Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 vs Saucony Endorphin Azura:
Which to Choose

The defining difference is the plate. The Speed 5 runs a full-length semi-rigid winged nylon plate that guides you onto the forefoot and adds real snap through toe-off, so at tempo and faster it feels like the shoe is doing some of the work for you. The Azura strips the plate out entirely and leans on the foam and rocker geometry alone — the result is a smoother, rolling transition rather than a propulsive one, springy but never forcing the pace. That change reshapes the geometry too: the Azura sits on a taller, softer stack (41mm heel / 33mm forefoot) versus the Speed 5's lower-profile 37mm / 27mm, so the Azura lands plusher and more cushioned while the Speed 5 feels more connected to the ground and quicker to respond. Both keep the same 8mm drop and the same 241g weight, and both are honestly neutral — neither offers pronation support, and both feel a touch tippy at true jogging speeds before coming alive with pace. Where they diverge in intent is speed range: the Speed 5 is tuned for the faster end (best around 3:45–4:15/km and comfortable through the tempo/marathon zone of roughly 4:00–4:45/km), effectively doubling as a race-day option, while the Azura is happiest as a do-most-things trainer in the 4:30–5:15/km band and holds together down to about 4:15/km, quick but relaxed rather than razor-sharp.