Saucony Endorphin Professional 4 ($225)
Introduction
Derek: I’ve beforehand examined the Saucony Endorphin Professional 1, Professional+ and three. Didn’t get v2 because it didn’t appear to be an enormous distinction from v1; purchased the Professional+ as a substitute as I’m a sucker for white colorways. Professional 3 was the primary massive improve by way of geometry and with the Professional 4, they’ve determined to revamp the geometry but once more.
Professional 4 additionally sees the incorporation of their new HG foam (first used within the Endorphin Elite), whereas earlier variations of the Endorphin Professional solely ever used their PWRRUN PB foam.
Different notable modifications embody using a brand new bouncier foam for his or her sockliner, coined SRS for Tremendous Responsive Sockliner, and an up to date lattice structured outsole. Finally, it’s the general experience that counts, so let’s see how all these modifications add up!
Jacob: I used to be particularly excited to check the Endorphin Professional 4 as I hadn’t run within the line since model 2. I didn’t get to check 3, which sounded dramatically higher than 1 and a couple of for my preferences (wider, extra forgiving).
Joost: I’m the fortunate one who bought all variations of the Endorphin Professional to date. Model 1 and a couple of have been virtually equivalent, other than a minor higher replace. They felt nice for uptempo work and the pronounced rocker and low forefoot labored effectively for my gait, however they weren’t actually suited to operating a complete marathon.
Model 3 was a radical departure from the earlier variations and I took them virtually straight out of the field to run a neighborhood casual marathon in them. They felt nice, effectively cushioned, balanced and very comfy. My solely gripe with them was that the higher ripped aside on me on the lateral entrance aspect the place I land after 300 miles or so. Model 4 is yet one more departure from the earlier model, with a distinct foam core and geometry and a distinct higher. I used to be excited to attempt them out.
Professionals:
Snug match with good lockdown – Derek/Renee/Jacob/Joost
Outsole higher on moist roads than predecessors- Derek/Jacob
Gentle weight, nice for pace work – Renee
Clean, forgiving experience – Jacob/Joost
Secure – Jacob
Smooth, very cushioned, but snappy – Joost
Cons:
Much less responsive and fewer aggressive rocker – Derek
Requires quick forefoot touchdown for effectivity and luxury – Renee
Not as quick at brief distances than many racers – Jacob
Heavier than a few of the competitors – Joost
Please discover the testers full run bios on the finish of the article after Comparisons.
Stats
Weight: males’s 7.76oz / 220g (US9) / girls’s 6.68 oz / 189g US8
Samples:
males’s 7.62 oz / 216g US8.5 (v3: 7:3 oz / 206g US8.5) ),
7.95 oz / 225g US 9.5, 8.9 oz / 251g US12
7.94 oz /225g US 9.5
girls’s 6.68 oz / 189g US8, 6.70 oz / 189g (US8)
Stack Peak: males’s 39.5 mm heel / 31.5 mm forefoot (unchanged)
Platform Width: v4 85mm heel 75mm midfoot 110mm forefoot
v3 85mm heel 67mm midfoot 110mm forefoot
$225 Releases Feb 29, 2024
First Impressions, Match and Higher
Derek: Out of the field, the Professional 4 look greater and wider than its predecessors and in reality the midfoot platform is roughly 8mm wider than v3.
It’s clear loads of work has gone into the sculpting of the midsole, to provide it a extra angular look. It definitely seems to be radical in comparison with sneakers from different manufacturers, and certainly different sneakers inside the Saucony lineup. Step-in really feel could be very comfy with the brand new higher. The first materials used is a skinny perforated artificial mesh that’s much less abrasive than the v3’s net-like nylon materials.
The fabric is a bit stiffer at midfoot and across the heel, with a semi inflexible heel counter.
The assemble of the heel is almost equivalent to the v3, besides on the Achilles, the fabric feels a bit softer and appears to increase up the heel a bit of bit extra.
There are 5 major rows of eyelets with a further eyelet for heel lock lacing for anybody who wants it. I doubt it might be needed for many runners.
