Saucony Endorphin Elite Review
"The Endorphin Elite is the Pinnacle of Saucony's Race-Day Expression"
Likes
- Bouncy midsole foam with elite efficiency
- Lightweight upper fits comfortably
- Protection for any distance
Dislikes
- Some runners might find the midsole too firm
What's New
Saucony is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, and what better way to celebrate than by adding an all-new elite marathon racing shoe to its premiere performance line? Welcome the Saucony Endorphin Elite, Saucony's fastest, lightest, most efficient shoe yet, and with 125 years of proven quality behind them, you know these shoes will perform.
The release of the Endorphin Elite marks the introduction of an all-new midsole foam from Saucony called PWWRUN HG. Claiming to be more responsive than PWWRUN PB, this upgraded supercritical foam will catapult runners to their fastest times. Being Saucony's premier marathon racing shoe, you know the midsole foam is not the only new tech featured in the midsole. With an improved carbon-fiber plate design and reimagined SPEEDROLL geometry, the Endorphin Elite promises a propulsive ride that is incredibly efficient through the gait cycle.
Still not all in? Well, the Endorphin Elite has one more surprise for you...an unbelievably lightweight knit mesh upper. Like the rest of the shoe, the shoe's upper is crafted for those chasing their personal bests. With a unique design featuring an even more unique midfoot lacing structure, the Endorphin Elite promises a comfortably snug performance fit worthy of its elite status. Well, Happy 125th Anniversary Saucony, thank you for the wonderful present!
The Bottom Line
We have grown very familiar with the Endorphin series over the last few years, and runners everywhere have been blown away by the Endorphin Speed and Endorphin Pro. Now, we have an entirely new premier shoe leading the line, the Endorphin Elite, and as our testers will attest, this shoe is elite.
Top-to-bottom, the Endorphin Elite has been manufactured to produce speed. The new PWRRUN HG supercritical foam with re-imagined carbon-fiber plate and aggressive geometry make for a highly impressive midsole that produces top-tier speeds with truly elite efficiency, the likes of which we have only seen in a very select number of shoes.
Even the upper, with knit mesh and unique midfoot lacing structure, is designed for fast times on race day. The Endorphin Elite's stripped-down upper design feels feather-light on foot and keeps runners' feet securely locked down, producing distraction-free running ideal for keeping runners focused on the task ahead: beating their best.
The only question worth asking yourself is, do you think you are ready for the Endorphin Elite? The aggressively fast features do not cater to easy day mileage or the recreational runner who may favor comfort over speed. Like other premier marathon racing shoes, the Endorphin Elite was built to help even the fastest marathoners go faster on race day. So, again, are you ready to be Elite?
Specifications & Fit
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 7.3 oz (size 9) | Women's: 6.5 oz (size 8) |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to size |
Our In-Depth Look
Upper
Jon: "Admittedly, I was quite skeptical of the Endorphin Elite's upper before trying it on. It seemed too stripped down to provide long-lasting comfort, and the thin tongue looked like it could easily tear.
I am happy to report that the upper is fantastic and is my favourite of any super shoe I have worn. Saucony has found the perfect formula for delivering a stripped-down race fit with precise overlay placement to deliver the optimal level of structure.
Speaking of overlays, the overlay in the toe box provided a surprising amount of volume, which kept my toes happy and comfortable during every run. The unique cutout in the midfoot section was not distracting on the run and did not inhibit a secure lockdown. The thin mesh strap around the midfoot acted like a seat belt for my feet, and though it is thin, the tongue feels like it will be able to provide long-lasting comfort with its suede-like softness."
Midsole
Jon: "Explosive. That is the best word I can think of to describe the running experience in the Endorphin Elite. The PWRRUN HG foam is ultra-responsive, working harmoniously with the slotted carbon plate and aggressive SPEEDROLL geometry to deliver one of the most energetic toe-offs I have experienced.
The PWRRUN HG is firmer than I expected, but I did not consider that a bad thing. After all, the original Saucony Endorphin Pro is one of my favourite super shoes of all time, and that had a reputation for being on the firmer side.
Just remember, the Endorphin Elite shoe is built to go fast. This is not an easy day or recovery shoe, as it feels too aggressive at slower speeds. It was not until I pushed around 4 minute pace that I started to unlock this shoe’s capabilities. The faster I went, the faster the shoe wanted to go."
Outsole
Jon: "Rather than the rubber grooved outsole that has been featured in the Endorphin Pro series, the Elite’s outsole contains a thin layer of smooth rubber in the forefoot and a thin layer on the lateral heel, which is reminiscent of the outsole on the adidas adizero Adios Pro. In terms of performance, the outsole provided excellent traction on the roads and the track. Only time will tell how durable the outsole rubber is, but no complaints from me so far."
Individual Thoughts
The name says it all. This shoe is truly Elite, which could be considered both a good and a bad thing depending on the type of runner you are and your ability level. It is good because it has the latest and greatest shoe technology with the capability to help really fast runners run their best race. Unfortunately, that is also the catch with the Endorphin Elite.
I barely scratched the surface of this shoe’s capabilities running at a 4 minute pace, and I am hard-pressed to recommend the Endorphin Elite to the general, or less experienced, marathon runner. This is especially true given how many fantastic options are out there that are less expensive and more comfort-minded.
That said, I am also a believer in choosing a shoe that gives you the most confidence on race day, and even though you may not be a Parker Stinson or Grayson Murphy, there is no reason why runners cannot hit massive PRs while wearing the Endorphin Elite. We have all heard the phrase, “dress for the job you want, not the job you have.” I would apply that same philosophy to the Saucony Endorphin Elite—wear the shoes for the speed you want, not the current speed you have. Well, that is at least what I will be telling myself as I lace these up for my next marathon.