By Brian Metzler

Matching a marathon (or half-marathon) racing shoe with your particular running style is no easy task. Each of the models that have come out in recent years have a different fit, feel and ride, which means getting a shoe that will work well with your gait for 13.1 miles or 26.2 miles can be extremely difficult, but also especially important. Every brand has continued to update its super shoe models, and each one has had minor to major changes from the previous edition. The key is finding what works for you, not shopping based on what looks cool or what your favorite elite runner wears. So with that said, I’m just starting a long build-up to the California International Marathon in early December, and, as of right now, my choice for my race-day shoe is the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4.

In early 2020, just before Covid shut down the world – including the flow of running shoes from factories in – Saucony was one of the first brands to follow Nike with a light, fast marathon super shoe with carbon fiber propulsion plates embedded in the midsole. The original Saucony Endorphin Pro model was a very good shoe because it had a hyper-responsive sensation about it. But it also had a sharp, blade-like feel to it, and was probably only ideal for extremely fast runners. Saucony continued to tweak and adapt the shoe, and with the most recent version, the Endorphin Pro 3, it had become more like a very cushy, carbon-plated training shoe that wasn’t quite responsive enough for racing. But now Saucony has released the Endorphin Pro 4 and that magical energy return is back. In my view, it’s the best iteration yet for a mid-range marathoner like me.

What’s New: The midsole of the Endorphin Pro 4 has been upgraded with a layer of Saucony’s top-tier PWRRUN HG foam directly under the foot. That’s the same foam found in the Saucony Endorphin Elite, which is considered the brand’s top-tier racing shoe. The Pro 4 retains Saucony’s rocker shape and curvy carbon-fiber plate embedded between the PWRRUN HG foam and the layer of PWRRUN PB. The sides of the midsole are aggressively sculpted to have a fast and edgy look. (If you look fast, you’ll feel fast, right?) The other key updates include a new more responsive sockliner, a new engineered mesh upper (with an integrated tongue) that is subtly reinforced from TPU overlays on the Saucony logo, and a new lighter, lattice design of the rubber outsole.

Fit/Feel/Ride: The Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 fits true to size with a medium volume interior from heel to forefoot. The integrated tongue is unique (and some wear-testers have found it awkwardly long) but it helped cinch up the shoe around my narrow feet. The combination of knitted and mesh materials provides a locked-down fit that’s optimal for agile, quick-cadence running at fast speeds for a wider range of foot shapes. The biggest aspect to the fit and feel is the improved, extremely cushy sockliner. The ride has returned to being much more responsive like the original versions but without the awkward sharpness that only feels good with elite-level gait efficiency. The Pro 4 is semi-soft and semi-bouncy (meaning it’s just right!) while serving up buttery-smooth heel-to-toe transitions and a high level of energy return. 

Why It’s Great: It’s great because it’s fast and smooth for moderately fast paces (i.e., 10K pace to marathon pace) with loads of long-haul creature comfort. The combination of midsole cushion, interior comfort and great energy return make long runs and long races a sublime experience. I haven’t raced in it yet, but I’ve run two 12-mile runs at an up-tempo pace (relative to my fitness level) and have absolutely loved it. It feels as good at the end of a run as the moment I initially laced it up, and the more I push the pace, the more lively it becomes. 

Specs

Weights: 6.8 oz. (women’s 8.0); 8.1 oz. (men’s 9.0),

Heel-Toe Offset: 8mm (40mm in the heel/32mm in the forefoot)

Why You’ll Love It: You’ll love it because it accommodates a lot of gait styles and race paces without being overly soft or bouncy. It’s one of the few carbon-plated shoes that I would actually wear for slower (9- to 10-minute mile pace) long runs. It’s comfortable for a heel-striking gait because the shape and midsole technology allow you to quickly roll forward in one fluid motion without any sloppiness in the heel.

Pro: The Endorphin Pro 4 is very breathable and airy, but also secure and comfortable. The new version has been improved in almost every facet, especially the integrated tongue.

Con: One of the minor challenges I have with the Endorphin Pro 4 is that it’s about a half-ounce heavier than the previous version. It’s not a heavy shoe, but it’s also not a super-light racer, and it would be marginally better as a performance racer if it hadn’t gained the extra weight. Also, like all maximally cushioned shoes, the high-off-the-ground construction and stiff vibe of the carbon plate tends to mute the feeling for the ground. That’s exactly how these shoes are intended to feel, but to me it always seems like these shoes are doing a lot of the work for you (which is good) with an odd, numb/disconnected feeling for the ground (which is not so good). Ultimately, it will be a good shoe for me as I target a 3:15 marathon, but probably not as ideal for someone running under 3 hours or much faster.