The laces are semi-elastic and sit on an built-in knitted tongue. The execution on this is excellent, and there’s no bunching of the tongue or sloppiness after you lace up the sneakers.
Total, the interior quantity is on the upper aspect on the forefoot, with a superb laminated inner toe guard that ensures good top on the toebox. V3’s match was considerably on the lengthy/slim finish of the spectrum.
Individuals with slim ft tended to measurement down, and folks with wider ft needed to measurement up. Previously yr, taking a look at match suggestions from customers, i may see it was in all places.
Personally, v3 was true to measurement and match me effectively. V4’s match is now extra moderated, and will match the overwhelming majority of runners effectively at bang on true to measurement. I’d have favored a barely snugger toebox for a racier really feel, however i feel for a marathon racing shoe, it really works fantastic.
Renee: I obtained the EP4 after reviewing the Puma FAST-R v2 and whereas additionally reviewing the New Steadiness SC Elite 4. I had nice pace exercises within the EP4, and I believe it’s yet one more nice possibility within the now huge universe of plated tremendous sneakers.
Derek has the small print in regards to the higher. I had nice safety and luxury with the higher. I’ve a slim heel and a low-volume foot, and whereas the higher seems to be overly stretchy, it’s safe.
The heel seems to be like a coach, lacking the additional inner pads a few of the tremendous sneakers have, however I had no slipping.
As Derek talked about, there’s a further eyelet, and I solely laced by way of it when operating with extremely skinny socks (I all the time laced by way of the additional eyelet on the SC Elite 4).
The built-in knitted tongue affords loads of quantity (in case you want it however I do not), so the fabric folds over itself on the lateral aspect. I by no means had points with the fabric of the tongue inflicting irritation or discomfort.
I discovered the sizing much like all Saucony sneakers, with a contact extra size as in comparison with different tremendous sneakers in the identical measurement.
Jacob: The construct high quality and design is skilled. It has a slipper-style, tongueless higher with elastic on the tongue space. It has a streamlined type. With the white, purple, black, and deep purple colorway, it’s daring however not vivid. The supplies are mushy on the foot. I believe the higher is nice and I just like the look and match. 10/10 type to me.
The match is true to measurement and suits my medium width foot effectively. Footwear often match me true to measurement however the Endorphin Professional 1 and a couple of have been too slim for me. The Endorphin Professional 4 could be very comfy, not a cosy race match. I’ve to lace tighter than I assumed I wished to given the minimal padding beneath the laces, however I by no means had a problem with discomfort. At looser lacing it feels too imprecise however when laced ideally it’s locked in whereas remaining comfy.
It’s plush underfoot, the froth feels forgiving however not mushy.
Joost: The others went into nice element in regards to the higher. The Professional 4 suits me true to measurement and regardless that, it’s a race kind match, it by no means felt constrained in any approach, regardless of my large ft.
One good transfer Saucony made was to increase the toe bumper a bit, bending backwards (the translucent piece proven on the underside shoe above beneath the brand) and hooked up to the higher, so the large toe is rarely touching the higher instantly. With such skinny materials, I believe numerous individuals would simply tear by way of the higher in that space. It has occurred to me in a lot of sneakers. This good trick will keep away from that fully. My very tender heel felt nice within the versatile heel counter of the Professional 4. Nice higher and I determine it’ll final fairly a bit longer than the earlier model.
Midsole & Platform
Stack Peak: males’s 39.5 mm heel / 31.5 mm forefoot (unchanged)
Platform Width: v4 85mm heel 75mm midfoot 110mm forefoot
v3 85mm heel 67mm midfoot 110mm forefoot
Derek: The midsole is now twin density, with PWRRUN PB because the outer provider with PWRRUN HG sitting because the internal core. HG was examined as extra metabolically environment friendly than PB within the Endorphin Elite (RTR Assessment) by Saucony and I additionally discovered it firmer than PB by durometer measurements
I believe runners who beforehand discovered v1/2/3 to be overly slim and maybe unstable would recognize the extra secure design right here. Regardless that the measured widths of the heel are the identical on v3 and v4, the flared midsole with a barely extra scalloped design lets your foot sit a bit of decrease within the shoe to provide it a bit extra inherent stability.
