Saucony Endorphin Trainer Review with 9 Comparisons

Saucony Endorphin Coach ($180)

Introduction

The Coach enters the Endorphin line because the max cushion plated day by day coach, a rising class throughout manufacturers with a number of comparisons on the finish of the evaluation. 

Execs and Cons

Execs:

Effectively named! Speedier (Endorphin)  Day by day Coaching (Coach) journey:  state-of-the-art excessive power TPEE IncrediRun foam, ¾ carbon plate, regular secure PWRRUN under. 

Extremely cushioned 42/34 stack peak but additionally affordable 10.15 oz / 288g US9 weight and $180 worth

Excessive quantity toes, particularly at midfoot might be comfortable right here

Cons:

Voluminous higher particularly at midfoot and on the heel collars may use extra construction as Kinvara Professional had.

Higher might problem decrease quantity toes. Uncommon for me at true to dimension I had to make use of a lace lock

Dullish decrease midsole: as a substitute of older PWRRUN Saucony may not have used supercritical PWRRUN Pb for the decrease layer: a extra energetic and lighter foam.

Not notably nice at gradual paces: heel really feel whereas not over broad is a bit lumpy and again weighted and over gentle on preliminary contact down by the IncrediRun foam

Associated: lighter weight runners might have points getting sufficient compression under the plate on the PWRRUN layer

Most comparable footwear

Brooks Hyperion Max 2

Hoka Mach X 2

Hoka Skyward X

ASICS Max Velocity 4

Nike Zoom Fly 6

Mizuno Neo Vista

Stats

Approx. Weight: males’s 10.15 oz / 288g US9

Prior Model Weight:  males’s 10.15 oz /  288g

  Pattern Weight: males’s  9.9 oz / 280g US8.5 

                             ladies’s 8.8 oz / 250 g (US W8)

Stack Peak: males’s  42 mm heel /  34 mm forefoot (8 mm drop) 

Platform Width: 90mm heel / 70mm midfoot / 110mm forefoot 

First Impressions, Match and Higher

The higher is a gentle unstructured engineered mesh. 

Some help is supplied by an array of printed rubbery dots by the midfoot and in direction of the rear of the shoe in addition to a evenly padded gusset tongue. 

The toe field is broad and unstructured with a reasonably stiff and excessive toe bumper.  You possibly can see some additional materials barely folded within the image above indicating how a lot quantity there may be 

There’s clearly extra quantity total than within the Kinvara Professional the place the printed overlays at midfoot had been strains and prolonged over the toe field. 

When mixed with the gentle and evenly padded collars and really gentle IncrediRun foam preliminary  landings, unusually for me, I needed to resort to a lace lock to get a very good rear maintain which was much less so about any slipping and extra about drawing the collars in securely, 

The Kinvara Professional had a reasonably substantial black suede overlay tying lacing to the rear of the shoe which is lacking right here and for my narrower to medium quantity toes is missed.

I additionally notice a stitched on medial overlay to assist present a bit extra help. It’s wanted and pretty efficient however looks like it was a final minute addition.

Backside Line: For positive a consolation centered higher right here. Maintain total might be improved particularly for these with decrease quantity toes and for sooner paced runs with extra construction. I’d dimension down half a dimension in a subsequent pair. These with increased quantity toes needs to be happy at true to ordinary dimension.

Midsole & Platform

Sam: Following the identical method as its predecessor the Kinvara Professional, we now have a prime layer of supercritical foam, a ¾ size carbon plate, and a decrease layer of PWRRUN EVA mix. 

The distinction right here is that, as a substitute of the older PWRRUN Pb, an expanded bead PEBA, the highest layer is Saucony’ latest race foam, IncrediRun. This TPEE foam is tremendous gentle on the way in which down and really energetic and fast on the way in which again up. 

We first, and solely just lately, skilled IncrediRUN within the Endorphin Elite 2 (RTR Overview) marathon racer and the journey really feel is unimaginable with a seemingly impossibly gentle and nice foam returning rapidly and decisively. 

Extra vertical sidewalls on the medial aspect than lateral for extra help on that aspect

Lateral Facet is extra carved out to intensify roll off the midfoot and is felt as such

Beneath the ¾ size carbon plate we now have Saucony traditional PWRRUN foam which is dense and agency. I in contrast the urgent really feel to a Peregrine 13 PWRRUN and it’s the identical dense firmness.

Given there isn’t any outsole to talk of, and the IncrediRUN above is so gentle, the general really feel in direction of the bottom is by no means too agency having loads of shock absorption and stability however of a muted selection,  For positive the midsole is extra dynamic, friendlier using and with a extra famous rolling sensation than the Kinvara Professional. 

