Saucony Endorphin Edge

Testing Results and Analysis

I used to hike in running shoes and even Converse. When my feet no longer liked that, I started wearing hiking boots for every off-road walk, even short dog walks. I tried a number of different trail running shoes but had trouble finding the support from hiking boots I’m used to, as well as a large toe box.

I’m finally able to enjoy the cushion and lightweight benefits of trail running shoes and am also delighted with the recent advance in shoe technology.

 

Comfort - 8

The most important factors of shoe comfort can vary between people. For me, the paramount feature is fit and keeping my wide feet happy. 10/10 on that front.

The second feature I look for is the sole and how it performs on trails. Too much cushion doesn’t respond to the rocky surface while a stable sole can feel too hard. For me, this shoe finds the ideal balance of cushion and support for comfort for each stride and stability over uneven ground.

Foot Protection - 9

The carbon rock plate provides solid protection from jagged rocks and protruding roots.

Stability - 7

A  3-quarter plate carbon fiber plate provides good stability on uneven terrain. The shoe performs in all but the most extreme conditions.

Cushion - 9

As one of the few people who haven’t owned Hoka’s, the ultra cushy sole is new to me. I finally understand what the hype is all about.

The Endorphin Edge cushion is made of Saucony’s propriety foam blend. Compared to conventional EVA soles, PWRRUNPB weighs half as much, returns more energy, and is more durable.

The beaded foam soles let the foot sink and spread forces out across the sole. The high energy return stores the energy of that compression quickly and returns to the original shape for a snappy, responsive feel. The 88% energy return doesn’t propel you forward (this is true for all shoes), but it does feel fantastic and that can increase speed and distance.

The 6 mm drop, from the 35 mm heel to the 29 mm forefoot, is a common heel-to-toe offset for trail running shoes. This is considered a low drop compared to the 10mm to 12 mm difference in traditional running shoes. I prefer the elevated heel to a flat shoe and this drop felt just right.

 

 

Sensitivity - 7

The dense foam and carbon plate protect the feet from feeling smaller sharp rocks. Larger stones are noticeable but not uncomfortable. These shoes protect feet from rocky, rooty, gravelly terrain. For me, there was enough ground feel but no discomfort from protrusions.

 

Traction - 8

After wearing the same hiking boots for eight years, the advancements in shoe technology are a delight. I was skeptical that there would be a difference between the many types of outsoles, but there really is. This rubber is so grippy that I can hear it when walking on the sidewalk. The 4mm lug height performs well in the dusty, gravelly, and textured clay trails that I frequent.

I didn’t give the shoe a perfect score because I didn’t feel stable going down on a very steep and rocky trail at Sugarloaf Mountain. While I got up and down just fine, a longer hike in those conditions would require hiking shoes or boots.

Breathability - 9

The lightweight mesh upper is very breathable. This is definitely a warm-weather shoe. I tried wearing wool socks in cooler weather and cool air blew right through.

Quick-Dry - 9

As described above, the mesh is ultra-breathable and doesn’t hold on to water. I got the uppers wet trying to wash off some dirt and they were dry by the time I put them on 15 minutes later.

Durability - 9

After three months, the shoes don’t show any sign of wear other than some clay spots on the mesh. The soles still look new.

Value - 7

Most trail runners ring in at around $140, give or take, while the Endorphin Edge is $200. I used my REI 20% discount to bring down the cost. Shoes and feet are the biggest weak point for hiking so I’m willing to invest as much as necessary to stay comfortable on the trails.

Overall Score - 9