Saucony Endorphin Pace 4 Introduction

The Endorphin Pace has been certainly one of Saucony’s most profitable shoe releases of the final 3 years. It’s light-weight, it’s snug, and it’s nicely cushioned, however the primary motive it sells so nicely is as a result of it seems to be like its dearer, carbon-plated counterpart, the Endorphin Professional. This newest model of the Pace seems to be much more just like the Professional model.

The Endorphin Pace is designed to be the coaching companion of the Endorphin Professional however in the event you’ve run in each sneakers, you’d have observed that they’ve very totally different rides.

They each use PWRRUN PB (PEBA foam) of their midsoles however the Pace could be very versatile whereas the Professional will not be.

That’s the rationale why Saucony created the Kinvara Professional: a stiffer coach which delivers the same experience to the Saucony racers. I favor utilizing the Kinvara Professional over the Endorphin Pace for uptempo runs as a result of it feels extra propulsive and it supplies extra pace help.

For my part, the Endorphin Pace 3 felt extra like an on a regular basis coach than a devoted exercise or racing shoe as a consequence of how versatile it was. It didn’t really feel as quick as different coaching companions such because the Deviate Nitro 2, Asics Magic Pace 3 or the Hoka Mach X.

Many runners use the Endorphin Pace as their every day coach– it’s extra thrilling than the Trip sequence and the Triumph sequence, and it’s a lot lighter than the common every day coach. The Pace doesn’t have as a lot cushioning or nearly as good sturdiness although as a result of it wasn’t designed to be a workhorse.

The Endorphin Pace 4 weighs precisely 8 oz (227 g), a mere 0.1 oz (3 g) greater than the Pace 3. I predict its value will stay $170 when it launches within the first quarter of 2024. I paid $183 (together with taxes and delivery) for my pair.

Saucony Endorphin Pace 4 First Impressions

My first run was a hill sprints session. My first impression was that the Pace 4 felt sooner than the Pace 3. There was extra floor really feel, the experience felt firmer and I may really feel the forefoot rocker greater than within the Pace 3.

I loved that first run. The experience felt sooner than a every day coach however not as quick as a stiff, carbon-plated racer. This model felt extra like a pace coach than a relaxed every day coach which I believed the earlier model felt like.

It jogged my memory of the ASICS Magic Pace 3 as a result of the Magic Pace 3 additionally felt leaner and extra agile than its predecessor. Each the Endorphin Pace 4 and Magic Pace 3 have midfoot cavities beneath, on their outsoles and you may hear a clapping sound from the cavity when your foot strikes the bottom.

Saucony Endorphin Pace 4 Higher

The Endorphin Pace 4’s higher is an enchancment over the three. It feels thinner and extra breathable. My favorite characteristic is the air flow on the highest of the toe field, the small holes that permit extra air in.

The skinny, gusseted tongue additionally has small holes in it and it doesn’t slide around- it’s wider and it’s longer than v3. The collar and interior lining have a tough texture which feels scratchy and never very premium however heel lockdown is sweet.

It suits true to dimension and it has a slim toe field however you don’t have to go up a half dimension like within the Endorphin Professional 4. It does are available a large model in the event you discover it too slim. The one factor I don’t like concerning the higher is that when it’s moist, the color runs and stains the white tongue/laces.

Saucony Endorphin Pace 4 Sole Unit

The Pace was designed to be a shoe for quick operating (therefore the identify), and with a view to make the Endorphin Pace 4 really feel sooner, Saucony has achieved 2 issues: they’ve made the midsole firmer and made the forefoot rocker extra aggressive. These 2 modifications make transitions sooner, so it’s simpler to extend your tempo.

I did primarily pace exercises within the Pace 4, starting from marathon tempo to 200 m interval tempo and I get pleasure from this model rather more than model 3 for uptempo paces. It feels prefer it has extra punch. I favor utilizing the Pace 4 for fast-paced runs relatively than simple/restoration runs. This was the other for the Pace 3.

Once I put on the Endorphin Pace 4 on 1 foot and the Endorphin Pace 3 on the opposite foot, the 4 feels noticeably much less cumbersome. Model 4 feels extra streamlined and doesn’t really feel as squishy underfoot- it feels leaner.

The midsole of the Pace 4 is about 10% firmer than the Pace 3. This ends in higher stability. The bottom additionally feels barely wider than the Pace 3 so footstrikes really feel extra planted.

I really feel that the PWRRUN PB within the Pace 4 isn’t nearly as good as different midsole foams. It doesn’t compress sufficient and doesn’t return sufficient vitality. Hoka’s ProflyX and NB’s FuelCell are rather more efficient as a result of they really feel extra partaking and extra energetic. The Endo Pace has a flat experience as compared.

One of many primary variations between the Endorphin Pace and the opposite premium Saucony trainers is that the Pace has an EVA insole. The Endorphin Professional, Triumph, Trip and Kinvara Professional all have PWRRUN+ (TPE) insoles which give a plusher step in really feel so the Endo Pace wouldn’t be my first alternative for lengthy runs.

There’s a versatile, winged nylon plate within the midsole of the Pace 4 which supplies construction nevertheless it doesn’t present a lot propulsion. Saucony must stiffen up the plate in order that the forefoot feels extra snappy. This can give it a extra comparable experience to the Endorphin Professional.

Similar to the Endorphin Professional 4, the outsole of the Pace 4 has additionally been improved. The forefoot rubber has a raised sample which grips the bottom extra successfully so traction is healthier.

I used the Endo Professional 4 when it was raining and I didn’t have any points when it got here to traction. On the lateral heel, the rubber stops a pair mm in need of the sting, so there’s some scuffing of the midsole edge in the event you’re a heel striker nevertheless it doesn’t have an effect on the experience.

Saucony Endorphin Pace 4 Conclusions

When the unique Endorphin Pace got here out, it was one thing particular. There was nothing prefer it available on the market. I’ve examined plenty of pace trainers within the final 3 years and now, the Endorphin Pace 4 doesn’t really feel particular anymore.

There are many rivals which might do what the Endorphin Pace can do however with a extra partaking, extra pleasing experience. The Kinvara Professional, the Supercomp Coach v2 and the Mach X are all trainers I’d decide above the Endo Pace 4 as a result of they really feel extra energetic and extra fashionable.

Though the Pace 4 feels sooner than its predecessor, it nonetheless doesn’t really feel as quick as different pace trainers, primarily as a consequence of how versatile its plate is. The versatile plate additionally makes it really feel fully totally different to the Professional 4, the racing model.

I’d nevertheless decide the Endorphin Pace 4 over the three as a result of it feels extra like a pace coach now. Model 3 appears like a every day coach. I feel the vast majority of runners will favor the three to the 4 as a result of it has a softer, extra cushioned experience which is preferable for every day coaching.

At $170, the Pace 4 is overpriced. The Deviate Nitro 2 is cheaper, as is the Magic Pace 3 and the Razor 4.

Within the Saucony vary, I’d relatively use an older model of the Endorphin Professional or pay $10 extra for the Kinvara Professional for pace runs as their plates are stiffer. A stiffer plate ends in extra pace help.