Running shoes · owner-verdict comparison

Adidas Ultraboost 5 vs Saucony Endorphin Speed 4: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4: 75% of 134 owners recommend it, vs 35% of 34 for the Adidas Ultraboost 5.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Adidas Ultraboost 5

35%of 34 owners recommend

35% recommend · 21% neutral · 44% don't

Owners praise

Many owners call them among the most comfortable shoes they've owned, day to day and out of the box
Durability holds up well for years of regular wear when the pair isn't defective
Well suited to distance running, including high weekly mileage and marathon training

Owners complain about

Sole cracking, peeling, and premature breakdown, sometimes within just 3-6 months of purchase
Comfort and cushioning have declined across generations, with older versions (1.0, 3.0, 4.0) feeling comfier than the newer 19/5
Divisive looks, especially the caged design and redesigned heel cup, which some owners find ugly

Full owner report →

Saucony Endorphin Speed 4

75%of 134 owners recommend

75% recommend · 6% neutral · 19% don't

Owners praise

Versatile do-it-all daily and tempo shoe
Great for uptempo, tempo and race-pace runs
Nice bounce, pop and protective cushioning

Owners complain about

Narrow, pointy toebox cramps and rubs the pinky toe
Firm, dead-feeling midsole with little bounce
Toe numbness or circulation issues mid-run

Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Adidas Ultraboost 5 if

✓Casual runners and walkers who won't rack up serious weekly mileage
✓Distance runners who prioritize long-run comfort over sprint responsiveness
✓Buyers who want an all-around comfortable everyday sneaker for gym or casual wear
✓Shoppers grabbing them on sale who value fashion and comfort over ultimate durability

Skip it if

High-mileage runners doing serious weekly distance or fast sprint training
Anyone wanting a shoe to double as regular walking or travel footwear

Get the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 if

✓Runners wanting a plated tempo and uptempo shoe
✓Those doing race-pace workouts and faster efforts
✓Runners with narrow to medium-width feet
✓Runners wanting one versatile do-everything trainer

Skip it if

Wide-footed runners (narrow, pointed toe box)
Runners wanting soft, bouncy cushioning

What Adidas Ultraboost 5 owners say

“Say what you want about the design, these are insanely comfortable shoes. IMO look better in person.”
— ridukosennin on Reddit

“I have Allbirds and UB 3.0s and I can say definitively my UBs are far more comfortable for me. It’s a treat to wear them haha”
— SunriseMoon on Reddit

“Anyone have the issue of the footbed moving around in their Ultraboost 19s? It makes mine nearly unwearable. (It slides back constantly. No matter how tight or loose they are.)”
— Easy-Lucky-Free on Reddit

What Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 owners say

“Endo Speed 4 being great”
— @dhgpan on YouTube

“i love them so much i decided to run the marathon i was preparing with”
— @jeremybmxfr on YouTube

“Speed 4 is by far my least favourite version. I loved version 1-3 but this one just doesn't feel right on my foot.”
— @nickskier1 on YouTube

Adidas Ultraboost 5 vs Saucony Endorphin Speed 4: frequently asked questions

Is the Adidas Ultraboost 5 or the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 better?

Real owners lean toward the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4: 75% of 134 owners recommend it, vs 35% of 34 for the Adidas Ultraboost 5.

Who should get the Adidas Ultraboost 5?

Owners point the Adidas Ultraboost 5 at casual runners and walkers who won't rack up serious weekly mileage, and distance runners who prioritize long-run comfort over sprint responsiveness.

Who should get the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4?

Owners point the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 at runners wanting a plated tempo and uptempo shoe, and those doing race-pace workouts and faster efforts.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Adidas Ultraboost 5 is sole cracking, peeling, and premature breakdown, sometimes within just 3-6 months of purchase. For the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4, it's narrow, pointy toebox cramps and rubs the pinky toe.