Saucony confirmed to RTR that the carbon fiber plate is unchanged from v3. The heel to toe drop stays unchanged at 8mm.
By way of underfoot really feel, the shoe is unquestionably softer and bouncier on the heel than v3 for me, to the extent that the shoe compresses noticeably extra on the heel when loaded, and the dynamic drop of the shoe feels decrease than what a typical 8mm drop shoe ought to really feel like. The forefoot underfoot really feel stays fairly near that of v3, with a extra responsive contact that also provides you good rebound once you choose up the tempo.
The Speedroll geometry of the forefoot rocker continues to be there, although I’ve to say I miss the extra inflexible formulation utilized in v1/v2.
By way of cushioning and vibration dampening, it’s higher than v3, and on par with the most effective 39-40mm heel stack sneakers from different manufacturers; suppose Vaporfly 3 right here.
Renee: Derek has the small print. I discovered the midsole to really feel comfy. I finished operating within the shoe to evaluate the New Steadiness SC Elite 4, and after I switched again, the midsole felt agency as compared. I had a number of exercises within the EP4 after I ran a gradual 2-3 miles for a warm-up. Attending to the tip of these warm-up miles, the midsole can really feel too agency. The shoe needs to go quick to stay comfy. I don’t suppose the shoe is slim, however the midfoot felt a bit comfortable after I wasn’t putting quick from the forefoot. The roll ahead is what I count on from an excellent shoe.
Jacob: The midsole is twin layer, composed of PWRRUN HG and PWRRUN PB. Nearly all of the seen midsole is PWRRUN PB, however some HG is seen on the high of the heel with the HG actsingas the central core of the shoe.
The Professional 4 has a forgiving, bouncy, really feel—basic traits that you just’d discover in an excellent shoe in 2024. It is usually, as you’d count on, carbon-plated, and continues Saucony’s Speedroll expertise utilizing the identical plate as v3.
On the foot I don’t really feel the plate very a lot and the froth is de facto comfy. It isn’t overtly highly effective or distinctive in its class. Together with the large platform and design of the plate, it’s a “cruiser”—a fairly straightforward going tremendous shoe.
Joost: To the contact, squeezing laterally, the midsole feels almost equivalent to the Velocity 4, however when operating, it feels very completely different. A part of that’s in all probability to ascribe to the PWRRUN HG core, however one other massive contributor to the very mushy really feel of the shoe and what Derek pinned because the decrease dynamic drop feeling is the brand new sockliner. It’s fairly thick and really mushy. In the event you’re a heel striker, you’ll positively really feel such as you’re in a decrease drop shoe than the listed 8mm.
For forefoot strikers, the principle feeling is certainly one of a large amount of cushioning, but additionally of nice rebound, one thing we’ve come to count on from most tremendous sneakers. I discovered the Professional 3 a bit of simpler and extra pure feeling proper out of the field to only exit and run. The Professional 4 required some “considering” earlier than it turned extra pure.
Outsole
Derek: The brand new lattice outsole seems to be nice and has confirmed to be very sturdy in testing. I’m anticipating outsole sturdiness to be on par with v1/v2 right here, so higher than the blown rubber formulation that v3 used on the forefoot. The draw back of that is that whereas the lattice design provides higher outsole grip than all of the prior variations on dry surfaces, there’s nonetheless a little bit of skidding on moist roads, although not as unhealthy because it was in v1/v2.
Renee: The outsole is pretty on par with different racing street sneakers. So as to add to Derek’s ideas, the outsole has a cutout to show the plate and scale back weight. Different plated sneakers have this kind of cutout, and there’s all the time the possibility of choosing up bigger gravel.
Jacob: The outsole is fabricated from Saucony’s usually sturdy, skinny, firm-leaning rubber. It’s the typical racer sample of a big piece within the forefoot, then one piece on the perimeter of every aspect of the heel. The traction and sturdiness are stable.
