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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Saucony Endorphin Review}}
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Saucony Endorphin Racer 2 Review}}
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The Endorphin is an ultralight shoe that provides a surprising level of cushioning for its weight. Obviously there's not as much cushioning as many heavier shoes, but you might be surprised by how well it does for itself. Of course, a shoe this light may not provide enough cushioning for everyone, but I'd recommend trying it out if you're a reasonably efficient runner looking for an edge. {{H:WhatToLookForInShoes}}
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The original Endorphin is an outstanding running shoe, providing a surprising level of cushioning at an ultralight weight. I had incredibly high hopes for this second generation, with reports of improved cushioning and only slight weight gain. The forefoot was also changed to use TPU foam, which can be far more resilient and long-lasting, as well as provide rather more bounce than traditional EVA foam which is still used in the rear of the shoe. Sadly, while the reports of the weight gain were true, the cushioning is actually quite a lot worse than of the original shoe. My initial runs in the endorphin 2 were a little slower than I'd have expected, and the shoe didn't feel cushioned enough to give me improved Running Economy you can get with modest cushioning. My initial impressions of this being more of a minimalist rather than optimal running shoe were confirmed by some later calculations of the shoes measured cushioning. I've rated the endorphin to as "worth considering", as I think there are far better light weight running shoes on the market, including its predecessor. You can read my review of the original at [[Saucony Endorphin 1]]. {{H:WhatToLookForInShoes}}
 
{| class="wikitable"  
 
{| class="wikitable"  
 
|- valign="top"
 
|- valign="top"
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|[[File:Saucony Endorphin-top.JPG|none|thumb|250px|Saucony Endorphin top]]
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|[[File:Saucony Endorphin 2-top.jpg|none|thumb|250px|Saucony Endorphin top]]
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|[[File:Saucony Endorphin-bottom.JPG|none|thumb|250px|Saucony Endorphin bottom]]
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|[[File:Saucony Endorphin 2-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|250px|Saucony Endorphin bottom]]
 
|- valign="top"
 
|- valign="top"
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|[[File:Saucony Endorphin-inside.JPG|none|thumb|250px|Saucony Endorphin inside]]
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|[[File:Saucony Endorphin 2-inside.jpg|none|thumb|250px|Saucony Endorphin inside]]
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|[[File:Saucony Endorphin-outside.JPG|none|thumb|250px|Saucony Endorphin outside]]
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|[[File:Saucony Endorphin 2-outside.jpg|none|thumb|250px|Saucony Endorphin outside]]
 
|}
 
|}
 +
{{FastBlr|saucony/kinvara-6-952|952|Saucony Endorphin}}
 +
=Shape and Fit=
 +
I don't normally comment on the fit of running shoes, as everybody's foot is a slightly different shape. However, I found that the Endorphin 2 has a rather unusual shape. I've found the key to getting a shoe that fits well is to ensure that the curve on each side of the forefoot matches the curves of the shoe. If you look at the photo below, the point marked by the blue arrows and red arrows should line up, so that the bulge to the inside of the ball of the foot matches the on the shoe, and likewise on the outside. With the Endorphin 2, I found that when I had a ideal fit from the ball of my foot back, the toe box was radically too small. While a misshapen toe box is endemic to running shoes, and I typically can't the toe box open, the Endorphin 2 is far worse, being too narrow and too short.
 +
[[File:Shoe Fit.jpg|center|thumb|300px|Getting the right fit is generally a matter of ensuring the widest part of the forefoot lines up with the widest part of your foot. Everything else flows from that.]]
 
