Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 vs Adidas Adizero Evo SL
A side-by-side comparison grounded in verdicts from 6 reviewers with every source linked. We don't invent quotes; every claim below is attributed.
Specs at a glance
Reviewers who wore both
Direct paired observations — reviewers who actually ran in both of these and wrote the contrast. This is the strongest comparative signal on the page.
Speed 5 is snappier and firmer with a sharper plate-driven feel, while the Evo SL is softer and bouncier with more forefoot foam; Evo SL is cheaper and better for cruising, Speed 5 is more racing-focused and more stable
Evo SL is cheaper, softer and more versatile across daily runs but Speed 5 has more punch and pop at faster paces
Mentioned as a softer, bouncier alternative in the same fast-trainer space; one tester prefers the Evo SL's midsole feel to both shoes in this head-to-head.
A bouncier, less firm rival super trainer in this segment.
Evo SL is softer and bouncier with more cushion for easy runs, while the Speed 5 is snappier and more stable with a plate for harder sessions and racing
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"
Adidas Adizero Evo SL — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , soft_plush feel , high energy return , neutral stability , aggressive rocker.
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EDDBUD still loves the Light Strike Pro foam in the Evo SL, praising its lasting quality even 5 years after first testing it, though it needs some break-in miles to free up properly.
In their words: "one of my favorites at the moment" · "takes a bit of time to bed in and break in" · "foam is great even now"
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An extremely popular, do-everything trainer with racing-line Lightstrike Pro foam and Continental rubber at $150 that they consider a no-brainer buy, often findable on sale for less.
Fit:The newer woven upper has a bit better lockdown and comfort than the original upper
In their words: "this is the shoe you get" · "just the easy cruiser" · "so popular it's for a reason"
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The Adizero Evo SL is the best option in this group for runners with wider feet or higher foot volume, delivering Lightstrike Pro responsiveness but with the most medial instability at the midfoot.
Ride:Full length Lightstrike Pro with good bounce; partial shank (not full plate) adds midfoot stiffness; medial cutout creates some medial instability; smooth heel bevel; most flexible of the group
Fit:Most room and volume of the group; some report upper bagginess; better for wider and higher-volume feet; toe box tapers; softest heel counter of group (good for Haglund's deformity)
In their words: "most medially unstable of this group" · "people have complained about the bagginess of the upper" · "probably the most flexibility of all them"
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Still a phenomenal, trend-setting shoe whose Lightstrike Pro foam he personally prefers for responsiveness, but it narrowly loses the head-to-head to the Deviate Pure on weight, stability, versatility and upper; the original mesh upper remains its weak point.
Ride:Lightstrike Pro compresses and bounces back quicker and feels more responsive than the Puma's Nitro foam; the high toe spring biases the ride and suits midfoot/forefoot strikers, while the skinny heel makes it less stable than the Deviate Pure
Fit:250g in his UK 10 (he is a US 10.5 — Adidas size classification, not sizing up); slightly roomier than the Deviate Pure, so the better pick for slightly wider feet
In their words: "the one that started the trend" · "an essential accessory for most people" · "the Conti rubber is excellent"
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 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
Consider the Adidas Adizero Evo SL if
- Hobby runners and easier everyday training, half marathon mileage — EDDBUD
- Uptempo daily training in the 3-6 mile range and short fun runs up to a 10K — FORDY RUNS
- Training + racing on a budget, including the marathon — The Run Testers
- Runners with slightly wider feet and midfoot/forefoot strikers who want a responsive plateless super-foam up-tempo trainer — FORDY RUNS
- Runners looking for a fast, lightweight, versatile trainer that excels at track reps, intervals, tempo and cruisey workouts while still being comfortable for easy runs. — The Run Testers
- Runners with wider feet or Haglund's deformity who want a responsive daily trainer with Lightstrike Pro foam — Doctors of Running
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 and the Adidas Adizero Evo SL?
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 is a speed trainer and the Adidas Adizero Evo SL is a speed trainer. By the numbers, the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 weighs 238g, has a 37mm heel stack and an 8mm drop, while the Adidas Adizero Evo SL weighs 235g, has a 37mm heel stack and a 7mm drop. MSRP is $175 for the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 and $150 for the Adidas Adizero Evo SL.
Should I buy the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 or the Adidas Adizero Evo SL?
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. EDDBUD on the Adidas Adizero Evo SL: Hobby runners and easier everyday training, half marathon mileage.
Per The Run Testers, EDDBUD.
Has anyone reviewed both the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 and the Adidas Adizero Evo SL?
Yes — The Run Testers directly compared the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 and the Adidas Adizero Evo SL in their reviews.
Per The Run Testers.
Which is cheaper, the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 or the Adidas Adizero Evo SL?
The Adidas Adizero Evo SL is cheaper at $150 versus $175 MSRP — about $25 less.