What You Want To Know
- Weighs 7.3 oz. (204 g.) for a US M7.5 / 6.9 oz. (195 g.) for a US W7.5
- Up to date plate with lateral and medial wings for added stability
- Wider base within the midfoot and heel
- Much more PWRRUN PB supplies a softer, bouncier really feel
- Accessible August 16 for $170
ROBBE: Just like the ever-shifting seasons and the topography of a seashore over centuries of surf, like the children in Stranger Issues and the hopefulness of youth — issues change. Time strikes on. Or it’s a flat circle. Who is aware of. Change is a part of life, however typically it’s feared, typically we’re afraid of it, and infrequently can we settle for it.
Within the immortal phrases of the British thinker Noel Gallagher: “Don’t go away / Say what you say / Say that you just’ll keep / Ceaselessly and a day / On this time of my life.” Ignoring the seemingly chance that he wrote these phrases to his coke vendor, I’d prefer to think about he was in the way forward for the flat circle of time, writing that track concerning the Saucony Endorphin Velocity.
If , — each the Saucony Endorphin Velocity 1 and Velocity 2 (primarily the identical as the primary model) are two of the best all-around trainers to come back out within the final a number of years.
A tempo shoe that would do all of it, with a firm-yet-bouncy PWRRUN PB midsole, a Speedroll rocker that threw you thru your paces, and a nylon plate for a contact of propulsive stability. Each day coaching, speedwork, race day — decide your poison, the Endorphin Velocity was your antidote. All for $160.
So, in fact, I used to be a bit of bit nervous when an precise replace got here within the type of the Endorphin Velocity 3. Can you actually enhance on a shoe that was so good? It seems you’ll be able to… form of.
Earlier than we get into that, let’s take a look at the modifications on this model. Two important modifications take advantage of distinction: 1) An up to date nylon plate, now with facet wings, and a couple of) a wider platform for improved stability.
The brand new winged plate is designed to maintain you inside the shoe and over the centerline, which the Velocity 2 struggled with. You may really see the small winglet edges on each the lateral and medial sides of the shoe.
The stack peak goes up only a hair to 36mm within the heel/28 mm within the toe for an 8mm drop, and as I simply famous — the PWRRUN PB is now unfold throughout a wider midsole platform, particularly within the midfoot and heel.
The higher is an engineered mesh whereas the outsole rubber compound is identical; nevertheless, it’s unfold out extra throughout the outsole, ideally for higher traction.
Let’s get into the assessment.
RYAN: I liked the primary Endorphin Velocity — I even picked up the Icon Pack colorway as a result of I’m a sucker for the Saucony Originals vibe. It was my go-to half marathon racing shoe till I managed to discover a deal on a correct carbon-plated racer. The OG Endorphin Velocity was an important shoe, and I skipped model two as a result of I used to be nonetheless cramming miles into the unique. They had been mainly the identical shoe, so no hurt, no foul.
Now, we now have the Saucony Endorphin Velocity 3. I don’t know why Robbe solely known as it form of higher, as a result of that is completely an improve. By some means, the large brains over at Saucony discovered a method to make an already nice shoe even higher. Complain concerning the colorways if you wish to, however I can’t be mad on the all-blue model. It appears to be like higher in hand than in footage, I promise.
Truthfully, Robbe crushed the intro, so let’s get on with it.
MEAGHAN: I’ve been a fan of the Saucony Endorphin line since its debut in 2019, however there was all the time one thing (in all probability the commonly agency construct) that wasn’t good. We met with the Saucony group at The Working Occasion final December and discovered about just a few vital updates — extra stack and a softer foam — so I used to be excited to present the subsequent iteration a go.
The Endorphin Velocity’s nice qualities stay Speedroll know-how, PWRRUN PB foam, a light-weight mesh higher, and a plate for added stability and propulsion. However as Robbe famous, some modifications embody a newly designed plate, wider platform, extra stack, and a softer foam composite. So what do I take into consideration the updates? Let’s get into it.
