Nike Pegasus Plus vs Saucony Endorphin Speed 5
A side-by-side comparison grounded in verdicts from 5 reviewers with every source linked. We don't invent quotes; every claim below is attributed.
Specs at a glance
The consensus read
Each paragraph is a synthesis across every reviewer in our database for that shoe — what they collectively concluded after wear-testing. Not a quote. Not one person's take. The shape of the room.
Nike Pegasus Plus
A versatile daily trainer built on full-length ZoomX that balances responsive cushioning with durability, though reviewers note the ride feels less lively than its premium price and Turbo lineage suggest, and the snug toe box may pinch wider feet.
Nike Pegasus Plus — what reviewers say
Ride profile: medium cushion , neutral stability .
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Versatile and exciting daily trainer; price is too high at $180 — better to wait for discount.
Ride:ZoomX foam in a daily-trainer chassis (no Air Zoom units); fun and exciting versatile ride; can do daily training and some Zoom Fly territory plus some Vomero territory.
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The lightest and most nimble of the Pegasus lineup and a decent versatile daily offering with a hint of speed, but it carries too much weight to compete with lighter high-stack options from Adidas and Saucony.
Ride:Lightest of the three Pegasus shoes and felt less present on foot; the best one of the lineup for pace work, but exposed midsole through the outsole is a durability concern
Fit:Wafer-thin tongue required cinching the laces more to get lockdown, putting a bit of pressure on top of the foot
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A versatile non-plated alternative for neutral runners — works for both workouts and daily runs — but not the responsive speed-shoe its Turbo lineage suggests. Pick the Plus over the 41 if you want versatility and a lighter shoe.
Ride:Full-length ZoomX, fairly smooth ride, no major sidewalls — neutral throughout. Surprisingly Matt says "if you told me this was not ZoomX I would totally believe you" — good cushion feel but not as responsive as expected. Versatile for workouts and daily training; not a speed demon despite the lineage.
Fit:Slightly narrow forefoot vs Pegasus 41 but more vertical volume; upper initially felt long until it broke in, then true to size. Need to lace down firmly to keep heel from sliding. Not great for hag deformities (firm heel counter).
In their words: "this is not a turbo this is a Pegasus plus" · "if you told me this was not zoomx I would totally believe you" · "more of a traditional Pegasus where the whole thing is fairly neutral"
Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , neutral stability .
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Still a favorite genuine all-rounder; a lively, nicely cushioned, light and propulsive ride more like a carbon racer, now leaner, firmer and snappier, though not the bounciest for the slowest miles.
In their words: "snapback and the rocket energy" · "fast, light, snappy"
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Kofuzi considers the Endorphin Speed 5 one of his top tempo shoes — softer and more daily-trainer-leaning than the DV84, using beaded PEBA foam and a plastic plate for a lightweight, peppy yet cushioned ride.
In their words: "a daily trainer that can go fast" · "the softest of the bunch"
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A nimble, soft, well-balanced speed-day shoe whose biggest weakness is price — at GBP 180 it's hard to justify against the cheaper Zoom Fly 6 and Boston 13.
Ride:Softest midsole of the four (around Shore A 23) with a nice compressive heel and a rolling action; full PEBA midsole feels compressive and easy to shift up through the gears. Outsole durability has improved over previous versions.
Fit:Configurable upper but less generous than the previous Speed 4; works for slightly narrow feet; traditional running-shoe feel over the top of the foot.
In their words: "more consistent and soft ride" · "easy to go up through the gears" · "a nice rolling action"
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A versatile daily-trainer-focused super trainer that the reviewer prefers over the V4 thanks to improved upper, slightly springier toe-off and added heel stability — the ideal do-everything shoe for the everyday runner, held back only by the £180 price tag.
Ride:PWRRUN PB midsole combined with nylon plate gives a springy, responsive ride that's not mushy. Speed Roll rocker assists heel-to-toe transition. Wider heel adds stability without being a stability shoe — more forgiving than other super trainers. Slightly more springy and rigid off the toe than V4.
Fit:New upper feels slightly wider and more comfortable. Locks down well with no heat spots or rubbing in previous Speed shoes. Fits the reviewer's foot shape well — 'like putting on an old friend'.
In their words: "responsive, but it's not mushy" · "fast yet sort of stabilish" · "a little bit more springy off the toe"
Who should buy which
Use cases the reviewers above actually call out — one bullet per distinct take, attributed. Where reviewers converge (e.g. "5K to half marathon" appearing across multiple takes) the agreement is a stronger buying signal than any single voice.
Consider the Nike Pegasus Plus if
- Daily trainer use where grip and upper fit matter more than a wild ride — EDDBUD
- A versatile daily shoe with a hint of speed work — EDDBUD
- Neutral-mechanics runners who want one versatile Nike shoe for daily training and workouts and don't need stability features. — Doctors of Running
- Versatile daily trainer for neutral runners who want a ZoomX shoe for daily use, tempo work, and easy efforts without committing to a max-stack racer. — EDDBUD
- Versatile daily trainer for runners who liked the original Pegasus Turbo and want a Nike non-plated shoe for easy days and workouts on road or track. — Kofuzi
Consider the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 if
- All-round daily training and faster efforts for runners who don't mind a firmer, snappier ride — The Run Testers
- Runners who want a versatile workout/daily/long-run shoe with mild medial guidance and a wider, more forgiving fit — and who don't need top-end race-pace snap. — Doctors of Running
- Runners wanting a versatile speed-focused trainer that can double as a race shoe over shorter distances, with a nimble, responsive feel — The Run Testers
- Streamlined allrounder for marathon training and racing. — The Run Testers
- A do-it-all shoe for easy, recovery, tempo miles, and even racing — especially suited to lighter runners — EDDBUD
- Versatile speed training and faster intervals for runners who prefer a more traditional, firmer, responsive feel over big bouncy cushion. — The Run Testers
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the Nike Pegasus Plus and the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5?
The Nike Pegasus Plus is a speed trainer and the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 is a speed trainer. By the numbers, the Nike Pegasus Plus weighs 238g, has a 34mm heel stack and a 10mm drop, while the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 weighs 238g, has a 37mm heel stack and an 8mm drop. The Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 has a Nylon plate (asymmetric medial wing); the Nike Pegasus Plus has none. MSRP is $190 for the Nike Pegasus Plus and $175 for the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5.
Should I buy the Nike Pegasus Plus or the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5?
EDDBUD on the Nike Pegasus Plus: Daily trainer use where grip and upper fit matter more than a wild ride. The Run Testers on the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5: All-round daily training and faster efforts for runners who don't mind a firmer, snappier ride.
Per EDDBUD, The Run Testers.
Which is more cushioned, the Nike Pegasus Plus or the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5?
Measured by stack height, the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 has more underfoot foam — 37mm at the heel versus 34mm.
Which is cheaper, the Nike Pegasus Plus or the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5?
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 is cheaper at $175 versus $190 MSRP — about $15 less.