Saucony Azura Multi Tester Review: a Light, Plateless, Performance Daily Trainer 6 Comparisons

Saucony Endorphin Azura ($150)

Introduction

Sam: The Azura is an all new gentle unplated “ excessive efficiency day by day coach” with a reasonable 40mm heel  / 32mm forefoot stack peak. Its supercritical expanded PWRRUN Pb foam is joined to a lightweight and really supportive higher and new age CPU sort outsole to deliver its weight underneath 8 oz at about males’s 7.95 oz / 225g US9. 

Choosing up the shoe (and operating it in fact), I considered the decrease stack but as compared heavier plastic plated Endorphin Pace with the identical PWRRUN Pb foam and in a throwback of kinds the KInvara because the Azura has a contact of stability from its vertical medial aspect partitions.

From a market perspective, the Azura appears clearly aimed on the gentle unplated “enjoyable efficiency day by day coach” class inhabited by the likes of the New Stability Insurgent and 1080v15, ASICS Novablast. Adizero EVO SL, and new Tyr Maverick-V!. Let’s see the way it measured up and in comparison with the competitors.

Professionals:

“A efficiency day by day coach” as marketed: Sam, Jamie

Energetic but steady trip: the notable bounce is effectively underneath management: Sam, Jamie

Dynamic and steady toe offs: uncommon and efficient “plate on the floor” from the outsole

Gentle weight and extremely cushioned: Sam, Jamie

Safe efficiency oriented higher: Sam, Jamie

Pretty priced: Sam, Jamie

Cons:

Regardless of excessive toe field, broad ft could wrestle: comparatively slender with non stretch mesh: Sam, Jamie

Heel landings a bit agency and low at slower paces: Sam, Jamie

Sturdiness will not be excessive because of minimal outsole protection: Jamie

Stats

Spec. Weight: males’s  7.95 oz / 225g US9 :: girls’s  7.5 oz / 212g US8

  Pattern Weights: 

     males’s  7.72 oz/ 219g (7.9 oz / 223g (proper) 7.6 oz / 215g (left) ) US 8.5

     girls’’s 7.5 oz / 212g US US 8

Stack Peak:  40mm heel /  32mm forefoot 

Platform Width:  90mm heel /  65mm midfoot  / 110mm forefoot US8.5

Most comparable sneakers 

New Stability 1080v15

Endorphin Pace

New Stability Insurgent v5

ASICS Novablast 

Adizero EVO SL 

TYR Maverick-V1 

Salomon Aero Blaze 3

First Impressions, Match and Higher

Sam: The Azura for positive provides off a retro vibe with its grey foremost mesh, shiny silver accents, and black and inexperienced overlays. It additionally provides a path shoe vibe because the outer mesh is what we regularly see in path sneakers, there are overlays alongside the rand (the place higher meets midsole) for put on and assist and stout toe bumper. 

This isn’t the softest and plushest of uppers however an efficient one for the shoe’s goal In actual fact, one would think about the shoe with this mesh all its overlays would are available in lighter than its very gentle for stack peak 7.95 oz / 225g US9. Cleary, the Pb foam midsole and lighter in weight than conventional rubber CPU sort materials outsole maintain the burden down even with such a considerable higher

Saucony calls Azura a excessive efficiency day by day coach and that’s what the higher delivers. The heel maintain may be very stable and the collars effectively padded. 

The silvery gusset tongue may be very supportive, locking the foot to the platform precisely as one would anticipate in a efficiency coach. 

Very respectable lace padding is supplied by an enormous raised pad at lace up together with bands of padding additional down..

The toe field shouldn’t be the broadest however fairly excessive. The toe bumper is substantial and excessive. 

The match is ideal true to measurement for my slender to medium quantity foot. Wider ft could discover the non stretch mesh and entrance overlays more difficult and would possibly strive a half measurement up

Jamie: The Azura is a enjoyable new addition to the Endorphin lineup from Saucony. After I first laced up the shoe, I wasn’t anticipating rather more than one other excessive stack, overly mushy coach. However the shoe shocked me fairly instantly. 

