Running shoes · owner-verdict comparison

Nike Pegasus 41 vs Saucony Endorphin Speed 5: what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 60% of 229 Nike Pegasus 41 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

Nike Pegasus 41

60%of 229 owners recommend
60% recommend · 16% neutral · 24% don't
Owners praise
  • Very comfortable for walking and all-day standing
  • Versatile daily trainer and all-rounder
  • Durable, high-mileage outsole
Owners complain about
  • Firm and dead underfoot, low energy return
  • Heavy and clunky, brick-like feel
  • Caused knee, shin or foot pain for some
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 Nike Pegasus 41 if
  • ✓Beginners wanting a stable, forgiving daily trainer
  • ✓People on their feet all day like nurses, teachers and retail workers
  • ✓Wide-footed runners needing a roomier toe box
  • ✓Easy miles and walking rather than speed
Skip it if
  • Runners wanting bouncy, responsive foam for tempo or speed
  • Those sensitive to heavier, firmer 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 Nike Pegasus 41 owners say

“I'm really loving this version.”
— @Mesomorphik on YouTube
“I ran 5k with this shoe ima say it's one of the most comfy shoes I've ever worn”
— @Shah_907 on YouTube
“"my new everyday sneaker" you'll never see them on his feet again.”
— @raymonde4272 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

Nike Pegasus 41 vs Saucony Endorphin Speed 5: frequently asked questions

Is the Nike Pegasus 41 or the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 better?

Real owners rate these about evenly: 60% of 229 Nike Pegasus 41 owners recommend it, vs 62% of 60 for the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5.

Who should get the Nike Pegasus 41?

Owners point the Nike Pegasus 41 at beginners wanting a stable, forgiving daily trainer, and people on their feet all day like nurses, teachers and retail workers.

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 Nike Pegasus 41 is firm and dead underfoot, low energy return. For the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5, it's firmer, more muted ride that lost some of the bounce and punch of earlier Speeds.