Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 vs Shift 3: Two Great Daily Trainers
Two of our favorite, most versatile brothers go head-to-head in this Saucony Endorphin smackdown and everyone wins, you included.
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The Saucony Endorphin Series has a special place in our hearts here at Supwell. I raced my first marathon in the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 and trained for that race in the Endorphin Speed 3. After that training block, I used the Endorphin Shift 3 to nurse my legs back to life. In this article, I'll compare the Speed 3 and the Shift 3, the two best everyday running options in the Endorphin range, and let you know which one is best for you.
Overview: Saucony Endorphin Shift 3 vs Speed 3
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 is positioned by Saucony as a fast daily trainer or uptempo shoe, while the Shift 3 is positioned as the everyday running, recovery running and walking around town shoe. In our own training, we've found there is some overlap between the two, but generally Saucony's marketing shtick holds—the Speed 3 is most comfortable at faster daily paces, think your marathon pace, while the Shift 3 is at home for those slower runs.
Similarities Between Endorphin Speed 3 and Shift
What makes an Endorphin an Endorphin you ask? It's the SPEEDROLL geometry, which isn't just an annoyingly aggressive capitalized word (I promise I'm not yelling at you; that's how they style it), it's also Saucony's fancy name for a rocker. In running shoes, the rocker is a curvature of the midsole that allows for smoother strides as you land on your heel or midfoot and then toe-off at the forefoot. You can think of a rocker like the bottom of a boat, the curved hull that allows the vessel to rock forward.
Both the Speed 3 and Shift 3 are relatively lightweight for their class, with the Speed 3 coming in at 8.1 ounces for a US mens size 9 and the Shift 3 coming in at 9.4 ounces. They have a similar covering of XT-900 rubber outsole protecting the foam, but not as much as we'd like. Both have experienced some foam degradation around the 250 mile mark due to the rubber wearing through.
Midsole Comparison: Speed 3 vs Shift 3
The biggest difference between the Endorphin Speed 3 and Endorphin Shift 3 is the type of foam used in their midsole. The Speed 3 uses PWRRUN PB, which is a PEBA-based material that provides a soft and bouncy ride. The Speed also has a nylon plate with wings that peak out and wrap around the sides of the midsole—the plate adds responsive to the soft foam and the wings help provide stability.
The Shift 3 uses an EVA-based foam called PWRRUN. EVA is less bouncy and responsive than PEBA, but it's supportive, cushioned and extremely durable. In the Shift 3, it combines with a massive 39mm stack height in the heel and 35mm stack height in the forefoot to make a 4mm drop. The Speed 3 has a lower stack height and higher drop, coming in at 36mm for the heel, 28mm for the forefoot and an 8mm drop.
The Shift 3 also has a plastic heel clip added around the back of the midsole and upper for added stability. It's not overly cumbersome or noticed on the ride, other than that the platform feels secure. A wide base also helps with stable landings.
Upper Comparison: Speed vs Shift are Quite Similar
The uppers across the Endorphin series are well-fitting and comfortable. The Speed 3 uses an engineered mesh material that's a bit lighter and airier than the Shift 3, but they have a fairly similar fit and feel. The Shift 3's upper is a bit scratchier to the touch, but it's not noticeable when you put it on your feet. Both Shift and Speed fit true to size and likely won't be the best option for wide-footed runners.
Ride Comparison: Speed Skews Snappy, Shift Firm
While both Endorphin shoes here are comfortable and versatile, the Speed 3 has a ride that's more responsive and bouncy. The Shift is firmer due to the EVA-based PWRRUN foam, so it's not as lively and energetic at slower paces. When you pick up the pace in the Shift though, the dense PWRRUN comes to life and gives great feedback. My favorite pace range for the Shift is in my normal aerobic daily training paces, which right now is anywhere from 7:15 to 7:50. Slower than that it's a bit firm; faster it can handle, but other shoes do it better.
The Speed feels best at the faster end of daily training paces and at efforts up to marathon pace. For true recovery efforts (think 60 to 90 seconds per mile slower than your marathon pace), the ride of the Speed can feel overly excited and uncontrollable. The plate in the Speed isn't as noticeable as a carbon fiber plate, but it seems to do its job of providing stability and structure to the platform, as the ride feels quite planted.
Who They're Best For
The Speed 3 is best for runners who want a do-it-all shoe that can handle everything from daily training to tough workouts and race efforts. For runners looking to finish a marathon at 3:30 or slower, the Speed 3 is a great uptempo shoe and a viable race day option. Runners targeting a 3 hour marathon finish will likely want something firmer and more responsive for fast workout days and race days and can use the Speed as a daily training option (it's great for the classic 6 to 8 miles plus strides).
Saucony Endorphin Speed 3
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The Shift 3 is great for bigger and taller runners who want a supportive and versatile daily trainer. The firmer EVA midsole livens up when it's challenged by pace or power, which makes it a viable workout shoe for runners who can give the compound what it demands. As a 6' 2" runner with a cadence in the 160s, I find the Shift to be great for my daily training, as I run with the force necessary to make the foam perform at its best. Smaller, lighter or high cadence runners may prefer a softer and more low-profile option for daily trainer.
Saucony Endorphin Shift 3
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Final Thoughts
Both the Shift 3 and Speed 3 are great options for daily training and workouts. Where the Speed is bouncy and energetic, the Shift is the stoic titan of the family, reliably stolid for those glory-less everyday runs. In this tale of Romulus and Remus, both brothers have a place in our home.
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