Saucony's latest tempo shoes have a wild reputation: Either they are, like and , among the fastest and most popular shoes on the market, or they are, like Shift and Kinvara Pro, in a category that can't decide if they're training or interval shoes.
This year, attempts to clear the confusion. uses super foam and a carbon plate and is the American brand's answer to a super trainer: a shoe that lasts many miles, combined with technologies used in super shoes.
But has it succeeded in making a super trainer that, at best, is essential for most runners, or does Saucony Endorphin Trainer fall into the category with its predecessors – shoes that haven't yet gotten a sequel, but instead change names? Read on for the verdict.
Comfortable, yes, but…
The shoe leans toward the heavy side at 280 grams (US 9). Normally, this wouldn't be notable, but when adds super foam and a carbon plate, it's odd that it weighs more than some training shoes.
The weight has its benefits, and comfort is one of them – something Saucony usually nails in their shoes. The mesh upper locks the foot comfortably, and the soft heel cup has no "slip." Generally, Saucony rarely misses when it comes to uppers: the Formfit recipe has set new standards for how soft an upper can feel. But considering Saucony's past success with comfortable uppers on light shoes, Endorphin Trainer feels a bit clunky.
The upper is similar to what Saucony uses on training shoes, and the many comfort elements concern me a bit when thinking about how the shoe feels on a warm summer evening when running intervals. In winter weather, it was no problem, but if you tend to have hot feet at high intensity, you might want to look at the lighter 4.
Clap and carbon in the midsole
The midsole on has an 8 mm drop and is two-part. The bottom consists of Saucony's classic EVA foam type, PWRRUN. On top of the firm EVA foam is a relatively large layer of Saucony's latest and fastest foam type, IncrediRun. This is the same super foam type that Saucony also uses in Endorphin Elite 2.
The combination is exciting: PWRRUN foam provides stability and gives the shoes a distinctive sound. With each step, a sound best described as a clap against the pavement occurs. It doesn't bother me – it rather gives a quick feel of response, which is both felt and heard. An effect found in only one other pair I know.
The extra stability is felt in the large sole landing platform, where the foot is stabilized effectively, regardless of speed. The shoes wouldn't have much wow-factor if not for the layer of IncrediRun foam on top. The foam provides a pleasant and bouncing sensation when you step into the shoe for the first time. Yes, I had to hold back the first time I ran in the shoes, as they suggested a higher pace than I had planned.
This might also be due to the ¾-length carbon plate between the two foam types. It increases responsiveness by making the shoe stiff. I've used the shoe for jogging, where it felt too fast, to half-marathon intensity, and to strides at high speed. For me, the shoe works best at intensity around half-marathon.
The shoes have been criticized for not being fast enough. In my opinion, speed isn't an issue – you'll have to work for it, but they will give you the response you seek in a super trainer. The bigger question is whether the shoes are comfortable enough for, e.g., half-marathon training, where softness is increasingly a necessity. For the shoes are harder than, e.g., Endorphin Speed 4, and here you'll undoubtedly get a fast shoe, which is also soft.
Outsole like midsole
The large outsole of durable EVA foam has allowed Saucony to save on rubber coating. Instead, you run directly on the PWRRUN material, except for the most exposed areas, where panels of durable rubber protect the midsole.
Considering the shoe's weight, I expected more outsole. It feels wild to have such an expensive shoe on, where there's really nothing protecting the most important for a good feel – the midsole – from the ground. That said, my experience with Saucony's durability is good, and I recall Guide 17, where you also mostly ran on an EVA sole. And it was a pair of training shoes that were hard to wear out.
Lots of attitude – but also speed
Did Saucony find a home for their super trainer? I still see potential for more, but Endorphin Trainer is the closest they've been yet. The shoes feel great on the foot, and you can confidently wear them for long tempo runs. They also work for interval training, but you'll find you need to work a bit more than you might be used to. This is because the shoes weigh significantly more than other super trainers on the market. On the flip side, you're well-secured in a comfortable shoe that also offers stability.
I recommend the shoes to runners looking for more stability in their interval shoes, or to runners who want a shoe that can do many things at once.
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