Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 Review

Published: August 3, 2022
Updated: August 26, 2022

Endorphin Pro 3's Comfort and Versatility Topple the Competition

Likes

Soft and responsive underfoot
Comfortable fit with stable platform
Stylish and fun colors

Dislikes

Midsole less responsive than version 2

What's New

The Endorphin Pro 3 is Saucony's elite marathon racing shoe, designed to help runners capture personal bests at everything from 5Ks all the way beyond marathon distances. After a relatively modest update from version one to version two, this third iteration takes even bigger leaps forward with more PWRRUN PB Foam stacked underfoot, a redesigned S-Curve carbon plate for soft yet efficient landings that don't sacrifice energy return, and a wider platform for increased stability. The SPEEDROLL midsole geometry continues to promote quick and efficient transitions, while the XT-9000 outsole delivers durability that runners can rely on. Sitting on top of the Endorphin's fantastic midsole, a lighter and more breathable FORMFIT mesh upper provides a locked-and-loaded feel that is uncharacteristically comfy for a super shoe.

The Bottom Line

The Endorphin Pro 3 is an excellent upgrade from version 2, featuring updates from top to bottom that truly dial in Saucony's elite marathon racer. Where some found the previous version to feel a bit harsh over marathon distances, the Endorphin Pro 3 may now be the most comfortable elite super shoe on the market. While this comfort-oriented design may have caused the Endorphin Pro 3 to lose some of its aggressiveness when compared to the likes of the Alphafly, Vaporfly, METASPEED, and Adios Pro, the shoe more than makes up for it with its accommodating fit and surprisingly versatile ride. This is a product of the shoe's incredible midsole design, which utilizes a combination of PWRRUN PB foam, SPEEDROLL geometry, and an S-Curve carbon plate.

The increased level of PWRRUN PB foam in the midsole accentuates the shoe's soft yet highly energetic feel, and our testers agreed that the Endorphin Pro 3 is now more comfortable over long distances than the previous version. The updates to the midsole also deliver improved versatility at different paces, which makes the Endorphin Pro better equipped to help runners as they grind through the trials of training. The wider platform elevates the shoe's level of stability to heights not seen in other super shoes, providing a platform that is friendlier to a larger range of runners, from elite racers to beginners. Combine this with a lightweight, breathable, and secure upper, and you get a super shoe that is also super fun for runners of all experience levels. The Pro 3's favorable price point compared to the competition is just the cherry on top!

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Specifications & Fit

How It Fits

Toe Box	Medium
Midfoot Volume	Medium
Heel Width	Medium
Arch Height	Medium

Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 right angled view

Our In-Depth Look

Upper

Connor: "The upper is extremely minimal, and the Pro 3 has a race-day fit. Despite the thinness of the upper, I felt securely locked down, and I was confident charging into sharp turns, which isn't always the case with super shoes. The fit is tight but not restrictive, fitting exactly how I would want a race-day shoe to fit. I did not have any heel slip or rubbing throughout the shoe. The upper is also breathable and looks great with the offered colors."

Kaleb: "The upper of the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 was awesome! The FORMFIT mesh is very light on foot and was hardly noticeable while running. The lockdown was also fantastic, causing zero irritations or hotspots after +50 miles in the shoe. In my opinion, this is possibly the most comfortable super shoe upper I have tried."

Midsole

Connor: "The Endorphin Pro has a comfortable squish underfoot thanks to the soft PWRRUN PB foam, and honestly, this may be the most comfortable super shoe I have tested. Furthermore, thanks to its max stack height, the shoe is also very protective. The midsole's updated carbon plate and retooled high-energy foam work in unison to bounce me down the road, helping me build up speed gradually and making the ride less harsh at every pace. I feel like a bit of energy return was sacrificed compared to version two, but the Pro 3 is now much more versatile and better suited to meet the needs of a greater variety of runners."

Kaleb: "PWRRUN PB is hands down-one of my favorite midsole foams, and the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 has a whole heap of it underfoot (39.5 mm in the heel), which creates a super responsive feel that is also soft and protective. The SPEEDROLL midsole geometry and S-Curve carbon plate perfectly compliment the responsive midsole and help maximize the shoe's efficiency. What I love most about the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 is the shoe's surprisingly high level of comfort. Typically, running in super shoes leaves my body pretty beat up, leading to long recovery periods. While running in the Endorphin Pro 3, I didn't have the typical super shoe challenges, and I could run comfortably longer and with less strain."

