Saucony has two lines that runners often hesitate between: the Endorphin family, built around speed, and the Ride, Saucony's neutral do-it-all daily trainer. Both are excellent, but they are designed for different jobs. At COLLECT Running in El Born we get this question every week, so here is our comparison of the Saucony Endorphin vs Ride models we currently stock, based on the specifications on our product pages.
The short answer
- Choose the Ride if you want one durable, balanced shoe for easy runs, steady efforts and longer outings on the road.
- Choose an Endorphin if you want something lighter and more propulsive for tempo runs, intervals or racing, or as a fast second pair.
Many runners end up with both: a Ride for most of the week and an Endorphin for the sessions that matter.
Saucony Ride: the everyday workhorse
Saucony Ride 19
The Ride 19 is Saucony's neutral daily trainer for road running. It uses a supercritical PWRRUN+ eTPU blend midsole for balanced, consistent cushioning and a versatile ride, an engineered mesh upper for breathability and a secure fit, and an XT-900 carbon rubber outsole with greater coverage and flex grooves. Our product page lists an 8 mm drop, a 38 / 30 mm stack (heel / forefoot) and around 255 g in the reference size. It is ideal for daily training, easy runs and moderate long runs.
Saucony Ride 18
The Ride 18 uses a PWRRUN+ TPU beaded foam midsole for balanced, durable cushioning, with an engineered mesh upper and an XT-900 carbon rubber outsole for grip and durability on asphalt. It is listed at an 8 mm drop, a 37 / 29 mm stack and around 269 g in the men's reference size. If you liked previous Rides, it remains a reliable choice for daily training.
Saucony Endorphin: built for speed
Saucony Endorphin Speed 5
The Endorphin Speed 5 is a top-tier performance trainer. A full-length semi-rigid nylon plate sits within dual-layer PWRRUN PB foam for a snappy, propulsive feel, from tempo runs to race-day efforts. The lightweight mesh upper improves breathability, and the reconfigured outsole adds heel coverage for durability, with a full-length groove for a smooth gait. Our product page lists an 8 mm drop and around 204 g. It is the most versatile Endorphin: fast enough for workouts, comfortable enough for long runs.
Saucony Endorphin Pro 5
The Endorphin Pro 5 is the race shoe of the family. Responsive cushioning and a full-length carbon fibre plate deliver powerful propulsion and smooth transitions, while the lightweight, breathable upper gives a secure, race-ready fit. Choose it for race day and race-pace sessions, not for every easy run.
Saucony Endorphin Azura
The Endorphin Azura brings Endorphin energy to a shoe for daily training and fast-paced workouts. Responsive PWRRUN PB foam provides soft, energetic cushioning, SPEEDROLL technology promotes forward momentum and quick heel-to-toe transitions, and a durable XT-900 rubber outsole offers dependable traction. It is a good middle ground if you want a daily shoe with more pop than a Ride.
Endorphin vs Ride: the key differences
- Foam: the Ride uses PWRRUN+ (TPU-based); the Endorphin Speed 5 and Endorphin Azura use PWRRUN PB, a responsive, energetic foam.
- Plate: the Ride has no plate; the Endorphin Speed 5 has a nylon plate and the Endorphin Pro 5 a carbon fibre plate.
- Use: the Ride is built for daily training and easy to steady runs; the Endorphins shine on tempo runs, intervals and racing.
- Feel: the Ride is balanced and forgiving; the Endorphins are snappier and more propulsive.
- Durability: the Ride's XT-900 carbon rubber outsole is built for grip and durability on asphalt.
What about stability?
Both the Ride and the Endorphins are neutral shoes. If you prefer a little more guidance, look at the Saucony Guide 19: PWRRUN foam for soft cushioning, CenterPath Technology with supportive sidewalls for guided support without feeling overly stiff, and a 6 mm drop. It is well suited to daily runs and longer training sessions.
Our recommendation
- New to running, or one shoe for everything: Ride 19
- A daily shoe with more energy: Endorphin Azura
- Workouts, long runs and the occasional race: Endorphin Speed 5
- Race day: Endorphin Pro 5
- A bit more support: Guide 19
Not sure whether you need a carbon plate at all? Read our guide Do you need a carbon-plate running shoe? and browse all running shoes.
Try them in Barcelona
The difference between an Endorphin and a Ride is obvious in the first few steps, so come and try both. Visit COLLECT Running, Carrer del Rec 26, El Born, or COLLECT, Carrer de la Palla 25, in the Barri Gòtic. Our team will help you compare models and find the right size. You can also shop the full Saucony collection online. Size availability may vary between stores.
