The Saucony Endorphin Professional 4 has undergone large updates since earlier fashions. Most individuals don’t notice it, however Saucony transitioned to a two-year cycle, permitting extra time for growth. I’m undecided how I really feel about that, to be trustworthy. On one hand, sure you possibly can have your favourite shoe for longer. Then again, I believe we’ve seen so many modifications to carbon plated footwear in two years, I ponder if it can set them again. I digress. The third iteration launched main modifications with a bouncier midsole, but it surely felt bulkier.
This yr, with new geometry, a prime layer of PWRRUN HG, and an higher with elevated quantity, the Endorphin Professional 4 redefines Saucony’s unique tremendous racing shoe. It appears like Saucony is likely to be gearing this shoe extra in the direction of the on a regular basis runner versus the high-end elite runner.
Earlier than making an attempt the Saucony Endorphin Professional 4, I had a couple of questions:
Why don’t Saucony trainers replace yearly? They transitioned a lot of their footwear to a two-year cycle.
Is the Saucony Endorphin Professional 4 completely different? Sure.
What’s the distinction between the Saucony Endorphin Professional 4 and the Saucony Endorphin Elite? The Endorphin Elite is lighter and, in my view, quicker. The Endorphin Professional 4 is geared in the direction of the on a regular basis runner, whereas the Endorphin Elite is extra for the elite runner.
With that, let’s get into an trustworthy Saucony Endorphin Professional 4 shoe evaluate.
Saucony Endorphin Professional 4 Fast Info
Value: $224.95Weight: 7.7 oz (males), 6.5 oz (ladies)Stack Top: 40 mm / 32 mmDrop: 8 mm
Saucony Endorphin Professional 4 Match
The Saucony Endorphin Professional 4 options an higher that matches more true to measurement in each size and quantity in comparison with earlier variations. Thank goodness…one situation Saucony racing footwear have had currently is that they run quick.
The brand new higher provides extra space, making it higher for runners with barely wider toes. The fabric is breathable, skinny, and offers respectable lockdown, although tightening the laces may trigger the tongue to crease. The perfect working shoe uppers disappear off your toes, and for probably the most half, I’ve discovered that true of the Saucony Endorphin Professional 4. I haven’t had any sizzling spots, and I recognize the additional house and extra true-to-size design.
The heel space has minimal padding, with a skinny heel collar that’s nonetheless safe sufficient to forestall slippage. When you’ve by no means tried Saucony trainers, they sometimes match a bit decrease than most manufacturers, and that’s true of the Endorphin Professional 4.
In trainers, I put on between a ladies’s measurement 10-11 broad, and I’ve discovered the dimensions 11 to suit the very best. It’s extra spacious than earlier years, however I recognize that, particularly with marathon coaching.
Saucony Endorphin Professional 4 Experience
The midsole is the place the magic occurs, proper? The PWRRUN PB midsole, mixed with the brand new PWRRUN HG prime layer, delivers a energetic, bouncy experience with a contact of firmness that turns into particularly noticeable at quicker paces. The shoe responds properly to tempo runs and long-distance efforts.
Whereas the Endorphin Professional 4 can deal with slower paces, it really shines when selecting up pace. Why even use a carbon-plated shoe for simple runs? That’s not the purpose of them, and so they put on down rapidly.
The forefoot rocker encourages a fast turnover, serving to you glide via your stride, making it a superb selection for longer races the place you need a constant rhythm. I additionally recognize that Saucony racing footwear really feel decrease to the bottom, not like you might be suspended on a excessive stack top.
The place does the Saucony Endorphin Professional 4 match into my rotation? It’s a exercise and racing shoe, in fact. I’ve discovered its finest use is in longer races and exercises. I choose one thing with much less shoe for monitor work and shorter races. It undoubtedly feels just like the firmest carbon-plated shoe I’ve tried—there may be nearly no flexibility to it. That’s not essentially good or unhealthy, only a reality of the shoe. I choose some flexibility in my racing footwear.
Outsole
Saucony racing footwear have all the time been one of many extra sturdy choices. The outsole of the Saucony Endorphin Professional 4 is constructed for sturdiness, that includes a ton of rubber protection throughout the underside of the shoe.
This added protection ensures good traction on paved roads, even in moist situations, and enhances the shoe’s total sturdiness. Nevertheless, the shoe isn’t superb for path working or uneven terrain, because the uncovered foam and midfoot hole can simply accumulate rocks and particles.
I’ve used the Endorphin Professional 4 on mild trails and in inclement climate with no points. My solely small grievance is the gathering of some small rocks and my shoe clink, clink, clinking away. It’s shoe for working within the rain, and the higher is without doubt one of the lightest choices so it can dry rapidly (though I do imagine the Endorphin Elite is best for working within the rain).
So far as sturdiness, I imagine the Saucony Endorphin Professional 4 will final like some other tremendous shoe (round 100 miles/4 marathons). Positive, you possibly can run extra in it, however you received’t get as a lot of a lift from the carbon plate. I’ve already put about 40 miles on mine, and so they really feel about midway accomplished.
Saucony Endorphin Professional 4 Conclusion
The Saucony Endorphin Professional 4 is a whole overhaul of Saucony’s tremendous racing line. With a extra snug match and a bouncy but agency midsole, it’s a superb selection for these seeking to race half marathons to marathons at quick paces.
The updates make it extra accessible to a wider vary of runners, although some should still choose the texture of earlier variations or different tremendous footwear. When you’re on the lookout for a sturdy and quick shoe that excels on paved roads, the Endorphin Professional 4 could possibly be the proper match. I’ve to surprise if Saucony is now gearing this mannequin extra towards the on a regular basis runner quite than the skilled runner.
Who Ought to Purchase the Saucony Endorphin Professional 4?
There’s a couple of professionals that make the Endorphin Professional 4 distinctive within the carbon plated world: it’s decrease stack top and stability in addition to it being rigid and agency.
Runners on the lookout for a high-performance shoe for half marathons and marathons
Those that choose a bouncy however barely agency experience
Athletes with barely wider toes who need a snug racing shoe
Who Ought to Not Purchase the Saucony Endorphin Professional 4?
Runners needing additional cushion for longer distances or slower-paced runs
These on the lookout for a shoe with extra flexibility
My Present Shoe Rotation:
Straightforward/Every day Runs: Topo Magnifly 5, Antepes Muscle Runners, New Stability 1080v13 Shoe Assessment , Newton Gravity 12, , ASICS Superblast
Velocity Work: 361 Levels Livid Future 1.5 Shoe Assessment Nike Tempo Subsequent%, Reebok Float Experience Run quick Professional, Nike ZoomX Streakfly, Nike Alphafly 3
Lengthy Runs: Topo Specter 2, 361 Levels Eleos Shoe Assessment
Path Working/Mountaineering: 361 Futura, Hoka Tecton X2 Shoe Assessment Speedland SL: PDX,
Races: 361 Levels Livid Future 1.5 Shoe Assessment Hoka Cielo X1, New Stability Fuelcell 5280, Reebok Run quick Professional ,Nike Vaporfly 3 , ASICS Metaspeed Edge Paris
You Can See All Present Shoe Opinions Right here.
Trying to be taught extra about trainers? In my e book, I discuss why you want working shoe, a shoe’s anatomy, impartial vs. steady, and even myths of trainers.
Questions for you:
What’s your favourite carbon plated shoe?
Have you ever tried any of the Saucony Endorphin line?