=Characteristics=
 
=Characteristics=
−
* {{H:WhyBuy}}. If you're after an ultralight, fast shoe, this is a prime candidate.
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* {{H:cushioning}}.  The Endorphin 2 uses Saucony's EVERUN under the forefoot, which is their form of TPU foam. TPU foam tends to be much longer lasting than traditional EVA foam, and it can be rather more spring the, but unfortunately quite a bit heavier as well. I've generally found Saucony's implementation of TPU to be inferior to other companies, especially when comparing to the awesome [[Altra Escalante]]. I found the endorphin 2 to be rather under cushioned, and therefore slower than a slightly better cushioned shoe, so I'm classifying it as a minimalist shoe, though it's probably got a little too much midsole for most runners looking for a minimalist shoe. The traditional EVA foam used in the rear of the midsole is rather firm a than is typical, probably to match the cushioning characteristics of the TPU foam in the forefoot more closely. It's hard to see the dividing line between the two types of foam, but if you look closely at the photos of your see a diagonal line, and the TPU foam in the forefoot as a mostly smooth finish, where the EVA foam has a crosshatch pattern embossed on it.
−
* {{H:cushioning}}.  The Endorphin is remarkably well cushioned given its weight of only 4.1oz. There is obviously a lot less cushioning than you'd find in other shoes that would be normally be considered a light weight like the [[Asics Gel Hyper Speed]], but even that shoe weighs half as much again. The Endorphin has enough cushioning for me to consider it an optimal rather than a minimalist shoe. The lack of cushioning in a minimalist shoe reduces Running Economy, but the Endorphin allows me to run with just the same biomechanics as I would in a far more cushioned shoe.
+
* {{H:drop}}. The Endorphin 2 is zero drop (in fact, I measure it with 1mm of negative drop), which is nice to see.  
−
* {{H:drop}}. The Endorphin zero drop (in fact, I measure it with 1mm of negative drop), which is nice to see.  
+
* {{H:structure}}. While the endorphin 2 uses two different types of foam, these are not intended to manipulate your running form in the way that a medial post would. In fact, the endorphin is a remarkably neutral shoe, with a fairly flat shape under the heel, and very little in the way of rise under the arch of the foot.  
−
* {{H:structure}}. The Endorphin uses a single density of foam with no real "arch support" to cause problems. The gaps in the midsole have never been a stone trap for me, and I don't think they should be an issue. These gaps will allow water to drain out more quickly, which is nice for running through puddles (or even stream crossings).  
 
 
* {{H:flexibility}}. The Endorphin is flexible due to the thin midsole combined with gaps in the outsole.
 
* {{H:flexibility}}. The Endorphin is flexible due to the thin midsole combined with gaps in the outsole.
−
* {{H:outsole}}. The Endorphin has lots of small, hard plastic lugs over the forefoot and extreme edge of the heel. These are not the type of lugs you'd find on the trail shoe, but are intended to provide extra grip on asphalt, something they do nicely. For fast running on wet asphalt, these lugs are great.  
+
* {{H:outsole}}. The Endorphin 2 has a layer of harder, slightly sticky rubber outsole over the entire surface of the sole. This outsole is perforated with lots of triangular holes, which are easier to see as black triangles in the rear of the foot, but if you look carefully you can see these on the forefoot, revealing the TPU foam below. These gaps in the outsole help with flexibility, and I found the material they've used in the outsole to have pretty good grip.
−
* {{H:shape}}. Like most running shoes, the shape of the Endorphin does not match the human foot, and narrows in the toe box, and I had to [[Shoe Modifications| cut open the toe box open]] to prevent toe problems. {{H:TryCuttingShoes}}
+
* {{H:shape}}. Like most running shoes, the shape of the Endorphin does not match the human foot, but the endorphin is actually rather worse than most running shoes, and as noted above, I had a real problem finding a good fit. [[Shoe Modifications| Cutting open the toe box open]] helps somewhat but the fit is still pretty funky. {{H:TryCuttingShoes}}
−
* {{H:upper}}. The upper is thin, inflexible and seamless with absolutely no padding, but I found it surprisingly comfortable. There upper is nicely breathable, with some holes midway up the material over the midfoot. I was surprised how tough the upper is given the lightness of the shoe.  
+
* {{H:upper}}. The upper is thin, inflexible and seamless with absolutely no padding, but I found it surprisingly comfortable. There upper is moderately breathable, with a fine mesh reinforced by a honeycomb pattern of slightly thicker material, as you can see in the photo below. <br/>[[File:Saucony Endorphin 2 Upper.jpg|center|thumb|300px|]]
−
* {{H:tongue}}. The Endorphin tongue is sown to the upper on the inside edge, which helps keep it in place. I found the tongue is so thin I had problems avoiding it rucking up when I put the shoe on, but it never caused an issue during the run, only beforehand.  
+
* {{H:tongue}}. The Endorphin 2's tongue is sown to the upper on the inside edge, which helps keep it in place. Just like its predecessor, I found the tongue is so thin I had problems avoiding it rucking up when I put the shoe on, but it never caused an issue during the run, only beforehand.  
−
* {{H:lacing}}. The Endorphin has traditional flat laces that are a little thinner than most, probably to save weight. I found that they stayed tied nicely, and there is a small amount of elasticity in the laces, which probably contributes to the comfort of the shoe.
+
* {{H:lacing}}. The Endorphin has traditional flat laces that stayed tied nicely.
 
