When you’re toeing the start line of a race, you want a shoe that feels race-day ready. You want something propulsive, responsive, and capable of helping you shift into high gear as you push yourself towards the finish line.
You need a shoe that can keep up with you, whether you’re tackling a 5K, 10K, half marathon, or full marathon. Fortunately, the Saucony Endorphin Elite 3 is up for the task.
Super shoes are becoming increasingly popular on race days. These speedy shoes are lightweight and ultra responsive. They also often feature a carbon fiber plate for extra propulsion and energy return.
The first Endorphin Elite, Saucony’s carbon plated racing shoe, launched in 2023 as a celebration of the brand’s 125-year legacy in the running shoe world. As the name suggests, this shoe was designed for the front-of-the-pack athletes – elite runners looking to push their limits with a high-performance race day shoe.
Our team had a couple reservations about the longevity and stability in previous Endorphin Elite iterations. And in a crowded super shoe market, we weren’t sure the model quite stacked up to the ultra-light, ultra-propulsive competition. But Saucony took innovation to the next level in the Endorphin Elite 3, and our review team couldn’t wait to see if the third iteration of this shoe finally found its stride.
Our Review Process
Our review team is lucky enough to be able to test out all different types of running and walking shoes. From daily trainers to super cushioned race day shoes, we put every shoe to the test so we can make the best possible recommendations for your fitness needs and preferences.
The Endorphin Elite 3 is no exception. Our review team laced up this newest super shoe and took to the roads for a better understanding of how the newest Endorphin Elite feels and performs.
While the shoe is geared towards road racing, we tested it across all different types of runs and paces to see how it feels at every level. The Endorphin Elite 3 accompanied our reviewers across all their weekly mileage, from slow daily miles to sprint workouts at the track. We’ll summarize our findings throughout this review to help you decide if the Endorphin Elite is the right choice for your next race day shoe.
Saucony Endorphin Elite 3: A Quick Overview
The Saucony Endorphin Elite is a fun, dynamic, and bouncy race day shoe, and our team couldn’t wait to slide a pair on and take to the road. But before we take a closer look at all our findings, here are some specs and highlights to know about the latest Endorphin Elite.
- Designed as a performance-oriented race day shoe for distances up to a marathon
- Stack height: 39.5 mm in the heel, 31.5 mm in the forefoot
- 8 mm offset
- Weight: 7.2 oz (unisex sizing)
- Midsole is made up of IncrediRUN cushioning with top-of-the-line energy return
- Redesigned carbon plate in the midsole is fluted and slotted for maximum propulsion
- SpeedRoll rocker geometry rolls runners through every stride and creates smooth transitions
- Engineered mesh upper delivers a lightweight, race-ready fit
- PWRTRAC carbon rubber outsole enhances traction and durability
- Wide base and raised sidewalls balance out the soft foam and improve stability
- Price: $289.99
A Closer Look at the Endorphin Elite 3
A quick look at all these features can provide a solid understanding of what to expect when sliding the Endorphin Elite 3 on for the first time. Now, let’s take a closer look at these features and the role they play in the Endorphin Elite 3.
IncrediRUN Midsole Foam
The clear star of the Endorphin Elite 3 is the incredibly responsive, soft, and dynamic IncrediRUN foam in the midsole.
This TPEE foam debuted in the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2, and it has quickly become a favorite among our review team. The unique and innovative super foam blends plush softness with superior energy return and responsiveness. As a result, it keeps your legs feeling just as good at mile 26 as they did at mile 1.
Propulsive Carbon Plate
If the IncrediRUN midsole foam is the star of the show in the Endorphin Elite, the carbon plate embedded in the midsole is the best supporting actor. This full-length plate works with the already bouncy foam to create one of the springiest, most propulsive rides you can find in racing shoes today.
Saucony redesigned the carbon plate in the newest Endorphin Elite. It now features a slotted and fluted design that improves energy return, increases efficiency, and keeps you moving forward with smooth and effortless transitions.