Outsole

Connor: "The Endorphin Pro 3 has a drastically different outsole than the previous models, utilizing cutouts to reduce weight and supplying ample coverage over high-wear areas. I did not see any foam degradation throughout testing. Additionally, the traction of the XT-900 rubber was excellent, providing a reliably tacky grip that never slipped, no matter the surface type. The rubber is showing some wear after roughly 50 miles, which makes me question the outsole's longevity. That said, the Endorphin Pro 3 is a performance racing shoe that will still help you conquer many marathons."

Kaleb: "The Endorphin Pro's XT-900 is fantastic, and the Endorphin Pro 3, unlike other super shoes, does not struggle when cornering. The grip was always reliable, and the shoe's platform kept things stable enough to remain confident."

Comparable Shoes

Connor: "The Endorphin Pro 3 has a much more accommodating fit and comfortable ride than the Pro 2. The Pro 3 also has a softer instep and moves much more naturally with the foot. It's a big improvement and a better shoe, just as fast and more versatile. When compared to other super shoes like the Adios Pro 3 and the METASPEED Sky+, comfort remains a distinguishing characteristic of the Endorphin Pro 3. Furthermore, the shoe affords runners a lot more versatility than other super shoes and can deliver a high-quality experience over most runs."

Kaleb: "I am currently testing three super shoes (ASICS METASPEED Sky+, adidas adizero Adios Pro 3, and Saucony Endorphin Pro 3), and the Endorphin Pro 3 is by far the most comfortable of the group. The midsole is more balanced than the ASICS Sky+ and the Adios Pro 3, allowing for more comfort and better versatility. The level of comfort is the Endorphin's true defining characteristic in comparison to other super shoes. If I were to run a marathon tomorrow, the Endorphin Pro 3 would be my choice. This shoe is also my recommendation for less experienced racers who will not reserve their race shoes solely for race day or race-specific prep runs and want to get more out of them."

Saucony Men's Endorphin Pro

The Saucony Endorphin Pro is a carbon fiber racing shoe designed to make running at top speed feel easier so you can get to the finish line faster.

Saucony Women's Endorphin Pro

The Saucony Endorphin Pro is a carbon fiber racing shoe designed to make running at top speed feel easier so you can get to the finish line faster.

Individual Thoughts

Connor F.Overall Score: 9/10

The Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 is a big upgrade from the Endorphin Pro 2. Version two did not work for some runners, and many preferred the Endorphin Speed because of the more versatile ride and increased comfort.

I feel like the Pro 3 captures the high-performance qualities of the carbon plate and responsive foam but dials in the ride to be more adaptable with the versatility to handle a wider variety of paces. I have enjoyed running in the Pro 3 and keep reaching for it during workout days and for marathon-paced long runs.

The only downside to the shoe I can find is that I am starting to see a bit of wear on the outsole, and the thin upper is not the best for sockless wear. These two things are minor complaints and would not keep me from running in the Endorphin Pro 3. The Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 is an elite-level super shoe that will work for different types of runners and offers increased performance over past models.

Shoe Softness

FirmSoft

Ride/Energy Return

Less SpringyMore Springy

Underfoot Protection

LowHigh

Flexibility

RigidElastic

Upper Support

StructuredAdaptable

KalebOverall Score: 9/10

I cannot get enough of the Endorphin line. Since its launch, the line has continually impressed me, and version 3 of the Endorphin Pro might be my favorite yet. Well, besides maybe the Speed 3.

The PWRRUN PB midsole is fantastic, with a bouncy return that isn't too harsh underfoot. But the overall comfort of the shoe, especially compared to other super shoes, is the defining characteristic of the Endorphin Pro 3. Also, as someone who cannot afford a full shoe rotation, the Endorphin Pro's versatility was highly appreciated. I had no problem using the shoes on various road runs throughout testing.

The Endorphin Pro 3 is not the fastest marathon racing shoe available and may not be ideal for those who only care about speed, but given the shoe's level of comfort, versatility, and affordability, the Endorphin Pro 3 is my super shoe recommendation, especially for sub-elite runners like myself.

Shoe Softness

FirmSoft

Ride/Energy Return

Less SpringyMore Springy

Underfoot Protection

LowHigh

Flexibility

RigidElastic

Upper Support

StructuredAdaptable

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