The Endorphin Pro is a shoe that I grab for at least once or twice a week. But when I opened the box for the new Endorphin Pro 5, I’ll admit, I panicked for a second. Did Saucony go and totally change a shoe that many of us runners already love?
The updated style of the Saucony Endorphin Pro 5 is definitely giving off some Nike vibes. And we totally get that rush of emotions when a new shoe model drops.
Will it feel the same? Will you love it even more? Or will you be shaking your fist at the sky and immediately adding the older model to your cart before it disappears?
The good news here is that the updates to the Pro 5 are positive ones. (and big exhale). Yes, the shoe feels a little different, but in a way that seems intentional, it’s built to make those faster paces feel even smoother and easier to hit.
Endorphin Pro 5 Specifications
We’ve already started testing this shoe, but are holding our FULL review until it is ready for purchase.
- Heel Drop: 8 mm
- Stack: 39.5 mm
- Weight: 7.3 oz men’s, 6.3 oz women’s
- Not available in wide
- $225
- Available February 2026
You can still check out the Endorphin Pro 4 and snag a few of the fun colorways before the next model comes out in early winter.
What’s New and Different in the Endorphin Pro 5
The first word that comes to mind when looking at the Endorphin Pro 5 is speed.
All the changes to this shoe were designed with one goal in mind: to help you run fast and maybe even snag that next personal best.
It’s still incredibly lightweight, but now it packs an upgraded carbon plate for a more powerful ride.
One of the biggest things I noticed on my first run was the enhanced SpeedRoll. To really compare, I even put the Pro 4 on one foot and the Pro 5 on the other.
The Pro 4 has the SpeedRoll, but it feels flatter and more consistent from heel to toe. The Pro 5, on the other hand, feels noticeably springier and more supportive of my natural stride (that dancer’s stride, aka a big-toe-off stride).
I didn’t feel like I had to fight for that faster pace; the shoe just wanted to roll forward. 
The update that may take a little getting used to is the upper. If I’m being honest, I have mixed feelings so far.
I do like that the sock-like liner is now attached under the reinforced lacing holes, which keeps it from bunching up the way it sometimes did in the Pro 4.
And while the shoe is barely noticeable lighter, the upper mesh itself feels thicker. One bonus is you can’t see your socks through the mesh anymore. Does that mean they won’t be great in colder temperatures?
But the part I’m still unsure about is the tongue. It sits higher now and rests directly against your skin. With the Pro 4, you could fold the tongue back so it laid on the laces and never caused irritation. That’s not really an option here.
The jury is still out on this one, and we’ll have more to say about it once we put together a full review after some more miles. 
The Pro 5’s outsole also underwent a minor makeover. To improve grip and reduce surface abrasion, Saucony added a PWRTRAC rubber outsole. I’m curious to see how it holds up during my winter workouts, especially on those slick, potentially snowy surfaces.
The other big update is the slotted carbon plate design. I tried twisting and bending the shoe just to compare, and it didn’t budge. Not even a little.
These upgraded plates feel noticeably stiffer and more bouncy than the ones in the Pro 4.
Who is This For?
I think that these updates will keep the Endorphin Pro on our best carbon plate running shoes list.
- Wide Feet: It runs a little narrow, and the updated upper isn’t as stretchy.
- Heavier Runners: It’s still a great option, especially with the updated, even more durable outsole.
- Long Runs: Perfect for when you have speed rolled into those longer miles.
- Front of the Pack: Absolutely grab this for races from the 5k to the marathon.
Should you Buy the Endorphin Pro 4 or Wait for Pro 5?
We’ve always said the Endorphin Pro 4 was the everyday runner’s carbon-plated shoe. As I said earlier, it’s one I reach for multiple times a week without thinking twice.
After a few runs in the Pro 5, I do think it still has potential to fit that category, but the new carbon plate definitely changes the way it feels underfoot.
Don’t judge me, but I own a few pairs of the Pro 4, and I’ll probably scoop up one more when it goes on sale just to have it in rotation. It’s truly a great shoe that never made my plantar fasciitis flare up.
Plus, for a carbon-plated shoe, it’s super durable on the road, for treadmill miles, and even on crushed gravel. 
I need a few more runs to give you my honest answer on which is better. But don’t worry, I’ll break it all down in a full review early next year once I put the Pro 5 to the real test.
All right, that’s our preview of the Saucony Endorphin Pro 5. You’ll have to wait until early 2025 to get the full rundown.
What to read next?
- Best Marathon Shoes for Beginners Who Just Want to Finish Strong
- Best Running Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
- 10 Best Shoes for Heavier Runners (Put Through Real World Testing)
Best Non-Plated Race Day Shoes | Proof You Don’t Need Carbon to Run Fast
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