Saucony Endorphin Elite

Review Score
88%
🏅 Highly Rated
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Saucony Endorphin Elite: Review

“A lightweight, responsive shoe for speed training and racing.”

Overview


The Saucony Endorphin Elite is a running shoe designed for speed training and racing. This shoe is known for its lightweight design and deep cushioning, making it ideal for runners who prioritize comfort and responsiveness.

Key Features:

  • Carbon Fiber Plate: The Endorphin Elite features a carbon fiber plate, enhancing energy return and propulsion during races and speed training.
  • Saucony's PWRRUN HG Technology: It incorporates Saucony's PWRRUN HG technology, known for its exceptional energy return and responsiveness.
  • Breathable Knit and Mesh Upper: The shoe boasts a breathable knit and mesh upper, ensuring well-ventilated runs and comfort.
  • Neutral Pronation: The Endorphin Elite is designed for neutral pronation, providing a balanced and efficient stride.

The Saucony Endorphin Elite is tailored for runners seeking a lightweight, cushioned, and responsive shoe for their speed training and racing endeavors, with features designed to optimize performance and comfort.

With an average review score of 87%, it's in the highest rated 20% of similar running shoes. Based on our monitoring of prices across the internet, it's currently in the most expensive 10% of running shoes today.

Verdict

The consensus on the Saucony Endorphin Elite


The Saucony Endorphin Elite is a high-performance running shoe that excels in speed training and racing scenarios. It offers deep cushioning and a responsive ride, thanks to its carbon fiber plate and Saucony's PWRRUN HG technology. The shoe's wide toe box and breathable upper contribute to its overall comfort, making it suitable for long-distance runs. However, some users have reported issues with the shoe's grip on wet roads and its rearfoot stability. Despite its higher price point, the Endorphin Elite's exceptional energy return and comfort make it a strong contender in the racing shoe category. From our perspective, the Saucony Endorphin Elite is a solid investment for serious runners seeking a balance of comfort and performance.

Saucony Endorphin Elite: Base model


The Saucony Endorphin Elite is a special version of the Saucony Endorphin. While both shoes are designed for running, the Endorphin Elite stands out with its carbon fiber plate and Saucony's PWRRUN HG technology, providing exceptional energy return.

Comparable Shoes




Compared to the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3, the Endorphin Elite offers a higher level of energy return and a wider toe box. However, it comes at a higher price point.

10 Saucony Endorphin Elite Pros & Cons


5 Pros

Lightweight and responsive
Deep cushioning
Wide toe box
Exceptional energy return
Orthotic friendly

5 Cons

Higher price point
Issues with grip on wet roads
Rearfoot stability could be improved
Outsole scuffing
Pungent odor

In Depth


Upper

The upper of the Saucony Endorphin Elite is made of a breathable knit and mesh material, ensuring a well-ventilated run. This feature is particularly beneficial for runners who engage in long-distance running, as it helps to keep the feet cool and dry. The upper also provides excellent foot lockdown, enhancing stability during runs.

Midsole

The midsole of the Endorphin Elite features Saucony's PWRRUN HG technology and a carbon fiber plate. These features work together to provide exceptional energy return, making the shoe highly responsive. This makes the Endorphin Elite ideal for speed training and racing.

Outsole

The outsole of the Endorphin Elite provides superb grip in both wet and dry conditions. However, some users have reported issues with the shoe's grip on wet roads. Additionally, there have been reports of outsole scuffing, which may affect the shoe's durability over time.

Size/fit

The Endorphin Elite is known for its wide toe box, making it suitable for runners with wider feet. It is also orthotic friendly, accommodating custom insoles for runners who require additional arch support.

Comfort

With its deep cushioning and responsive ride, the Endorphin Elite offers a high level of comfort. This makes it ideal for long-distance runs, including half marathons and marathons.

Who should buy the Saucony Endorphin Elite?


The Saucony Endorphin Elite is a great choice for runners who engage in speed training and racing. It's also suitable for those who prefer a shoe with a wide toe box and high energy return. Runners with a neutral pronation will find this shoe particularly beneficial.

Who should not buy the Saucony Endorphin Elite?


The Endorphin Elite may not be the best choice for runners who prefer a softer race experience or are on a budget. It's also not ideal for those who require a shoe with a high level of rearfoot stability or a strong grip on wet roads.

Saucony Endorphin Elite: What's it good for?


Speed training, racing, and long-distance runs such as half marathons and marathons.

4 Saucony Endorphin Elite FAQs


Is the Saucony Endorphin Elite suitable for long-distance runs?

Yes, the Endorphin Elite is suitable for long-distance runs, including half marathons and marathons, thanks to its deep cushioning and responsive ride.

Does the Saucony Endorphin Elite have a wide toe box?

Yes, the Endorphin Elite is known for its wide toe box, making it suitable for runners with wider feet.

Is the Saucony Endorphin Elite orthotic friendly?

Yes, the Endorphin Elite is orthotic friendly and can accommodate custom insoles.

What is the main difference between the Saucony Endorphin and the Endorphin Elite?

The main difference between the two models is that the Endorphin Elite features a carbon fiber plate and Saucony's PWRRUN HG technology, providing exceptional energy return. It also has a wider toe box.

Saucony Endorphin Elite alternatives



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Weight
Weight
M: 204 g
W: 184 g
M: 198 g
W: 173 g
M: 255 g
W: 190 g
M: 264 g
W: 210 g
M: 215 g
W: 187 g
M: 215 g
W: 179 g
Forefoot
Forefoot
32 mm
32 mm
32 mm
M: 32 mm
W: 30 mm
36 mm
37 mm
Heel to toe drop
Heel to toe drop
8 mm
8 mm
8 mm
7 mm
4 mm
3 mm
Heel
Heel
40 mm
40 mm
40 mm
M: 39 mm
W: 37 mm
40 mm
38 mm
Brand
Brand
Saucony
NikePUMAHokaNew BalanceMizuno
Shoe Type
Shoe Type
BreathableComfortableLightweightMaximalist
BreathableComfortableLightweightMaximalistBreathableMaximalistBreathableComfortableLightweightMaximalistBreathableComfortableLightweightMaximalistBreathableComfortableLightweightLow dropMaximalist
Breathable
Breathable
Carbon fiber plate
Carbon fiber plate
Orthotic friendly
Orthotic friendly
Removable insole
Removable insole
Rocker
Rocker
Techs
Techs
Saucony PWRRUN HG
New Balance FuelCell
Environmental Characteristics
Environmental Characteristics
SustainableVegan Ⓥ
Vegan Ⓥ
0

Saucony Endorphin Elite: what the experts say (7 reviews)

Saucony Endorphin Elite: 22 Expert video reviews

Saucony Endorphin Elite: 2 Manufacturer videos

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AuthorTom Green
Tom is the founder of geerly. Based in West London, he found his passion for running in his mid-30s. He’s best at longer distances, and is a regular at the London Marathon, where he's edging closer to sub-2.40. He started geerly because he found it frustrating when shopping for running shoes spending ages trying to find the best deal in his size, and wading through verbose, waffling reviews clearly designed to appeal to search engines rather than be helpful to users. For geerly he's passionate about writing reviews that get straight to the point, and helping runners find the right gear at the best price.
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Tom Green
April 19, 2024 at 9:55 AM
Gunnersbury parkrun #230 (my #3️⃣4️⃣)
📊 Stats | Powered by geerly.com 👟 🕒 Official time: 00:22:45 | Course PB 🚨 🏁 Overall position: 35/549 🚹 Gender position: 21/299 🎯 Age grade: 61%