Saucony Endorphin Speed 6 | A Versatile, Lightweight Trainer for Faster Miles

The Saucony Endorphin Speed 6 felt incredibly light and comfortable, with just enough extra spring once I started picking up the pace.

My first run in the shoes was a 16-mile long run with 6 miles of faster running built into it, so I gave these a pretty good test right out of the box.

In the Endorphin Speed 6, Saucony added 2 mm more foam underfoot and redesigned the nylon plate to add stiffness and propulsion, all while making the shoe lighter than the previous version.

Despite the added foam, the shoe still felt incredibly light on my feet. It’s made for faster training, but it doesn’t have the aggressive feel of a carbon-plated racing shoe 

After testing it from easy long-run miles down to around 6:05/mile pace, what I liked most about the Speed 6 was its versatility.

The Speed 6 isn’t the most aggressive shoe I’ve worn, but that’s also not its goal. It’s light and responsive enough for a workout but comfortable enough that I had no problem wearing it for 16 miles right out of the box.

For me, this is the kind of shoe I could use for a long-run workout one week, a threshold run the next, and even race in if I wanted to.

You could absolutely wear the Speed 6 for an easy run, and the extra spring might feel really nice when your legs are tired. However, I’d stick with my regular trainers for most easy days and save these for long run workouts and threshold days.

Saucony Endorphin Speed 6 Overview

I took the Speed 6 for a 16-mile long run with 6 miles of faster running worked into it. The workout progressed from around 6:50/mile pace down to 6:05/mile pace, which ended up being a really good test for this shoe.

The extra cushioning was soft enough to keep my legs comfortable without making the shoe feel bulky.

Saucony also redesigned the geometry of the nylon plate for the Speed 6 to add more stiffness and propulsion.

Despite the 38 mm heel stack, it didn’t feel tall or unstable either. Honestly, it felt like a regular running shoe that happened to be really light and have a little extra spring.

The Speed 6 isn’t just great for training. I would race in it, too. For a 5K or 10K, I’d personally choose something more aggressive, like the Nike Vaporfly. For a marathon, I’m still going to reach for the Saucony Endorphin Pro. But I’m also very used to racing in carbon-plated shoes.

If you’re newer to super shoes or don’t love the aggressive feeling of a carbon-plated racer, I think the Speed 6 could be a great place to start.

My pair is predominantly white with gold detailing, and I really like the look. They’re clean and sharp without being overdone. The obvious downside is that white running shoes don’t stay white for very long, especially when you’re putting long-run miles on them.

Saucony Endorphin Speed 6 Fit

Length: True to size
Width: Standard
Toe Box: Average / slightly narrow
Arch: Average
Volume: Average

I wore my normal women’s size 8.5, and the Endorphin Speed 6 fit true to size. 

The toe box is pretty average. I wouldn’t call it roomy, and I could see someone with a wider foot wanting a little more space, but it fit my foot well. I didn’t have any pressure points or discomfort.

The midfoot felt secure without having to crank down on the laces. The tongue is attached to the sides, so it naturally stayed put throughout the run.

I especially liked that the heel has a comfortable, padded, cupped shape that held my foot securely without bothering my Achilles.

My first run in these was 16 miles, and I finished without a single hot spot or blister, which is always a good sign with a brand-new shoe.

Saucony Endorphin Speed 6 Feel

The Speed 6 feels really light on your feet. That was probably the thing I noticed most when I first started running in it.

The PWRRUN PBX foam is soft enough to stay comfortable over longer distances, while the nylon plate adds some spring when you start running faster.

I definitely noticed some extra pop once I started running faster. It felt good from the beginning, but I noticed the energy return more once I started picking up the pace.  However, it’s not the same significant pop I get from a carbon-plated race shoe, but I don’t expect it to. 

I’ve raced two marathons in the Saucony Endorphin Pro and really love that shoe. The Pro gives me more of the bounce and propulsion I want when I’m racing. The Speed 6 is more forgiving and much easier to work into regular training.

I also had great traction. I didn’t get to test them on truly wet roads, but I was running early enough that there was still dew on the ground. I never slipped or really thought about the traction at all, which is a good sign.

Saucony Endorphin Speed 6 vs. Pro

I have run in an older version of the Endorphin Speed, but it was probably 5 years ago, so it’s been too long for me to give a fair comparison. What I can compare it to much more confidently is the Endorphin Pro.

I’ve raced two recent marathons in the Pro and love it, but I’d use these shoes very differently. The Pro comes out when I’m racing and want the extra energy return from a full carbon plate.

The Speed 6 is a shoe I’d use much more often in training.

I can see myself reaching for the Speed 6 most often for long runs with workouts built in. It has enough cushioning for the mileage, but when it’s time to run faster, you get that little bit of extra help from the foam and nylon plate.

It’s also the kind of shoe I’d throw in my suitcase when I don’t want to pack multiple pairs of running shoes for a trip.

I could do an easy run in it, turn around and do a workout in it the next day, or even race in it if I needed to.

Similar Shoes to the Saucony Endorphin Speed 6

We’ve tested a few that feel similar, but different based on the brand fit. Here are the ones we find most similar:

I also think this is a great shoe for someone who’s curious about super shoes but isn’t quite ready to jump into a full carbon-plated racer. You get some of that fast-shoe feeling in something that still feels very much like a training shoe.

Where I think these shoes will shine is for marathon or ultra pace, where you do have to feel comfortable with a faster pace for longer periods of time.

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