REASONS TO BUY
Approachable
Snappy rocker
Smooth ride
Stable for a race shoe
REASONS TO AVOID
Some runners may not like the comparatively firmer cushion
Slightly awkward at easy paces
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 Review
The most approachable super shoe we’ve tested is also versatile and comfortable, but maybe not the fastest
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
RELATED: Best Running Shoes for Men of 2024
Our Verdict
We think the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 is an excellent choice for runners looking for their first super shoe. It's approachable and easy to control while still noticeably propulsive at faster paces. It works at easy paces, but does feel slightly awkward when relaxed. It feels stable in corners and has great traction. While it's an excellent choice, we think it falls short of the pure performance and versatility of some competitors. Runners who enjoy an aggressive forefoot rocker and a less-bouncy ride in their race shoe will likely love this option.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  | |  | |
| Price | $225 List $224.95 at Amazon | $260 List | $139.95 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $169.95 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $135 List $135.00 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
|||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | More aggressive and comfortable than previous versions, this shoe is a great race day choice | This lightweight kick is our pick for racing anything on the roads, from 5K to a marathon | A daily trainer that can handle most runs, the Novablast 4 is fun and extremely comfortable | An all-around standout that can handle easy days as comfortably as hard workouts | A daily trainer that blends comfort and versatility at a reasonable price |
| Rating Categories | Saucony Endorphin P... | Nike Vaporfly 3 | Asics Novablast 4 | Saucony Endorphin S... | Puma Velocity Nitro 3 |
| Cushioning and Landing Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Responsiveness (25%) | |||||
| Stability (20%) | |||||
| Upper Comfort (15%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Saucony Endorphin P... | Nike Vaporfly 3 | Asics Novablast 4 | Saucony Endorphin S... | Puma Velocity Nitro 3 |
| Sizes Available | 7-15 US, regular | 6 - 15 US, regular | 6 - 15 US, regular | 7-15 US, regular | 7 - 14 US, regular |
| Style | Racing | Racing | Daily/cushioning | Plated daily | Daily |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 40 mm | 39 mm | 43 mm | 38 mm | 39 mm |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 4 mm | 10 mm | 7 mm | 6 mm | 10 mm |
| Plate Type | Carbon | Carbon | None | Nylon | None |
| Rocker Angle | 21.0 deg | 21.0 deg | 22.5 deg | 25.0 deg | 18.0 deg |
| Rocker Apex Location | 70.25% | 64.82% | 66.53% | 67.74% | 66.67% |
| Measured Weight | 8.30 oz | 7.24 oz | 9.76 oz | 9.73 oz | 10.07 oz |
| Upper | Engineered mesh | Engineered mesh | Engineered woven/knit | Engineered mesh/knit | Engineered knit |
| Midsole | PWRRUN PB/PWRRUN HG | ZoomX | FF Blast + Eco | PWRRUN PB | Profoam |
| Outsole | Rubber | Rubber | AHAR Lo | Rubber | PumaGrip |
| Heel Tab Type | None | None | Finger loop | None | None |
Show full specification details ▼Hide full specification details ▲
Our Analysis and Test Results
Saucony's first foray into super shoes was the Endorphin Pro line. The model has always been one of the most natural-feeling and approachable super shoes on the market. The Endorphin Pro 4 continues that tradition but gets more aggressive and firmer than previous iterations. The upper is completely reworked from the last version, and a new layer of PWRRUN HG foam improves dampening while also altering the feel of the shoe.
Performance Comparison
The Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 is a fast yet easy to run in super shoe that we think makes a great choice for runners who are looking for their first race day kick.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Cushioning and Landing Comfort
The stack height and drop of the Endorphin Pro 4 have changed significantly in our standardized lab testing. We measured 40mm at the heel and 36mm at the forefoot, compared to 39mm/27mm in the previous version. The difference is noticeable, but not in the way you'd expect.
The addition of PWRRUN HG to the Endorphin Pro 4 makes the ride a little more aggressive and slightly firmer.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Saucony fused PWRRUN PB with PWRRUN HG as a top layer. The addition of the HG results in a firmer underfoot feel. The Endorphin Pro 4 doesn't feel as bouncy and energetic as previous models, but it does insulate the feet and legs better. We no longer feel the carbon plate in the forefoot at the end of longer efforts and attribute that welcome change to the higher forefoot stack and the addition of the PWRRUN HG.