* {{H:heelcounter}}. Not surprisingly, there is no real heel counter in this shoe. There is a tiny tab that sticks up from the back of the heel, but nothing else.  
 
* {{H:heelcounter}}. Not surprisingly, there is no real heel counter in this shoe. There is a tiny tab that sticks up from the back of the heel, but nothing else.  
−
=How Far Can I Run in the Endorphin? =
 
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Different runners want different levels of cushioning, so this shoe may not suit everyone. Some runners want a [[Maximalist]] shoe when they run a 5K, while others will run a 100 mile race barefoot. Most people find that as the distance increases, they want a little more cushioning to protect their feet from the pounding and to offset a little of the fatigue that sets in over time. You can see from the charts below how the cushioning compares with other shoes I've tested for some comparisons. Remember that a thicker, firmer shoe would have the same cushioning rating as a thinner, softer shoe, but would feel rather different. I've run the marathon distance in less cushioned shoes than the Endorphin, but I'd probably want more cushioning for a road 50 mile race. .
 
−
=Comparisons=
 
−
Here are some direct comparisons with its potential competition.
 
−
==Saucony Endorphin and New Balance RC5000==
 
−
The question you should be asking is if the Endorphin is better than the amazing [[New Balance RC5000]], the fastest shoe I've tested. The simple answer is the RC5000 is lighter and therefore faster. However, there is a slightly more nuanced answer that you should consider. The reason the RC5000 does so well is that it provides roughly the minimum amount of cushioning needed to boost running economy. So while the Endorphin is better cushioned, this doesn't help to improve running economy. However, it's not inconceivable that some people may need slightly more cushioning than the research suggests in order to get the boost in running economy. If that were the case for you, then the extra cushioning could make the Endorphin the faster shoe. The other advantage in the Endorphin has over the RC 5000 is that it is zero drop, which is rather nice.
 
−
{| class="wikitable"
 
−
|- valign="top"
 
−
|[[File:Saucony Endorphin-top.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Saucony Endorphin top]]
 
−
|[[File:Saucony Endorphin-bottom.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Saucony Endorphin bottom]]
 
−
|[[File:Saucony Endorphin-inside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Saucony Endorphin inside]]
 
−
|[[File:Saucony Endorphin-outside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Saucony Endorphin outside]]
 
−
|- valign="top"
 
−
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-top.jpg|none|thumb|200px|New Balance RC 5000 top]]
 
−
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|200px|New Balance RC 5000 bottom]]
 
−
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-inside.jpg|none|thumb|200px|New Balance  RC 5000 inside]]
 
−
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-outside.jpg|none|thumb|200px|New Balance  RC 5000 outside]]
 
−
|}
 
−
{{FastBlr|new-balance/rc5000-v1-852|852|New Balance RC5000}}
 
−
==Saucony Endorphin and Mizuno Wave Universe ==
 
−
While the [[Mizuno Wave Universe]] seems similar to the Endorphin, they are actually rather different. The difference in cushioning between the two shoes makes a huge impact on [[Running Economy]], so the Universe is a slower shoe. I've also found that the Endorphin lasts much longer than the Universe.
 
−
{| class="wikitable"
 
−
|- valign="top"
 
−
|[[File:Saucony Endorphin-top.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Saucony Endorphin top]]
 
−
|[[File:Saucony Endorphin-bottom.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Saucony Endorphin bottom]]
 
−
|[[File:Saucony Endorphin-inside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Saucony Endorphin inside]]
 
−
|[[File:Saucony Endorphin-outside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Saucony Endorphin outside]]
 
−
|- valign="top"
 
−
|[[File:Mizuno-Wave-Universe-5-top.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Mizuno Wave Universe 5 top]]
 
−
|[[File:Mizuno-Wave-Universe-5-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Mizuno Wave Universe 5 bottom]]
 
−
|[[File:Mizuno-Wave-Universe-5-inside.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Mizuno Wave Universe 5 inside]]
 
−
|[[File:Mizuno-Wave-Universe-5-outside.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Mizuno Wave Universe 5 outside]]
 
−
|}
 
−
{{FastBlr|mizuno/wave-universe-5-1089|1089|Mizuno Wave Universe 5}}
 
−
==Saucony Endorphin and Asics Gel Hyper Speed==
 
−
The [[Asics Gel Hyper Speed]] is another favorite shoe, and if I need more cushioning than the Endorphin, the Hyper Speed is my first choice. Don't expect a plush, cushy ride even from the Hyper Speed; it still is stripped down, go faster running shoe. In fact, I'd argue that the difference in comfort in the upper of the two shoes is far less than you'd expect, though the cushioning difference is significant.
 
