What You Want To Know
- Weighs 7.2 oz. (205g) for a US M9, 6.5 oz (185g) for a US W8
- Stack top of 39.5 mm (heel), 31.5 mm forefoot (8 mm drop)
- Options all-new PWRRUN HG midsole, Saucony’s lightest and bounciest foam to this point
- Slotted carbon-fiber plate pairs with Speedroll rocker for snappy toe-off
- Light-weight and breathable, cage-like higher
- Obtainable February 21 for $275 (pre-order obtainable now)
The Intro
MEAGHAN: Not solely did Saucony win the “Model of the 12 months” award for us in 2022, however the Saucony Endorphin Professional 3 was our high choose for race day footwear. Evidently, we had fairly excessive hopes for the Endorphin Elite, an all-new shoe created in live performance with Saucony’s a hundred and twenty fifth anniversary. In response to Saucony, the shoe begins a brand new chapter within the model’s legacy, as “the lightest, quickest, and most vitality environment friendly shoe the model has ever made.”
We like foam greater than a freshman tapping a keg for the primary time, and this one has a brand new one– PWRRUN HG, Saucony’s highest rebound foam but. Nonetheless don’t know what HG stands for, although we’ve heard the whole lot from “hydrogen” to “holy grail.”
However let’s speak in regards to the shoe and why it exists. Much like the Endorphin Professional 3, the Elite is supposed for race day. From the minimal higher to the slotted carbon plate, this shoe feels and appears quick. The higher is designed with a light-weight knit mesh, skinny gusseted tongue, and flat stretchy laces. A midfoot lacing construction and skinny strap across the heel work to maintain the foot secured down, particularly when working at sooner paces.
Beneath the foot is that new tremendous foam, PWRRUN HG. Pushing proper to the authorized restrict with 39.5mm within the heel, this shoe offers loads of cushioning (31.5mm within the forefoot for an 8mm drop).
The carbon fiber plate forks within the forefoot for a smoother journey and the aggressive Speedroll rocker geometry offers loads of ahead momentum. In line with the race day theme, the outsole has a really skinny layer of XT-900 to offer traction, with out including additional weight. My ladies’s 7.5 got here in at a mere 6.2 oz (the very same weight because the Endorphin Professional 3).
THOMAS: Meaghan, aka Miss 2:47 on the latest Chevron Houston Marathon, simply served you up the main points on the Endorphin Elite, however she skipped previous one in all Saucony’s claims highlighted in a YouTube video selling the discharge of the shoe.
Saucony claims the PWRRUN HG tremendous foam returns a whopping 95% vitality again to the runner. Now, I wasn’t precisely Sir Isaac Newton in boarding faculty, however I did take pleasure in a Fig Newton once in a while, and I’m fairly certain that 95% could be very near 100%. Which appears… type of wild/unbelievable?
From the sources now we have, it’s doubtless that the measurement is taken utilizing the block of froth on a compression machine with a lightweight pressure of stress utilized, producing optimum vitality return. Nevertheless, as soon as an outsole and higher are utilized and a downward pressure of 150+ kilos is utilized, that quantity goes considerably down. That mentioned, most tremendous foams measured that method are within the mid-80-percent vary for vitality return, so if Saucony did certainly get it to 95%, then they’re definitely onto one thing. However now we have no method of realizing with out realizing the precise testing situations of the PWRRUN HG foam. Nonetheless, for the sake of this evaluation, let’s take their phrase for it and go from there. Or don’t, and simply maintain studying anyway.
I first noticed leaked pictures of the Endorphin Elite final summer season, and the shoe appeared radical. The strap, the visually excessive stack– mixed, all of it appeared like an area sandal. Neil deGrasse Tyson will inform you you can’t put on sandals in area, however he can also’t run a sub 3-hour marathon, so truth examine that. I used to be certain the shoe can be over the authorized stack top for race day, however I used to be improper. It’s in actual fact authorized, and in individual, the shoe appears to be like way more regular.
Moreover, Saucony places all its race day footwear by way of metabolic testing, and the Elite was its best-tested racer to this point. American elite marathoner and Saucony-sponsored athlete Parker Stinson, who not too long ago ran within the shoe on his option to a 2:12, fourth-place end on the Chevron Houston Marathon, shared the next with me: “I’ve been utilizing the Elite as my weapon of selection in exercises and races during the last 6 months due to the ridiculous launch-forward feeling you get once you put energy into the bottom. So together with having a few of my finest exercise splits within the Elite, I used to be additionally in a position to do some metabolic testing with Saucony, giving me the arrogance to run my finest marathon within the Elite.”
