Running shoes · owner-verdict comparison

Brooks Ghost 16 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 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 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 →

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“The Ghost is so outdated compared to modern daily trainers”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 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