Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 running shoes

The Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 is a race running shoe designed by Saucony for marathon pond running and for achieving good, better times. Lightweight, good breathability, dynamic. It has a full carbon plate in the midsole, so it has all the features you need to get results in a marathon or half marathon. Of course, you can’t just run marathons in super racing shoes like the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 but if you’re a fast runner and it matters what results you end up with, it can contribute to your success. The Saucony brand’s intention is for you to race in the Endorphin Pro 4 and prepare for the race in the Endorphin Speed 4, and it’s with that intention in mind that these two shoes differ.
The Endorphin Pro 4 has changed a lot from the previous version, with a new upper and a midsole that no longer features just PWRRUN PB, but also a softer, more dynamic foam called PWRRUN HG (which makes up the midsole of the Endorphin Elite). The changes have made the Pro 4 a little heavier than the Pro 3, but still very lightweight for its class. Less aggressive than its predecessor, the Pro 4 is slightly softer and smoother.
With the recent release of the Endorphin Elite, Saucony is splitting the race shoe category in two. The Elite is more expensive, more aggressive, faster than the Pro 4. The Pro 4 is halfway between the Elite and the Speed 4 (closer to the Elite)

Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 upper

Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 running shoe upper

The upper of the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 running shoe is made of a lightweight, highly breathable mesh material that is more flexible than average, hugging the foot better. Despite the thin upper material, it is durable and does not fray easily. The tongue of the shoe is sewn into the upper, made of a thin knitted fabric. The heel collar is very elastic, with minimal padding, but holds the foot well when the laces are tightened sufficiently. Since the heel collar is higher than average, it is recommended to use socks that are higher than the heel collar so as not to rub the achilles. Overall, the upper has become more comfortable than its predecessor, and just like its predecessor, it’s a bit tight for wider feet, it’s worth buying a size larger if you have wide feet. Most super running shoes have a narrower upper, and compared to these, the Endorphin Pro 4’s upper is wide, but still not wide.

Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 midfoot

Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 running shoe midfoot

The Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 Running Shoe Midsole consists of two different qualities of foam with a carbon plate in between. The upper is called PWRRUN HG foam, which is softer, more flexible and dynamic than the lower PWRRUN PB foam, which is a Peba foam. In the Endorphin Elite running shoe, the same PWRRUN HG foam is found, but the entire midfoot is made up of this softer and more dynamic foam. In the Endorphin Pro 4, the thickness and ratio of the two foams is not the same at the heel as it is under the toes. Under the toes, where the total midsole is 31.5 mm, the PWRRUN HG ratio is 50%, while at the heel it is only 20%. It is noticeably softer and more flexible to land on the toes than on the heels. The heel section has better shock absorption, while the forefoot feels more dynamic. The carbon plate between the two foam layers is curved to better promote kick. The cradle-shaped rocker geometry also contributes to fast and dynamic kick-off. The carbon plate keeps the midsole rigid, but compared to other carbon plate shoes, the Endorphin Pro 4 is more flexible. Thanks to the carbon plate and the wider than average sole, the Endorphin Pro 4 is noticeably more stable than its predecessor. The new Endorphin 4 is softer, more versatile, less aggressive than its predecessor and perhaps a little slower. It may be a bit slow for sub 3 hour marathons, but for those who run marathons between 3:00-3:30, the Endorphin Pro is a very good choice (but of course it depends on the individual).

Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 Outer Sole

Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 running shoe outerfoot

The Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 running shoe outsole is an improvement over the previous version and stands out in the field of super shoes. Saucony has agreed to the bargain of using more outsole for the Endorphin Pro with a small weight gain. While the outsole is still thinner than average at 2mm, this thickness is still a big deal for a super shoe. The outsole’s rubber compound, XT-900, is slightly harder than average, with better abrasion resistance. The grip is generally worse with harder tyres, but the Endorphin Pro 4 has a wider outsole and deeper grooves than a super-shoe, so it has good grip.

Summary

Overall, the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 running shoe is a great running shoe for longer distance races. It supports fast and long runs, but is more comfortable, softer, and less aggressive than its predecessor or most super shoes. It’s proving to be more durable in every way, although it’s also a little heavier as a result. The stability has improved a lot, the grip is good. If you’re willing to sacrifice a few seconds for comfort in a race, the Endorphin Pro 4 might be a good option for you, but if you’re just a few seconds short of your dream time, you might need a more aggressive running shoe like the Endorphin Elite.