I imply, the dude confirmed up in Houston on a heat day, staying with the lead pack by way of mile 24… so there’s gotta be one thing happening right here. Let’s discover out extra.
Store Saucony Endorphin Elite – Males
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The Good
MEAGHAN: It’s like clockwork: quick day footwear all the time present up proper after I race a marathon. On this case, the day earlier than the marathon, however we have been already in Houston. So the Endorphin Elite simply sat by the door for 5 days.
However after that brief relaxation interval, I used to be prepared and excited to lace up the Endorphin Elite. I imply, as Thomas identified, the VP of Engineering at Saucony mentioned this new PWRRUN HG materials provides “95% of vitality again to the runner” – I don’t even understand how that’s potential nevertheless it sounds ridiculously nice.
The step-in really feel is attention-grabbing. It’s paying homage to the Adidas Prime X, feeling nearer to 50mm of stack and a stretchy collar and heel that depart loads to be desired. Nevertheless, the whole lot appeared to return collectively on the roads. The PWRRUN HG feels a bit extra dense than the PWWRUN PB discovered within the Endorphin Professional 3, nevertheless it’s nonetheless responsive and lightweight. I truly put one shoe on every foot to gauge the distinction. The Professional 3 feels squishier, however not fairly as poppy. The carbon plate and aggressive rocker geometry of the Elite undoubtedly make this shoe distinctive; it appeared just like the sooner I ran, the sooner I needed to run.
Regardless of a midsole produced from one stable block of froth, the shoe felt decoupled, much like the design and really feel of the Puma Quick-R Nitro Elite. Not a very good or dangerous sensation per say, simply one thing I observed. Whereas there isn’t a lot rubber protection on the outsole, it’s sufficient to offer actually stable traction. I ran on moist roads and picket docks with out difficulty.
THOMAS: As odd because the Endorphin Elite’s higher seems, it suits nicely and capabilities as supposed. Consider the cut-outs as a option to get rid of unneeded supplies. I’ve to reward the Saucony staff for taking a contemporary method to the higher design.
It’s humorous that Meaghan talked about the underfoot really feel being paying homage to the Adidas Prime X. I felt the identical method for 2 causes: 1) the froth jogs my memory of Lightstrike Professional, and a couple of) you’re feeling such as you’re on a platform with an aggressive toe spring. Meg and I each felt the shoe had a particular entrance half really feel and decoupled heel sensation. I don’t know what offers this, however suppose Puma Quick-R, and also you’ll perceive.
The way in which that I benefit from the Alphafly as a “set it and overlook it” racer is much like how the Endorphin Elite rides. Each footwear cruise when you get them as much as race tempo. They’re additionally not suited to shifting gears. So discover your candy spot and let the miles fade away. The shoe rewards a ahead lean– fall ahead and roll off the toe.
Store Saucony Endorphin Elite – Males
Store Saucony Endorphin Elite – Girls
The Dangerous
MEAGHAN: I recognize the minimal design of the higher, nevertheless it lacked construction and help across the collar and heel. This isn’t a shoe I might lace up for a course with numerous turns or hills. Nice for the flat, straightaways however I lacked confidence working quick on any sharp turns across the harbor.
Additionally, I’m simply going to say it: I type of hate the brilliant inexperienced colorway.
THOMAS: Okay, Meg, famous on the inexperienced. I agree with Meg that the heel counter is the weak spot within the higher design. Nonetheless, on the identical time, I favored the zero interference besides when cornering, the place I did expertise the dreaded heel raise when going aggressively into the financial institution.
I might like it if the froth was softer with extra of a bounce off the toes, however for that desire, Saucony already has the Endorphin Professional 3. Would I’m going with the Endorphin Elite or the Endorphin Professional 3? The reply gained’t depart you glad: I need them each for various causes. The Endorphine Professional 3 is softer and has extra pop, however the Endorphin Elite feels meaner and extra aggressive. It comes all the way down to my temper and health degree. I’ve heard from a researcher that at my marathon race tempo within the excessive 7s, I’m night the taking part in area and that the effectivity advantages between tremendous footwear is comparable till you get below 6-minute miles. Then an athlete can eke out an additional proportion between the highest footwear.