−
{| class="wikitable"
 
−
|- valign="top"
 
−
|[[File:Saucony Endorphin-top.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Saucony Endorphin top]]
 
−
|[[File:Saucony Endorphin-bottom.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Saucony Endorphin bottom]]
 
−
|[[File:Saucony Endorphin-inside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Saucony Endorphin inside]]
 
−
|[[File:Saucony Endorphin-outside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Saucony Endorphin outside]]
 
−
|- valign="top"
 
−
|[[File:Asics-Gel-Hyper-Speed-6-top.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6 top]]
 
−
|[[File:Asics-Gel-Hyper-Speed-6-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6 bottom]]
 
−
|[[File:Asics-Gel-Hyper-Speed-6-inside.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6 inside]]
 
−
|[[File:Asics-Gel-Hyper-Speed-6-outside.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6 outside]]
 
−
|}
 
−
{{FastBlr|asics/gel-hyperspeed-6-192|192|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6}}
 
−
==Saucony Endorphin and Asics GT 2000==
 
−
I realize that this is an extreme comparison, as the Endorphin is only about a third the weight of the GT 2000. I like to compare shoes against the [[Asics GT 2000]] as it represents the traditional running shoe, so what do you get for all that extra weight? Mostly you get over engineering, with excessive features that go against [[The Science of Running Shoes]]. This is more likely to cause problems than solve them, as well as adding a lot of extra weight. Of course, you also get more cushioning with the GT 2000, with better padding in the upper, especially in the tongue and ankle opening. Running in the GT 2000 after the Endorphin feels like you've put on a wooden clog and ankle weights. This weight difference impacts your [[Running Economy]], and the calculations suggest that an average runner in the Endorphin is around 10 seconds/mile faster than in the GT 2000. (In practice, I feel like it's a bigger difference than that.)
 
−
{| class="wikitable"
 
−
|- valign="top"
 
−
|[[File:Saucony Endorphin-top.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Saucony Endorphin top]]
 
−
|[[File:Saucony Endorphin-bottom.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Saucony Endorphin bottom]]
 
−
|[[File:Saucony Endorphin-inside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Saucony Endorphin inside]]
 
−
|[[File:Saucony Endorphin-outside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Saucony Endorphin outside]]
 
−
|- valign="top"
 
−
|[[File:Asics-GT2000-top.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Asics GT2000 top]]
 
−
|[[File:Asics-GT2000-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Asics GT2000 bottom]]
 
−
|[[File:Asics-GT2000-inside.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Asics GT2000 inside]]
 
−
|[[File:Asics-GT2000-outside.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Asics GT2000 outside]]
 
−
|}
 
−
{{ShoeGraphs}}
 
 
=A Comparison with other Recommended Shoes=
 
=A Comparison with other Recommended Shoes=
 
{{:Shoes-include}}
 
{{:Shoes-include}}

Latest revision as of 07:32, 1 June 2017

The original Endorphin is an outstanding running shoe, providing a surprising level of cushioning at an ultralight weight. I had incredibly high hopes for this second generation, with reports of improved cushioning and only slight weight gain. The forefoot was also changed to use TPU foam, which can be far more resilient and long-lasting, as well as provide rather more bounce than traditional EVA foam which is still used in the rear of the shoe. Sadly, while the reports of the weight gain were true, the cushioning is actually quite a lot worse than of the original shoe. My initial runs in the endorphin 2 were a little slower than I'd have expected, and the shoe didn't feel cushioned enough to give me improved Running Economy you can get with modest cushioning. My initial impressions of this being more of a minimalist rather than optimal running shoe were confirmed by some later calculations of the shoes measured cushioning. I've rated the endorphin to as "worth considering", as I think there are far better light weight running shoes on the market, including its predecessor. You can read my review of the original at Saucony Endorphin 1. (I use The Science of Running Shoes as the basis of how I test running shoes and what you should look for in a running shoe.)

Saucony Endorphin top
Saucony Endorphin bottom
Saucony Endorphin inside
Saucony Endorphin outside
helping-hand.jpg
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This review was made possible by readers like you buying products via my links. I buy all the products I review through normal retail channels, which allows me to create unbiased reviews free from the influence of reciprocity, or the need to keep vendors happy. It also ensures I don't get "reviewer specials" that are better than the retail versions.