As I’ve been testing within the winter in Maine, USA, I’ve examined on loads of moist roads and in addition snow and ice. It’s respectable, predictable, and never sketchy. Because the rubber is skinny, even with the standard compound, I used to be a bit involved about high-mileage sturdiness for utilizing it as a coach. Nevertheless, At 65 miles / 104 km on the sneakers to date, there isn’t a important put on.
Joost: Sufficient rubber the place you want it, on this new configuration supplies greater than sufficient traction. I additionally don’t foresee any sturdiness issues.
Journey, Conclusions and Suggestions
Derek: I managed to take the sneakers as much as 22 km in distance, and in addition used it for a bunch of shorter fartlek kind periods. The sneakers will doubtless nonetheless go well with midfoot and forefoot strikers the most effective. Though cushioning is great, I discovered the heel to be overly mushy and transitions struggled at something lower than race efforts.
The doubtless purpose for this sense could possibly be the choice to have much less outsole rubber protection in V4 in comparison with V3, since stack numbers are unchanged from from V3 to V4 and the plate form is unchanged.
Even the moderate-uptempo paces (7:00-7:30/mile for me) don’t really feel very environment friendly, as I linger a bit too lengthy on the heel, and the roll-through appears to lack that little bit of help. Possibly they should angle the plate ahead a bit of extra?
At sooner paces, the shoe feels higher, and the spring off the forefoot on toe-off is a lot better, however I doubt this kind of stride is sustainable for lengthy races for almost all of runners.
Total, the sneakers don’t give me as a lot of a mechanical help in comparison with the Endorphin Professional 3, and I believe the first group who would profit from it are individuals who desire a extra cushioned forefoot and are primarily mid-forefoot strikers. It’s puzzling for me as I typically favor decrease drop sneakers that go well with forefoot loading just like the ASICS Metaspeed Sky or Nike Alphafly 1. Maybe it’s the overly mushy heel?
For example, Hoka Rocket X 2 is a low drop mushy heel shoe, and it too doesn’t actually work for me and I battle to remain on the forefoot in that shoe. I believe the principle factor is that there’s hardly any plate really feel underfoot, or possibly there isn’t a dynamic drop improve with the forefoot loading on this EP4.
I discover that with EP4, the entire bundle appears to bounce up fairly than ahead. Possibly a plate geometry problem? Possibly I would like a extra differentiated softness from heel to forefoot? The EP4 truly jogs my memory loads of a extra cushioned model of the Hoka Mach 4. The experience could be very comparable, simply with a ton extra cushioning underfoot. You will have an analogous kind of operating type, so in case you favored the Mach 4, you positively need to do that shoe. With Mach 4, as it’s with EP4, it feels good for about 6-8 miles, then I begin to tire and it feels tougher to keep up turnover in them.
Derek’s rating: 8.88 /10
Journey (50%): 8.5 Match (30%): 9 Worth (15%): 9.5 Model (5%): 10
Smiles rating 😊😊😊1/2
Renee: The EP 4 is a enjoyable shoe and really able to quick paces whereas remaining comfy and safe. The shoe favors a powerful mid to forefoot strike. The shoe works fantastic for warm-up paces, though I did discover them a bit harsh whereas going gradual for 3 mile warm-ups. For pace exercises, by the point I reached cool-down miles, I wanted to stay inside 30 seconds of marathon paces.
To be clear, the aim of the shoe: to keep up a marathon tempo or sooner. The Speedroll and geometry need to go fast, and the midfoot can really feel a bit slim when not rapidly taking off from the forefoot.
I wouldn’t select the shoe for slower efforts or for a marathon after I wasn’t placing forth a superb effort. There are different tremendous plated sneakers I’d select if I wasn’t feeling my strongest, notably the NB Elite v4. I can see some runners selecting the EP4 over the VF4 if they need a extra stable forefoot touchdown.