That will go a good distance in explaining who the Elite is designed for, and perhaps the thriller is given away within the identify: Elites.
Saucony says this shoe is supposed for everybody to really feel like an Elite, however on the finish of the day, when you wanna be elite, you gotta be elite.
Store Saucony Endorphin Elite – Males
Store Saucony Endorphin Elite – Girls
Saucony Endorphin Elite Conclusion
MEAGHAN: The Saucony Endorphin Elite delivered on its race day promise – it’s gentle, quick and enjoyable. The brand new foam and carbon plate development undoubtedly rivals our high race day picks. The $275 price ticket additionally competes with the highest footwear within the pockets division – solely to be matched by the Nike Alphafly 2. Which might be the final query we have to reply right here: Alphafly Subsequent% 2 or Endorphin Elite? Between the 2, I’m lacing up the Endorphin Elite. BUT WAIT: does this shoe reign supreme over the unique Alphafly? Not fairly. I’ve but to discover a shoe that gives that good mix of sentimental cushioning and propulsive pop fairly just like the OG.
Saucony suggests this can be a race day shoe for all paces, and whereas I are inclined to agree, I discovered it livened up at sooner speeds. I feel anybody who loved the Endorphin Professional 3 can be proud of this new race day possibility, however this shoe is a one-trick pony– or stallion. One which solely comes out of the steady when it’s trying to run its hardest.
I’ll be preserving this shoe in my rotation for quick days and doubtless a race or two this spring. You possibly can snag your personal pair on February 21.
THOMAS: I wasn’t offered on my first run within the Endorphin Elite. It felt much less thrilling underfoot than I hoped for. Nevertheless, on the second run, I went out with the Sooner Bastards on the weekly 10-mile run, a flat and quick run alongside Baltimore’s Inside Harbor. Coming off an damage, I’m nonetheless within the constructing part of my health, however as soon as I acquired in a groove, the Endorphin Elite started to sing.
With little effort, I used to be cruising and having enjoyable maintaining with my associates, together with Huge Foot Jarrett. The Endorphin Elite is a shoe for quick runs solely, it feels uneven at slower paces and smooths out as you stretch out the stride and velocity up your turnover. If I have been pressured to provide direct comparisons, I might say it falls into the identical bucket because the Adidas Adios Professional 3 and Puma Quick-R.
My dimension 10.5 suits true to dimension and weighs 8.1 ounces/230 grams. Lastly, Meg talked about the value: $275. Is it value it? It’s laborious to say. The shoe undoubtedly provides me confidence that I can hit and maintain my aim paces. There are only some footwear on the market that make me really feel race prepared; after all, all of them are priced over the $200 mark.
The Alphafly 2 is $275. In the event you learn our evaluation of the Alphafly 2, you already know we have been disenchanted with the replace and bought some back-up pairs of the unique Alphafly. In the event you’re fortunate, you’ll be able to nonetheless snatch a few of these up at a reduction.
I might select the Saucony Endorphin Elite over the Alphafly 2. It’s lighter, simply as steady, and doesn’t intervene with my pure stride the way in which Alphafly 2 does. Just like the Alphafly, the Endorphin Elite rewards you once you punch off the ball of your foot.
In the event you’re in search of a punchier model of the Endorphin Professional 3 (i.e. a shoe that sings when you sizzle) then the Endorphin Elite could also be your subsequent race day shoe.
I really feel compelled to say that if I solely spend round $300 {dollars} on one shoe this yr, I might maintain out for the Adidas Prime X 2. Elites might wish to skip it, although. It gained’t be authorized for the professionals.
You possibly can pre-order the Saucony Endorphin Elite now for $275 at Operating Warehouse (that includes free 2-day transport and 90-day returns) previous to its February 21 launch by utilizing the store hyperlink beneath.
Store Saucony Endorphin Elite – Males
Store Saucony Endorphin Elite – Girls
Thomas is the Founding father of Consider within the Run and has all the time been a gear junkie, and when he fell in love with working, he additionally discovered a ardour for the gear that goes with it. He has been reviewing trainers and equipment by way of Consider within the Run since 2009. Stats: Shoe dimension: 10.5 USA, Foot form: Slender, Midfoot strike, 35 Marathons, 13 Extremely Marathons, 2 Ironman 70.3
