The RW Takeaway: The long-awaited Endorphin Pro 3 and Speed 3 feel lighter, softer, and even faster than Saucony’s early teaser (the Pro+ version) and the Speed 2, respectively.
- Pro 3 has a higher stack height than the Speed 3, Pro 2, and Pro+
- Pro 3 feels swift and snappy from Speedroll midsole and carbon-fiber plate
- The nylon plate in the Speed 3 improves stability
- Pwrrun PB midsole in both shoes feels plusher and delivers high energy return
Price: $225 (Pro), $160 (Speed)
Type: Racing, road
Pro Weight: 7.3 oz (M), 6.1 oz (W)
Speed Weight: 8.2 oz (M), 6.6 oz (W)
Drop: 8 mm
Pro 3: Buy Men’s Buy Women’s
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Speed 3: Buy Men’s Buy Women’s
Pros
- Speedroll tech helps with fast turnover
- Lighter than the Pro 2
- Higher stack height
Cons
- Short tongue
- Unsubstantial upper to reduce weight
Pros
- Lightweight
- Responsive, bouncy midsole cushioning
- Nylon plate in midsole provides stability
Cons
- Heel cup felt a little restrictive
- Little water resistance
I’ve been a fan of the Endorphin Pro since Molly Seidel made the U.S. Olympic team at Atlanta’s Marathon Trials. Since then, my stanning for both Seidel—now a Puma athlete—and the Pro hasn’t wavered.
The Pro 2 was basically the same as the original version but, as a teaser between the second and third iterations, Saucony released the limited-edition Pro+ (the upper was built like a track spike). The shoe was ultralight and had me less than two minutes away from cracking three hours at the 2021 Boston Marathon. Its follow-up, the Pro 3, hits the sweet spot weight-wise: It’s lighter than the Pro 2 and just a smidge heavier than the Pro+. Weight savings partially come from sizable perforated holes in the tongue and a thinner outsole. And its look? Let’s just say Saucony added a little sparkle.
Highest Stack Height Yet
I was wary of the shoe’s beefiness. The Pro 3 has the thickest stack yet—39.5mm under the heel (nudging right up to the allowable limit under World Athletics rules). Despite the towering platform, that bouncy, propulsive sensation I loved in previous models is still there, thanks to the carbon-fiber plate and Pwrrun PB midsole. It feels even springier now. Consistent with my Pro+ experience, this shoe begs that you go fast. It was a footwear contender for my break-three race.
The Speed, by comparison, is the training shoe counterpart with the same Speedroll tech and Pwrrun PB midsole. It has a winged nylon plate, an improvement on the Speed 2. Testers who ran in both versions noted how the second iteration felt unstable; the wings in the Speed 3 lend the balance its predecessor was missing.
“I was impressed with this redesign,” said one tester who trains in the Brooks Launch but laces up the Endorphin Speed on race day. “These felt much more stable. The Speed 2 had a little more wobble in the heel and through the midfoot.”
While the aggressive Pro 3 is more my preference, testers appreciated the Speed 3’s versatility across workouts. “The nylon plate is not as harsh as carbon, so I felt like I was getting a firm ride without killing my feet,” said another tester. “I wore it for almost every type of run: slow recovery runs, long training runs, and even for a five-mile race.”
Tester Notes
On the Pro 3
Anthony C. | Tester since 2021
Medium arch height | Overpronator | Forefoot striker
“This shoe is perfect for marathons and long runs because it is beyond comfortable. That is where the shoe absolutely crushed it, and I typically don’t love super-cushioned shoes. However, when compared to other racing shoes—like the New Balance FuelCell RC Elite or the Nike Alphafly—the Endorphin Pro 3 felt slower. Speed comes at a price. The Nike Alphafly, for example, sacrifices some comfort for pure speed; the comfier Pro 3s help you run fast, but you don’t feel the same instant energy return. I think the Pro 3, RC Elite, and Alphafly are on about the same level, but they are each a different shoe along the spectrum. Meaning, I would want one shoe for longer runs and another for something shorter and faster. The Pro 3 does wonders for me when my feet or legs are hurting and want a slight boost, but I wouldn’t pick it as the absolute fastest option.”
On the Speed 3
Bailey J.| Tester since 2022
Medium arch height | Overpronator | Forefoot striker
“Despite its lightweight, this shoe is VERY cushioned. Running felt lighter. Strides felt bouncier. In comparison to the Brooks Ghost 13, these shoes better supported my heels and arches. The Speed 3’s water resistance, however, could be improved. I wore them running in the rain a few times and they got soaked. Also, the sockliner sat too low inside the shoe for my foot. It caused blisters until I fully broke in the shoe.”
Amanda is a test editor at Runner’s World who has run the Boston Marathon every year since 2013; she's a former professional baker with a master’s in gastronomy and she carb-loads on snickerdoodles.
