Running shoes · owner-verdict comparison

Brooks Ghost 16 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 45% of 67 for the Brooks Ghost 16.

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

Brooks Ghost 16

45%of 67 owners recommend
45% recommend · 10% neutral · 45% don't
Owners praise
  • Comfortable, plush ride with no hotspots
  • Holds up well over high mileage
  • Solid, supportive daily trainer
Owners complain about
  • Causes blisters, sore knees or arch pain
  • Tight, narrow fit that runs poorly
  • Feels worse and made differently than previous Ghosts
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 Brooks Ghost 16 if
  • ✓Runners wanting a plush, supportive daily trainer
  • ✓People on their feet all day needing cushioning
  • ✓Road runners mixing easy miles and speed intervals
Skip it if
  • Wide-footed runners (narrow forefoot causes blisters)
  • Fans of the Ghost 15 who dislike the reworked fit
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 Brooks Ghost 16 owners say

“the ghost and adrenaline shoes by brooks have saved me”
— @Mackham63 on YouTube
“This shoe is not given enough credit for how well it performs *in what it is good at*”
— @aconcernedcitizen1 on YouTube
“The Ghost is so outdated compared to modern daily trainers”
— @ianpshuffles on YouTube

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

Brooks Ghost 16 vs Saucony Endorphin Speed 4: frequently asked questions

Is the Brooks Ghost 16 or the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 better?

Real owners lean toward the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4: 75% of 134 owners recommend it, vs 45% of 67 for the Brooks Ghost 16.

Who should get the Brooks Ghost 16?

Owners point the Brooks Ghost 16 at runners wanting a plush, supportive daily trainer, and people on their feet all day needing cushioning.

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 Brooks Ghost 16 is causes blisters, sore knees or arch pain. For the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4, it's narrow, pointy toebox cramps and rubs the pinky toe.