Saucony Endorphin Azura running shoe review – opinion, price, comparison, who it’s recommended for

What is it like to run in the Saucony Endorphin Azura running shoe?

Cushioning and midsole

The Saucony Endorphin Azura running shoe features a midsole made from a firmer yet very dynamic and energetic foam, which results in a high level of cushioning. It uses an aggressive rocker (SPEEDROLL geometry), making transitions quick and smooth.

Stability and guidance

The midsole of the Saucony Endorphin Azura running shoe is slightly narrower than average but higher, and its stability is greatly improved by the fact that the midsole is stiffer, less torsionally flexible, and does not compress excessively. Thanks to the strong forefoot and heel rocker, transitions are very fast.

Upper and comfort

The upper of the Saucony Endorphin Azura running shoe is made from a thin, less stretchy mesh material that holds the foot very well and securely. The heel collar is rigid and moderately padded, providing a comfortable yet secure lockdown.

Ground contact and traction

The geometry of the Saucony Endorphin Azura running shoe’s midsole encourages forefoot striking. The outsole has been reinforced in the areas that experience the highest wear, improving both traction and durability in those zones.

Pace and dynamics

The Saucony Endorphin Azura running shoe is clearly designed for fast running. The midsole delivers a high level of energy return, supported by the geometry. The foam does not compress excessively; instead, it feels dense and compact, yet bouncy and dynamic.

Long runs vs tempo vs training

The Saucony Endorphin Azura running shoe is a versatile model, making it a good choice for most training sessions and even for racing. Thanks to its high level of cushioning, it can also work well for longer runs. There is no plate in the shoe, so it is not uncomfortably stiff at slower paces, yet it is fast enough to get close to your best performance even in a race.

Who is the Saucony Endorphin Azura running shoe recommended for – and who is it not?

The Saucony Endorphin Azura running shoe is recommended for advanced runners for faster and even longer training sessions or races. It can also be a good choice for heavier or even overweight runners, as the midsole is firmer and stiffer.

The Saucony Endorphin Azura running shoe is not recommended if you are looking for a soft, flexible, comfortable, highly cushioned and responsive running shoe. Due to its stiffness, I do not recommend it for beginners, and it is also too stiff for walking; the aggressive rocker can even feel uncomfortable when walking or standing.

How is it different from the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5? Saucony Endorphin Azura running shoe vs Saucony Endorphin Speed 5.

The purpose of the two shoes is largely the same: fast daily running and preparation for races, but they approach this goal from different angles. The Speed 5 features a plate (a plastic plate in the midsole), while the Azura has a higher midsole, resulting in similar stiffness and energy return. Both shoes are lightweight, with very similar weight (240 g). Both have a strongly rockered midsole (Speedroll geometry), but the Azura is slightly wider in the midfoot. The uppers are also similar, although the Azura is a bit more padded, while the Speed 5 offers slightly better breathability.

Saucony Endorphin Azura running shoe alternatives – comparison

In terms of character and purpose – a lightweight, fast, versatile, plate-free running shoe – there are many alternatives to choose from, but the Azura offers a very unique ride feel.

• The ASICS Novablast 5 running shoe is similar but slightly heavier, with a much softer and more forgiving midsole, less stability, and the Azura feels faster.
• The Adidas Adizero Evo SL running shoe is similarly fast but achieves this differently; it has a much more responsive, softer midsole, but significantly weaker stability.
• The Hoka Mach 6 practically only shares the same goals, but it is still worth listing among similar running shoes. It is fast, has a similar weight, but is softer and more responsive.
• The Mizuno Neo Zen running shoe is included mainly due to its similar purpose, character, and price, as it achieves a fast, dynamic, bouncy ride in a completely different way, but it is a real alternative to the Saucony Endorphin Azura.
• The Puma Magnify Nitro 3 is listed mainly due to its similar price and versatility; it is a more flexible and softer running shoe, but it can be an alternative to the Azura.

Is there a difference between the men’s and women’s Saucony Endorphin Azura running shoe?

Based on the specifications (midsole stack height), the women’s Saucony Endorphin Azura running shoe only differs from the men’s version due to size scaling. This is not unusual in modern running shoes; women’s versions are often built on the same last.

Saucony Endorphin Azura running shoe upper

The Saucony Endorphin Azura running shoe upper is made from a thin mesh material with very good breathability. It is less flexible and stretches less, feeling stiffer than what I usually experience in race-focused running shoes. The upper holds the foot securely, which is an important factor for fast-paced running shoes like the Saucony Endorphin Azura. The upper is medium width, perhaps slightly on the narrower side, but not as narrow as typical racing shoe uppers. If you have a wide foot, it may be worth trying half or one size up. The upper is high but not unusually so, and this did not cause any fit issues. There is an additional longitudinal reinforcement layer on both the medial and lateral sides of the upper, contributing to a more secure and stable lockdown. The tongue is thin with small padding elements, gusseted on both sides, and wider and taller, allowing it to wrap the foot very well. The Endorphin Azura upper also features two extra lace holes, allowing for precise adjustment to individual needs. The heel counter is rigid and moderately padded, holding the foot very comfortably and securely.

Saucony Endorphin Azura running shoe midsole

The Saucony Endorphin Azura running shoe midsole is made entirely of PWRRUN PB foam, which we already know well from other Saucony shoes (Endorphin Speed, >Triumph 23, Tempus 2, Hurricane 25). This is a PEBA-based foam made by compressing small foam beads together. PEBA foam on its own would be soft, but in this compressed form it becomes slightly firmer while retaining its high energy return. This is the highest stack height we have seen for this foam in any Saucony shoe so far, giving it a completely unique ride feel. It is dynamic, explosive, fast, and bouncy, while also feeling stiff and less traditionally responsive. The PWRRUN PB foam in the Azura is 4 mm higher than in the Endorphin Speed 5, and despite the fact that the Endorphin Speed 5 includes a plastic plate in the midsole, the Azura actually feels stiffer. This is not a negative trait; on the contrary, it allows the shoe to maintain the SPEEDROLL geometry extremely well, resulting in very fast transitions thanks to the aggressive rocker. The foam does not behave like the Adidas Adizero Evo SL Lightstrike Pro or the ASICS Novablast 5 FlyteFoam Blast Max, which compress deeply and rebound strongly, feeling soft and highly responsive. The PWRRUN PB foam compresses slightly but rebounds with high energy, making it a denser and more compact foam. As a result, it offers better stability than the Adidas Adizero Evo SL and ASICS Novablast 5. In my opinion, this foam choice works very well and clearly delivers an enjoyable, performance-focused running experience, even though Saucony also offers softer and more responsive foams such as PWRRUN HG or IncrediRun. Stability is further enhanced by the way the midsole sidewalls rise up along the upper, which is why the Endorphin Azura midsole performs so well despite being tall and narrower than average.

Saucony Endorphin Azura running shoe outsole

The Saucony Endorphin Azura running shoe outsole is made from Saucony’s own XT-900 carbonized rubber compound, which is a medium-hard rubber offering average-to-good traction and abrasion resistance. Outsole coverage is kept minimal to reduce overall shoe weight. The midsole does not require additional stiffening from the outsole, as it is already on the stiffer side. Reinforcements are placed in the areas that typically experience the highest load: the lateral heel and the medial forefoot. There is a significant transverse cut-out in the midsole to avoid reducing flexibility, a transverse segmentation in the heel to provide support in both directions, and segmentation in the forefoot to allow freer torsional movement of the foot. In practice, this has limited impact, as the midsole itself is sufficiently stiff.