It has a lightweight, tremendous responsive really feel much like the Endorphin Pace, however is mushy sufficient to tackle simple miles on the pavement. For those who advised me this shoe had a plate, I might need believed it. I’m not an enormous fan of overly mushy trainers, nevertheless, I like the Endorphin Pace and am at all times searching for a shoe that has versatility with out the aggressiveness of a plate. It’s positively cushioned sufficient for lengthy, simple days, however responsive sufficient s your legs don’t really feel heavy. It was snug proper out of the field!

The mesh higher is pretty comfortable, and as somebody who has a wider foot, it’s positively a shoe I wish to put on with thinner socks. The toe field tapers inward a bit greater than a pure toe splay, so these with slender ft will recognize the match. The heel feels very safe and the gusseted tongue creates the proper lockdown really feel. 

Midsole & Platform

Sam: The midsole is PWRRUN Pb, a proprietary expanded PEBA beads foam. Pb is tuned in several methods relying on the shoe’s goal and right here it sits softer than the unique Endorphin Pace and Professional flavors, a bit firmer than the present Endorphin Pace 5 and the softer foam within the Triumph. It’s a comparatively bouncy foam in comparison with different PEBA foams corresponding to ZoomX which is extra springy than bouncy or adidas Dreamstrike which is a denser driving foam. The platform width of  90mm heel /  65mm midfoot  / 110mm forefoot is pretty typical of sneakers in its class with a narrowish midfoot to assist transition. 

Stability is helped by vertical medial midsole aspect partitions and the higher’s maintain. Whereas not a stability oriented shoe because the Tempus is, the geometry reminds of the decrease stack Kinvara’s comparable sidewalls, each offering gentle inherent stability.

 

As we transfer to the outsole I believe it’s clear the outsole gives a key platform element. The CPU sort rubber and its association makes for a fairly stiff entrance platform that’s steady and responsive. It seems that to offer it extra flex, 

Saucony features a very pronounced single cross groove. Not completely inflexible, however stiffer than what one would possibly anticipate with out  an inside plate, but apparently extra inflexible than the plastic plated Endorphin Pace 5 which has snappier flex, understanding additionally that the Pace sits on a 4mm decrease stack peak than the Azura.

Jamie: The midsole is constructed with a reasonably tall stack, however appears to really feel pretty steady compared to different excessive stack trainers, doubtless because of the SPEEDROLL geometry. The rocker creates a really easy heel to toe transition which runners of all paces would recognize. Nonetheless, runners preferring a extra minimal shoe would possibly really feel like they’re floating a bit. For a way gentle the shoe is, you would possibly anticipate to really feel a lot nearer to the bottom when operating within the Azura. It’s positively not as responsive as a plated tremendous coach, just like the Endorphin Pace, however each shoe has its goal. The Azura gives added consolation and stream vs max pace. 

For very quick runs, or excessive finish tempo work, runners could profit from a firmer platform and floor really feel that you just get with many plated trainers. The rocker can positively take just a few runs to regulate to as effectively if you happen to’re not used to it. 

Outsole

Sam: The outsole shouldn’t be the standard and is clearly designed to cut back weight. Skeletal in protection it’s primarily composed of what seems to be a CPU (Solid Polyurethane) materials. 

Now we have seen this sort of materials in sneakers such because the Mount to Coast H1. This kind of compound is extremely sturdy in my expertise and much more sturdy than common rubber and most significantly lighter.  

The inexperienced rubber is bolstered in key areas on the heel and toe off with small patches of typical rubber, I  assume for extra put on and grip though CPU sort rubbers are typically very sticky and on moist roads in testing that’s what I’ve skilled. 

Key in future testing, is to find out the outsole’s sturdiness as even when it proves sturdy as I anticipate the inexperienced rubber may be very skinny.

