Saucony Endorphin Trainer Review
By Matthew Klein and Andrea Myers
Saucony Endorphin TrainerPrice: $179.95 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 9.9 oz, 280 g (men's size 9), 8.9 oz, 252 g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 41 mm / 33 mm
Drop: 8 mm
Shoe Purpose: Performance/Uptempo Trainer
Pros: Balanced, Responsive Ride, Stable Neutral, Great Pace Versatility
Cons: Slightly Clunky Rearfoot, Slightly Below Average Durability, Laterally Biased Sole Flare
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The Saucony Endorphin Trainer is a performance trainer with a top layer of Saucony's new IncrediRun foam, a bottom layer of PWWRUN, and a 3/4 length carbon plate in between. The Endorphin Trainer is the latest in a line of stable neutral performance trainers, which include the discontinued Endorphin Shift and the Kinvara Pro. The addition of IncrediRun and an improved upper fit make the Endorphin Trainer a big improvement over the Kinvara Pro. The Endorphin Trainer is a stable neutral shoe that some will use primarily for easy runs, while others may use it for more uptempo paces or even as a marathon racer.
SIMILAR SHOES: New Balance Fuelcell SC Trainer v3, Puma Deviate Nitro 3
PAST MODEL: Saucony Kinvara Pro
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
Matt: The Saucony Endorphin Trainer fits me true to size in my normal men's US size 10. The fit is slightly snug throughout the length of the shoe secondary to a slightly lower volume. The toe box is slightly tapered but has a stretch mesh that adapts over time. The forefoot fits slightly snug but like the toe box does stretch and holds the foot well. The midfoot is normal to slightly snug in width with a well-gusseted, slightly thinner tongue. The gusset holds the foot really well and I only had to tighten down the laces a little to secure the midfoot. The heel fits normal in width with moderate amount of heel collar padding and a moderately stiff 3/4 height heel counter. The heel counter is padded enough that it did not bother me but those with heel sensitivities may notice it. I did experience some heel slippage, so I had to tighten the laces and may consider lace locking this shoe in the future. Once the heel is locked down, the security is great and I have not had an slippage or rubbing. The inner liner is really comfortable and I have enjoyed several sockless miles in this shoe. The toe guard is not too obstrustive and the inner liner is fairly obtrusive. Many may be able to get away with sockless running in this shoe, while others will still enjoy this shoe with a thin pair of socks.
Typical Size: Men's US Size 10
Shoes that have fit Matt well: Saucony Guide 17, ASICS Kayano 30, Hoka Gaviota 5, Saucony Endorphin Elite, Nike Ultrafly
Shoes that have fit snug: Hoka Arahi 7, Saucony Kinvara 14
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2, Altra Timp 5
Andrea: The Saucony Endorphin Trainer fits like every other shoe in the Endorphin line for me, which means I go 1/2 size up for length. This results in a well-fitting shoe that provides a full thumbs width from the front of my big toe to the end of the shoe, and sufficient width that I did not experience any irritation at my 1st or 5th MTPs. The width of the toe box feels similar to the Endorphin Pro or Speed 4, while the midfoot and rearfoot fit slightly wider. I did need to tie the laces down tighter than I do in the above mentioned shoes, but once I did, I experienced comfortable foot lockdown without any pressure points or heel slippage. The soft mesh upper has mild stretch to it and is quite breathable, to the point where I could feel the wind on a couple of windy test runs in 20-30 F temperatures. The gusseted tongue has a mild amount of padding and stays securely in place with additional assistance from a lace loop. There is a small rigid heel counter with a moderate amount of internal padding. While not everyone needs to go up 1/2 size in the Endorphin line, I would recommend sticking with whatever size you are in the Endorphin Pro or Speed (any version).
