The short version: The Saucony Endorphin Speed 6 is due October 15 for about $175–$180. It has a redesigned, more flexible nylon plate, 2 mm more foam and a steeper rocker. The Hoka Arahi 9 ($155) is a light stability trainer that arrives October 1 in the U.S. It keeps the Arahi's H-Frame and gets a new, more supportive upper. Both fit the build-up to a December or January marathon.
We already covered the other October 1 launches, the ASICS Gel-Slowcush and new Pegasus Plus 2 colorways, and the Alphafly 4 and Adios Pro 5 race shoes. These two fill the gap between them: a shoe for tempo days and a daily shoe with some support.
Side by side
| Saucony Endorphin Speed 6 | Hoka Arahi 9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Plated tempo / uptempo trainer | Lightweight stability trainer |
| U.S. release | Oct. 15, 2026 | Oct. 1, 2026 |
| Price | About $175–$180 (retailers) | $155 (Hoka) |
| Weight | 8.1 oz men's, 7.1 oz women's* | 10.0 oz (Hoka); 8.2 oz women's 8* |
| Stack (heel/forefoot) | 38/30 mm* | 38/30 mm men's, 37/29 mm women's* |
| Drop | 8 mm* | 8 mm (Hoka) |
| Midsole | Updated PEBA-based foam with a nylon plate | Dual-density compression-molded EVA, H-Frame |
*As reported by Outside/Run (Sept. 23, 2026). Saucony hadn't published a spec sheet as of Sept. 26, and Hoka doesn't list stack height.
Saucony Endorphin Speed 6: a full redesign
The Speed has been Saucony's do-everything plated shoe: soft enough for long runs, snappy enough for tempo work. For version 6, Outside/Run describes a "complete top-to-bottom redesign." There's 2 mm more stack and a steeper forefoot rocker that engages sooner. The semi-rigid nylon plate now has ribs and slots so it flexes more naturally, drawing on what Saucony learned from the Endorphin Elite 3. The foam is an updated PEBA-based compound that Outside/Run calls lighter and bouncier than the Speed 5's.
Retailers disagree slightly on the details. Running Warehouse lists a 39/31 mm stack, and reviewers use different names for the foam. We'll update this post when Saucony publishes its official specs.
Hoka Arahi 9: stability without the bulk
The Arahi is Hoka's lighter stability shoe. Instead of a hard medial post, it uses the H-Frame, a firmer frame built into the midsole, to keep the foot from rolling in. Hoka lists version 9 at $155, 10.0 oz and an 8 mm drop, with a dual-density EVA midsole and a Super Abrasion rubber outsole. The engineered mesh upper is tighter on the arch side for more support. The shoe also carries the American Podiatric Medical Association's Seal of Acceptance.
Outside/Run says little changed underfoot from the Arahi 8, which it named its best stability shoe for uptempo runs. The upgrade is the upper, which adds a 3D silicone print overlay.
Which one for a Texas fall marathon build?
- Tempo and marathon-pace runs: the Speed 6. A plated trainer lets you practice goal pace without wearing out your race-day super shoe. If you're running a Texas marathon in December or January, October is when those workouts get longer.
- Daily miles with some support: the Arahi 9, especially if your feet roll in as you tire late in long runs.
- Heat: early-fall Texas mornings are still warm and humid. Wet socks and a soggy upper cause blisters, so try a shoe on a long run before race day. Our Texas heat guide explains why your pace drops, too.
- Try before you buy: a local Texas running store can check your gait and put both on your feet. Stock depends on each store.