1 Shape and Fit

I don't normally comment on the fit of running shoes, as everybody's foot is a slightly different shape. However, I found that the Endorphin 2 has a rather unusual shape. I've found the key to getting a shoe that fits well is to ensure that the curve on each side of the forefoot matches the curves of the shoe. If you look at the photo below, the point marked by the blue arrows and red arrows should line up, so that the bulge to the inside of the ball of the foot matches the on the shoe, and likewise on the outside. With the Endorphin 2, I found that when I had a ideal fit from the ball of my foot back, the toe box was radically too small. While a misshapen toe box is endemic to running shoes, and I typically can't the toe box open, the Endorphin 2 is far worse, being too narrow and too short.

Getting the right fit is generally a matter of ensuring the widest part of the forefoot lines up with the widest part of your foot. Everything else flows from that.

2 Characteristics

  • Cushioning . The Endorphin 2 uses Saucony's EVERUN under the forefoot, which is their form of TPU foam. TPU foam tends to be much longer lasting than traditional EVA foam, and it can be rather more spring the, but unfortunately quite a bit heavier as well. I've generally found Saucony's implementation of TPU to be inferior to other companies, especially when comparing to the awesome Altra Escalante. I found the endorphin 2 to be rather under cushioned, and therefore slower than a slightly better cushioned shoe, so I'm classifying it as a minimalist shoe, though it's probably got a little too much midsole for most runners looking for a minimalist shoe. The traditional EVA foam used in the rear of the midsole is rather firm a than is typical, probably to match the cushioning characteristics of the TPU foam in the forefoot more closely. It's hard to see the dividing line between the two types of foam, but if you look closely at the photos of your see a diagonal line, and the TPU foam in the forefoot as a mostly smooth finish, where the EVA foam has a crosshatch pattern embossed on it.
  • Drop. The Endorphin 2 is zero drop (in fact, I measure it with 1mm of negative drop), which is nice to see.
  • Structure. While the endorphin 2 uses two different types of foam, these are not intended to manipulate your running form in the way that a medial post would. In fact, the endorphin is a remarkably neutral shoe, with a fairly flat shape under the heel, and very little in the way of rise under the arch of the foot.
  • Flexibility. The Endorphin is flexible due to the thin midsole combined with gaps in the outsole.
  • Outsole. The Endorphin 2 has a layer of harder, slightly sticky rubber outsole over the entire surface of the sole. This outsole is perforated with lots of triangular holes, which are easier to see as black triangles in the rear of the foot, but if you look carefully you can see these on the forefoot, revealing the TPU foam below. These gaps in the outsole help with flexibility, and I found the material they've used in the outsole to have pretty good grip.
  • Shape. Like most running shoes, the shape of the Endorphin does not match the human foot, but the endorphin is actually rather worse than most running shoes, and as noted above, I had a real problem finding a good fit. Cutting open the toe box open helps somewhat but the fit is still pretty funky. (I recommend cutting open the toe box of virtually all running shoes, with the exception of a few shoes like some Altra shoes. When you have some worn out shoes, you should try cutting open the toe box. I've found that it's a big improvement, allowing my toes to move naturally and engage for toe off, as well as reducing the possibility of blisters.)
  • Upper. The upper is thin, inflexible and seamless with absolutely no padding, but I found it surprisingly comfortable. There upper is moderately breathable, with a fine mesh reinforced by a honeycomb pattern of slightly thicker material, as you can see in the photo below.
    Saucony Endorphin 2 Upper.jpg
  • Tongue. The Endorphin 2's tongue is sown to the upper on the inside edge, which helps keep it in place. Just like its predecessor, I found the tongue is so thin I had problems avoiding it rucking up when I put the shoe on, but it never caused an issue during the run, only beforehand.
  • Lacing. The Endorphin has traditional flat laces that stayed tied nicely.
  • Heel Counter. Not surprisingly, there is no real heel counter in this shoe. There is a tiny tab that sticks up from the back of the heel, but nothing else.

3 A Comparison with other Recommended Shoes

trophy-winner.jpg

If you're looking for "the best of the best" running shoe, here are my top picks. Of course, the answer will depend a little on what you're looking for, so I have recommendations for various categories.

