Saucony Endorphin Pace 4 Introduction
The Endorphin Pace has been one among Saucony’s most profitable shoe releases of the final 3 years. It’s light-weight, it’s comfy, and it’s nicely cushioned, however the primary purpose it sells so nicely is as a result of it seems like its costlier, carbon-plated counterpart, the Endorphin Professional. This newest model of the Pace seems much more just like the Professional model.
The Endorphin Pace is designed to be the coaching companion of the Endorphin Professional however in case you’ve run in each footwear, you’ll have seen that they’ve very totally different rides.
They each use PWRRUN PB (PEBA foam) of their midsoles however the Pace could be very versatile whereas the Professional is just not.
That’s the explanation why Saucony created the Kinvara Professional: a stiffer coach which delivers an identical trip to the Saucony racers. I want utilizing the Kinvara Professional over the Endorphin Pace for uptempo runs as a result of it feels extra propulsive and it gives extra pace help.
In my view, the Endorphin Pace 3 felt extra like an on a regular basis coach than a devoted exercise or racing shoe as a consequence of how versatile it was. It didn’t really feel as quick as different coaching companions such because the Deviate Nitro 2, Asics Magic Pace 3 or the Hoka Mach X.
Many runners use the Endorphin Pace as their every day coach– it’s extra thrilling than the Journey collection and the Triumph collection, and it’s a lot lighter than the common every day coach. The Pace doesn’t have as a lot cushioning or pretty much as good sturdiness although as a result of it wasn’t designed to be a workhorse.
The Endorphin Pace 4 weighs precisely 8 oz (227 g), a mere 0.1 oz (3 g) greater than the Pace 3. I predict its worth will stay $170 when it launches within the first quarter of 2024. I paid $183 (together with taxes and delivery) for my pair.
Saucony Endorphin Pace 4 First Impressions
My first run was a hill sprints session. My first impression was that the Pace 4 felt quicker than the Pace 3. There was extra floor really feel, the trip felt firmer and I may really feel the forefoot rocker greater than within the Pace 3.
I loved that first run. The trip felt quicker than a every day coach however not as quick as a stiff, carbon-plated racer. This model felt extra like a pace coach than a relaxed every day coach which I assumed the earlier model felt like.
It jogged my memory of the ASICS Magic Pace 3 as a result of the Magic Pace 3 additionally felt leaner and extra agile than its predecessor. Each the Endorphin Pace 4 and Magic Pace 3 have midfoot cavities beneath, on their outsoles and you’ll hear a clapping sound from the cavity when your foot strikes the bottom.
Saucony Endorphin Pace 4 Higher
The Endorphin Pace 4’s higher is an enchancment over the three. It feels thinner and extra breathable. My favorite characteristic is the air flow on the highest of the toe field, the small holes that permit extra air in.
The skinny, gusseted tongue additionally has small holes in it and it doesn’t slide around- it’s wider and it’s longer than v3. The collar and interior lining have a tough texture which feels scratchy and never very premium however heel lockdown is sweet.
It matches true to measurement and it has a slender toe field however you don’t must go up a half measurement like within the Endorphin Professional 4. It does are available a large model in case you discover it too slender. The one factor I don’t like in regards to the higher is that when it’s moist, the color runs and stains the white tongue/laces.
Saucony Endorphin Pace 4 Sole Unit
The Pace was designed to be a shoe for quick operating (therefore the title), and as a way to make the Endorphin Pace 4 really feel quicker, Saucony has carried out 2 issues: they’ve made the midsole firmer and made the forefoot rocker extra aggressive. These 2 adjustments make transitions quicker, so it’s simpler to extend your tempo.
I did primarily pace exercises within the Pace 4, starting from marathon tempo to 200 m interval tempo and I get pleasure from this model far more than model 3 for uptempo paces. It feels prefer it has extra punch. I want utilizing the Pace 4 for fast-paced runs fairly than simple/restoration runs. This was the alternative for the Pace 3.
After I put on the Endorphin Pace 4 on 1 foot and the Endorphin Pace 3 on the opposite foot, the 4 feels noticeably much less cumbersome. Model 4 feels extra streamlined and doesn’t really feel as squishy underfoot- it feels leaner.
The midsole of the Pace 4 is about 10% firmer than the Pace 3. This ends in higher stability. The bottom additionally feels barely wider than the Pace 3 so footstrikes really feel extra planted.
I really feel that the PWRRUN PB within the Pace 4 isn’t pretty much as good as different midsole foams. It doesn’t compress sufficient and doesn’t return sufficient vitality. Hoka’s ProflyX and NB’s FuelCell are far more efficient as a result of they really feel extra participating and extra energetic. The Endo Pace has a flat trip as compared.
One of many principal variations between the Endorphin Pace and the opposite premium Saucony trainers is that the Pace has an EVA insole. The Endorphin Professional, Triumph, Journey and Kinvara Professional all have PWRRUN+ (TPE) insoles which give a plusher step in really feel so the Endo Pace wouldn’t be my first selection for lengthy runs.
There’s a versatile, winged nylon plate within the midsole of the Pace 4 which gives construction but it surely doesn’t present a lot propulsion. Saucony must stiffen up the plate in order that the forefoot feels extra snappy. This can give it a extra comparable trip to the Endorphin Professional.
Similar to the Endorphin Professional 4, the outsole of the Pace 4 has additionally been improved. The forefoot rubber has a raised sample which grips the bottom extra successfully so traction is best.
I used the Endo Professional 4 when it was raining and I didn’t have any points when it got here to traction. On the lateral heel, the rubber stops a pair mm wanting the sting, so there may be some scuffing of the midsole edge in case you’re a heel striker but it surely doesn’t have an effect on the trip.
Saucony Endorphin Pace 4 Conclusions
When the unique Endorphin Pace got here out, it was one thing particular. There was nothing prefer it in the marketplace. I’ve examined loads of pace trainers within the final 3 years and now, the Endorphin Pace 4 doesn’t really feel particular anymore.
There are many rivals which might do what the Endorphin Pace can do however with a extra participating, extra pleasurable trip. The Kinvara Professional, the Supercomp Coach v2 and the Mach X are all trainers I might decide above the Endo Pace 4 as a result of they really feel extra energetic and extra trendy.
Though the Pace 4 feels quicker than its predecessor, it nonetheless doesn’t really feel as quick as different pace trainers, primarily as a consequence of how versatile its plate is. The versatile plate additionally makes it really feel fully totally different to the Professional 4, the racing model.
I might nevertheless decide the Endorphin Pace 4 over the three as a result of it feels extra like a pace coach now. Model 3 looks like a every day coach. I feel the vast majority of runners will want the three to the 4 as a result of it has a softer, extra cushioned trip which is preferable for every day coaching.
At $170, the Pace 4 is overpriced. The Deviate Nitro 2 is cheaper, as is the Magic Pace 3 and the Razor 4.
Within the Saucony vary, I might fairly use an older model of the Endorphin Professional or pay $10 extra for the Kinvara Professional for pace runs as their plates are stiffer. A stiffer plate ends in extra pace help.
