Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 | The most versatile shoe just got better. Analysis and details

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When Saucony launched the first Endorphin models the idea behind the Speed was that it would be the perfect companion to the Pro. Using the Speed during fast workouts and opting for the Pro for racing. However, what users discovered was a fantastic all-around versatile all-rounder. The Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 further elaborates on this concept.

They are still a mixed shoe focused on fast workouts (and yes, also competitions), but they unfold in the use that podemos make of them and do not clash whatever the training we have planned: soft recovery days, long runs, recoveries between series ... everything is done with pleasure.

The initial recipe for the Endorphin Speed 3 is the same as before: PWRRUN PB foam (Saucony's PEBAX), nylon plate and a lightweight shoe package. But now there is more material, more stability, more width and softer foam.

Nike Vaporfly 2 video review

If you prefer to watch the video analysis you can click here or watch it below. It is not a substitute, but the video provides information that is not available in the written analysis and vice versa.  

The upper of the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3

The upper we have in the Endorphin Speed 3 is not magnificent or brilliant, it's not something you have to run out to tell the four winds the amount of novelties it incorporates. But it does its job perfectly and that's what matters.

It is composed of a lightweight one-piece mesh. The type of fabric used is somewhat more elastic than in the Speed 2, something that is noticeable when putting on the shoe. It stretches well to let the foot in and then recovers to hold it comfortably. It has a nice feel, the truth is that the Speed 2 are somewhat "stiffer". This elasticity also applies to the laces, which are also pleasant to the touch.

Ventilation is good. Without being a hyperventilated shoe like the competition ones, there is a good compromise between letting the foot breathe and making a durable upper.

As you will see below, the shoe has increased in size, but the weight is virtually the same. This is achieved by working on other parts and eliminating things that were present before.

For example the tongue. The Endorphin Speed 3 have lost some cushioning in that area, with the tongue now being slightly thinner. But it is still comfortable so it is not a change that has worsened the experience. It is still attached to the midsole with an elastic band to improve the shoe's support, but this connection is now made from a little further back.

The collar has also lost some padding. Before the padding covered a good part of the collar while in the Speed 3 is more delimited, forming a kind of float around the neck. Sufficient so that the area does not bother the heel and the heel does not slip.

And to continue with what has been lost, we also don't have the pull tabs that were previously present on the tongue and heel. But I think it's not a big deal because they were quite small and I have the impression that nobody used them.

All this has been eliminated to keep weight at bay. There is less material in the upper area to compensate for its increased size, and the last is now slightly wider.

There is more room in the forefoot area. If you have narrow feet you may have too much shoe, but in my case it has not been a problem. I can fix the shoe without any difficulty and it does not move when running. 

The only thing that Saucony has added is a small protection in the front part of the shoe. It helps to give structure to the toe area and also protects from possible wear if we rub the toe.

Colors available at the moment? Well, Saucony offers two sides: two flashy colors for those looking to be different from the rest, and two more normal colors for those who prefer to be more discreet.

Among the eye-catchers, we have the pink color of the shoe you see in the review -which I personally love-, and there is also the possibility of getting a blue shoe. But blue, BLUE, no middle ground.

For those who do not want to attract so much attention, they have a much more neutral black color, and a white and red that is halfway between black and the two versions above.

I totally applaud Saucony for going for bold colors and designs. Otherwise everything would become too boring.

Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 Midsole

The midsole of the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 is where we see the bulk of the changes. These changes are focused on improving two facets: stability and comfort.

For starters, stability has improved because now the base is wider. If we compare the Endorphin Speed 3 with the Speed 2 1TP7 we can see that it has grown, especially in the middle of the shoe.

Part of this increased width is due to the increased last, but the main objective is to make the shoe more stable. It's not something I had complaints about in the previous model, but if it's given more width without having to give up anything, I won't be the one to object.