  • Best All Round Shoe. The Altra Escalante is my current all-round favorite. It has plenty of cushioning for its weight, it has a very springy midsole, it lasts well, and it has a shape that's closer to the shape of a human foot than most shoes. It's a great shoe for any runner, including those Starting to run. It's also a fairly easy shoe to find due to its popularity.
  • Best Maximalist Shoe: If you want something massively cushioned, then I'd recommend the Saucony Kinvara 8. It's remarkably light and remarkably cushioned, beating Hoka at their own game.
  • Best Optimal Shoe: For those looking to trade cushioning for speed, the Nike Zoom Streak LT 3 was my top pick, but the latest version (LT 4) falls short of it's predecessor. There are lots of great optimal running shoes, which provide just enough cushioning with light weight and minimal frills, but all have their weak spots. Probably the best option at the moment is the Altra Vanish-R, which offers great cushioning for just over 5oz/150g.
  • Fastest Shoe: If you really want speed, then check out the Nike Vaporfly 4%. It's light, massively cushioned, and has a carbon fiber plate. Nothing comes close, not even the now defunct New Balance RC5000‏‎ or New Balance RC5000v2‏‎. There are a number of caveats; it's really expensive, it's really hard to find, and there's a significant injury risk.
  • Best Minimalist Shoe: Merrell Trail Glove. I recommend the trail glove for road running in spite of the 'trail' moniker. It's not a fast shoe by any means, but it's comfortable and will last well.
  • All Terrain Shoe. For trail running, I've become a fan of Altra, and I think their best shoe is the the Altra Timp, though the Altra Lone Peak is really close.
  • Honorable Mention: It's not really a running shoe, but the Vivobarefoot Ra is comfortable, minimalist and can more or less pass as a dress shoe. I've worn mine to weddings with a suit and they've not looked out of place. You can run in the Ra, but the leather means it doesn't breathe well.

For a more detailed on running shoes see the Recommendations for Best Running Shoes. This table lists the key attributes of What to Look for in Running Shoes. For more detailed information, on the shoes see detailed shoe comparison.