Those that just like the Endorphin Elite however can’t deal with the aggressive forefoot rocker will discover the EP4 extra person pleasant. I misplaced monitor of the miles I’ve in them. Whereas snowed in for a number of days, I used these sneakers for a number of 6-10 mile treadmill exercises, which made indoor operating pleasurable. I in all probability have 70+ miles and so they feel and appear like they’re new, other than some filth within the outsole.
Renee’s Rating: 9.4/10 (-.40 requires a constant forefoot strike for consolation, .-20 is perhaps slim within the midfoot for some)
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Jacob: The Endorphin Professional 4 has a relaxed, straightforward cruising experience. It’s forgiving, secure, and easy. It has plate-directed power, is light-weight, and results in sooner paces for the hassle degree. Mixed with the consolation, it’s a nice shoe. I’ve worn it for coaching greater than every other plated racer because the NB RC Elite 2. I often don’t use carbon-plated racing sneakers for coaching, however the Endorphin Professional 4 feels to me clearly not as quick as lots of the extant fashionable racing sneakers, so it appears affordable.
I discover the most effective tempo is endurance as much as marathon tempo. When taken sooner than that it’s tougher to maneuver and never snappy sufficient. At slower paces, it’s nonetheless an acceptably pleasurable experience, however I wouldn’t use a plated racer for gradual, straightforward runs. I’ve not been operating lengthy not too long ago, however I did take the Endorphin Professional 4 for a 10-mile cruise and had a good time. It was straightforward to maneuver sooner than anticipated, my ft have been comfy, and I had dependable traction on the small sections of snow and ice. If I used to be marathon coaching, I’d use it for some long term exercises.
I raced the Endorphin Professional 4 for the one race I had on my schedule on the time, a hilly 4-miler. From testing prior, I knew this didn’t give me my greatest probability of operating a quick time, the Endorphin Professional 4 doesn’t really feel that quick, however I assumed it was price attempting it for testing. As anticipated, it was not superb. I felt there was a scarcity of snap, prefer it didn’t really feel easy nor encouraging if I attempted to go sooner (for absolute tempo reference, I averaged 5:50 min/mi). For me, there are different sneakers, such because the Nike Alphafly 1 (which I wore within the 4-miler final yr and ran a PR in 21:43 [5:23 min/mi]), which really feel smoother the sooner I can go. For the Endorphin Professional 4, the quickest tempo I believe it handles effectively is round marathon tempo.
I’d suggest the Endorphin Professional 4 to runners who like coaching in a carbon-plated shoe and are on the lookout for one thing straightforward going to bust out lengthy runs and fartleks. It could possibly be an asset in marathon coaching to maintain your legs contemporary. As I famous above, I used the NB RC Elite 2 for a similar function. I additionally ran the RC Elite 2 for a yard extremely (66 miles). I’d think about the Endorphin Professional 4 for street extremely use, although I believe it favors a barely sooner tempo than the RC Elite 2. Runners who discover different plated tremendous sneakers to be too aggressive for the marathon would possibly just like the Endorpin Professional 4 for racing.
My ranking assumes the use case is to not race brief distances.
Jacob’s Rating: 9.23 / 10
Journey: 9.5 (50%), Match: 9.5 (30%), Worth: 7.5 (15%), Model: 10 (5%)
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Joost: As a forefoot striker, the Professional 4 felt very mushy and environment friendly. I by no means skilled the problems Derek has due to the mushy heel. Speedroll and the brand new foam mixture work a attraction for marathon and sooner paces for me. Doing strides in them was a deal with. I’ve additionally run gradual in them, however needed to suppose a bit about my ft when doing so, which isn’t superb once you need to go for a restoration run or simply loosen up. It’s not totally truthful to evaluate the shoe by the way it feels operating gradual, although, because it’s made to run quick and lengthy.
