Running shoes · owner-verdict comparison

Brooks Ghost 17 vs Saucony Endorphin Speed 4: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Brooks Ghost 17: 82% of 11 owners recommend it, vs 75% of 134 for the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4.

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

Brooks Ghost 17

82%of 11 owners recommend
82% recommend · 0% neutral · 18% don't
Owners praise
  • A dependable, comfortable daily trainer that owners reach for on the majority of their runs
  • Plenty of cushioning with a higher stack, often described as crazy soft and easy on the feet
  • Handles long runs and half marathons reliably, holding up over a few hundred miles
Owners complain about
  • Runs a bit heavy, so owners suggest a faster shoe for racing or speed sessions
  • The redesign feels like a different shoe to some longtime Ghost wearers
  • Toe box can feel narrow, which was a dealbreaker for a couple of owners
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 17 if
  • ✓Daily trainers logging most of their weekly miles
  • ✓Half-marathon runners wanting stable cushioning
  • ✓Runners who like a comfy, higher-stack step-in feel
Skip it if
  • Narrow-toe-box sufferers prone to toe pain
  • Racers chasing marathon speed (better with super shoes)
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 17 owners say

“these shoes are IT”
— @Justin.501 on YouTube
“Not a shoe to go fast but a fantastic daily trainer.”
— @Philllin on YouTube
“Its like running with a stiff truck tire for a midsole. Its dead, heavy and depressing”
— @albertteng1191 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 17 vs Saucony Endorphin Speed 4: frequently asked questions

Is the Brooks Ghost 17 or the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 better?

Real owners lean toward the Brooks Ghost 17: 82% of 11 owners recommend it, vs 75% of 134 for the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4.

Who should get the Brooks Ghost 17?

Owners point the Brooks Ghost 17 at daily trainers logging most of their weekly miles, and half-marathon runners wanting stable 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 17 is runs a bit heavy, so owners suggest a faster shoe for racing or speed sessions. For the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4, it's narrow, pointy toebox cramps and rubs the pinky toe.