The Good
ROBBE: What’s good was already nice within the earlier variations, however they in some way made it higher (principally). Getting the high-end PWRRUN PB in a light-weight shoe at a $160 worth level is one thing no one has been capable of replicate but (the closest being the Adidas Takumi Sen 8 with Lightstrike Professional). So once we heard there can be a bit extra of it, however on a extra forgiving platform, we had been stoked.
In any case, the primary model was enjoyable as hell, but it surely did really feel like tap-dancing on the top of a pin. The excellent news right here is that the midfoot and heel sections have widened by a great bit with out including an excessive amount of weight, making this model way more secure than final yr’s. The winged plate tag-teams up with the widened midsole, serving to to carry the foot in place. The sum of these elements is that this works even higher as a light-weight each day coach than the Velocity 2.
Throw within the winged plate, and the general journey is way more “regular.” Besides it’s not — and that’s a great factor — as a result of with a bit extra PWRRUN PB, the shoe feels even softer and bouncier than earlier than. Typically when a midsole softens up, it ruins the texture of a shoe, or not less than the bottom really feel folks love about it (that is me in a nutshell). Nonetheless, it simply makes the Velocity even higher than earlier than. You continue to get that suggestions from the bottom however have extra cushion for longer runs. It nonetheless has a sensational bounce, and the Speedroll hits pretty much as good as ever. In brief, you get all the thrill of the Velocity 2 and not one of the white-knuckle terror.
I additionally favored the padded/quilted tongue that’s nonetheless gusseted though I had some points that had been apparently simply specific to me (extra on that later). The grip is okay. I by no means had an issue with it final yr, but it surely was in all probability the one weak spot in that shoe. This model has extra protection, however there’s nonetheless loads of uncovered midsole, so wet day runs might not be your greatest buddy.
Within the weight division, the track stays the identical. As I’m sitting right here, I simply weighed the Endorphin Velocity 1, Endorphin Velocity RunShield (primarily the Velocity 2), and Endorphin Velocity 3, they usually all weigh the identical (7.3 oz./204 g for my dimension US M7.5).
RYAN: The Saucony Endorphin Velocity 3 is the most effective worth you may get in a real do-it-all working shoe. Palms down. It will possibly run at about any tempo and distance (I used its predecessor as a race day shoe), and it solely prices $160. As Robbe stated, the Endorphin Velocity has solely ever price $160, which shines even brighter as others elevate their costs. It looks as if Working Warehouse has it listed at $170, but it surely’s nonetheless an important worth.
I believe the winged plate is perhaps the most effective addition to the general setup of the Saucony Endorphin Velocity 3. The primary model had some stability questions, and I’d by no means put on it as an off-the-cuff shoe — regardless of my Jazz-inspired Icon Pack colorway. This time, nevertheless, it’s straightforward to stroll confidently within the Endorphin Velocity 3 and never really feel such as you’re gonna break an ankle when you go off the sidewalk. I’m not utilizing it as a strolling shoe, but it surely hasn’t tried to kill me on the finish of a run but.
Everybody giving Saucony flack for the Endorphin Velocity 3 launch colorways must shut up. The Blue Angels-esque model I received pops. It appears to be like significantly better in particular person than in footage, and there’s simply sufficient yellow to interrupt it up. I’d have been much more excited with an all-pink model just like the Endorphin Professional 3, however beggars can’t be choosers. Simply embrace the occasional loud working shoe.
MEAGHAN: I agree with nearly all of Robbe’s sentiments. Saucony made a great shoe even higher with these refined but substantial modifications. Most notably, the underfoot really feel has a a lot cushier and extra secure journey. The marginally softer foam paired with the newly designed S-curve plate provides you a bounce that I like.
I’ve been racking up plenty of miles this month, which often has me turning to the marshmallowy max cushioned sneakers, however I’ve discovered myself lacing up the Endorphin Velocity most of the time. The rocker geometry (Speedroll know-how) provides you that little additional push to maintain the legs shifting and makes the ‘straightforward’ day efforts a bit of bit faster.