Currently, I’ve been checking with my athletes on how they really feel in numerous tremendous sneakers and boy, there are loads of completely different opinions. Some swear by model A and might’t even stand the sight of name B and a few are the exact opposite. Final Saturday, I took the Professional 4 to the coaching session on our native monitor and had a few of my sooner guys run a few laps in them. Total opinion was kind of like mine: very comfy, nice to choose up the tempo in, mushy and bouncy with a superb turnover. Even in case you don’t plan to race in them, you would possibly need to get a pair to make use of to your subsequent half marathon, marathon or extremely coaching block. Jacob talked about ultras and I believe he’s onto one thing right here. I used to be planning on operating the Comrades extremely marathon in South Africa (which is now a no go for me due to my heel damage) and this might be a terrific selection for the space and the street.
Joost’s Rating: 9.70 / 10
Journey 9.6 (50%), Match 10 (30%), Worth 9.5 (15%), Model 9.5 (5%)
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9 Comparisons
Index to all RTR evaluations: HERE Roadtrailrun
Saucony Endorphin Professional 1, Professional+, Professional 2 (RTR Assessment)
Derek: I put on US9.5 in all fashions. The sooner Endorphin Professionals solely noticed higher replace variations of EP1. Normally, the sooner EP fashions have a extra conventional firmer heel, softer forefoot kind of experience, with an aggressive rocker that made them extremely popular for exercises and shorter distance races.
The EP4 bucks this development for me, and feels typically softer throughout the board, and the resultant impact is a much less efficient rocker but additionally higher cushioning for longer runs. I really feel the sooner Endorphins possibly labored higher for individuals who use extra of a roll-through kind of stride, whereas EP4 works higher for runners with a extra “push off from forefoot” kind of stride.
Jacob: US 12 in all fashions however each 1 and a couple of have been too slim for me, firmer and extra inflexible than I favor, and I didn’t care a lot for both of them. Verison 4 resolves all my issues with 1 and a couple of however looks like a distinct type of shoe. It’s much less snappy and fewer racer-like.
Joost (M9.5 in all): I actually favored the Professional 1 and a couple of. They felt very snappy, quick and the rocker was unbelievable, however they have been much less suited to longer distances. The Professional 4 is a really completely different beast altogether. A lot softer, bulkier, however extra in step with the present development in tremendous sneakers. Higher suited to that longer sooner work and (extremely)marathons.
Saucony Endorphin Professional 3 (RTR Assessment)
Derek: I put on US9.5 in each fashions. The EP3 whereas revamped in geometry and foams, has the same agency heel, mushy forefoot kind of experience, and the distinction is much like what I expertise as described within the EP1/2/Professional+ vs EP4. Once more,Ii suppose they work higher for various kinds of operating types.
Joost (M9.5 in each): The Professional 3 was a put in your ft and neglect it’s their sort of shoe for me. The Professional 4 is kind of completely different, with the added cushion and completely different geometry. The Professional 4 has by far the higher higher, however it won’t enchantment to heel strikers.
Saucony Endorphin Elite (RTR Assessment)
Derek: I put on US9.5 in each fashions. That is the place issues struck me as odd. It made sense to have EP3 and Endorphin Elite as they go well with various kinds of runners, however now each high finish racers are kind of focused on the identical kind of operating type. EE has a extra aggressive rocker and nicer forefoot spring and rebound. It feels sooner for me in any respect paces. The disadvantage of EE is that it has fairly a weak outsole on moist roads and the EP4 has a comparatively higher and extra sturdy outsole on this respect.
Renee: As Derek wrote, the EE has a extra aggressive forefoot rocker. Whereas each sneakers favor a powerful forefoot strike, the EE is way extra aggressive. I discover the EP4 a bit extra person pleasant for that purpose. The EP4 higher is extra comfy with out compromising safety. The EP4 additionally has extra floor really feel between the 2, which helps with a secure touchdown. Sizing is comparable.
Nike Vaporfly 3 (RTR Assessment)
Derek: I put on US9.0 in VF3 and US9.5 in EP4. Each are fairly mushy and forgiving. The large distinction is that the VF3 heel doesn’t backside out as a lot as EP4 so the upper drop is preserved higher and also you get a way more efficient roll-through impact with the shoe. The VF3 is lighter and suits fairly equally to EP4 by way of lockdown. The forefoot of VF3 is marginally narrower to me. Total, i favor the extra versatile experience of the VF3.
