Endorphin Pro 4

Reviewers describe a smooth, rolling ride that settles nicely at marathon pace. It isn't the bounciest or most aggressive racer in the pack. One tester found it hard work at their very fastest speeds while being comfortable at steadier efforts, and another preferred it for 5K and 10K, so expect some disagreement over where it shines. Almost everyone agrees it's less punishing late in a race than the Pro 3.

There's plenty of foam here, and it feels soft when you step in, then firmer and more responsive once you're moving. One reviewer called it one of the firmer super shoes around; others found it slightly softer than the Pro 3. Heel strikers do particularly well, since lab testing rated its shock absorption at the heel highly. Anyone after a very soft, squishy race shoe will probably find it too firm.

Stable for a carbon racer. Reviewers point to the wide base and raised sidewalls around the midfoot, and lab testing found it steadier side to side than earlier versions. That helps when your form fades in the last few miles. It's still a neutral shoe, so if you need real support it won't give it to you.

The mesh is thin and very breathable, which counts in a hot race. Durability is a strength too, with lab testing finding the upper, heel padding and outsole all wore well. The tongue is the weak point. It's long and thin and tends to fold. One reviewer also found the inside scratchy, so it's not a shoe for sockless racing.