It is still made of nylon, but now it has added lateral wings in the midfoot area that, in fact, show through the midsole. Saucony has made sure that we all see this change, because in addition to the fact that you can feel the plate perfectly with your finger, in all the shoes it has a different color than the rest of the midsole. Difficult to make it go unnoticed.

Those wings, by extending the plate in the midfoot area, mean that we have a rigid piece that extends beyond the midfoot, offering more stability in the stride. Again, I repeat that I don't find the Speed 2 to be an unstable shoe, but Saucony has found it relevant to do so. It's not something that causes discomfort, so it's welcome.

The foam is still PWRRUN PB, but it is softer. You can feel it in your hand and you can feel it with the shoe on your foot. It is also slightly higher as Saucony has added 1mm more stack. The drop is still 8mm, but the heel is now 36mm higher.

So we have more foam vertically, horizontally, a larger size plate... but that doesn't make the weight increase. In fact in my size 46 it is practically the same, there is only 2 grams difference.

The Speed 3, despite the changes, are still a lightweight shoe. They are not the lightest on the market, but remember that they are still a mixed shoe and not something intended for racing.

The feel is still similar to the previous one. The foam has some energy return (without reaching the levels of a racing shoe), which is also slightly helped by the plate. But now it is more comfortable as it uses more foam and is softer.

It still retains Saucony's Speedroll technology, with a very pronounced front rocker design.

This shape of the shoe makes the transition quite smooth and, combined with the nylon plate, makes for some momentum in each stride.

Summarizing all this, what I want to highlight the most of these Endorphin Speed 3 is that it has increased comfort. For me this is crucial, since with the Speed 2 I couldn't train for more than 45-50 minutes. After that time using the previous model I started to develop a hot spot in the forefoot area. 

After that distance it was no longer possible to continue, the discomfort was increasing and ended up turning into pain. Of course, it was a particular case due to my characteristics as a runner (very tall, heavy weight, energetic stride). 

That has changed in the Speed 3. I no longer have that discomfort when running, and I have done workouts of up to 70-75 minutes without any hint of discomfort in that area.

Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 outsole

Beyond the wider base, there are few changes in the sole of the Endorphin Speed 3. Saucony continues to use the same XT-900 rubber as usual in its shoes, although the pattern has changed slightly.

The design makes it clear that this is an eminently asphalt shoe, as a large part of the midsole is exposed. So if you are thinking of using it on trails, anything other than compacted soil can be a problem.

The sole is enough to separate the midsole from the asphalt so that the PWRRUNPB doesn't touch the ground, thus saving a few grams that can then be used on other things... such as the midsole which is where we want all the good stuff to go.

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If you have any questions, remember that you have the comments section at the bottom, where I will try to answer all your questions.  

Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 review

If there is something I must highlight about the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 is undoubtedly its versatility. Originally it is a shoe focused on fast paces, being a perfect mixed shoe for days of series or even take them to a race.

But they are not out of their zone no matter what we do with them. From very light paces to even racing. I've used them in all kinds of those, from recovery runs at almost 6 min/km to intervals under 4 min/km.

Among the shoes intended for "tempo" paces, possibly these Endorphin Speed 3 may be among the best options. It is not among the rolling or racing shoes. For that there are better options, but it is not out of place in any of those facets and it is perfectly feasible to have a pair for absolutely everything.

As for the price, 190 € seems to me a high price. The shoe is good and it is true that it can cover many aspects, but at 160€ I would see it with much better eyes. Further discounts will come.

Comparing it with Speed 2, it is not a radical change. If you have a 2 just out of the box do not run for the 3, you will have similar sensations. It is true that they work much better for me (I can run more than 40 minutes and I have no discomfort), they are softer, somewhat more stable and with greater width for the foot, but it is not night and day. It won't make a radical change in your workouts, so it's better to spend the current pair. 

If your hesitation is that you are in the market thinking about buying the Speed 2 or the Speed 3 then my recommendation is to go for the Speed 3 directly. The price difference, unless you find some discount, is well worth it.

And with that... thanks for reading!