TEST: Saucony Endorphin Elite 3: extremely soft, extremely responsive

Saucony Endorphin Elite series has never been the quiet type. The first edition was firm and aggressive, almost direct over long distances. The 2nd edition went in the opposite direction with IncrediRun, a TPEE foam so soft and lively, it divided runners into two camps. Those who loved the shoe, and those whose ankles disagreed. Endorphin Elite 3 is Saucony's attempt to combine the best of both worlds: extremely soft and extremely responsive.

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Endorphin Elite 3: a marshmallow with wow

The first time I put on Endorphin Elite 3 , the feeling was unmistakable. It felt like stepping into a marshmallow. Soft everywhere. A bit bouncy. If you've never had your feet in an Endorphin Elite before, you might be skeptical of the softness and lively feel. It's incredibly soft, and there's a real wow factor to the initial sensation. The first cautious steps made me a bit unsure if it would be stable enough for me when speeding down the road.

Experience on the road: Almost like magic

I started cautiously with a 5k at a moderate pace, just to get to know the shoe. I was still a bit skeptical about the soft and lively feel and didn't want to dive into something I couldn't handle.

But I needn't have worried. No feeling of ankles about to twist. No fatigue in calves or hips, which I usually experience with shoes that are a bit too wild for my pace and technique. When the pace increases, the shoe changes character. That restless, lively feeling is still there, but now it feels like an advantage rather than a problem. Not stable like a stability shoe, but for me much more stable than the 2nd edition. It took me a while to trust it in sharp turns, but now I fly around corners.

With intervals and gradually longer runs, I began to truly understand the combination. Soft when the pace is "calm," responsive when I speed up. Quite magical that a shoe can change character with the pace.

After 16 km at half-marathon pace, I thought: I could easily take this shoe to a half-marathon. For a shoe that initially felt almost too much, that's quite a compliment.

Endorphin Elite 3 is best described as a shoe with two personalities. Incredibly soft and lively when you put it on, transforming into an extremely soft, responsive, and fun race shoe when you start the clock and pick up the pace

Updated from top to toe: wider platform and two layers of IncrediRun

Looking at Elite 3 next to the 2nd edition, it's clear something has changed. The 2nd edition's distinctive cut-out under the midfoot is gone, and the platform is wider throughout the shoe's length. It's Saucony's way of adding a bit more stability to the shoe.

The foam is still IncrediRun distributed in two layers around a redesigned and more aggressive carbon plate. The carbon plate is split in the forefoot, providing better individual adaptation at toe-off. The top layer of IncrediRun wraps the foot slightly on both sides, contributing a bit to increased stability. We're not talking the kind of stability you know from a pronation shoe. It's just a bit of extra stability that allows you to maintain speed in sharp turns in this third edition.

The heel has also changed. Where the 2nd edition had a high and prominent heel construction, the 3rd edition's is more integrated and lower. For me, it fits better. In the heel, you'll also find a small pad that provides extra comfort and a good fit.

Saucony Endorphin Elite 2	Saucony Endorphin Elite 3

New upper: small details, big difference

Endorphin Elite 3 has a new upper. The 2nd edition was in a stretchy, structured material, while the 3rd edition feels like a more classic single-layer mesh. Elite 3 also has regular eyelets instead of Elite 2's loops, which were difficult for some to tighten properly. A small elastic across the tongue, as known from trail shoes, allows securing the laces so they don't bounce around when the pace picks up. Another nice little detail is the transition from upper to foot, which has an almost sock-like feel around the entire foot. It doesn't sound like much, but it fits well.

Fit and size: Is Elite 3 true to size?

For me, Endorphin Elite 3 fits true to size. I run in EUR 38.5 as in my other Saucony, and it was also the right choice here. The forefoot feels wider than in my Saucony Endorphin Azura . However, this might be because I have Endorphin Azura in a women's version, while Endorphin Elite 3 is a unisex version. The softer and more forgiving upper likely also plays a role. Some men find the shoe small in size, so if you're between sizes, I recommend the larger one.

Who is Saucony Endorphin Elite 3 for?

Elite 3 is a race day shoe. It's built for competitions and key tempo runs. If you use it in your daily training, the kilometers wear out a bit too quickly.

From 10 km and up, where you need both energy return and comfort kilometer after kilometer, its strengths truly show. I can easily imagine taking it to my next half-marathon in a few weeks. For an all-out 5 km, there are lighter and more suitable race shoes.

If you're an experienced runner considering your first or next carbon plate race shoe, the 3rd edition is a good place to start. It's more forgiving than many other race shoes in the category.

If you're an experienced runner chasing new times, Elite 3 offers something different. It's not the lightest race shoe on the market, but one of the most fun and responsive. Soft and energy-returning kilometer after kilometer, even when the legs start to tire.

Do you know the Saucony universe? 

If you know Saucony's Endorphin Pro 5 , the difference is clear. Pro 5 is firmer and more aggressive. It pushes you forward at high speed but is less comfortable at lower speeds. The two complement each other well. Read Lars' review of Pro 5 if you want to know more.

If you run in Azura and are considering the next step, Elite 3 is an obvious choice. Same Saucony DNA, but with a carbon plate, more energy returnand ready for race day.

Wild, soft, and ready for PR

Saucony hasn't removed the fun from Endorphin Elite. IncrediRun is still some of the wildest and softest foam in the category, and the 3 is still wild. But where the 2 was for those who love to balance on the edge, the 3 is for a broader audience. Wider platform, better upper, and a bit more stability in sharp turns. More runners can now join in, without the shoe losing what makes the Elite edition special.

Endorphin Elite 3 is the shoe that changed my mind about the Elite series. Soft as a marshmallow, responsive when needed, and fun to run in. Just in a way that I can also use it.

Keep an eye on Saucony Endorphin Elite 3. I expect it will be on the feet of many runners chasing their new PR.