Renee: I agree with Derek that the VF3 is extra versatile. As a lighter, extra nimble shoe, the VF3 is sweet for any distance (together with 5ks), whereas the EP4 favors the marathon or possibly half marathon. Each sneakers work nice for pace exercises, however the VF3’s lighter weight is observed. I discover the EP4 to have a extra cushioned forefoot. I wore a girls’s measurement 8 in each. I discovered the sizing comparable with a contact extra size within the EP4.
Jacob: This comparability just isn’t shut, they’re very completely different sneakers inside the high-stack plated class. The VF 3 is lighter, extra responsive, feels nearer to the bottom, is snappier, is snugger, and feels prefer it needs to go quick. The EP4 is extra relaxed, slower, extra plush. I agree with Renee that the sizing is comparable. Each match effectively at true to measurement.
Joost (M9.5 in each): Though I actually just like the experience of the VF3, the higher doesn’t actually do it for me. I are inclined to land on the very lateral fringe of my forefoot and I really feel my foot slipping off the platform a bit. None of this with the nice becoming higher and geometry of the Professional 4. If I have been to race a marathon tomorrow, nonetheless, I’d nonetheless choose the VF3, however would like the Professional 4 for nearly all of my lengthy laborious coaching runs.
ASICS Metaspeed Edge+ (RTR Assessment)
Derek: I put on US9.5 in each sneakers. Each sneakers have an official 8mm drop however the variations in perceived drop when operating is kind of stark. The Edge+ sits on the different finish of the spectrum with a comparatively agency underfoot experience throughout the board. Regardless of the EP4 feeling softer and extra cushioned, i really feel extra environment friendly within the Edge+ and that i would like the Edge+ for every type of runs aside from simpler runs the place i would like the softer experience of the EP4.
Adidas Adios Professional 3 (RTR Assessment)
Derek: I put on US9.5 for each sneakers. AP3 is similar 8mm drop because the EP4, and close to equivalent stack. The Lightstrike Professional is a bit firmer, and the general underfoot really feel is a bit firmer for the AP3. AP3 is a little more secure for me. Neither shoe has a very efficient rocker that works effectively for me, however i might say the AP3 feels simpler for my operating type. That mentioned, the EP4 higher works higher for me. Between the 2 “evils”, i might say experience trumps match, and that i would like the AP3 over the EP4 for all runs.
Renee: The sneakers run otherwise for me as in comparison with Derek’s expertise. The Adios Professional 3 feels extra forgiving and softer underfoot. The EP4 requires a quick forefoot strike to stay comfy. By way of the uppers, I agree with Derek that the EP4 is extra comfy and safe. For quick and aggressive paces, I’d select the EP4. For consolation at longer runs solely, I’d select the Adios Professional 3. For sizing, the Adios Professional 3 is unisex. The lads’s 7 is a girls’s 8, which I discovered a contact lengthy. For girls’s sizing, I recommend the EP4 at one and one-half sizes longer than the boys’s/unisex Adios Professional 3 measurement.
Jacob: Considerably comparable sneakers in that they’re each of the looser-upper, comparatively slower type (I wouldn’t race both for lower than a marathon). I agree with Derek that the AP3 feels a bit firmer. For me it’s much less comfy round and beneath the foot than the EP4. The AP3 doesn’t really feel that quick or easy to me, I don’t get a lot snap. I believe the EP4 is extra versatile and comfy so would choose it as a coach.
On Cloudboom Echo 3 (RTR Assessment)
Derek: I put on US9.5 in each sneakers. The Cloudboom Ech 3 is a shoe that has a comparatively agency experience for most individuals. I truly discover it okay. I discover it on par with the Adios Professional 3 for cushioning. It has a firmer heel, softer forefoot kind of experience, and an aggressive heel-toe rocker that fits each the roll-through and forefoot loading kind of stride. The weak level of the On is the outsole sturdiness, however in any other case, it’s a really refined shoe for me, that’s among the many most secure and versatile in the marketplace.
