Saucony Endorphin Pro 5 Review

The Saucony Endorphin Pro 5 is a carbon-plated road racing shoe designed to deliver a stable ride. This makes it a more approachable race-day option for less elite runners, as the shoe helps guide the foot through the gait cycle rather than relying on the runner maintaining perfect posture and effectively loading the carbon plate.

Many carbon road racing shoes are designed for runners with near-perfect form. The supercritical foam in the midsole is soft and only performs optimally if the carbon plate is loaded correctly. When this happens, the plate absorbs impact and rebounds, effectively springing the runner forward and increasing time spent in the air with each stride, helping to cover ground more quickly. If the plate isn’t loaded properly, the shoe can collapse underfoot and offer limited propulsion.

The Saucony Endorphin Pro 5 uses a firmer supercritical foam and a stiffer plate. This helps carry the foot through the gait cycle to toe-off, where the plate recoils and propels the runner forward. The Endorphin Pro 5 works well for both heel strikers and midfoot strikers and does not fatigue as quickly as softer super shoes designed for elite competitors. This means that runners taking longer to complete an event can still benefit from the shoe’s propulsion.

BROWSE SAUCONY ENDORPHIN PRO 5

Because of its stability and resilience, the Endorphin Pro 5 can also be used for faster training sessions. One advantage is that it helps reinforce an efficient running posture while allowing you to run quicker during workouts. There is also less strain on the body, as the foam absorbs more shock and the rocker geometry and carbon plate assist the foot. This can help you complete longer sessions or recover more effectively.

However, this comes with a trade-off. The feet and lower legs do less work, meaning they are less activated and may not develop as much strength. This can be balanced by using more flexible shoes in other sessions or by spending time in minimal footwear with a low drop and rounded toe box to allow the feet to function more naturally.

As expected for a race-day shoe, the upper has been stripped back to reduce weight and maximise breathability. The heel cup has some structure but remains light and pliable, without a rigid internal counter. The padding comes from the lining material, which is soft and comfortable. The tongue is integrated into the upper, creating a sock-like construction. It is easy to put on and does not feel restrictive. Once laced, the upper wraps securely around the foot, providing a locked-in feel. An additional lace eyelet allows for a more secure heel lock if needed. While Saucony shoes are typically narrow-fitting, the thin upper gives a slightly roomier feel in the forefoot. The straight big-toe line also supports a strong push-off.

When running in the Endorphin Pro 5, I found the upper held my foot securely on flat, smooth surfaces. On rougher pavements or when stepping on and off kerbs, my narrow feet moved slightly, although this was only noticeable rather than problematic. Northern Runner’s shop manager, Craig, who has a higher-volume foot, did not experience this issue.

The insole is glued to the midsole, preventing movement but potentially limiting options for those wanting to use custom insoles or orthotics.

The midsole features Saucony’s Speedroll Technology, which uses a curved rocker geometry to keep the foot moving forward. This helps maintain a higher cadence and promotes a more upright posture, making the runner feel lighter on their feet. This effect is particularly noticeable at toe-off, where the shoe provides a subtle forward push. Despite this, the shoe does not feel unstable when standing.

The midsole construction consists of a PWRRUN PB base layer, a newly designed slotted carbon plate, and a top layer of PWRRUN HG foam. The PB foam provides a firmer, stable platform, while the HG foam is softer, offering cushioning closer to the foot. The stack height is 39.5 mm in the heel and 31.5 mm in the forefoot. The 8 mm drop does not feel excessive, partly due to the rocker shape, which reduces awareness of the heel height and encourages a more midfoot landing.

The overall ride remains firm and stable, similar to the previous version, as the midsole foams are unchanged. The main update is the slotted carbon plate, which introduces a slight flex and a more pronounced curve. These changes contribute to the noticeable forward push at toe-off.

With such a high stack and stiff construction, there is limited ground feel, so outsole grip is essential. The Endorphin Pro 5 uses Saucony’s PWRTRAC outsole, a sticky rubber that performs well in both wet and dry conditions. The textured pattern, with ridges and dimples, enhances traction on less-than-perfect surfaces such as typical UK roads and pavements.

In terms of sizing, Saucony shoes are similar in length to Brooks, 361, Topo, and Altra. If you typically wear Hoka, New Balance, Karhu, Inov-8, or La Sportiva, it may be worth trying half a UK size smaller for a comparable fit. For example, a UK 11 in Saucony is similar in length to a UK 11.5 in Hoka.

A women’s UK 5 weighs approximately 178 g, while a men’s UK 8 weighs around 206 g.

I found the stable ride of the Endorphin Pro 5 made it comfortable for the entirety of faster sessions, including warm-ups and cool-downs. At slower paces, the shoe did not push me to run faster, and I felt fully in control. The assistance only became noticeable when increasing pace. Even after longer threshold or tempo sessions of around 90 minutes, the shoe remained stable, cushioned, and responsive. Many softer carbon-plated shoes tend to lose structure over time, becoming less stable, so it was reassuring that the Endorphin Pro 5 maintained its performance throughout longer runs.

In summary, the Saucony Endorphin Pro 5 is a carbon-plated race-day shoe that offers a more stable ride than many softer super shoes. This makes it a strong option for less elite runners seeking added propulsion without sacrificing control. It is also durable and comfortable enough to be used for faster training sessions.

Alternatives to Saucony Endorphin Pro 5

Hoka Rocket X 3: The Rocket X 3 is at the top of the list because it is a very similar type of carbon plated road racing shoe. The midsole is firm and responsive, and the rocker carries you through to toe off. It works for heel strikers as well as midfoot strikers. The fit is a touch narrower. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/hoka-rocket-x-3-review/

New Balance Fuel Cell Elite v5: A very soft ride in comparison but, still works for most runners. The bouncy midsole takes away the connection with the floor which might feel a bit strange if you haven’t used shoes like this before. Available in two width Men’s and Women’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/new-balance-fuelcell-supercomp-elite-v5-review/

Hoka Cielo X1 3.0: An Elite level carbon plated racer. More stable than the previous version but, better for midfoot strikers than heel strikers. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/hoka-cielo-x1-3-0-review/

Mount to Coast R1: The M2C R1 doesn’t have a plate and isn’t really a go faster Super Shoe but, it is a very nice shoe with a firm responsive and durable midsole that I found it easy to run fast in. The cushioning saved my legs and remained just as cushioned at the end of a long run or session. If you’re not running five minute miles in your races then these might serve you better than a carbon plated shoe and still allow you to break a few PB’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/mount-to-coast-r1-review/

Brooks Hyperion Elite v5: A soft and bouncy midsole but, also easy to run in. So, not just for the Elite. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/brooks-hyperion-elite-5-review/

Topo Specter 2: A broad rounded toe box gives the toes more room to spread and function inside the shoes. There is no carbon plate but, the Peba foam and rocker make this a fast shoe. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/topo-athletic-specter-2-review/

Altra Vanish Carbon 2: A broad rounded toe box gives the feet more room to spread and function. The carbon plate has more flex than other to allow more foot function. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/altra-vanish-carbon-2-review/