Saucony Endorphine Pro 4 Complete Review

The world of carbon-plated supershoes is, let's be honest, getting a little crowded. Every brand has its missile, its top-tier racer, but Saucony's Endorphin Pro 4, is trying to do something a little different. Instead of just chasing pure, raw speed at the expense of everything else, this shoe pivots towards exceptional comfort and versatility, making it a really interesting option for a whole lot of runners. It's a top-shelf racer that doesn't punish your feet.

Quick Take

Overall Rating: 4.4/5

Best For: Marathoners seeking a comfortable and durable supershoe, runners looking for a versatile carbon-plated shoe, individuals who prefer a more accommodating fit, heel strikers.

Key Strengths: Exceptional comfort for a racing shoe, dual-cushioning system, improved durability of the outsole and upper, more stable than many other carbon-plated racing shoes, versatile across various paces.

Notable Limitations: Slightly heavier than some top-tier racing competitors, may feel less 'snappy' or 'aggressive', integrated knit tongue can sometimes fold over, not available in wide sizes.

What Makes Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 Stand Out?

So, what’s the big deal here? Honestly, it’s all about the engine in this thing. Saucony did something clever with the midsole. They took their "Holy Grail" foam, the PWRRUN HG, which used to only be in their super-expensive Endorphin Elite, and they layered it right on top, under your foot. This stuff is bouncy and responsive. Underneath that, they kept the tried-and-true PWRRUN PB foam, which is renowned for its exceptional energy return and cushioning. The result is this dual-density setup that just feels... balanced. It's protective but still pops.

They didn't stop there. They threw in a new Super Responsive Sockliner (SRS). That sounds like marketing fluff, but it genuinely adds to that immediate step-in comfort. Combine all that with their signature SPEEDROLL geometry—that aggressive rocker shape that just wants to tip you forward—and you get a shoe that’s less of a brutal, stiff racing flat and more of a propulsive, comfortable cruiser. As one runner put it: "It's got that fabulous bounce, it's a wider fit, the Speedroll remains and overall it's a shoe that feels good for a lot of miles."

Real Customer Experiences

When you dig into what actual runners are saying, a few clear themes pop up.

• Overwhelming Comfort: The most consistent piece of feedback is just how comfortable this shoe is. People are blown away that a "racing" shoe can feel this plush and protective, with many reporting their legs feel fresher after long, hard efforts.
• The "Do-It-All" Supershoe: Its versatility is a massive selling point. Runners love that this isn't just a "save-it-for-race-day" shoe. They're confidently using it for tempo workouts, speed intervals, and their weekly long runs, making the high price tag feel more justified.
• A Polarizing Fit: The new fit is a bit of a "love it or leave it" topic. A huge portion of runners adore the roomier, more accommodating toe box, calling it a massive upgrade. However, runners with very narrow feet, or those who are used to that skin-tight, "fierce" race fit, found it a bit too relaxed and roomy.

"The protection I felt under my forefoot allowed my legs to feel fresh from start to finish, no matter the distance. This was also all while being highly responsive, letting me push my pace to its fullest potential."

"Many runners expect a snug, race-ready fit in a competition shoe, and this one doesn't deliver that fierce, locked-in feel. It's fast, agile, and secure, but its fit leans more toward comfort, making it a better choice for longer races than shorter ones."

Design and Build Quality

Let me explain what's going on under the hood, because Saucony really rebuilt this shoe from the ground up.

Upper

The upper is a totally redesigned engineered mesh. It’s lightweight and really breathable. But the big story is the integrated knit tongue. If you ran in the Endorphin Pro 3, you probably know the tongue was always slipping to the side, which was super annoying. This new design fixes that completely, giving you a secure, sock-like wrap. The fit is also just more accommodating, with more volume in the toe box for toe splay, which is a lifesaver on long runs when your feet swell.

Midsole

This is the star of the show, no question. It's a dual-density cushioning system.

• Top Layer (PWRRUN HG): Right under your foot is a layer of Saucony's highest-end PEBA superfoam, PWRRUN HG. This is the same stuff from the Endorphin Elite, and it's there to provide that "pop," that high-level responsiveness and energy return (lab tests show 83.2% in the heel and 82.6% in the forefoot).
• Bottom Layer (PWRRUN PB): The bottom layer is the trusted PWRRUN PB foam, another PEBA-based foam that's known for being light, bouncy, and incredibly durable.

Sandwiched between these two foams is a full-length carbon fiber plate. This plate provides that stiffness and works with the SPEEDROLL geometry (that aggressive rocker) to just roll you forward efficiently. The stack height is maxed out at 39.3 mm in the heel and 30.5 mm in the forefoot, for an 8.8 mm drop.

Outsole

The outsole got a big upgrade, too. It uses XT-900 carbon rubber in a new lattice-style design. The key here is durability and grip. There's just more rubber coverage than on the Pro 3, especially extending into the heel, which is fantastic news for heel strikers and for the shoe's overall lifespan. Lab tests and runner reviews confirm it has strong grip on dry pavement and even on slick, wet surfaces. One reviewer did note it could feel "like an ice skate" specifically on wet bitumen, but most found the traction to be very reliable.