Andrea's Typical Size: Women's US Size 9.5
Shoes that have fit Andrea well: New Balance Beacon v3, Brooks Hyperion Max, Topo Cyclone 2, Nike Vaporfly 3, Altra Via Olympus 2
Shoes that have fit snug: Saucony Kinvara 14 (length and toe box width), Altra FWD Experience (length and width), Hoka Cielo Road (toe box width), Saucony Endorphin Speed and Pro 1-3 (length)
Shoes that have fit large: Adidas Boston 12 (length), Adidas Adios 8 (length)
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: No
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: No
Is the Forefoot Flexible: No
How Flexible is the Shoe: Stiff
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Somewhat
Recommended for Haglunds: Not Really
Recommended for Sockless: Yes
Durability Expectation: Average
PERFORMANCE
Matt: The Saucony Endorphin Trainer is an uptempo trainer that excels at uptempo and faster paces. The midsole features a soft, highly responsive top layer of Saucony's new IncrediRun foam with a firmer bottom layer of PWRRUN. Between these two layers sits a 3/4 length carbon plate that creates a snappy and stiff forefoot. The heel features a large bevel that still feels a little clunky due to the bevel being both centered and centrally tapered. This creates a higher level of sole flare both laterally and medially, which does make the shoe stable but the heel a little clunky. This transitions into a smooth midfoot and a stiff but quickly transitioning forefoot. The front features a decent forefoot rocker and mild toe spring. Those with toe mobility issues (hallux rigidus) may do well in this shoe). The combination of all these factors makes for a snappy and moderately bouncy ride that works better the faster you run. While easy runs are possible in this shoe, I have found the Endorphin Trainer to excel far better during uptempo efforts, tempo runs and workouts. I have done a long run, a fast fartlek, a tempo run and an uptempo run and found that despite the 9.9 oz weight (men's size 9), the shoe feels best moving a little quicker. The IncrediRun feels responsive but not mushy or unstable due to being balanced out by the PWRRUN, making it an excellent option for keeping you moving during long runs. The combination of that foam with the plate also make it great for faster efforts. For those reasons, the Endorphin Trainer will work best for those who want a stiffer and more responsive trainer/performance shoe or those who want a longer distance racing shoe that is still fast but not as aggressive (or expensive) as most traditional super racing shoes.
Unlike the Kinvara Pro, the new outsole additions have greatly improved the durability so this shoe may last for a combination of training and workouts or training and racing. I have 35 miles in pair and there is a little early wear on the posterior lateral heel (my normal spot). I expect an average amount of miles for a a performance shoe for those that land in the heel. If you land at the forefoot, there is no central or lateral outsole reinforcement, so you may wear through the outsole at a decent pace. With the amount of still exposed outsole, the Endorphin Trainer is best for smooth surfaces like road. I have taken this shoe on smooth dirt roads and bark chips which were fine. Anything more aggressive will likely rip through the sole, so smooth, non-aggressive terrain is best.
Andrea: The Saucony Endorphin Trainer is a high stack, bouncy, moderately soft daily trainer. The best comparison I can make with this shoe is that it feels like a heavier, daily trainer version of the New Balance SC Elite 3. The combination of the soft top layer of IncrediRun foam, firmer bottom layer of PWWRUN, and 3/4 length carbon plate make for a nice combination of compliance and resilience, without feeling too soft for my preferences. The weight of the shoe and the clunky heel made it feel best at easy paces for me. While I was aware of the weight and prominent heel in all of my test runs, these features did not stop me from enjoying the ride of the shoe. The overall feel of the shoe is ample protection from the ground, compliance at initial contact, and a mild rolling sensation at push-off thanks to the early forefoot rocker. The rearfoot and forefoot feel like they have a varus tilt, which means the midsole is taller medially than laterally, tilting the foot to the outside. I typically do not do well with shoes like this because I already land pretty far laterally and sometimes have difficulty transitioning my weight to my medial forefoot. Thankfully, the varus tilt was much more noticeable walking (heel strike) as compared to running (midfoot strike) for me. While I prefer the shoe at easier paces, I could see this being a long run shoe or even a marathon shoe for those who do not do well with more aggressive super shoes.
There is very little outsole rubber in this shoe and traction is not great on wet roads. I have 25 miles on my pair and the exposed midsole shows mild wear at the lateral midfoot, which gives me concerns about durability.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
Matt: The Saucony Endorphin Trainer is a stable neutral shoe. There are no traditional elements of stability but there are many newer age guidance concepts that create a centered ride. The stiff carbon plate does a great job of adding rigidity that stabilizes the midfoot and forefoot well. As typical of Saucony, there is a large amount of sole flare in the heel and forefoot. While this makes the heel a little clunky (see Performance section), it does add to the centeredness. There is slightly more medial than lateral sole flare in the heel, which provides a slight lateral bias at the heel. The midfoot is surprisingly stable thanks to the previously mentioned carbon fiber plate, the larger medial and lateral sidewalls (that also sit into the heel) and the slight lateral bias thanks to the midfoot being more filled in on the medial compared to the lateral side. The combination of all these factors provide a stable neutral ride from heel to toe with some mild lateral bias at the heel and midfoot.
