Saucony Endorphin Pro: A True Vaporfly Competitor

*Whoops, that should say "... or otherwise, through our website!."

I try and keep my testing and mileage transparent and available on my Strava and often drop sneak-peaks on upcoming trainers (when not under embargo) there:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/48920148

. Most of our other testers are on Strava as well!

I have these shoes and I like them better than the Next %. The Next is very squishy to me and the Pro has more pop. Just my take.

I'm interested in what is getting delayed and not due to the pandemic.

Is the Endorphin Pro still a spring release. And the speed is summer? But the NB Fuelcell RC got pushed back to summer? I think the Adizero Pro still is spring too?

Curious how some of these feel while training and not running fast as well. Do the Fuelcell TC and Endorphin Speed feel awkward at easier paces and do they have that drop off feeling at the toes? I find that Next% and 4% feel awkward when not going fast and am surprised that people enjoy them running marathons at like 9 min pace. I wouldn't run them at 7 min pace or slower. The drop off at the toes feeling as not the greatest for slow running and they feel a bit wobbly going slow. How do the Endorphin Speed and Fuelcell TC compare for this? Smoother and less of a drop off? More stable and less awkward underfoot? Do they integrate better into warm ups and cool downs with the workout?

dianuario wrote:

I have these shoes and I like them better than the Next %. The Next is very squishy to me and the Pro has more pop. Just my take.

How did you get them already??

Any idea when you guys will review the Boston 9 or the Adizero Pro?

Since there's no races I've got the luxury of waiting to purchase my next racing shoes but these look like a good option, especially at a more reasonable price than the next%

Pretty much all of my information on timing comes from hearsay - I don't often interact directly with manufacturers - so take everything with salt.

Endorphin Pro - I believe that it's been pushed to 7/1 to align with the Endorphin Speed and Endorphin Shift. Will update if I hear otherwise.

Adizero Pro - Still targeting spring/early summer, from what I understand, but supply chain delays have made it malleable. We don't have them for testing (at least as far as I know) but they are up on Running Warehouse as a pre-order.

New Balance RC/RC Elite (don't know the formal name) - Hearing late summer/fall on this. Unconfirmed. New Balance was messy even before COVID-19 just in rushing for the World Athletics deadline, so I don't know where it ended up exactly. Know some Trials runners on my team were unable to get pairs before the OT.

--

Regarding comparisons - the FuelCell TC is a trainer I did not get sent for review (though we did do a full multi-tester review) but is getting asked about so much that I'm going to buy a pair when they come available. Hopefully Sam or others sees this. The Endorphin Speed and Shift reviews are in the final stages and should come soon, so there should be some comparisons at the bottom of those. Sorry I don't have more for you.

Rhodium Nights wrote:

dianuario wrote:

I have these shoes and I like them better than the Next %. The Next is very squishy to me and the Pro has more pop. Just my take.

How did you get them already??

I believe they were available for purchase at the OT, in limited quantities.

Adifan wrote:

Any idea when you guys will review the Boston 9 or the Adizero Pro?

Since there's no races I've got the luxury of waiting to purchase my next racing shoes but these look like a good option, especially at a more reasonable price than the next%

Haven't heard either way, actually. I think other sites already have the Boston 9 so maybe we are either not testing it, or others have it and I am unaware. Adizero Pro, as mentioned above, should be coming in the medium term but looks like Adidas has some supply chain disruptions that are delaying it a little.

Rhodium Nights wrote:

dianuario wrote:

I have these shoes and I like them better than the Next %. The Next is very squishy to me and the Pro has more pop. Just my take.

How did you get them already??

I’m a wear tester for Saucony

dianuario wrote:

Rhodium Nights wrote:

How did you get them already??

I’m a wear tester for Saucony

Cool!! Are you planning to race in them? I read the review on roadtrailrun and it seemed like all the testers were impressed by the Pro!

Rhodium Nights wrote:

dianuario wrote:

I’m a wear tester for Saucony

Cool!! Are you planning to race in them? I read the review on roadtrailrun and it seemed like all the testers were impressed by the Pro!

So I ran a 5k in them the other day, virtual. Went 3.15 for good measure, 17:10. I was stoked. This shoe is awesome. I have so many shoes, my wife basically hates me and I hide shoes from her. I haven’t worn the AlphaFlys but the Saucony is killer. I was a Nike man through and through but the shoes feel soft including the Peg Turbo 2. Don’t get me wrong, all great shoes but not on the same level as Saucony. I prefer rigidity but not too much. The Boston (Adidas) is a bit stiff for my liking but something in between is ideal and that’s what you get with the Pro. You will dig this shoe. I’ll say this for my next marathon whenever that is, I’m wearing the Pro.

Great review Albertos Dog, thank you to all at RTL.

How would you rate the arch support for over pronators? A super shoe finally suitable for us. . ?

Also, 2 carbon shoes not getting much air time . .

- Hoka rocket X

- Asics Meta Racer

Little to nothing online about either, have you used either?

Thanks!

dianuario wrote:

So I ran a 5k in them the other day, virtual. Went 3.15 for good measure, 17:10. I was stoked. This shoe is awesome. I have so many shoes, my wife basically hates me and I hide shoes from her. I haven’t worn the AlphaFlys but the Saucony is killer. I was a Nike man through and through but the shoes feel soft including the Peg Turbo 2. Don’t get me wrong, all great shoes but not on the same level as Saucony. I prefer rigidity but not too much. The Boston (Adidas) is a bit stiff for my liking but something in between is ideal and that’s what you get with the Pro. You will dig this shoe. I’ll say this for my next marathon whenever that is, I’m wearing the Pro.

Very cool! That's a quick 5k time!

I currently race in the Adidas Adios 4s which I like, but I really want to take my performance to the next level and I think the Pros can help me get there! On the hunt to break 3 right now and I very much look forward to COVID being over and races not being cancelled!

Thanks man!!!! If you’re a contender then the Pro

will get you to that next level. Best is luck. We’re just getting more time to put together a nice training block.

dianuario wrote:

Thanks man!!!! If you’re a contender then the Pro

will get you to that next level. Best is luck. We’re just getting more time to put together a nice training block.

True that!! More time for base building!

Thanks and best of luck to you as well!!

Papa Burgendy wrote:

Great review Albertos Dog, thank you to all at RTL.

How would you rate the arch support for over pronators? A super shoe finally suitable for us. . ?

Also, 2 carbon shoes not getting much air time . .

- Hoka rocket X

- Asics Meta Racer

Little to nothing online about either, have you used either?

Thanks!

Hey Papa! Not super arch-supportive. I think the Hyperion Elite (if you can find it) is slightly more supportive. That said, all of these carbon racers are still slightly beefier in the arch than your average "old-school" racing flat, as far as I can tell. The "older" Carbon X may be your best bet (but also not quite as quick as the 2020 options.

The two shoes you mentioned are both pretty interesting - Hoka Rocket X, as far as I can tell, has been put on hold. MetaRacer is under embargo until tomorrow, so expect to hear a lot more then.