Jamie: The outsole makes use of XT-900 carbon rubber that’s positioned in zones prone to contact the pavement most vs the complete sole. By utilizing rubber selectively, the shoe stays lighter whereas nonetheless providing traction the place you want it. The outsole excels for runners totally on paved roads, or easy asphalt, for simple runs, lengthy runs, and flexibility for some tempo runs. 

Trip, Conclusions and Suggestions

Sam: The Azura is a wonderful bridge between the previous and current of efficiency day by day trainers. With a copious 40/32 stack peak of now traditional PWRRUN Pb supercritical foam, a safe higher assembly its efficiency focus and an uncommon and really gentle outsole it even provides silvery retro accents but checks in underneath 8  oz so is extremely aggressive with others within the efficiency day by day coach class corresponding to EVO SL, Novablast, 1080v15, Insurgent v5, and Maverick-V!

The trip is energetically bouncy but not significantly mushy with the platform having a contact of stability: medial aspect partitions and plate-like pretty stiff entrance of the foot. The entrance outsole design is notable and strange in its design and effectiveness offering clear response whereas not be slappy or noisy  I see it as an amazing selection for tempo in addition to day by day runs in addition to a plateless lengthy racer for the mid pack with a extra planted steady and forgiving trip than even its decrease stack peak and heavier cousin the Endorphin Pace 5.

Sam’s Rating: 9.31 /10

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Jamie: The Azura is an ideal addition to the Saucony lineup, as a enjoyable, versatile day by day coach. It positively has its place between the tremendous mushy maximal trainers and the quick, max pace plated choices. Whereas not overly mushy, and never overly quick, it’s an amazing selection for somebody on the lookout for a light-weight choice that would do all of it on the street. 

For such a excessive stack, it feels very steady and the rocker makes you wish to run quicker, even on simple days. It’s nice to have a plateless shoe that’s nonetheless enjoyable, as different manufacturers are bringing together with the EVO SL, Insurgent v5, and Aeroglide which might be additionally a few of my high of the checklist choices. Advocate for anybody and all paces!

Jamie’s Rating: 9.1/10

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6 Comparisons

Saucony Endorphin Pace (RTR Assessment)

Sam: The Endorphin Pace has a 4mm decrease stack peak on about the identical platform width, weighs about 0.8 oz greater than Azura and provides a plastic plate. Its  PWRRUN Pb midsole is barely softer than the  Pace 4 (my final model). It feels much less all of a bit and fewer steady than the Azura. I see many within the Boston mid to rear pack (3;30 and above) in Endorphin Speeds. In 2026 I would guess we’ll see them in Azura except the Pace 6 sees massive modifications corresponding to new lighter foam?

Jamie: The Endorphin Pace 5 is a superb choice for quicker speeds and a extra steady floor really feel. The brand new Pace is unquestionably snappier than earlier fashions and the Azura brings in a efficiency coach that feels barely softer underfoot however nonetheless responsive sufficient with out a plate. Would put on the Azura on simple runs and lengthy runs, and can use the Speeds for exercise days. 

Saucony Triumph 23 (RTR Assessment)

Sam: The Triumph has the identical PWRRUN Pb sort foam however sits on a 3mm decrease stack peak with a wider on the floor platform. It has a extra plush higher, extra outsole and a extra steady trip however weighs 1 oz greater than Azura in my US8.5. It sits extra in direction of a luxurious day by day coach even whether it is decrease stack peak.

Saucony Trip 18  (RTR Assessment)

Jamie: The Trip 18 is a dependable day by day coach. The match is rather more accommodating than the Azura, and as somebody with a wider foot, I actually recognize the pliability of the higher on the Trip. It has a pleasant floor really feel with nonetheless sufficient cushion to deal with all of the miles. The Trip tends to really feel very snug for strolling round, and cross coaching as effectively, whereas the Azura suits into the efficiency coach really feel the place I might put it aside completely for operating.  

