Trail running has a fundamental problem! Being so diverse it is close to impossible to find a shoe that can do it all. But what if there was a shoe that defied expectations and offered the ultimate solution?
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The problem
No path is the same, and no shoe is the same, some shoes are fast, some are comfortable, and some get you anywhere. These features don’t mix well, and this is reflected in the trail shoe market. If we take a look at the trail lineup from Saucony, which is arguably one of the very best trail lineups right now, we see the same thing.
First, let’s cover the Endorphin Edge, it’s fast, bouncy, and can handle some technical trails, but it really works best going fast on easier terrain where it can explode off the gravel, making it effortless to run fast.
The Xodus Ultra 2 is so comfortable in both the midsole and upper, but it struggles if you want to run fast or on uneven surfaces. I still remember our fantastic orienteering trip to Sweden last year, where we ran one of the days in the Xodus, enjoying the run, apart from when the terrain got a bit too gnarly.
My favorite trail running shoe, the Peregrine 13, is awesome if you run technical trails, but it doesn’t really do the best job when you get on the flat and firmer parts of a trail run, or if you want to run longer slower runs where you need some cushion as well.
This is sort of the way the trail running shoe market is, and if you want a shoe that can do a bit of everything, you normally end up with a shoe with too many compromises, a total package where you as the consumer don’t get the most out of the trails.
The Solution – Saucony Endorphin Rift
And then in comes the new Saucony Endorphin Rift. A shoe that somehow is doing what the other shoes in the trail lineup can’t. Everything!
The Endorphin Rift is like that superhero that mirrors other shoes’ abilities and makes it his own. Even though it has some faults of its own, and we’ll get to that, it is surprisingly good at almost all aspects of trail running.
It has borrowed some super foam (PWRRUN PB) and the Speedroll technology from the Endorphin Edge, making it a member of the Endorphin family. And this rolling midsole, together with very low weight, makes the Rift a speedy trail shoe.
The firmness of the midsole also reminds me of the Saucony Xodus Ultra 2, where you have enough bounce and softness for comfort, but not too much to damage the overall experience if you end up on a technical trail.
And I think you are starting to get my point. The shoe has even also mirrored some technical abilities of the Peregrine 13. Although it does have a higher stack, it is the closest thing to a “do it all trail shoe” that I’ve seen, maybe ever.
Saucony Endorphin Rift – The Drawbacks
So far this sounds like a shoe that brings out unicorns and rainbows, but there are some drawbacks as well.
Despite being a more versatile shoe, it still doesn’t surpass any of its siblings in their area of expertise. But as far as I know, unicorns don’t exist, so that is to be expected.
The sock-like fit, although super secure and great at keeping debris out, can for people, who are sensitive around the Achilles area, feel a bit too snug. A couple of extra runs to get the shoe adapted should fix this issue though.
And although the shoe fits me true to size, it is on the snugger side. So, if you normally are between sizes, I would recommend that you go up a size.
And as a last little thing. That pull tab Saucony is making now seems to continue being an aesthetic feature. This is a small thing, and you will love this shoe, no matter if you use the pull tab or not.
Which shoe should you choose? – Saucony Lineup
If you want the fastest shoe for easier paths, go for the Endorphin Edge, if you want comfort for longer runs, go for the Xodus Ultra. If you want a technical trail shoe, go for the Peregrine, or the Peregrine ST when it is muddy.
But if you want to run fast one day, technical the next, and long the third, then the Endorphin Rift is by far the best option out there. It is not a one-trick pony, but more of an all-around unicorn that, right now, is the best solution to the trail shoe problem!
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