Race-Ready Upper Design
With any performance-oriented racing shoe, you want to feel locked-in, secure, and confident as you step up to the starting line. The Saucony Endorphin Elite 3 delivers this race-ready feel with its ultra-light mesh upper design.
The upper construction is incredibly lightweight, boasting a minimal, nearly sock-like fit for a distraction-free race day. The tongue and heel collar are soft and flexible to reduce any discomfort or rubbing. And if you have warm weather on race day, the ventilated design will keep your feet feeling cool, dry, and comfortable every step of the way.
Shoe Geometry and Overall Construction
Previous iterations of the Endorphin Elite have felt unstable or wobbly to many runners. Saucony took steps to remedy this complaint with the Endorphin Elite 3, incorporating some more stable geometry to keep you feeling secure and confident through each stride.
The Endorphin Elite 3 has a wider base than its predecessor, creating more surface area for stable landings. The raised medial and lateral sidewalls also help cradle your feet so you don’t feel like you’re moving or sliding around inside the shoe.
The shoe also features Saucony’s SpeedRoll technology. This technology includes a prominent forefoot rocker that propels you through each stride and drives smooth, effortless momentum. Paired with lots of cushioning and a moderate 8 mm drop, you can expect soft and protected landings with responsive and efficient toe offs.
Traction and Durability
The bad news with super shoes – especially ones as soft as the Endorphin Elite 3 – is that they typically aren’t the most durable shoes on the market. In racing shoes, the foam can often compress quickly. When this happens, you lose the bounce and springiness that makes them so ideal for race days.
While you may see compression over time with the IncrediRUN foam, Saucony also takes some steps to increase the Endorphin Elite 3’s lifespan. The shoe features a PWRTRAC rubber outsole. While the outsole is thin and light to reduce excess weight, it also provides an effective layer of protection against early wear.
And when the race day forecast calls for rain, you won’t have to worry about grip. The rubber outsole provides excellent grip and traction on wet surfaces so you can pick up the pace worry-free.
Road Test Results
Like we mentioned, our team couldn’t wait to slide on a pair of the newest Endorphin Elite 3 and take them for a spin. We were huge fans of the bouncy and soft IncrediRUN foam in the previous Endorphin Elite, so we were eager to see how this foam and other features carried over in the newest iteration of the shoe.
From the moment our review team stepped into the Endorphin Elite 3, it was evident that Saucony kept a lot of what both our review team and customers loved about the previous iterations. The high stack of IncrediRUN foam provided immediate comfort right out of the box.
As we headed out for runs, this high stack of plush cushioning worked with the fine-tuned carbon plate and SpeedRoll geometry to propel us through every stride.
This blend of cushioning and responsiveness made the Endorphin Elite 3 incredibly versatile. The cushioning was soft and protective on long runs, keeping our legs and feet feeling great for mile after mile. And when it came time to pick up the pace, the Endorphin Elite could easily handle that too. The shoe shined on track workouts and uptempo miles, when the propulsive, race-ready design could really come into play.
The upper design was another major benefit. The mesh was remarkably lightweight and felt incredibly minimal around the foot. The stretchy tongue and soft, flexible mesh reduced any unwanted rubbing or hot spots, and did a great job at creating airflow and ventilation, even during long runs in warmer weather.
This performance-centric upper provided a secure lockdown, with a snug fit around the midfoot and toe box. While this is designed to prevent any excess movement, runners who prefer a more accommodating fit may find the Endorphin Elite 3 too narrow, particularly in the toe box.
Our review team was happy to see Saucony take feedback from the Endorphin Elite 2 into account. While the 2nd iteration of the shoe was renowned for its cushioning, many runners found that this plush foam also felt unstable over the course of a long run.
The issue isn’t fully resolved in the 3rd iteration. The high stack of soft foam will likely still feel too unstable for runners who prefer to feel the ground under their feet. However, the wider base and raised lateral and medial sidewalls did improve this issue. While the shoe is still soft and dynamic underfoot, these enhancements create more security and stability throughout each landing.