Andrea: The Saucony Endorphin Trainer is definitely a stable neutral shoe and one that will work best for those with medial stability needs. The wide base, large sole flare that runs the length of the shoe, and rocker geometry all contribute to a centered and stable ride for those who land at the heel or further forward. The sole flare is biased laterally in the rearfoot and forefoot and feels like a varus wedge design to me. This feature will make the shoe work better for those with medial stability needs, but was not so severe that it did not work for me as someone with lateral stability issues. The high stack of IncrediRun and PWRRUN are balanced by the 3/4 length plate and the wide base. The earlier forefoot rocker provides a moderate amount of guidance into pushoff. I think this shoe will work for runners with a variety of stability needs, but those with lateral stability issues like myself (multiple ankle sprains) may find the lateral bias to be too much.
Thoughts as a DPT: The Spherical Calcaneus and Heel Bevels
By Matthew Klein
The best footwear often looks for inspiration from the human foot. While we talk extensively about heel bevels, it may help to review the anatomy behind why heel bevels are optimal. A heel bevel refers to the upward curve at the rear of the shoe, meant to facilitate a smoother transition during heel strike. This mechanism is meant to imitate the natural heel rocker mechanism of the foot, the naturally rounded back part of the calcaneus (heel) bone. This exists to make human gait (walking and running) more efficient. If someone lands on their rearfoot during any kind of locomotion, the rounded heel naturally rocks the body forward, preserving forward momentum and reducing the amount of work required from muscles at the front of the shin (like the anterior tibialis) to control the foot moving from a dorsiflexed (angled up) position to being flat on the ground. As shoes have continued to demonstrate increases in stack heights, the size of the heel bevel often needs to increase (both in size and length) to maintain this mechanism as the actual foot moves farther from the ground.
Although the majority of this mechanism occurs in the sagittal (front to back) plane of motion, the true heel rocker actually functions in three dimensions. The posterior aspect of the heel bone is not just rounded at the posterior most part of the bone but is also rounded on the lateral side. There is obviously variations in human anatomy, but typically the back part of the heel bone protrudes slightly laterally in addition to posteriorly or has a slight lateral extension. This lateral rounding and portion is present due to the fact that most people land on the posteriolateral side of the heel and not directly posterior. This typically helps people set themselves up to move medially after footstrike, utilizing pronation to help with shock absorption. Not all individuals do this as a small portion of the population may land a bit more centrally. This biomechanical description does make up the majority of people and is the reason I not only suggest having a heel bevel present in a shoe but why I also suggest rounding the lateral aspect of the heel or rounding the lateral aspect of the bevel. Having additional lateral flare or a non-rounded lateral aspect can make heel transitions slightly clunky for those who land in this area. In contrast, those with lateral ankle stability issues (repeated lateral ankle sprains) or poor control of supination may benefit from a lateral flare or non-rounded lateral aspect. However, this population is fairly small compared the majority of people.
So now that the industry seems to be getting getter at integrating heel bevels, the next level is to think about heel bevel angles and heel design at the lateral aspect. A review of normal human anatomy may be quite helpful in this regard and hopefully the above summary provides some insight into why we are encouraging companies to go beyond and now focus on rounding more components of the heel.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Matt: The Saucony Endorphin Trainer is a massive improvement on the Kinvara Pro. The ride is far faster and more responsive despite the slight weight increase and the outsole additions do improve durability. I have enjoyed the ride and the addition of IncrediRun greatly improves the responsiveness of the midsole. My major recommendation (as usual) centers on the design of the heel bevel. While the bevel may look good from a side few, the posterior view shows a bevel that actually tapers centrally. This is almost the opposite of what is needed, where the curve can even extend into the lateral side of the heel. This is supposed to mimic the roundness of the heel bone, which should provide a smooth transition from the posterior-lateral side (most common landing place). I would suggest round the bevel a bit more so runners don't have to wait as long for the lateral aspect of the heel to compress more or rip through the outsole/midsole. My last hope for this continued line is to see if the weight can be dropped. The Shift 3 ended at 9.1 oz / 266 g (men's size). While the Endorphin Trainer MAY be one of the closest possible successors to the Shift series, with the newer foams and greater geometrical strategies, I would like to see the weight come back down. In the meantime, I have happy with the updates to the Endorphin Trainer from the Kinvara Pro and hope they stick with this new name.