Joost (M9.5 in each): The Echo 3 is a really completely different feeling shoe. It rides quite a bit firmer than the Professional 4 and feels extra pure and conscious of me due to that. I’d race within the Echo and practice within the Professional.
New Steadiness SC Elite 4 (RTR Assessment)
Derek: I put on US9.5 within the EP4 and match US9.0 greatest within the SCE4. SCE4 is a decrease drop kind of shoe, much like Nike Alphafly 1, ASICS Metaspeed Sky, Sky+, and favors a operating type with a powerful calf motion and forefoot loading kind of stride. It has very good underfoot cushioning and a deep, cushioned rebound. If you’re a heel-striker, nonetheless, you would possibly discover the experience a bit flat and transitions a bit sluggish. In that respect, i feel the EP4 and SCE4 are fairly comparable. I discover the SCE4 to have a bit much less of a bottoming out kind of really feel, and tends to roll-through a bit of bit higher even for heel-strikers. Total, EP4 might be higher for exercises and shorter races as it’s noticeably lighter, however for lengthy runs and marathon races, the SCE4 is the higher shoe for me.
Renee: I ran within the EP4 and SC Elite 4 through the testing timeframe. The SC Elite 4 is by far the extra accessible shoe by way of tempo and luxury. The shoe may be quick and works a lot better at slower paces as in comparison with the EP4. For pace, I’d select the EP4, however provided that I may keep a constant and fast forefoot touchdown. For consolation, I’d select the SC Elite 4. I had some points with the tongue sliding on SC Elite 4. Sizing is comparable.
Puma FAST-R Nitro v2 (RTR Assessment)
Renee: The FAST-R v2 is a enjoyable shoe with a terrific higher and unbeatable outsole. Whereas I benefit from the shoe, it’s heavier than different choices, together with the EP4. Each sneakers require a quick forefoot strike, though the FAST-R much more so. For the typical runner (me included), the EP4 will work much better. Sizing is comparable, with the EP4 having a contact extra size.
Joost’s Video Opinions of the Endorphin Velocity and Professional 4
Tester Profiles
Derek is in his 40’s and trains 70-80 miles per week at 7 to eight minute tempo in largely tropical circumstances in Singapore. He has a 2:39 marathon PR from the 2022 Zurich Marathon.
Renee is a former U.S. Marine journalist, which is when her enjoyment of operating and writing began. She isn’t that superior of a runner, however she tries actually laborious. Most of her weekly 50-60 miles happen on rural nation roads in Nebraska, which means mud, gravel, filth, hills, and the occasional subject. She has PR’s of 1:30:59 for the half marathon and three:26:45 for the marathon.
Jacob is a runner and common endurance sports activities fanatic. He runs a mixture of roads and trails within the Portland, Maine space. He has been operating each day for over 4 years and averages round 50 miles per week. Jacob races on street and path at a wide range of distances from 5k to 50k. He has a current PR of two:49 within the marathon. Along with operating, he does mountaineering, biking (mountain/gravel/street), and nordic snowboarding. He’s 27 years previous, 6 ft / 182 cm tall and 155 lbs / 70 kg. You’ll be able to take a look at Jacob’s current actions on Strava.
Joost is a Belgian in his 50s residing in Luanda, Angola, Africa, the place he faces the warmth, humidity and common chaos to run something between 60-100 miles per week. He was on a mission to run and win in his age group within the 6 marathon majors and bought his sixth star at London in 2023 with a 2:26:10 PB in Berlin in 2019 at 51. He gained his M50 AG on the 2022 Chicago Marathon in 2:29 and in 2023 gained his AG in London in 2:36. Solely Boston, to date, escapes him for an AG win on the 6 Majors. He ran in major faculty, however then thought it might be quite a bit cooler to be a guitar participant in a tough rock band, solely choosing up operating once more in 2012, progressively bettering his outcomes. Please take a look at Joost’s teaching service right here
The Endorphin Professional 4 releases Feb. 29, 2024
SAUCONY
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