I was excited to try the Saucony Endorphin Pro + (or Saucony Endorphin Pro Plus). As a fan of the Endorphin Pro, I wondered:
What is the difference between the Saucony Endorphin Pro + and Endorphin?
Would there be a difference?
Just opening the box, the difference between the Saucony Endorphin Pro Plus and Endorphin Pro is obvious. The Endorphin Pro Plus is lighter and, honestly, just a faster shoe. I can see why Saucony hasn’t been able to keep Endorphin Pro+ in stock.
Saucony Endorphin Pro + Quick Facts:
Weight: 5.9 oz
Drop: 8 mm
Cost: $250
Saucony Endorphin Pro + Introduction:
The Endorphin Pro Plus is similar to the Endorphin Pro but has a much thinner upper. The thinner upper drops the weight significantly. The lighter shoe makes it easier to get a faster turnover and makes the shoe feel different. If you are looking for a very light carbon plated shoe, the Endorphin Pro + is a good option.
Saucony Endorphin Pro + Fit:
I like the color scheme of the Endorphin Pro +. At the time of this review, there was just the white and black option but I do know other colors are coming. The nearly all-white shoe looks sleek. I think it stands out as a racing shoe.
The big difference between the Endorphin Pro Plus and the Endorphin Pro is the upper. The Endorphin Pro Plus no longer has a heel counter, and the material in the upper is lighter in general. The shoe fits and feels almost like a wide old-school racing flat. Racing flats from before 2016 were light with barely-there uppers, and that is exactly what the Endorphin Pro+ is. I like that; I don’t a lot of extra upper in a racing shoe.
The Saucony Endorphin Pro + is unstructured and allows your feet to splay. It doesn’t feel too wide, but it does feel like you have a lot of extra room. It’s one of the wider carbon plated shoes out there. Apparently, you can use the Saucony Endorphin Pro Plus without socks. In college, I raced once without socks, and that was enough never to do it again.
With the lack of a heel counter, I wondered: Would the Endorphin Pro + slip or not feel secure? It feels fine, and my heel stayed in place. The tongue is slightly thinner than I prefer, but I don’t see how a thicker tongue would work with the upper of the shoe.
The best running shoe uppers disappear off your feet, and the Endorphin Pro Plus does just that. There is no additional rubbing, and your feet feel secure. The upper does take some adjustment to get used to based on how thin it is. It’s not that the Endorphin Pro + is wide, it’s just wider than most racing shoes.
In running shoes, I typically wear between a size 10-11 wide, and I’ve found the women’s size 10.5 to fit well with the Endorphin Pro +. In fact, the Endorphin Pro Plus is one of the wider carbon plated shoes out there.
Finally, if that isn’t good enough, the Endorphin Pro Plus also uses recycled materials. I appreciate brands that are using more sustainable practices.
Saucony Endorphin Pro + Ride:
According to Saucony, the Endorphin Pro Plus is built on “the same engine” as the Endorphin Pro 2 with ultralight PWRRUNPB for added spring and energy return. This means the Endorphin Pro Plus is the Endorphin Pro 2 but with a different upper. Based on that, you think the ride of the shoe won’t “feel different.” But it does, and the upper affects the ride a lot. It feels like two completely different shoes.
If you’ve never used either of the Endorphin Pro shoes, the midsole is made from PEBA-based foam called PWRRUN PB. It is an S-shaped carbon plate that has a substantial toe spring. Saucony calls that their “SPEEDROLL.” Unlike many carbon-plated shoes, the Endorphin series feels lower to the ground, giving you much more responsiveness.
Due to being lighter, the Endorphin Pro + feels different underfoot. The SPEEDROLL technology makes it easy to roll from heel to toe with a smooth transition. The Saucony Endorphin Pro + is easier to get your turnover faster. It’s just easier to run faster.
I like the Endorphin Pro 2, but it has never been a shoe that I want to run shorter and faster distances. The lightweightness of the Saucony Endorphin Pro Plus makes it easier to pick up the pace and run faster. I’ve done several workouts in the Saucony Endorphin Pro +, from fast track workouts to longer tempo efforts, and I find it to be one of the few carbon plated shoes that can handle all types of workouts. It rivals the Nike ZoomX Streakfly in handling speed work and short faster work. I find the Endorphin Pro+ to be a better multi-purpose racing shoe.
Traction and Durability: The Endorphin Pro Plus is ok. It’s definitely not the most durable shoe out there. For a racing shoe, it has enough traction to handle inclement weather, but it wouldn’t be my first choice for a torrential downpour. There are parts of the exposed midsole that causes the shoe to wear out faster. I’ve run about 50 miles in the Endorphin Pro Plus, and I think it will last somewhere between 100-150 miles.
Saucony Endorphin Pro + Conclusion:
It’s hard to believe changing the upper of a shoe can differentiate the Saucony Endorphin Pro + and Endorphin Pro 2 so much. The Endorphin Pro Plus feels much faster, and it’s easier to get your turnover faster. I think the Endorphin Pro Plus is just a faster version of the Saucony Endorphin Pro 2, and I can see why Saucony has sold out of it significantly. In all, I am a big fan of the Endorphin Pro Plus, and it will continue to be one of my main workout and racing shoes. As always, my opinion and some might not appreciate how light and wide the Saucony Endorphin Pro+ upper is.
My Current Shoe Rotation:
Easy/Daily Runs: Brooks Aurora, Diadora Mythos Blushield Volo, New Balance 1080 v11, Saucony Triumph 19, Brooks Launch 9
Speed Work: 361 Flame, Nike Tempo Next%, New Balance Fuelcell TC Shoe Review, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro, Saucony Endorphin Pro +
Long Runs: Saucony Freedom 4, Hoka Clifton Edge, Under Armour Sonic HOVR 3
Trail Running/Hiking: Saucony Peregrine 12, Hoka Torrent 2, Hoka Zinal Shoe, Speedland SL:PDX, North Face Flight VECTIV
Races: Asics Metaspeed Sky, Hoka One One Rocket X, adidas Adizero Pro, 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.
Looking to learn more about running shoes? In my ebook, I talk about why you need a good running shoe, a shoe’s anatomy, neutral vs. stable, and even myths of running shoes.
Questions for you:
Have you tried the Saucony Endorphin Pro +?
What is your favorite running shoe?