New Stability 1080v15 (RTR Assessment)

The brand new 1080, far lighter than earlier editions with its new supercritical foam midsole may be very comparable in goal and trip. About 1 ounce heavier it has barely extra forefoot stack peak (similar heel), resulting in extra cushion however not fairly as dynamic a toe off because the Azura. Its higher is considerably plusher than the Azura’s. Each are true to measurement with the 1080 having an extended toe field on the similar measurement. Select the Azura if you would like a extra efficiency centered and becoming trip. Select the 1080 for a plusher match and trip leaning extra in direction of very barely simpler paces. AT $170 it’s $20 greater than the Azura so if its outsole sturdiness is sweet (extra testing will decide) I might name Azura a greater worth.

New Stability FC Insurgent v5 (RTR Assessment)

Jamie: The Insurgent is an extremely responsive coach that has nice versatility. It positively has a decrease to the bottom, extra steady really feel than the Azura. With the excessive stack peak of the Azura, it could usually really feel exhausting to get the identical turnover you’ll get from the Insurgent. The Insurgent thrives on the observe, tempos on the street, lengthy runs, and every part in between. If you’d like one thing to assist take up some extra affect, the Azura is a greater choice, however if you wish to go quicker with out a plate for day by day coaching, the Insurgent has the slight benefit. 

Sam: Agree with Jamie right here.

adidas Adizero EVO SL (RTR Assessment)

Jamie: The EVO SL has change into one in every of my favourite sneakers of the 12 months. It’s gentle, it’s mushy, it doesn’t really feel tremendous thick, and if you happen to advised me there was a full size plate, I might consider you. It thrives throughout pace work and quicker lengthy runs. For the $150 value level and very same weights of the EVO SL and the Azura, it’s exhausting to choose. The EVO SL has a way more accommodating match whereas the Azura positively has a cosy efficiency higher. It may possibly usually really feel unstable at slower paces whereas the Azura excels by means of all of it. 

Sam: I might name the EVO SL a efficiency coach and the Azura a efficiency “day by day” coach, Each are the identical value and basically the identical stack peak.

For me,  apart from at quicker and tempo paces, the EVO SL is awkward and over inflexible at midfoot from its small plate proper underneath the sockliner, and thus shouldn’t be a day by day throughout shoe because the Azura is for me. Its Lightstrike Professional foam is superior in its faster reactivity however I get hung up on that plate after what’s a softish heel touchdown, whereas the Azura has a neater and longer roll ahead and a decisive broad rebound off the entrance. As Jamie says, the EVO SL has a extra accommodating slot in what I might name a cruder higher than the Azura’s with not pretty much as good a lockdown because the Saucony. Looe the plate or higher but relocate in decrease within the midsole, as a traditional adidas Torsion sort plate or lose all of it collectively and improve the higher and the EVO SL could be a transparent choice. Till then Azura for me. 

Index to all RTR evaluations: HERE

The Azura will launch February 2026

SAUCONY

Tester Profiles

Jamie is 32 years previous and has been operating competitively since highschool. She has run many marathons, with a PR of two:49 and has competed in a number of extremely distances. She accomplished a solo 100k in 7:36:40 and set the Chicago Lakefront Path FKT. In 2021 she was the quickest US girl on street for 50 miles with a time of 6:07:11. Exterior of coaching, she is the shop supervisor at Fleet Ft Lakeview in Chicago.

Sam is the Editor and Founding father of Street Path Run. He’s in his 60’s with 2025 Sam’s 54th 12 months of operating roads and trails. He has a many years previous 2:28 marathon PR. Nowadays he runs halves within the simply sub 1:43 vary.  if he will get very, very fortunate. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week principally at reasonable paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Park Metropolis, Utah be it on the run, climbing or on nordic skis. He’s 5’9” tall and weighs about 160 lbs, if he isn’t having fun with too many superb New England IPA’s.

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