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Endorphin Elite 3
★ 90d low Tracked dailyCarbon Plated
Where to buy
Today's tracked prices
- 01365RiderLIVE£305.60£306.00−0%
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Expert review
Our verdict
The Endorphin Elite 3 is Saucony's no-compromise carbon racing shoe, built for one job: chasing a personal best over the half and full marathon. This is a specialist marathon shoe, not a do-it-all trainer. You get a tall 40mm heel, a full-length carbon plate and Saucony's springy IncrediRUN foam, all wrapped up at a race weight of 210g. At £306 it sits right at the top of the market, alongside the Nike Alphafly 3 and the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4. What you are paying for is peak return at speed. The slotted plate and high stack give a rolling, aggressive ride that wants to move. It is less versatile than Saucony's own Endorphin Pro 5, and it asks for a fair bit of leg strength to get the best from it. We rate it as one of the sharpest tools you can lace up on race day, so long as race day is what you want it for.
Key features
- Full-length carbon plateRuns the length of the shoe and snaps you through toe-off, adding real pop when you push race pace
- Slotted plate designThe split in the plate lets the shoe roll and flex more naturally underfoot, so the transition feels smooth rather than harsh
- IncrediRUN foamA light, bouncy midsole that gives you energetic return without the heavy, mushy feel that slows a race shoe down
- 40mm heel stackPlenty of protection to save your legs deep into a marathon, right at the legal limit for racing
- 210g race weightLight for a shoe with this much stack, so it feels quick on your foot when you are chasing a time
- Thin racing upperWraps close and breathable to keep the weight down and lock your foot over the plate at speed
Who it suits
Who should buy it
- Marathon and half marathon racers chasing a personal best who want maximum return at pace
Good to know
Extra information
Fit & sizing
The Endorphin Elite 3 comes up true to size for most runners, so order your usual Saucony number and you should be fine. The fit is a race-day fit: snug through the midfoot with a locked-down heel that holds your foot over the plate without slipping. The toe box is on the narrower side, in keeping with a shoe designed to feel fast and precise rather than roomy, so runners with wide feet or those who like wiggle room may find it tight late in a long race. The thin racing upper wraps close with very little give, which is what you want when you are pushing pace but means there is not much room to size around a problem. If you are between sizes or know you run in wider fits, we would try before you commit, or size up a half. For most feet, stick true to size and enjoy the lockdown.
Performance breakdown
Ride & feel
This is a ride built for speed and it lets you know it. Drop the pace to an easy jog and the Endorphin Elite 3 can feel stiff and a little unsettled, because the tall stack and firm carbon plate are waiting for you to load them. Hit half marathon effort or quicker and it comes alive. The slotted plate and IncrediRUN foam work together to roll you forward through the gait and snap you off your toes, so holding race pace feels smoother than it should. The 8mm drop keeps you moving onto the forefoot without feeling like you are falling forward. Fatigue late in a marathon is where the return really pays off. This is not a shoe you reach for on a recovery day. It rewards intent.
Cushioning
With a 40mm heel and 32mm forefoot, the Endorphin Elite 3 carries plenty of stack, but do not mistake it for a soft, plush ride. IncrediRUN foam is tuned to be light and bouncy rather than pillowy, so the cushioning feels protective and energetic instead of cushy underfoot. That is exactly what you want for a marathon: enough foam to save your legs over 26.2 miles, without the mushy, energy-sapping feel that slows a race shoe down. The carbon plate adds a firm, propulsive layer through the middle that keeps everything snappy. At marathon pace the protection is genuinely impressive and your legs will thank you in the closing miles. At slow paces the same setup can read as firm and unforgiving, which is the trade a race shoe makes.
Stability
Like most tall carbon racers, the Endorphin Elite 3 is a neutral shoe and it is not built to correct overpronation. With a 40mm heel stack and an aggressive, rolling platform, there is a fair amount of shoe under you, and it asks for a reasonably efficient, stable stride to feel planted. The snug race-day lockdown through the midfoot and heel helps keep your foot centred over the plate, which adds a useful sense of security when you are turning your legs over at pace. Tired, less experienced or heavier runners may find the height a handful late in a long race, especially if form starts to fall apart. If you need genuine stability or motion control, this is not the shoe for you. For a neutral runner with a strong stride, it holds together well when you are moving fast.
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