Saucony Endorphin Speed v5 vs Adidas Adizero Evo SL v1
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
| Saucony Endorphin Speed v5 | Adidas Adizero Evo SL v1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Stack (heel / forefoot) | 37.0 / 29.0 mm | 37.0 / 30.0 mm |
| Drop | 8.0 mm | 7.0 mm |
| Weight (men's 9) | 8.4 oz (238g) | 8.3 oz (235g) |
| Midsole | PWRRUN PB (PEBA) | Lightstrike Pro (supercritical TPEE) |
| Plate | Nylon plate (asymmetric medial wing) | Full-length midfoot nylon stiffening element |
| Upper | Engineered hexagon mesh | Engineered woven mesh |
| MSRP | $175.00 | $150.00 |
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.
Saucony Endorphin Speed v5
A versatile speed trainer that excels at faster paces and tempo work while remaining competent for easy runs, though its firmer ride and modest forefoot stack may not suit runners seeking maximum cushioning or pure recovery comfort.
Adidas Adizero Evo SL v1
A lightweight, bouncy daily trainer that excels at faster paces and handles easy runs, though the medial cutout sacrifices stability for speed; exceptional value that improves with miles despite a basic upper and cheap laces.
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.
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 cheaper, softer and more versatile across daily runs but Speed 5 has more punch and pop at faster paces
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 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 v5 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , neutral stability .
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Getting underrated in 2026, but still a great all-round versatile trainer.
Ride:Kieran's versatile daily-trainer pick — feels natural and light with good energy and a defined rocker. Some stiffness + pop suits his running style; easy to turn over quickly and shift through gears. Covers easy runs, marathon-pace intervals, and faster sessions in a single training run. Some will find it too direct or firm.
In their words: "i love the energy of it" · "easy to turn over very quickly" · "a bit too firm and aggressive"
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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 v1 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , soft_plush feel , high energy return , neutral stability , aggressive rocker.
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The more performance-oriented sibling in the comparison — lighter, peppier, and better-gripping than the Pegasus 42, but lacks the Nike's structure for runners who need stability.
Ride:Lightstrike Pro gives a nimble, higher-paced feel that softens with miles; better traction than Pegasus 42; not structured or cushioned enough for runners needing stability
Fit:£130 UK price — same as Pegasus 42; 70g lighter; weighs ~262g UK 11
In their words: "nice lovely nimble feeling" · "more performance orientated" · "tempo or racer"
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Nick's preferred all-rounder of the two — a faster, more connected, more responsive trainer that also handles easy days, at a substantially lower price than the Hyperboost Edge.
Ride:Lighter, leaner, lower-stack shoe with a very sharp forefoot rocker and full Lightstrike Pro midsole that feels soft at the heel and rolls quickly to the forefoot; nippy and connected but not very stable due to the medial cutout.
Fit:True to size in UK 9 (US 9.5), slightly tighter around the toes than the Hyperboost Edge; comfortable overall though some people struggle with the tongue.
In their words: "very lightweight, fast turnover feel" · "a tad softer at the back" · "isn't the most stable shoe though"
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Kofuzi's Shoe of the Year 2025. #1 daily trainer — light, cushioned, dynamic modern foam, fun to run in, looks great. Versatile across race/long-run/daily-trainer categories.
In their words: "feels really dynamic" · "a lot of fun to run in"
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BITR rates the Evo SL as one of the best shoes of the last several years and edges out the Rebel v5 by a hair on ride thanks to its more dynamic, sculpted Lightstrike Pro midsole.
Ride:Lightstrike Pro delivers the right amount of softness with sculpted midsole contour and arch support; more dynamic with better toe-off and slightly firmer/denser feel than the Rebel v5; Continental rubber outsole.
Fit:Simple mesh upper; some note limited lockdown/structure in the forefoot; Thomas finds it unstable as a casual walking shoe.
In their words: "perfect amount of softness" · "a little unstable for that" · "really nice bed of Light Strike Pro"
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 v5 if
- A do-it-all shoe for easy, recovery, tempo miles, and even racing — especially suited to lighter runners — EDDBUD
- Runners who want one versatile fast-edge daily trainer that can handle tempo runs, intervals, and even races up to half or full marathon distance, while still being comfortable enough for easy days. — The Run Testers
- Runners who want a do-it-all trainer that handles any session — intervals, tempo, easy recovery, or even the occasional race. — EDDBUD
- Speed sessions, tempo runs and stand-in racing for runners who want a snappy plated super trainer. — The Run Testers
- Everyday runner who wants a versatile tempo shoe with excellent pace range, or as a non-carbon race option for longer marathon race times — Kofuzi
- A versatile uptempo daily trainer that works for faster training miles, long runs, and even racing — especially for runners who prefer a firmer, snappier ride — The Run Testers
Consider the Adidas Adizero Evo SL v1 if
- Versatile plate-free daily trainer for runners who want a soft, bouncy, fast-feeling shoe across easy runs, tempo, intervals, and even racing. — The Run Testers
- Fast training sessions, track workouts, aggressive tempo runs and 5K racing for neutral runners who want a lightweight speed-leaning all-rounder at a great price. — The Run Testers
- A happy-go-lucky light daily or lifestyle-adjacent option for runners prioritizing weight — EDDBUD
- Lightweight versatile daily trainer that doubles as a speed-work shoe and budget marathon racer; best for experienced runners who like lightweight shoes. — The Run Testers
- A fast, bouncy speed shoe that also works as an all-rounder for runners who don't need stability — The Run Testers
- Runners wanting a light, nimble, kick-car style ride at an attractive price — EDDBUD