Some runners may also take issue with the shoe’s weight. At 7.2 oz for unisex sizing, the Endorphin Elite 3 is very lightweight. However, in a competitive racing shoe market, shoes are getting lighter and lighter.
The Endorphin Elite is slightly heavier than many of its competitors in the super shoe market today. But with a touch more stability and lots of plush cushioning, our review team didn’t notice the extra ounces.
This race day shoe had a lot of hype, and we’re happy to report that the Endorphin Elite 3 lives up to its high expectations. The brand addressed many of the downfalls from previous iterations, improving the overall fit, feel, and performance. For anyone looking for a soft but propulsive shoe to carry them through their next race and help them reach a new PR, the new Endorphin Elite 3 may be the perfect choice.
Endorphin Elite 3: Pros and Cons
Our team found a lot to love about this elite-level race shoe. But no shoe is perfect, and there were a few key factors that may not work for every runner out there. Here’s our rundown of the Endorphin Elite 3 pros and cons:
Pros:
- IncrediRUN foam offers a one-of-a-kind blend of softness and propulsion, perfect for long-distance race days
- Redesigned carbon plate is slotted and fluted for even more forward momentum
- Barely-there upper is flexible and lightweight so you can focus on the run ahead of you distraction-free
- New wider base and raised sidewalls increase stability and work with the SpeedRoll technology to comfortably guide you forward
Cons:
- Very lightweight overall, but heavier compared to some of the other race day shoes on the market
- New geometry does increase stability, but the high stack of soft foam may still feel unstable for runners who prefer to feel the ground
Is the Endorphin Elite 3 Right for You? Other Options to Consider
When it comes to comparing performance-focused race day shoes, you’re ultimately splitting hairs. Each shoe has their own distinct type of cushioning, fit, and overall feel. But generally, you can expect every racing shoe to have a propulsive carbon plate, a high stack of responsive foam, and a lightweight design.
The Endorphin Elite 3 is certainly one of the softest race day shoes on the market. And while this may feel comfortable and protective for some runners, others may prefer a stiffer, more stable shoe to race in.
Looking for something a bit more stable for your next distance race? You may want to try the Nike Alphafly 3. The Alphafly was one of the original carbon plated racing shoes, so it likely won’t come as a surprise that Nike has nailed the balance of softness and responsiveness.
The Alphafly is slightly stiffer than the Endorphin Elite, making it better for runners who want firmer, more efficient landings. With that, just keep in mind that you may not get the same plushness and shock absorption found in the Endorphin Elite 3.
The Metaspeed Ray from Asics is another fantastic option if you’re looking for a soft yet dynamic ride with exceptional energy return. Like the Endorphin Elite, the Metaspeed Ray’s midsole is super plush. The biggest difference is the weight – the Metaspeed Ray weighs in at an impressively light 4.5 oz.
However, this ultralight design features a sparse outsole and airy foam, which limits the shoe’s durability. If you want something that will hold up for race after race, the more heavy-duty Endorphin Elite 3 may be the better option.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
The Endorphin Elite 3 is a great choice for runners looking to take their race day performance to the next level with a speedy and energetic carbon plated shoe. Saucony ironed out some of the kinks with the previous versions of this shoe, and the third iteration delivers a soft and responsive shoe with enough stability and propulsion to help you achieve a new PR.
Carbon plated shoes are a relatively new phenomenon in the running shoe world, but these plated shoes have quickly become the focal point of running shoe innovation and technology. The Endorphin Elite 3 proves how these shoes can blend lots and lots of cushioning with maximum energy return to guide you forward towards all your running goals.
But with your race day shoes, you don’t want to just rely on our test results. We always recommend you try out some carbon plated race day shoes in your nearest Marathon Sports to determine what will work best for you as you prepare for the start line. When you stop by, you can try on the Endorphin Elite 3 and other top carbon plated shoes and find the perfect pair that will help you crush all your race day goals and reach the finish line in comfort.