Even though the shoe has improved dampening, the firmer feel and extremely stiff ride make this shoe a little less comfortable at a range of paces. It can run easy, but landings get awkward. The firm foam and increased longitudinal stiffness feel best when forces are high. For runners who appreciate a more bouncy and forgiving foam in their race day option, we think the Endorphin Pro 4 will likely work better as a 5K-half marathon shoe rather than a marathon racer. Overall, we think the changes to the cushioning are an improvement.
We love the feel of this shoe, even if we think some runners might prefer a softer ride for a full marathon.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Responsiveness
The same increased foam firmness and stiffness that detract from the comfort improve the aggressiveness of this shoe. The PWRRUN HG doesn't feel bouncy, but it is a highly resilient foam that works very well for propulsion. The Endorphin Pro 4 also has a very aggressive forefoot rocker that is noticeable, particularly at faster paces.
This shoe worked well for us at a range of paces, but we felt its sweet spot was somewhere between 10K pace and threshold. At marathon pace, the shoe did well, but our preference is for a little more give underfoot during long efforts. The shoe is great at paces faster than 10K, but it doesn't quite have the same pop as its competitors.
The Pro 4 has an aggressive forefoot rocker. We found it worked well, but were most comfortable in the shoe around 10K pace.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
While that could be a negative for some runners, we also think it makes the Endorphin Pro 4 one of the most approachable super shoes. It's much easier to control than some other options while still providing excellent responsiveness.
It's not quite as snappy as some other top-of-the-line choices, but we think the Endorphin Pro can get rolling very quickly.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Upper Comfort
Saucony completely reworked the upper to add more volume and support. The mesh is stiffer, and the tongue is integrated. It's still very breathable, although a little less so than the previous version.
The upper is extremely breathable, but also more comfortable than the previous version.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Saucony also increased the overall volume of the upper, so the fit should work for more runners. We experienced excellent lockdown in the shoe.
Our only minor concern is related to the stiff graphic overlay on the outer side of the forefoot. We experienced some minor rubbing and blistering on our pinkie toe during our first 10+ mile run in the shoes. While we were able to resolve the issue with a different pair of socks, other users have reported similar problems.
The upper has plenty of volume, but we did notice a bit of rubbing on the outside of our pinky toe.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Lateral Stability and Support
The Endorphin Pro 4 is the most stable super shoe we've tested. If you value support and stability and want a super shoe, this is the option you should go for. It isn't a stability shoe by any means, but when compared to its competitors, it's much better.
The wider heel and midfoot platform play a large role in providing a stable contact patch. There are minor sidewalls through the midfoot, and the stiff mesh provides some support when laced up. There is a slight heel bevel, and the firmer foam helps limit lateral movement some.
The new outsole tread provides much better grip.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Saucony completely reworked the outsole, and this version of the shoe now provides some of the best traction we've experienced in a super shoe.
Weight
The Endorphin Pro 4 weighs in at 8.3 ounces in a US Men's 10.5. That's light but still heavier than some other options, especially when compared to other race-focused shoes.
The weight is likely due to the increased stability and improved outsole. It's a good tradeoff to make a more approachable race-day shoe. And at the end of the day, it is still significantly lighter than the group average.
We think a bit of weight penalty for increased stability is a good tradeoff.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Should You Buy the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4?
If you're looking for a true race day shoe, the Endorphin Pro 4 should be a strong contender. Runners looking for a bouncy and exciting ride will likely be disappointed. This shoe is propulsive but understated. We think it's best for runners who are considering their first pair of super shoes thanks to its relative stability and how easily it can be controlled.
What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?
If you're looking for ultimate performance, consider the Nike Vaporfly 3, which we think has the best all-around speed of any super shoe. The Nike Alphafly 3 is a monstrously fast shoe, but it can be hard to control and struggles on courses with lots of turns. If you're not sure you want to pay the premium for a super shoe, the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 is one of our favorite shoes, and is nearly as propulsive as the Endorphin Pro 4, while significantly improving comfort, versatility and stability.
—
Nathaniel Bailey
You Might Also Like