And additional noting about that improved rolling sensation we now have a slot lower by to the plate on the lateral aspect which for positive helps with the roll.

Backside line: The midsole delivers a properly protected coaching journey appropriate for many all runs besides pace work (primarily because of the higher and weight). The IncrediRun layer provides some magic making itself felt, including some dynamic really feel and accentuating the rolling sensation because the foot sinks ahead to toe off though the plate is rarely felt as harsh within the combine. Given it’s softer and fewer dense, it additionally has a contact of flex to the platform which the Kinvara Professional didn’t have.

Outsole

Sam: The “outsole” is basically an outsole grade PWRRUN midsole foam, as for instance the KInvara has had for years. 

In contrast to the Kinvara Professional whose outsole was all foam, right here we now have two strategically positioned rubber patches at key put on areas. These patches, along with sturdy put on surfaces, additionally clearly added extra on the floor response for me than the Kinvara Professional had, a very good factor.

Given the depth of “outsole” and the tendency for footwear to initially put on, then settle, I feel sturdiness might be good. Given the sunshine rubber protection and even with the ¾ carbon plate there’s a contact of stiff “flex” right here.

Grip of the wavy foam patterns to date has been satisfactory on dry and moist pavement however I for positive would hesitate to take such an outsole for runs on snow.

Journey, Conclusions and Suggestions

The Endorphin Coach joins an more and more crowded subject of max plus plated trainers. Uniike full on plated race footwear, the Endorphin shouldn’t be as inflexible in really feel, so is adaptable to slower coaching paces, has a secure forgiving underfoot platform and a consolation versus efficiency centered higher.

The journey is nice and fairly quick with the IncrediRun foam delivering for positive some pleasure whereas making the journey move smoother than the prior Kinvara Professional. I discovered the shoe best at my sooner day by day coaching paces that are between 9:10 per mile and eight: 50 per mile.

The plate is efficient in offering propulsion with out being overly prescriptive in what’s a max plus stack peak shoe at 42/34. The load at 10.15 oz /288g US9 is OK however not nice in comparison with a few of its competitors (see Comparisons under)  and the $180 worth is affordable.

I do want that Saucony had swapped out the dense, on the heavy aspect and considerably boring PWRRUN decrease layer for a extra reactive foam whereas on the identical time protecting its secure really feel and perhaps additionally dropping the burden. 

The higher leans a bit too far in direction of “consolation” with a lower than very best safe maintain for my decrease quantity toes. That mentioned, increased quantity toes ought to discover it an enchancment over the Kinvara Professional’s in room and total consolation.

All in all, the Endorphin Coach is a strong alternative for those who search a carbon plated coach that’s versatile and comfy, doesn’t drive you to run a sure approach or run in a slim vary of paces. My sense is that heavier runners who can compress the decrease PWRRUN greater than lighter ones will just like the Coach higher than lighter weight runners.

On the thrill and enjoyable entrance it virtually will get there however may use a re-thinking of its decrease PWRRUN layer with one thing extra reactive and fewer dense.

If it suits you properly it could possibly clearly be an throughout day by day coach one thing few footwear in its class can efficiently pull off. 

Sam’s Rating: 9.0 /10 

(-0.5 Deductions for higher maintain, -0.5 for comparatively boring and dated decrease PWRRUN midsole layer)

😊😊😊 1/2

7 Comparisons

Saucony Kinvara Professional (RTR Overview)

At about the identical weight and identical stack peak, the Coach substitutes IncrediRun for PWRRUN Pb and will get some rubber whereas the Professional had none. 

The Coach higher is significantly roomier and less difficult going and  I’m not positive I like that for my narrower decrease quantity foot as I needed to resort to a lace lock. I’d even go a half dimension down from my true dimension (as I used to be within the Professional) right here. Larger quantity toes might be comfortable at true to dimension. 

The journey is considerably improved within the Coach, simpler flowing and extra dynamic due to the IncredRun foam and added rubber which provides to pop and response (and put on floor) to the rubberized foam outsole.

Saucony Journey 18 (RTR Overview quickly)

The $140 Journey delivers a lot of what the Coach does in a less complicated extra streamlined and traditional day by day coach package deal, It’s decrease stack at 35/27 with the identical 8mm drop, weighs considerably lower than the Coach at 9.7 oz /275g and options vigorous bouncy PWRRUN+ expanded TPU beads foam. It is higher is safer for positive if decrease quantity (wides out there in contrast to increased quantity Coach). No plates right here however a full protection outsole.