Weight

Here’s the trade-off for all that comfort and durability. The Endorphin Pro 4 weighs 218g (7.7 oz) for a men's US size 9. This is a noticeable increase from its predecessor, the Endorphin Pro 3, which was 207g (7.3 oz). You know what? It’s a deliberate choice. Saucony prioritized a more protective, durable, and stable ride, which makes it better for longer distances and a wider range of runners. It's not the lightest shoe on the starting line, but that added weight pays off in comfort and longevity.

Special Technologies

• PWRRUN HG (top layer): Saucony's most energy-efficient PEBA superfoam for max responsiveness.
• PWRRUN PB (bottom layer): Highly responsive and durable PEBA foam for a bouncy, consistent ride.
• Full-length Carbon Fiber Plate: Provides stiffness and propels you forward with the rocker shape.
• SPEEDROLL Technology: The aggressive rocker geometry that promotes an efficient, rolling stride.
• Super Responsive Sockliner (SRS): A new sockliner that adds an extra layer of bounce and step-in comfort.

The main "issue" anyone mentions is that the stretchy, integrated tongue can sometimes fold over on itself when you really cinch the laces down tight. Honestly, almost everyone who mentions this says it's just a visual quirk and doesn't cause any discomfort or lockdown problems.

Comfort and Fit

Here’s the thing about the Pro 4's fit: it’s a significant, and for most people, very welcome change.

Sizing Advice

The consensus is that the Endorphin Pro 4 fits true to size in length. If you're a standard size, stick with it. However, if you are sometimes "on the border" between two sizes, or you just prefer a less-snug fit for marathons to let your feet swell, many runners suggest going up a half size is a safe and comfortable bet.

Width Profile

This is the Pro 4's signature feature. It offers a normal to slightly wider fit for a racing shoe. The toe box is roomy, with good vertical and horizontal space for your toes to splay. This is a game-changer for runners with average to slightly wider feet who often feel pinched and constricted in other brands' racing shoes. The flip side, as mentioned, is that if you have very narrow feet, you might find the midfoot a bit too voluminous and have to really crank down the laces.

"While the wider fit is a pro for many, runners with narrow feet might find it less ideal".

Break-in

Forget about it. The shoe is reported to be comfortable and ready to race straight out of the box. The dual-foam setup maintains its responsive and protective feel from the very first mile, with no significant softening or "breaking in" period required.

Style and Versatility

Aesthetically, the Endorphin Pro 4 looks exactly like what it is: a modern, high-stack, performance racing shoe. It has that streamlined, fast-looking profile, and it comes in a variety of colorways, from "look-at-me" brights to more subdued options.

But the real story is its versatility. This is the shoe's superpower. It’s not a one-trick pony. Yes, it’s a fantastic race-day option for distances from 5K to the marathon, but its unique blend of comfort, stability, and durability makes it so much more. It's an exceptional choice for your toughest tempo runs, speed workouts, and even your weekly long-distance training runs. Because it's more stable than many of its rivals, it feels more reliable late in a race when your form starts to break down. It really blurs the line between a pure racer and a "supercharged daily trainer".

Quality and Durability

Let me explain why the durability of the Pro 4 is such a big deal. Approximately 85% of reviewers praise the shoe's durability, which is a massive outlier in the supershoe category.

Most top-tier racers are notoriously fragile. You're often warned you might only get 150-250 miles out of them before the foam dies or the outsole is shredded. The Endorphin Pro 4 is built different. This is a direct result of its materials and design.

• Outsole: The 2.1 mm thick XT-900 rubber outsole is robust. Reviewers consistently report minimal wear even after 75 miles and are still describing the outsole as "fantastic" after 450 miles. The expected lifespan is generally pegged at a minimum of 300 miles, with many runners confident they'll get 400-500 miles.
• Midsole: The dual-foam midsole is also incredibly resilient. The PWRRUN HG foam, in particular, helps the shoe retain its "pop" and responsiveness for much longer, preventing the forefoot from softening up like the Pro 3 sometimes did.
• Upper: The redesigned mesh upper is a huge durability improvement, solving the ripping and tongue-slippage issues that plagued some Pro 3 users. One runner said their upper looked "almost like the day I got them" after 200 miles.

The primary "issue" cited isn't a failure, but a trade-off: the weight.

"One crucial aspect of running performance is the shoe's weight, and unfortunately, this is where the Endorphin Pro 4 falls short. Although it's still relatively light at 7.8 oz (220g), it's noticeably heavier than the 7.3-oz Endorphin Pro 3 and lags behind many competitors".

This is the price you pay for a shoe that lasts.

Decision Matrix

Legend: ✓ = Good ○ = Average ✕ = Poor

Further Reading

1. The Ultimate Guide to Saucony Running Shoes: Reviews, Tech & Buyer’s Guide.
2. Saucony Running Shoe Technologies Explained: PWRRUN, Speedroll, FORMFIT
3. Saucony Kinvara 16 Review
4. Saucony Peregrine 14 Review