs. The heel is comfortable and well protected, but when you're spending a lot of time on your forefoot, I found myself wanting a little more underfoot protection.
The outsole has also lost some rubber in the heel, particularly on the medial side, and there are more flex grooves throughout the forefoot and midfoot. Durability has been good so far, but if you run on gravel, those larger grooves are excellent at collecting pebbles.
I haven't heard of anyone else having this issue, but my usual women's 10.5 was too short for me. My toes were right up against the front of the shoe. I switched to a size 11, and they fit great.
I think Eric and Cody nailed their take on the midsole. There are more exciting midsoles on the market that can get the job done with a more "effortless" feel. I wish I got a little more from the nylon plate, but I feel like it gets swallowed up by the midsole foam. Like I said above, I dig the foam. It makes me feel a little faster, but it's not a groundbreaking ride.
When I’m supposed to run 30 miles in a shoe and somehow end up over 50, that tells you everything.
The Speed 6 has become one of my go-to shoes during this marathon block. It’s smooth, comfortable, responsive, and ridiculously versatile. It might not be the absolute fastest option, but it’s really good at almost everything.
The shoe gets the job done and in my opinion is a big upgrade over last year. That being said is it worth paying $175 for these when you can maybe snag an EVO SL for $150, or a Dynasuper at $130, both of which (in my opinion) do what this shoe does but better? I think that as always it depends on what you’re looking for. I was hoping for a slightly bigger bounce or responsiveness from a line that has gone a little stagnant. Ultimately it wasn’t quite there for me yet.
The Endorphin Speed 6 is a strong update that fixes some of the issues I had with the Speed 5. The new PWRRUN PBX foam, additional stack, and improved rocker make it softer, smoother, and faster, while still maintaining the versatility that has made the Speed line so popular.
For me, it's probably my favorite Speed since the original. But while it's a very good speed trainer, I think the platform is starting to fall a little behind the competition. A more energetic forefoot foam like IncrediRun could give it the extra bounce and excitement it's missing.
If you're looking for a reliable speed shoe that can handle everything from moderate runs to harder workouts, the Speed 6 is a great option. But if you want something more versatile for everyday training and long runs, I'd personally look elsewhere.
I'm liking this shoe. It's smart. It's practical. Is it a banger? I'd say not really, but it does multiple things really well. I think it'll make sense for a lot of runners and could even be a marathon race-day option for some.
At $180, I think it’s absolutely worth it.
Plated trainers might not have the same hype they did a few years ago, but the Speed 6 shows why this category still deserves to exist. If you want one shoe that can handle almost everything on your training schedule, this is top-notch.
Just be careful—you might accidentally put 50 miles on it while you’re supposed to be reviewing other shoes.
Absolutely especially given what new models cost right now. $175 is an excellent price point and I do think this model is a step up compared to the 5 which to me lacked forefoot cushioning and had a weird arch due to the plate angle. This is going to be one of the better tempo options out there at this price point and it won’t surprise me if a lot of people reach for it.
Yes, if you want a dedicated speed shoe for workouts, tempo runs, and faster running, the improved rocker and PWRRUN PBX foam make this one of my favorite versions of the Endorphin Speed since the original.
However, I'd personally choose the Endorphin Azura as the more versatile option. The Azura can handle everyday miles and long runs better while still having a nice bounce when you pick up the pace.
Absolutely. It's totally worth the price. The cost of these super trainers keeps climbing toward the $200 range. At $180, this is a steal.
Interested in the Saucony Endorphin Speed 6? You can check it out at Running Warehouse.
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The Saucony Endorphin Speed 6 was provided for review. We were not paid for this review, and all opinions are our own.
