Saucony Endorphin Pro Review
Saucony's Marathon Super Shoe
Likes
- Incredibly responsive
- Durable design
- Smooth ride
Dislikes
- Heel slippage
What's New
For years, Nike has owned the market in terms of elite marathon racing shoes, but with the Endorphin Pro, Saucony has brought their own masterpiece to the competition. This new shoe features a carbon fiber plate for snappy propulsiveness, while its S-curve design matches the midsole's SPEEDROLL rockered geometry to efficiently roll the runner forward with every step. The PWRRUN PB midsole uses a beaded PEBA foam for high-level energy return, paired with a full-length rubber outsole for increased durability. Finally, the lightweight mesh upper provides ventilation throughout, while the lightly padded heel collar and gusseted design keep the wearer's foot firmly in place.
The Bottom Line
The Saucony Endorphin Pro is the marathon racing shoe that many have been waiting for. Those who found the cushioning of the Vaporfly too squishy for their liking and those who don't want to pay an extremely high price for a carbon-plated racing shoe will love the $200 price range and lively responsiveness of the Endorphin Pro.
The PWRRUN PB foam does not have the same level of sinking-in softness as some of its direct competitors, but our tester felt that it was soft enough for comfort over long distances while offering a more stable and lively ride. Meanwhile, the rockered design helps to propel the runner forward quickly and efficiently. Although the minimal mesh upper offers enough support for uptempo runs and race day, our tester didn't think it had quite enough structure for daily training. Overall, with its low weight, high cushioning, and incredibly responsive design, the Saucony Endorphin Pro fits right in at the top of the elite marathon racing game.
Shoe Performance
Softness i
Ride/Energy Return i
Underfoot Protection i
Flexibility i
Upper Support i
Specifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium | Height: Medium | |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium | |
| Heel Width | Medium | |
| Arch Height | Medium to High |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 7.5 oz (size 9) | Women's: 6.8 oz (size 8) | |
| Stack Height | 33 mm (Heel), 25 mm (Forefoot) | 8 mm Heel-Toe Offset | |
| Terrain | Road | |
| Stability | Neutral | |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softness i
Connor: "The PWRRUN PB midsole is truly something special that offers its own unique, responsive feel. It's soft underfoot, but I wouldn't classify as the softest super shoe. It has just the right amount of cushion for comfort while the plate helps create that added stability and a non-mushy experience."
Ride/Energy Return i
Connor: "The Endorphin Pro is the first shoe to feature PWRRUN PB, and that's the key ingredient to its performance. It's extremely responsive and creates a high level of energy return that makes each stride feel effortless. This super foam works with the carbon fiber plate and SPEEDROLL technology to deliver ultimate propulsion that will excel at race pace."
Underfoot Protection i
Connor: "While it's not the most cushioned elite marathon racer on the market, the Endorphin Pro still delivers an extremely high level of cushioning that keeps you well protected from the hard asphalt road. The cushioning was everything I needed for the marathon and even daily training if I wanted, but given the nature of the shoe, I would instead reserve it for workout or race day despite the fantastic durability."
Underfoot Flexibility i
Connor: "The Endorphin Pro is stiff. The carbon plate and high stack height don't allow for much bend, but that's what makes the shoe so fast. The stiffness is a big part of what creates efficiency and pop at faster paces in this elite marathon racer."
Upper Feel i
Connor: "The upper has just enough support to race a marathon, but I definitely wouldn't classify it as structured. It's thin, light, and keeps your foot secure enough to make it to the finish line."
Women's Saucony Endorphin Carbon Running Shoes
Individual Thoughts
Every brand is bringing out its own carbon fiber-plated marathon racing shoe, and the hype continues to grow with each new release. The Endorphin Pro, in particular, caught our eye when we first saw it on the feet of Jared Ward a few years ago. Since then, it's been gaining a lot of hype from competitive runners seeking performance benefits over the marathon distance.
We had very high hopes for this shoe, and now that I've had the chance to put in the miles, I can say it easily lives up to the hype. The Vaporfly has been at the top of the totem pole for a few years now, but the Endorphin Pro is coming in hot and giving it some serious competition. The ultra-responsive cushioning, unique midsole geometry that helps create a "speed roll," and the stiff and efficient carbon fiber plate make this one of the top-performing super shoes of the year.