The mesh higher is mild and breathable and accommodates my wider ft properly. There’s sufficient padding for consolation however not an excessive amount of to overwhelm the shoe. The truth is, even with the additional cush, the shoe stayed the identical weight. My US W7.5 got here in at 6.9oz.
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The Unhealthy
ROBBE: Apparently, previous variations of this shoe ran vast as a result of Vast Foot Jarrett might handle it sufficient to place the regular-width model on his Greatest Vast Foot Working Footwear listing. Nonetheless, I all the time felt prefer it was a real racing match and one in all my favourite higher matches, even within the RunShield model (my favourite model of the Velocity, by the best way).
I didn’t get that really feel with this higher. Regardless of how laborious I attempted to cinch down my laces, I felt like I used to be always sliding round within the shoe. It wasn’t a deal-breaker, however I wanted that comfortable match and didn’t really feel like I might get it, regardless of how laborious I attempted. Additionally, regardless of its gusset, the tongue saved sliding all the way down to the place it could bunch on the backside, which drove me nuts. Apparently, I’m the one one who had this concern, so possibly I’m simply loopy. Let or not it’s recognized that I’ve a slender foot, so these with wider ft shouldn’t have any issues.
RYAN: Yeah, I don’t know what Robbe is speaking about right here. I had no issues in any way whereas working within the Saucony Endorphin Velocity 3. It was a dream from my first run to my most up-to-date, each for each day miles and interval exercises. If I needed to complain about one thing, the blue paint rubs off the PWRRUN PB a bit of bit the place it meets the street, however you received’t discover until you look underneath the shoe.
MEAGHAN: I didn’t have the problems Robbe had with the match. The truth is, as I famous above — the sneakers match my vast(r) ft simply fantastic.
I’m struggling to give you another negatives concerning the shoe. I’ve actually been having fun with the miles.
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Saucony Endorphin Velocity 3 Conclusion
ROBBE: These of you who had been in search of a extra secure journey with the identical Endorphin Velocity feeling — all of your goals are coming true. Kudos to Saucony for not f*cking up an already-awesome shoe. Three variations in, and it’s nonetheless nice. The result’s a shoe extra capable of deal with lengthy miles or each day runs whereas choosing up the tempo on an as-needed foundation. I don’t suppose the additional room within the forefoot is a deal-breaker, however when you love that tremendous safe match, you won’t get it such as you did earlier than.
If I needed to sum up the modifications in a single sentence, it could be this: The Endorphin Velocity 2 was a “funds” racer that felt like a rocket on foot (however might additionally really feel tremendous unstable); the Endorphin Velocity 3 is a top-tier each day coach that may deal with quick days, straightforward days, race days, and something in-between, offering an exquisite underfoot sensation whereas retaining the foot in examine.
Remind me once more why I concern change?
RYAN: In case you solely have the funds for one working shoe this yr, it ought to in all probability be this one. Saucony did the alternative of messing with a great factor and made an important shoe even higher. I’ve but to discover a run with which I didn’t belief the Endorphin Velocity 3. I had no issues with the match, and the journey is best than ever.
I don’t know that I’d name the shoe a each day coach, identical to I wouldn’t name a Swiss Military Knife only a knife. It has far more tips up its sleeve than that, they usually’re price exploring. As Shia LaBeouf would say: “DO IT. JUST DO IT.”
MEAGHAN: The Endorphin Velocity 3 didn’t disappoint. The broader construct, barely softer foam, and newly designed s-curve plate took this shoe to a brand new stage. You could possibly use the Endorphin Velocity 3 as a each day coach, for pace days, and even for the long term. It feels nice at about any tempo, and you’ll’t beat the $170 price ticket. Go snag a pair.
You may decide up the Saucony Endorphin Velocity 3 on August 16 for $170 at Working Warehouse (that includes free 2-day delivery and 90-day returns) by utilizing the store hyperlink under.
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Robbe is the Senior Editor/Evaluation Supervisor for BITR. He lives in Baltimore together with his spouse and two sons and runs with the Sooner Bastards. When he’s not working in bizarre locations or getting injured in odd methods, he will be discovered mountaineering, tenting, bikepacking, or hanging with buddies.