Full Review

Brand Name Rating Recommended
price 		Benefit Weight
(oz) 		Penalty
(sec/mile) 		Forefoot
Thickness 		Heel
Thickness 		Loaded Drop
mm 		Cushioning Flexibility
Saucony Type A Review Saucony A/A7 Recommended $100 6.4 6.7 12.1 19 22 1 4.3 7
Saucony Type A6 Review Saucony A6 Highly Recommended $100 8.2 6.1 9.5 17 21 4 5.0 7
Saucony Type A8 Review Saucony A8 Highly Recommended $90 7.5 6.2 9.7 19 20 -1 4.7 7
Adidas Adios Boost 2 Review Adidas Adios Worth considering $140 4.7 8.6 13.4 17 27 11 4.0 6
Hoka Bondi 5 Review Hoka Bondi Recommended $150 6.1 11.6 18.1 38 42 5 7.1 2
Hoka Clayton 2 Review Hoka Clayton2 Highly Recommended $150 9.1 8.3 12.9 23 28 1 7.5 5
Hoka Clifton 4 Review Hoka Clifton4 Worth considering $130 7.7 9.3 14.5 30 35 10 7.2 3
ON Cloudflash Review On Cloud Cloudflash Worth considering $180 4.4 8.3 14.6 19 26 7 3.7 6
On Cloudracer Review On Cloud Cloudracer Worth considering $130 5.7 8.2 12.8 19 27 5 4.7 7
ON Cloud X Review On Cloud CloudX Not recommended $140 4.5 8.3 16.3 21 27 7 3.8 7
Mizuno Wave Cruise Review Mizuno Cruise Worth considering $120 6.6 5.9 12.5 17 20 7 3.9 6
Newton Distance IV Review Newton Distance Worth considering $155 7.5 9.1 14.2 26 31 3 6.8 5
Asics Gel DS Racer 10 Review Asics DS Racer Worth considering $110 8.2 7.0 10.9 21 26 6 5.8 5
Altra Duo Review Altra Duo Recommended $130 6.0 8.4 13.1 29 29 1 5.0 5
Mizuno Wave Ekiden 8 Review Mizuno Ekiden Worth considering $115 5.7 5.7 14.6 13 18 6 3.2 8
Saucony Endorphin 2 Review Saucony Endorphin 2 Worth considering $115 8.0 5.1 9.6 15 13 -1 4.1 8
Adidas Energy Boost Review Adidas Energy Worth considering $160 7.2 10.0 15.6 20 30 7 7.2 5
Altra Escalante Review Altra Escalante Best of the Best $130 9.1 8.7 13.5 28 25 -1 7.9 6
Altra Escalante 1.5 Review Altra Escalante 1.5 Best of the Best $130 8.2 9.0 14.0 26 27 -1 7.4 7
Saucony Fastwitch Review Saucony Fastwitch Highly Recommended $90 9.5 7.1 11.1 20 22 4 6.8 7
Topo Fli-Lyte 2 Review Topo Fli-Lyte2 Highly Recommended $100 6.7 9.1 14.2 24 26 3 6.1 5
Reebok Floatride Run Review Reebok Floatride Worth considering $150 7.7 9.6 14.9 28 34 10 7.4 5
Saucony Freedom Review Saucony Freedom Recommended $160 5.4 10.7 16.6 25 29 3 5.8 6
Skechers GORun 4 Review Skechers GORun Not recommended $100 6.1 7.5 11.7 15 23 3 4.5 7
Skechers GOrun Ultra 2 Review Skechers GRU Worth considering $90 7.5 10.0 15.6 28 34 8 7.5 4
Asics GT 2000 Review Asics GT 2000 Not recommended $120 4.8 11.2 17.4 28 35 5 5.4 2
New Balance Hanzo S Review New Balance Hanzo Worth considering $110 7.6 6.9 10.7 21 19 2 5.2 5
Hoka Hupana Review Hoka Hupana Recommended $115 6.1 8.9 13.9 31 36 7 5.4 4
Asics Gel Hyper Speed 7 Review Asics Hyper Speed Highly Recommended $75 10.9 6.3 9.8 22 26 5 6.8 6
Altra Instinct 4.0 Review Altra Instinct 4.0 Worth considering $120 6.0 9.8 15.3 29 25 -1 5.9 5
Asics Tarther Kainos 3 Review Asics Kainos Worth considering $130 10.0 6.9 10.7 17 27 9 6.8 6
Altra King MT 1.5 Review Altra King MT Recommended $140 7.5 10.7 16.7 19 21 3 8.0 5
Saucony Kinvara 8 Review Saucony Kinvara 8 Best of the Best $110 9.3 8.6 13.4 26 31 3 8.0 5
Altra Lone Peak 3.5 Review Altra Lone Peak Highly Recommended $120 4.2 11.4 17.7 24 25 4 4.8 5
Nike Zoom Streak LT 3 Review Nike LT3 Best of the Best $80 9.8 5.4 8.4 16 21 5 5.3 7
Nike Zoom Streak LT 4 Review Nike LT4 Recommended $90 8.5 5.5 8.5 15 21 3 4.6 6
Nike LunarSpider R5 Review Nike LunarSpider Recommended $125 6.9 6.7 10.4 17 21 3 4.6 6
Hoka Mafate Speed Review Hoka Mafate Best of the Best $170 7.6 11.9 18.5 39 40 4 9.0 1
Pearl Izumi EM Road N0 v2 Review Pearl N0 Highly Recommended $100 7.9 6.5 10.1 14 20 4 5.2 8
Saucony Nomad Review Saucony Nomad Worth considering $110 4.3 10.5 17.2 25 27 2 4.5 4
Hoka Odyssey Review Hoka Odyssey Highly Recommended $130 8.5 9.4 14.6 37 45 5 8.0 3