Andrea: I have enjoyed testing the Endorphin Trainer and will definitely keep it in my easy run rotation. I was not a fan of the Kinvara Pro for multiple reasons, including its narrow toe box, high weight, lack of responsiveness, and clunky design. The Endorphin Trainer is so much better than the Kinvara Pro that I would not consider it to be in the same lineage. While the heel is still a little clunky, the improved midsole and rocker design make this a fun shoe to run in. My main recommendation would be to reduce the lateral bias of the shoe slightly, which would make this shoe a truly stable neutral shoe for a greater number of runners. For midfoot strikers, the Endorphin Trainer would be better as a 4-6mm drop shoe or for it to remain 8mm drop, but with a better designed heel bevel to get the rearfoot out of the way at initial contact.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
Matt: The Saucony Endorphin Trainer is for those who want a snappy, moderately bounce but balanced ride with a mostly secure upper for uptempo runs to workouts and longer races for recreational runners. The 3/4 carbon plate, top layer of IncrediRun and bottom layer of EVA create a responsive ride with a snappy forefoot that will work best for those want a shoe that can excel at longer uptempo and faster efforts. The breathable mesh upper will work best for those who have normal to narrow feet wanting a lighter and comfortable upper that may work for those wanting to run sockless. The improved durability should make this shoe last longer than its predecessor but those who are still tough on shoes (like me) may still find this shoe to have average durability. The Saucony Endorphin trainer may function as a daily training and workout shoe for those using more aggressive super shoes during races. Others may find that it functions well as a longer race day shoe if super racing shoes are either too aggressive or too unstable. The redesign improves the guidance of the shoe, bringing it closer to the function of the Endorphin Shift series. The $180 price tag puts it in a similar place to the New Balance SC Trainer v3 and other plated trainers, although the average durability may make that cost better for those who are lighter on their feet. There is certainly a place of this shoe as a more true trainer of the Endorphin line up and a possible replacement for the Shift 3. More testing has to come to confirm that place but in the meantime, this is a welcome upgrade that both those who loved or were disappointed by the Kinvara Pro will enjoy.
Andrea: The Saucony Endorphin Trainer is a smart addition to the Endorphin line as a premium daily trainer. If you like the soft, yet responsive ride of the New Balance SC Elite 3 for racing and workouts, you will probably like the Endorphin Trainer for easy runs, because the feel of the midsole, plate, and rocker geometry is similar, save for the slightly clunky heel. From a fit perspective, I find the fit to be the same as the Speed 4 and Pro 4, which requires me to go 1/2 size up for length. I would recommend sticking with whatever size you normally wear in other Endorphin shoes, including older models. At $180, its price is in line with other plated premium trainers, but the lack of outsole rubber coverage will likely mean significantly reduced durability compared to similar options (Mizuno Neo Vista, New Balance SC Trainer v3, Puma MagMax Nitro). While the Endorphin Trainer is a stable neutral shoe, runners with a history of ankle sprains or other lateral instability may find the lateral bias of the midsole to be too severe for their mechanics.
GRADES
Matt
Fit: B+/A- (Comfortable upper with performance fit. Inner liner comfortable to bare skin but does have mild heel slippage)
Performance: B+/A- (Runs well for easy, long run and workout paces despite higher weight and slightly clunky heel)
Stability: A- [Stable Neutral] (Wide base, sole flaring, sidewalls, carbon plate and geometry provide a solid stable neutral ride. Mild lateral bias in the heel and midfoot may work well for those with medial stability needs but less for those with lateral stability needs)
Value: B (Good pace versatility and mild outsole rubber does improve durability compared to Kinvara Pro but the amount exposed of exposed midsole may limit this shoes life)
Personal: B+/A- (A great long run and workout shoe for me that only loses points due to slightly clunky heel and still some limitations with outsole durability)
Overall Design: B+/A-
Andrea
Fit: A- (Comfortable fit without any pressure points, minus 1/2 grade due to need to size up for length)
Performance: B+ (Enjoyable shoe for easy miles due to balanced compliance and resilience, but clunky heel and higher weight are noticeable while running.)
Stability: [stable neutral] A- (Wide base, large sole flare, and rocker geometry help stabilize high midsole stack. Lateral bias in the sole flare may make this shoe less comfortable for those with lateral stability needs.)
Value: B (Minimal rubber outsole coverage is likely going to limit this shoe's durability. There are several other $180 shoes with a similar ride and better outsole coverage.)
Personal: B+ (A nice easy day shoe for me, although the weight, clunky heel, and lateral bias keep it from being a top shoe in my rotation.)
Overall Design: B+
SHOP | SUPPORT DORSaucony Endorphin TrainerPrice: $179.95 (coming Feb.)
Shop Endorphin Men | Shop Endorphin Women
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FURTHER READING
A new max cushion trainer out of 361.
Saucony's fast stability trainer.
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