Endorphin Elite 3

I tried them on and was obsessed! Easily most fun shoe I have demoed, but I simply could not spend $290 at the time on one pair of shoes that may only go 100 miles. As ugly as the EE3 are though, they fixed essentially every issue I had with the EE2. Maybe if I come across some extra cash this summer I will try them out.

For me the EE2 were just too unstable for long distances, and the toebox taper paired with the somewhat unforgiving upper material in the reinforced spots rubbed/squeezed my toes. The EE3 lacks the medial cutout which promotes better stability, and the upper is a stretchy mesh-like material that conforms better to my foot. It may lessen the durability though. Not sure on that score.

I tried to like them. I actually have two pairs. But they are like a quicksand when trying to run any faster. I land on a different part of my sole depending how quick I'm going and there are some paces where the stability feels just good. But mostly it is not just stable enough for me. Elite 3 looks promising, based on the Doctors of Running review.

EVO Sl are great shoes for tempo workouts, but they really end at 10k, for longer runs I go for the Adizero Pro 4’s, but for a HM and coming from Evo SL’s the pro 3’s are probably better, here you can still buy them at some shops, for about 170eur, not sure what your situation is. The nitro elites are also a great option, since the foam is also a bit more firmer, but sizing can be a thing, they are pretty narrow. Also the endorphin speed pro’s are a bit firmer, but they don’t have the bounce and pop like the Evo SL’s, perhaps the Saucony Elite 1, comes a bit closer. Foams nowadays are for a lot of brands far softer but with great bounce, and the evo SL’s is at a sweet spot but it needs for your running a HM a bit more stability. 

The ASICS S4 is designed specifically for people shooting for a <4. It’s a supershoe, but it’s got a bit more stability than some-which makes it a “better” choice for those who may be out longer and get a bit more fatigued and have some form faltering in the later miles. I have a pair. They excel at 9min/mile. They are…meh at anything faster or slower (for me). You can tell they have been built to go exactly that pace. And only that pace. I am also working on a sub 4 and I’m not going to wear them for my race. There are tons of Super shoes out there and I enjoy a number of them. I have worn the Adios Pro 3 for years and liked those a lot. I’ve got a pair of Metaspeed edge+ that I like. I just fell into a cheap pair of Metaspeed Sky Paris and those are amazing. For stability over the long haul though, the Adios Pro 3, Deviate Nitro Elite 3, SC Elite v3/4 (4 is “faster”) and Endorphin Pro 4 have been my preference. There are so many factors at play. Your gait, your size, your foot strike, and general preferences and fit and all kinds of other things affect how you’ll respond to a shoe. If you can go to a store and try some on, give them a little test and you’ll get an idea. There are shoes that I wouldn’t want to wear for a full because they are not stable enough for me. There are excellent shoes out there that aren’t for me because I can’t keep up with them (yet). There are shoes that maybe aren’t “super” shoes but are going to be a better racer than a regular daily trainer. All that for: is there something better? Maybe. Maybe not. It really depends on how you feel/respond to the shoes in question. Some shoes may be worse for you even if they make Kipchoge fly. If you can find a way to try them, it will be the best. I am 51F, 4’11” and 97lbs (which is probably proportionally about the same as you-just half a foot shorter LOL).

I like mine, considered them for a marathon but having done a 5k and 10k fartlek session in them yesterday I feel I won’t get the best out of them as they absolutely fly at the faster paces, and I’m not fast enough, the midsole doesn’t feel a soft to me as a lot of the reviewers make out, it compresses but like it’s under tension, like it’s always ready to explode. Quite a different feeling to anything else I’ve used. I think the endorphin elite and adi pro 4 are heaps softer. For foam properties/squish I’d say it feels similar to zoom x but with more resistance. I’m 86kg for reference.

Saucony Elite wouid be way aggressive for newer or even intermediate runners. Saucony Azura, due out in a few weeks, would be a better pick. Sort of a more stable alternative to the popular Adidas Evo SL. If you want slightly more agressive, Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 has a nylon plate, but is not very stiff or harsh. Asics Novablast 5 is a bit more cushioned, but a very good all around shoe. Not known to last the longest, however. Someone suggested Nike Vomero Plus. More cushioned yet, not as much of a speed shoe, but a very good option. Topo Cyclone.....has a lower 5mm heel to toe drop. You might feel it in your calves and Achilles area if not used to lower drop running shoes. Really a good idea to go to a running store that can assess your gait, where your feet land, any pains or injuries, scan your foot shape, assess your personal preferences and goals. The fewer running shoes you have, the more you need a pair that is versatile enough for different paces, distances, and types of runs.

I think the selling point is not that they make you faster but that they make you more efficient. They are lighter, cushioned, and thanks to the plate still stable and offer propulsion. You can still run pretty slow and pretty long in them (I'm a 4h marathon runner and have good experiences with my Saucony Elite and Adidas Adios Pro 4).