Brooks Hyperion Max 2 (RTR Overview)

A extra uptempo and decrease stack take of a plated max cushion coach, the Hyperion Max 2 has all supercritical DNA Flash foam and a plastic plate. It’s extra secure and is about an oz., 28g lighter. Its higher is way extra efficiency centered than the Coach’s and is a greater match for me, The Coach is extra forgiving and simpler going and for a lot of will lean extra day by day throughout coaching than the Hyperion which is a sooner using shoe.

Hoka Skyward X (RTR Overview)

The Skyward X is increased stack but at 48 mm heel / 43 mm forefoot ( 5mm drop spec) however solely 15g heavier as in contrast to the Coach it depends on two supercritical foams for its midsole: PEBA underfoot and supercritical  EVA under. As with the Coach it has a carbon plate. 

Its roomy true to dimension  higher is extra supportive and its rear of platform extra secure.  Whereas “heavier” feeling it has a extra thrilling max cushion journey than the Coach largely on account of its decrease supercritical foam midsole. It was my second place shoe of the yr 2024. The catch…it’s $225 so $45 greater than the Coach.

Mizuno Neo Vista (RTR Overview)

The Neo Vista is barely increased stack peak and significantly decrease weight at 9.2 oz / 261g US9 whereas priced the identical because the Coach. The Mizuno reverses the foams placing supercritical Enerzy NXT as the underside layer and considerably firmer Enerzy EVA mix above sandwiching a fiberglass as a substitute of carbon fiber plate.  The Neo Vista has a stretch knit higher and shares a few of the maintain problems with the Coach for me. The Mizuno is clearly extra reactive and sooner feeling than the Saucony though considerably much less secure on account of its softer foams on the floor. I feel lighter runners might desire the Mizuno over the Saucony as a extra uptempo centered day by day coach whereas heavier runners will lean in direction of the extra substantial decrease foam layer of the Coach. 

Endorphin Velocity (RTR Overview)

Clearly the extra uptempo coach within the Saucony line up, the decrease stack decrease weight Velocity is for a lot of a day by day coach with the extra cushioned Coach is the extra mellow possibility within the Endorphin line up.

ASICS Magic Velocity 4 (RTR Overview)

Sam: My 2024 shoe of the yr, the Magic Velocity is sort of 2 oz / 50g lighter with a close to similar stack peak (truly 1.5mm increased). It shares a prime midsole layer of supercritical foam and a decrease extra typical foam including a much more substantial ASICSGrip rubber outsole. It will get to its weight with a considerably narrower platform, notably on the heel. Considerably firmer, however nonetheless very properly cushioned, it’s a sooner shoe for positive if not fairly as simple going because the Coach which leans, as named, extra “coach” than the extra uptempo even race Magic ” Velocity”. The ASICS higher is true to dimension for me, has much less quantity than the Coach and has a close to excellent efficiency match for me. 

Nike Zoom Fly 6 (RTR Overview)

On the identical stack peak and significantly lighter at about 8.80 oz / 249g US9, the Nike shares an analogous development of supercritical Zoom X underfoot and an EVA mix under with a full size carbon plate between. Its Zoom X foam is for positive firmer than the Coach’s IncrediRun whereas its decrease layer is barely softer.  The Nike has a properly lugged outsole which is definitely stunning given its far lighter weight. Its higher is flawless in maintain and match for me and amongst different parts extends the gusset in direction of the rear of the shoe to lock within the lace up space to the heel, one thing the coach doesn’t do. Whereas the Zoom Fly has considerably of a mid foot flex level the Saucony lacks there, total it has a extra aggressive (plate and drop extra noticeable) up tempo really feel and journey making it I feel for many much less of a “day by day coach” and extra of a pace shoe than the Coach.  

The Endorphin Coach will be out there Spring 2025

Tester Profiles

Sam is the Editor and Founding father of Highway Path Run. He’s in his 60’s  with 2024 Sam’s 52th yr of working roads and trails. He has a a long time outdated 2:28 marathon PR. As of late he runs halves within the simply sub 1:40 vary if he will get very, very fortunate. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week largely at reasonable paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, mountaineering or on nordic skis. He’s 5’9” tall and weighs about 160 lbs, if he isn’t having fun with too many high-quality New England IPA’s.

Procuring at our companions is way appreciated and helps help RoadTrailRun

Samples had been supplied at no cost for evaluation functions. RoadTrail Run has affiliate partnerships and will earn fee on merchandise bought by way of procuring hyperlinks on this article. These partnerships don’t affect our editorial content material. The opinions herein are totally the authors’.

Feedback and Questions Welcome Beneath! Please tell us mileage, paces, race distances, and present most popular footwear