Endorphin Trainer 1
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Price history
Our verdict
The Endorphin Trainer 1 is Saucony's take on the super trainer: a tall, cushioned daily running shoe with a carbon plate, built to soak up big weekly mileage and still turn over when you want to press. It sits above the tempo-focused Endorphin Speed in protection, and it is aimed at the runner who wants one do-everything trainer for easy days, long runs and the odd faster session. At 285g it is not the lightest plated shoe out there, and the £200 price puts it firmly in premium territory, so it is a considered buy rather than an impulse one. What you get for that is a shoe that shields your legs on long efforts and keeps rolling forward thanks to the plate. We rate it as a cushioned workhorse first and a speed tool second. If you want a lighter, snappier ride, the Superblast 2 is worth a look. If you want plush daily miles with a bit of pop, this delivers.
Key features
- Carbon plateKeeps the ride rolling forward and adds a touch of pop when you lift the pace, without ever feeling aggressive
- Deep cushioningShields your legs on long runs and takes the sting out of hard road on daily miles
- Super-trainer versatilityHandles easy days, long runs and the odd tempo session from a single pair, so you need fewer shoes in the rotation
- Durable daily buildIs made to take repeated mileage, which helps justify the premium price over the life of the shoe
- Secure road fitLocks your foot down over the tall stack so the ride stays planted rather than wobbly
Who it suits
Who should buy it
- Runners who want one cushioned shoe for easy days, long runs and the occasional tempo.
- High-mileage runners who want leg protection through a big training block.
- Neutral runners after a plated daily trainer with a smooth, rolling ride.
- Runners happy to pay a premium for a durable do-everything trainer.
Who should not buy it
- You want the lightest, snappiest ride for fast sessions or racing.
- You need stability or medial support for overpronation.
- You are shopping on a budget, since £200 is steep for a daily trainer.
- You prefer a low, flexible shoe with plenty of ground feel.
Best uses
Extra information
Fit & sizing
The Endorphin Trainer 1 comes up true to size for most runners, so order your usual Saucony road size. The fit is medium width through the midfoot with a secure lockdown that holds your foot over the tall stack, and the heel is well cradled without pinching. The toe box is moderate, roomy enough for daily miles and a little toe splay on long runs, but runners with genuinely wide feet may find it a touch snug over distance and could size half up. If you sit between sizes, we would take the larger one here, since a cushioned trainer like this is more forgiving with a hair of extra length than a race-day fit would be. There is no need to treat it like a snug racing shoe. Lace it to a comfortable daily hold and it stays locked without hotspots.
Performance breakdown
Ride & feel
The ride is protective and smooth rather than sharp. The tall cushioning takes the sting out of the road, and the carbon plate smooths each transition so the shoe keeps rolling you forward instead of fighting you. On easy and long runs that combination is the point, and your legs feel fresher late in a big effort. Push into faster reps and the 285g weight makes itself known, so this never feels as quick or as lively as a dedicated tempo or race shoe. Think of it as a cruiser that can lift when asked, not a sprinter. Hold a steady effort and it settles into a comfortable, rolling rhythm.
Cushioning
Cushioning is the headline here. There is a deep, forgiving platform underfoot that soaks up impact on hard road and keeps protecting your legs deep into long runs, which is exactly what you want from a super trainer. It leans soft and plush rather than firm and racy, so heavier runners and anyone piling on the miles will appreciate how it holds up over distance. The trade-off is that it is not the most connected or responsive feel, and you sit up high off the ground. For daily protection and long-run comfort, though, it does the job well.
Stability
This is a neutral shoe, so it offers no dedicated support features for overpronation. The stack is tall, which can feel a little tippy at the very edges if you are used to a lower shoe, but the reasonably wide platform and the carbon plate add a degree of inherent guidance that keeps the ride feeling planted for a neutral runner. If you need genuine stability or medial support, this is not the shoe for you and you should look at a dedicated support model. For neutral runners who just want a secure, protective daily trainer, the base is stable enough for everyday mileage.
Upper & comfort
The upper is comfortable and built for daily wear rather than race-day minimalism. It wraps the foot securely with enough structure to keep you locked over the tall platform, and the padded collar and tongue give a plush step-in feel without adding noticeable bulk. Breathability is fine for UK conditions and typical training temperatures, and we found no obvious hotspots or pressure points on longer runs. It is a practical, no-drama upper that does its job and gets out of the way, which is what you want from a shoe you will reach for most days of the week.
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FAQ
Specifications
| Category | Super Trainer |
| Surface | Road |
| Drop | 8mm |
| Heel Stack | 42mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 34mm |
| Weight | 285g |
| Carbon Plated | Yes |
| Stability | No |