Saucony Endorphin Shift Review

The next shoe up from the Saucony Endorphin Collection is the Saucony Endorphin Shift. Of the three models in the Saucony Endorphin collection, the Saucony Endorphin is made for training. It’s most similar to an already staple shoe from Saucony: The Ride 13. 

Saucony created a few models in their Endorphin series including:

• Saucony Endorphin Pro: The full-length carbon plated shoe made for the race starting line (Molly Seidel wore them earlier this year).
• Saucony Endorphin Speed: Lighter shoe made for more speed
• Saucony Endorphin Shift: Trainer

Saucony Endorphin Shift Quick Facts:

Weight: 9.5 oz
Heel to Toe Drop: 4 mm

Saucony Endorphin Shift Fit:

Like the majority of running shoes right now, the Saucony Endorphin Shift has a breathable mesh. While all three of the Saucony Endorphin shoes come in the exact same colorway, I went crazy and got pair of black (also so I won’t get them confused and run in a different shoe on each foot).

The collar and tongue of the Saucony Endorphin Shift are soft and cushioned.  Something interesting and unique to the Saucony Endorphin Shift is the two pull tabs on the shoe. It seems a little bit too much? One pull tab is attached to the heel while the second is on the tongue. I don’t know a reason that 2 pull tabs are necessary but it doesn’t harm anything.

The tongue in the Saucony Endorphin Shift is extremely padded. If you’re looking for a comfortable tongue with plenty of cushion, the Saucony Endorphin Shift is one of the best out there. If you think who cares about a running shoe tongue? After working in run specialty so many years…believe me…many people do.

The heel counter of the Saucony Endorphin Shift isn’t too rigid and you feel secure. Like all of Saucony shoes, the heel counter is much lower than other brands.

Typically I wear between a women’s size 10-11 wide and I wear a size 10.5 in the Saucony Endorphin Shift.  It feels fairly true to size but with a slightly wider base.

Saucony Endorphin Shift Ride:

Like the rest of the Endorphin Line, the Saucony Endorphin Shift uses the PWRRUN Midsole. What is PWRRUN Cushioning?

It’s Saucony’s latest foam. It’s bouncier and more responsive than many of Saucony’s shoes, which says a lot because Saucony is known to be a more responsive brand, to begin with. The Saucony Endorphin Shift also uses Saucony “SpeedRoll,” which is their proprietary always-forward geometry.  This makes it feel as though you are “rolling forward.” There is a big stack height, but the shoe only has a 4 mm heel to toe drop.

The wider base in the Saucony Endorphin Shift also gives it some inherent stability.  It’s neither neutral nor stability and can work for several foot types. That being said, if you need a shoe with stability, I won’t use the Endorphin Shift alone. If sometimes your ankle rolls inward when you’re tired, the Saucony Endorphin Shift might help combat that.

The purpose of the Saucony Endorphin Shift is to be an easy run trainer and for me, that’s exactly what I use it for. I haven’t tried to take it out for anything fast, and I doubt I will. That’s not it’s purpose. If you are looking for a race day shoe, go towards the Saucony Endorphin Speed or Pro. It’s heavier than many models, which also makes it perfect for those easy, untimed runs. 

Saucony Endorphin Shift Conclusion:

The Saucony Endorphin Shift is great for what it says it will be. It’s an easy, recovery day trainer that you can run easy miles, recovery runs, or after a hard workout. Every part of the Saucony Endorphin Shift feels plush.

Current Rotation:

Easy/Daily Runs Saucony Ride 13, Saloman Sonic 3 Balance,  Brooks Glycerin 18,  Mizuno Rider Waveknit 3, Nike Pegasus 37, New Balance 1080 v10, Diadora Mythos Blushield Blushield Hip 5,

Speed Work: Brooks Launch 7, New Balance FuelCell Rebel, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro, Nike Pegasus Turbo 2

Long Runs: New Balance FuelCell Rebel, Hoka Cavu 2

Trail Running/Hiking: Saucony Peregrine 10, New Balance Hierro v5 

Races: New Balance Fuelcell 5280, Nike Next%,  Saucony Endorphin Pro, New Balance fuelcell TC, Reebok Run fast Pro 

You Can See All Current Shoe Reviews Here.

If you want to learn more about running shoes, I wrote a Guide to Running Shoes Ebook. You can read here.

Questions for you:

Have you tried the Saucony Endorphin Shift?

What is your current easy run shoe?