Saucony
Endorphin Speed 5
9.1Excellent
Nylon-plated tempo shoe for workouts, faster long runs, and accessible race efforts.
From € 170
Comparison
Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 vs Adidas Adizero Boston 12
Both are plated tempo platforms. Speed 5 is the nylon race/workout hybrid; Boston 12 is a durable tempo trainer also used in HYROX contexts.
- Expert comparison
- Data driven
- Updated 1 September 2026
- Running Shoes
Adidas
Adizero Boston 12
8.9Very Good
Tempo trainer used for road workouts and often for HYROX training.
From € 160
Decision guide
When each shoe is the better buy — by training mix and conditions, not overall score alone.
Bottom line
Speed 5 when you want a dedicated tempo/race hybrid; Boston 12 when hybrid training (including HYROX) and durable tempo miles matter.
Saucony
Choose Endorphin Speed 5 if…
- Workouts and race-hybrid road sessions come first.
Adidas
Choose Adizero Boston 12 if…
- You also train HYROX or want a durable tempo daily.
Key Differences
Plate
Endorphin Speed 5: NylonAdizero Boston 12: CompositePlate materials differ — neither is marked carbon solely from rods.
Score Comparison
Endorphin Speed 5Adizero Boston 12
Cushioning
8.48.5Ride & Energy
9.29.2Fit & Comfort
8.48.4Durability
—8.5Value for Money
8.88.6
When each wins
Context winners by session type — use these with the decision guide above, not as a universal ranking.
—
Daily Training
—
Tempo Runs
Endorphin Speed 5
Top tempo Recommendation among seeded workout shoes.
—
Easy Runs
—
Intervals
Endorphin Speed 5
Strong interval Recommendation.
—
Half Marathon
—
Value
Endorphin Speed 5
Clearer Kitletics value score for the current catalog price / performance mix.
Specs
| Spec | Endorphin Speed 5 | Adizero Boston 12 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (g) | 227 | 215 | — |
| Drop (mm) | 8 | 8 | TIE |
| Heel Stack (mm) | 36 | 39.5 | — |
| Forefoot Stack (mm) | 28 | 31.5 | — |
| Cushioning | High | Medium | — |
| Stability | Neutral | Neutral | TIE |
| Energy Return | Very High | — | — |
| Cushion Feel | Balanced | Balanced | TIE |
| Ride Character | Responsive | — | — |
| Flexibility | Stiff | — | — |
| Plate | Yes | Yes | TIE |
| Plate Material | Nylon | Composite | — |
| Midsole | PWRRUN PB | — | — |
| Outsole | XT 900 | — | — |
| Upper | Engineered mesh | — | — |
| Terrain | Road, Track | Road | — |
| Training Types | Tempo, Intervals, Race, Long | Tempo, Intervals, Long, Race | TIE |
| Recommended Distance | 10k, Half, Marathon | 5k, 10k, Half | — |
| Weather Suitability | Dry | — | — |
| Width Options | Standard | — | — |
| Arch Support | Medium | — | — |
| Fit / Sizing | Men, Women | Men, Women | TIE |
| Recommended Pace Range (min/km) | — | — | — |
| Recommended Runner Weight Range (kg) | — | — | — |
| Surface | Asphalt, Track | — | — |
| Grip | Road | — | — |
| Durability | Moderate | — | — |
| Race Legal | Yes | — | — |
| Breathability | High | — | — |
Current Prices
Regional prices · Netherlands
Prices last checked: 12 Sept 2026. Offer updates do not mean the editorial comparison was re-reviewed.
Top Alternatives
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4Leave Endorphin Speed 5 for Endorphin Pro 4 when a more race-focused platform outweighs the source’s tempo runs / intervals bias. Endorphin Pro 4 centres on marathon / half. You give up Endorphin Speed 5 spec (drop 8, midsole PWRRUN PB, cushion feel balanced, stability neutral).
Adidas Adizero Boston 13Pick Adizero Boston 13 over Endorphin Speed 5 only if tempo versatility is the weekly gap. Adizero Boston 13 is tempo / daily training; Endorphin Speed 5 stays tempo runs / intervals. Cost of the switch: less plush than max-cushion dailies.
On Cloudmonster Hypera same-role peer is the fork: Cloudmonster Hyper (Faster Cloudmonster variant for tempo and long efforts when you want On geometry with mor…) versus Endorphin Speed 5 (Nylon-plated tempo shoe for workouts, faster long runs, and accessible race efforts.). Spec split — peer drop 6, cushion feel balanced, stability neutral vs source drop 8, midsole PWRRUN PB, cushion feel balanced, stability neutral.
Saucony Endorphin Speed 4Leave Endorphin Speed 5 for Endorphin Speed 4 when a same-role peer outweighs the source’s tempo runs / intervals bias. Endorphin Speed 4 centres on tempo runs / intervals. You give up Endorphin Speed 5 spec (drop 8, midsole PWRRUN PB, cushion feel balanced, stability neutral).
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3Pick Deviate NITRO 3 over Endorphin Speed 5 only if plated workout/race versatility is the weekly gap. Deviate NITRO 3 is tempo runs / half; Endorphin Speed 5 stays tempo runs / intervals. Cost of the switch: less refined than top marathon supershoes.
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4Endorphin Speed 5 vs Adizero Adios Pro 4 is not a score swap. Adizero Adios Pro 4 wins when a same-role peer and efficient race geometry beat versatile plated workout shoe. drop sits lower on Adizero Adios Pro 4 (6 vs 8).
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