Altra Olympus 2.5 Review Altra Olympus Highly Recommended $150 4.6 11.8 18.4 35 34 0 5.4 6
Altra One 3.0 Review Altra One Recommended $100 6.1 8.8 13.7 23 23 0 5.4 6
Altra Paradigm 4.0 Review Altra Paradigm Highly Recommended $150 5.3 11.0 17.1 28 30 5 5.8 8
Asics Piranha SP 5 Review Asics Piranha Recommended $100 10.1 4.2 6.5 11 15 3 4.2 9
Brooks PureFlow 5 Review Brooks PureFlow Worth considering $110 6.0 9.7 15.1 26 29 5 5.8 8
Salming Race Review Salming Race Worth considering $130 6.9 6.5 10.1 16 19 4 4.5 6
Altra Escalante Racer Review Altra Racer Highly Recommended $140 6.6 7.6 11.8 24 26 6 5.0 8
New Balance RC1600 v2 Review New Balance RC1600 Highly Recommended $110 8.8 5.6 8.7 15 21 5 4.9 8
New Balance RC5000v2 Review New Balance RC5000v2 Best of the Best $125 14.2 4.0 6.2 13 21 6 5.7 7
Skechers GoRun Ride 3 Review Skechers Ride Worth considering $85 5.9 8.5 13.2 18 28 6 5.0 8
Nike RN Distance 2 Review Nike RNDist2 Worth considering $120 8.0 9.2 14.3 25 28 4 7.4 7
Inov-8 RoadXTreme 220 Review Inov-8 RXT-220 Worth considering $120 5.2 8.0 18.2 14 17 3 4.2 8
Salomon Sense Ride Review Salomon Sense Worth considering $120 8.5 10.0 15.6 26 29 6 8.5 0
Altra Solstice Review Altra Solstice Highly Recommended $90 7.1 8.1 12.5 23 25 0 5.7 5
Topo ST-2 Review Topo ST-2 Highly Recommended $90 8.2 7.3 11.4 20 18 0 6.0 7
Hoka Stinson Lite Review Hoka Stinson Highly Recommended $160 7.3 11.6 18.1 35 40 6 8.5 0
Altra Superior Altra Superior Highly Recommended $110 5.6 9.9 15.5 21 25 -1 5.5 4
Adidas Takumi Sen 3 Review Adidas Takumi Sen 3 Highly Recommended $160 7.7 6.6 10.2 17 21 4 5.1 5
Topo Terraventure Topo Terraventure Review Pending $110 2.6 10.8 27.5 24 24 0 2.8 10
Altra Timp Review Altra Timp Best of the Best $130 3.7 11.6 18.1 30 31 -1 4.3 6
Altra Torin 2.0 Review Altra Torin Worth considering $125 3.4 9.6 20.7 30 25 1 3.3 9
Altra Torin 3.5 Review Altra Torin 3.5 Worth considering $125 5.8 9.3 14.5 27 28 0 5.4 8
Hoka Tracer Review Hoka Tracer Recommended $130 7.2 7.4 11.5 21 24 2 5.3 5
Merrell Trail Glove 4 Review Merrell Trail Glove 4 Best of the Best $100 3.4 8.4 23.8 13 13 0 2.8 10
Topo Tribute Review Topo Tribute Recommended $100 5.9 7.3 11.4 20 18 -1 4.3 6
Mizuno Wave Universe 5 Review Mizuno Universe Highly Recommended $125 10.7 3.1 10.6 9 12 1 3.3 9
Altra Vanish-R Review Altra Vanish-R Recommended $100 16.1 5.3 8.2 19 21 4 8.5 6
Merrell Vapor Glove 3 Review Merrell Vapor Glove 3 Highly Recommended $85 2.1 6.1 27.6 6 5 0 1.3 10
Nike Vaporfly 4% Review Nike Vaporfly Best of the Best $250 10.4 7.2 11.2 25 37 8 7.5 2
New Balance Vazee Pace Review New Balance Vazee Pace Worth considering $110 6.0 8.6 13.4 18 24 6 5.2 5
Asics TartherZeal 3 Review Asics Zeal Worth considering $140 10.9 6.3 9.8 17 27 9 6.8 6
Saucony Zealot 3 Review Saucony Zealot3 Recommended $130 8.9 9.5 14.8 29 32 4 8.5 6
Nike Zoom Fly Review Nike Zoom Fly Worth considering $150 8.3 8.7 13.5 29 36 8 7.2 3

It's not a running shoe, but I love the Hoka Tor Ultra hiking boot and I've tested the Altra Lone Peak Boot, the Hoka Tor Speed 2, and the Inov-8 Roclite 325 hiking boots
Older shoe reviews: Saucony Hattori Review, Mizuno Cursoris Review, Skechers GO Bionic 2 Review, Hoka Clifton Review, Saucony Virrata 2 Review, Brooks PureCadence 3 Review, Brooks PureConnect 3 Review, Brooks PureFlow 3 Review, Skechers GO Bionic 2 Review, New Balance 980 Review, Brooks Transcend 2 Review, Hoka Huaka Review, Patagonia EVERlong Review, Asics 33-DFA Review, Hoka Conquest Review, Saucony Cortana Review, Puma Faas 100 R Review, Saucony Fastwitch Review, Nike Free Review, Asics Gel Lyte 33 Review, Skechers GOmeb Speed Review, Skechers GOrun Ultra Road Review, Nike LunaRacer Review, Altra Paradigm Review.

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