Running shoes · owner-verdict comparison

Brooks Ghost 17 vs Saucony Endorphin Speed 5: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Brooks Ghost 17: 82% of 11 owners recommend it, vs 62% of 60 for the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5.

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 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 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 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 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 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

Brooks Ghost 17 vs Saucony Endorphin Speed 5: frequently asked questions

Is the Brooks Ghost 17 or the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 better?

Real owners lean toward the Brooks Ghost 17: 82% of 11 owners recommend it, vs 62% of 60 for the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5.

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 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 Brooks Ghost 17 is runs a bit heavy, so owners suggest a faster shoe for racing or speed sessions. For the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5, it's firmer, more muted ride that lost some of the bounce and punch of earlier Speeds.