Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 Shoes Review

Specs

Weight: 229grams / 8.1oz (Men’s US 9)

Price: $269 SGD

Stack Height: 36/28mm (8mm drop)

Pros & Cons

Background

I still remember that feeling when I first laced up the first version of the Saucony Endorphin Speed. The smooth, bouncy feeling got me hooked, and it quickly got into my books as the best lightweight trainer of the year. I skipped the second version as everything stayed the same less some upper ventilation adjustments. Fit, ride and durability remained the same.

Saucony decided to make a couple of changes in the third version, but are these changes a step in the right direction? Read on to find out more!

Upper & Fit

The upper is made up of a lightweight breathable mesh upper, with what Saucony labels as a form fit design for a personalised fit and feel. I was provided with a pair of 2E width, and I found it to fit perfectly at true to size. Though, those with narrower feet might want to look for a standard D width for a better fit.

Saucony has improved on the heel lockdown. I struggled a little with the heel lockdown on the first version, but had no issues here. Breathability is great, slightly improved but nothing too major. 

Midsole& Ride

The first adjustment Saucony made was to implement a slightly softer PWRRUN PB foam. This midsole foam is a beaded PEBA material. Beaded PEBA foams tend to be firmer than standard PEBA, but last much longer. I could tell a slight increase in midsole compression when doing a compression test with my finger, as well as on runs. This is coupled with a negligible 0.5mm increase in stack. 

A new redesigned S-Curve, winged nylon plate is also added for increased stability. You still get Saucony’s signature speed roll technology, which aids foot transitions and makes the ride buttery smooth. Along with a slight increase in midsole width, I can definitely feel that this version is more stable than the first.

These changes, while small individually, translate into a significant improvement when added up. The ride is one of my favourites of all time. I see the Endorphin Speed 3 taking the crown for the lightweight trainer category this year, though it’s a toss up with the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v3. The Speed 3 is not something you would take for easy days, but performs extremely well at anything faster. Many runners would probably want to take them for their races as well. The nylon plate is more flexible than a carbon plate, which means that it provides more comfort for those who want a plated shoe but want more versatility in their paces. 

For those curious as to how it compares to the Pro 3, the Pro 3 as a much more dramatic rockered feeling. It feels faster at race paces, but doesn’t feel as natural as the Speed 3 at slower paces. The plate is also stiffer in the Pro 3 (Carbon vs Nylon). At a higher stack height, The Pro 3 offers more cushioning but is slightly less stable than the Speed 3.

Outsole & Durability

Saucony uses a redesigned XT-900 rubber outsole. I can definitely feel an improvement in outsole grip. The v1 had decent levels of grip, but the v3 improves that with the tweaked configuration. 

You can expect high amounts of durability with the Endorphin Speed 3. It uses the same compound as the past two versions, which had a lifespan of about 600-900km for many users.

Areas of Improvement

• None I could come up with

Conclusion

The Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 is an excellent plated trainer that feels great at almost all paces. Saucony has made excellent updates that puts this pair at the top of my list of running shoes this year!

Reviewed by Xtride Running

Go to Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 Collection here