Brooks Hyperion Max 4 vs Saucony Endorphin Speed 5

Ride profile: maximal cushion , neutral stability .

• Fordy Runs found the Hyperion Max 4 essentially unchanged from the flawed v3 — too heavy, too expensive, and unstable in the heel for heel strikers and pronators — and recommends most buyers skip v4 in favor of a discounted v3 or another super trainer.

  Ride:The DNA Gold PEBA and DNA Flash 2 dual-foam setup feels soft and works well together under the forefoot at faster paces, but the shoe is heel-biased, clunky in the heel due to a decoupled section, and becomes unstable at easier paces or for mild pronators.

  Fit:Fits true to size (tested in UK 9.5) with no width or rubbing issues; large tongue gusset keeps the tongue secure and the lacing locked down well.

  In their words: "a bit of a Mickey take" · "it's like two shoes" · "stay away from version four"

  — FORDY RUNS , source

• A solid update that keeps what made the Hyperion Max 3 great, though the more traditional, slightly heavier upper makes it feel less like a race shoe and more like an everyday tempo performance trainer.

  Ride:Feels and looks fast enough that it's tempting to push the pace even on easy days.

  In their words: "looks like a fast shoe" · "putzing around shoes" · "a little too traditional"

  — Run Moore , source

• A surprise pick: a firmer ride than he usually likes but really nice to run in, with a plate giving a propulsive feel underfoot.

  In their words: "this one is kind of a shocker" · "a little bit propulsive feeling under foot"

  — Believe in the Run , source

• A significant step backward from the Hyperion Max 3, the Max 4 feels overly rigid and dense to the point that Kofuzi could not finish a threshold workout in it, and he only tolerates it at easy paces where its rolling geometry can work on its own terms.

  Ride:Very rigid and dense ride. PEBA top layer feels less soft and airy than the previous version. DNA Flash v2 bottom layer feels unnecessarily thick and more dense. The plastic plate makes the shoe extremely difficult to bend, creating a rocker-boot feel that resists natural foot flexion. Energy-sapping at all but easy paces; felt like it worked against the reviewer at threshold and up-tempo efforts.

  Fit:Fits true to size; same sizing recommendation as the Hyperion Max 3 despite slight differences in upper material thickness.

  In their words: "kind of like I'm running in a rockered boot" · "very rigid to me" · "energy sapping" · "popping me backwards"

  — Kofuzi , source

Ride profile: high cushion , neutral stability .

• Ed Bud finds the Endorphin Speed 5 stable and consistent with improved outsole grip, but says it lacks the exhilarating feel of earlier versions and is about an ounce heavier and less lively than the SC Rebel.

  Ride:The denser PWR RUN PB midsole gives a more consistent, more stable ride than the SC Rebel, but with less heel stack and less of the exhilarating feel of the first couple of versions.

  In their words: "the same exhilarating feel" · "more consistent feel across the footbed" · "improved outsole grip on the Speed 5"

  — EDDBUD , source

• The Run Testers still rate the Endorphin Speed 5 a top faster-daily pick — light, snug, and peppy thanks to PWRRUN PB foam and a nylon plate, comfortable enough for long runs too, and a smart buy now it's dropped in price.

  In their words: "pleasingly light and has a fit that's snug" · "smooth and peppy fashion" · "remains a smart buy"

  — The Run Testers , source

• Kofuzi sees the Endorphin Speed 5 as more heel-stable than the SC Rebel but less lively at tempo paces due to its stability-oriented plastic plate, and a strong value pick now discounted to $150.

  Ride:More stable in the heel than the SC Rebel, but the plastic plate gives less forefoot pop at tempo efforts than the SC Rebel or the carbon-plated Endorphin Pro

  In their words: "much more stable in the heel" · "I feel like it's almost disappearing"

  — Kofuzi , source

• A well-named speed shoe with a flexible nylon plate — a good dual-use option for training and budget-friendly racing without the cost of a full carbon super shoe.

  — Ben Is Running , source