Running shoes · owner-verdict comparison

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

Real owners lean toward the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5: 62% of 60 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 5

62%of 60 owners recommend

62% recommend · 13% neutral · 25% don't

Owners praise

More stable and planted than past versions and rivals like the Evo SL
Versatile do-everything trainer that handles tempo, speed work, and longer runs
Improved fit with roomier toe box and more secure upper than the 4

Owners complain about

Firmer, more muted ride that lost some of the bounce and punch of earlier Speeds
Outsole and midsole wear early, going flat by roughly 230-350 km
Happiest at shorter, faster efforts; feet ache past the half marathon

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 5 if

✓Runners wanting a stable, versatile do-everything trainer
✓Tempo and speed-workout runners
✓Runners who found the Speed 4 too narrow
✓Runners who prefer a firmer, planted ride

Skip it if

Runners wanting soft, plush cushioning
Those logging long, slow easy miles

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 5 owners say

“find it good for pretty much everything”
— @TimGrose on YouTube

“More pep, more bounce, more comfort, very pleasant overall”
— @destrucciondeldiablo on YouTube

“I wanted so badly to love the ES4 but the toe box taper made it unbearable just crushing my pinky toe.”
— @nate_collins on YouTube

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

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

Real owners lean toward the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5: 62% of 60 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 5?

Owners point the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 at runners wanting a stable, versatile do-everything trainer, and tempo and speed-workout runners.

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 5, it's firmer, more muted ride that lost some of the bounce and punch of earlier Speeds.