We Ran in the Saucony Endorphin Speed 6. It’s Snappier Than Ever, but Watch for Hot Spots

The rundown: The Saucony Endorphin Speed 6 is revamped with a more responsive midsole foam, improved rocker, and a more flexible nylon plate, making it ideal for race training.We put in the mileage running in the Endorphin Speed 6 after Saucony announced its release exactly a month ago. It’s a companion shoe to Saucony’s marathon racers, the Endorphin Pro 5 and Endorphin Elite 3. The Speed 6 is a top choice as a go-to trainer for logging all those long runs before race day.An improved beaded midsole foam and more tilted positioning of the rocker make this Endorphin Speed the snappiest one yet. It’s also an excellent alternative for runners who want a less aggressive plated racing shoe; the newly designed nylon plate is more compliant than rigid carbon fiber.More Responsive, More Propulsive: the Best Speed YetProsWide toebox and midfootLighter and more responsive with beaded PEBA foamMore angled rocker for propulsionMore compliant nylon plateConsMesh felt a little harsh for someTypeNeutral road, race training, racingFoamPEBAWeight8.2 oz (M), 6.9 oz (W)Drop8 mmStack Height38 mmA minor caveat was that some of our testers experienced hot spots on their long runs due to the upper material. We let you know if it’s worth the risk.Beaded PEBA Cushioning Makes for a Propulsive RideWith the Endorphin Speed 6, Saucony introduces Pwrrun PBX, a beaded PEBA foam that’s lighter and softer than Pwrrun PB, the foam used in previous iterations of the Speed. I felt the difference on my first run; the shoe’s cushioning doesn’t feel as dense and firm underfoot. It also feels more responsive. I stepped on the gas during a looped long run in an industrial complex with hills. Despite some lethargy on my part (take it from me: get those Z’s), the shoes helped me sail through the hard stretches that came later in my run.Saucony also added 2 mm of height to increase the angle of the rocker. The nylon piece sandwiched in the shoe has ribbing and slots so it isn’t as stiff as carbon fiber. The combination of more angled rocker and more flexible nylon plate results in a snappier, more propulsive ride than you’d find in previous iterations of the shoe.For Senior Health and Fitness Editor Kristen Wagner, who had never run in a plated shoe, the Endorphin Speed 6’s more malleable nylon plate allayed her worries of too volatile a ride.Trevor RaabThe Endorphin Speed 6 has a newly designed nylon plate wit more ribbing and slotting.“I really liked these shoes!” she said. “I was a little nervous to receive a speed shoe for testing, but was reassured when Jeff [Dengate] told me about the nylon plate (as opposed to a carbon plate, which would have been a first for me) and that he had worn the shoe on a few easy runs and did not die.”Wagner tested the shoes on tempo runs, easy runs, and run/walk intervals. “I too can confirm I survived all of these, but I definitely enjoyed the shoe most at my faster paces. I felt like I was really able to take off in them and maintain a speed I was comfortable at.”The Endorphin Speed is one of Runner-in-Chief Jeff Dengate’s favorite shoes for its solid, speedy performance and value (the shoe is $180, which is much cheaper than the $240 Pro 5 and $290 Elite 3). He compared the Endorphin Speed 6 to earlier versions of the shoe and found he gravitated toward choosing to run faster workouts while testing it.“Saucony added 2mm and switched foams, so it’s has good impact attenuation, but I found the shoe rides fairly harsh and snappy,” he said. “It’s a shoe I’m only reaching for on workout days.”A Wider Fit—But You May Want to Wear Thick SocksOne of the improvements I liked Endorphin Speeds ago was the widened fit. The Speed 4 was more accommodating with a broader midfoot and roomy toebox. Fast forward to the Endorphin Speed 6, and I’m happy to say Saucony hasn’t gone the other way, narrowing the shoe’s foot shape. Our testers noted this too.“I appreciated the upper tweaks,” said Dengate. “The forefoot feels a little roomier. I often have an issue where my pinkie toes go numb on long runs because of the Saucony toebox shape. But that hasn’t happened with this version. I’m still nudging against the mesh there, but the pressure isn’t bad and the shoe feels comfortable.”However, unlike Dengate, the mesh affected my workouts. On a 12-miler, my toes felt tender by mile 4, and by mile 8 I was ready to sprint out of my shoes. Upon removing the Speeds post-workout, I found six of my toes (three on each foot) were racked with blisters. It was a conundrum for me—the toebox was roomy, but why were my feet pocked with fluid-filled bumps?Trevor RaabThe toebox has ample room but some testers experienced some hot spots.Wagner also experienced friction in the toebox while testing the shoes.“During my first several wears, at varying paces and surfaces, I experienced hot spots around the toebox and on the sole of my right foot,” she said. “I tried adjusting the laces, which didn't seem to help. It wasn't until I swapped out my thicker socks with thin ones that this subsided.”Perhaps I should follow Wagner’s advice (and peruse our Best Running Socks guide). The reason for my blistered toes: The Speed 6’s upper feels harsh. It’s comparable to the fruit netting supermarkets store mandarin oranges or avocados in.When to Run in the Endorphin Speed 6: Who Is It For?Despite my ill-fated long run in the trainer, I’ve still been running in the Endorphin Speed 6 because I genuinely enjoy the shoe’s feel. All of the updates in the Speed 6—the beaded foam, the more flexible plate, the more angled rocker—make it a solid pick in my rotation for tempo runs and easy 4-milers.But maybe I’m an outlier. Wagner found thin socks alleviated her discomfort. Dengate didn’t experience hot spots on his runs. And our third tester, Editor Ashley Tysiac, noted she didn’t get any blisters even though the shoe fit small.I recommend using the Endorphin Speed 6 for its namesake: speedwork. And if you have a race coming up and don’t want to shell out over $250, it’s fine to go with nylon-plated shoes. They’re almost as good as carbon.Shop Men’s at saucony.com | Shop Women’s at saucony.comAmanda Furrer, Editor, Running Reviews, studied journalism at NYU and writing at Emerson College. She has reviewed gear and covered other topics in the running space for almost 10 years. Since 2013, she has consecutively run the Boston Marathon. She also has a master’s degree in gastronomy from Boston University and was formerly a professional baker for two years before hanging up her apron.