Saucony - Endorphin Trainer

It's easy to get carried away and to go overboard with different pairs of niche shoes for each specific type of run... But assuming you're no <1:15 HM runner, two pairs of versatile daily trainers should be more than enough for your training and race. One pair could be a bit lighter, more responsive (speed work), the other one could be a bit more focused on comfort and support. Either one could be used for race day, depending on your pace/preference/gait/cadence/etc. If you're running 6 days, 100K a week, preparing for a 3h-ish marathon....it can be useful to have 3 or even 4 different pairs. My approach: Carbon plated race day shoes (VF3), comfy max cushion recovery run shoes (1080v13), and two pairs of daily/super trainers (Mach 6 & Evo SL).

How do you like 1080s? I've have a pair of SC Trainers I use for my longer runs. They've broken in nicely and I've never been so comfortable on a run, ever. I'm looking at the SC Elite for my race shoe.

I'm not sure what to tell you about trying them on in your area because I'm half way around the world from you but New Balance offers the vast majority of their lineup in wide and extra wide and actually fun colourways. Hoka seems to do this as well but I haven't really got on well with Hoka shoes. You might though! I've been pretty lucky fitting into standard width Saucony stuff. I grew tired waiting for the Endorphin Speed 5 to launch in a wide flavour last year so I tried on the standard width and it worked for me. Should I probably have a wide? Ehhhh, depends on how much my feet swell on the run but the upper is pretty accommodating and I never feel the pinch in them. My Endorpin Trainer though also isn't wide but that one does fit snug but lacing techniqes to prevent mid-foot snugness really help that shoe be comfortable. I've also tried on the Endorphin Elite 2 and Endorphin Pro 4 and they both fit me amazing despite being 'standard width'. So Saucony might be worth looking into for you? Can't hurt anyway. I've not had much success getting wide stuff with Asics as all the top shelf stuff doesn't come in wide but I've done a few Asics demo nights and while both the Megablast and Superblast v2 don't come in wide they're pretty snug on my 2e foot and not something I would want to drop full pop on because of that. And that's really a shame because I like both of them quite a lot. I do have the Novablast 5 in wide though and that one just feels incredibly wide. Like maybe wider than your standard 2e and the upper is kind of.... Baggy? Either way, it does fit kind of sloppy but I bought that shoe without being able to try on the wide. I regret it and should have sent it back. Recently did an Altra demo night and tried on both the Experience Flow v3 and Experience Wild v3. Those fit me pretty incredibly well and from talking with the rep, while they don't explicitly offer wide shoes their toeboxes are generally ample. So that might be worth a shot for you too. Anyway, [check out this page from Asics](https://www.asics.com/nz/en-nz/mk/choosing-the-right-running-shoe/lacing) on shoe lacing. Their tips for wide feet lacing really helped me. Like for example with my Endorphin Trainer that is quite tight, I do their wide foot lacing technique with heel lockdown to make it work for me. Is it ideal? No, but it does work and make a shoe I couldn't return actually useful and surprisingly comfortable. I guess what I'm getting at here is New Balance seems to offer the most wide options for 2e/4e guys, standard width Saucony stuff seems to fit *me* okay for the most part but I'd try it on first and Altra is a contender for my next pair of shoes based on a demo. Plus there's ways to lace that might make a standard width shoe a bit more comfortable if that is your only option. Lastly, just go try on some shoes. It can be a pretty fun experience if you find the right shop where the people helping you are genuinely into it.

I was recommended Saucony Endorphin Trainer at a gait analysis lab for this reason and although everyone online hates them I really like them (though if I'd had the chance to research more before I would probs have tried the Speeds and will do next time I need a new shoe). I was coming from a 4th pair of Brooks Launch GTS 9 though and the guy in a running shop called them "old technology" so anything that's not a heavy stability shoe was gonna feel quicker and bouncier. They're super comfy and I keep running PBs so no complaints (except the price!).

If you find the secret let me know... My current line up is NB Rebel V4, SC Trainer V3, More V4, More Trail V3, SC Pacer V2, ASICS Superblast 2, Gel Nimbus 27, Nike Vaporfly 3, Vomero Premium... It's... a lot of money... and time. I just decided to try ASICS after using NB for a long time, I have dabbled here and there in Nike, Saucony, Hoka, but always went back to NB. Oddly enough the shoes of theirs I liked the most/logged the most miles in has always been a More. The ASICS were great at first, but the transition doesn't work great for me, didn't find that out until I had logged \~100 miles in each pair. Vaporflys have been my race shoes for a long time, don't have a ton of miles but have had a couple pairs, this pair has a few long training runs and 2 marathons on them. Just picked up the Vomero Premiums and they are pretty amazing, but pretty amazingly expensive too. Not sure I would want to haul them around for 20 miles, they weigh a ton, but we'll see. Not currently in marathon training mode, so my long runs are much shorter right now. Not sure if this is helpful, sorry for the long ramble haha

Saucony Endorphin Trainer seems to be made specifically for a medium effort long run. Its so great regardless of the many negative reviews.

You could add the Endorphin Pro 4 or the Endorphin Trainer. I wouldn’t race in the trainer, I would use that for faster runs and save the Speed for race day. Or use the Pro 4 for race day and keep using the Speed for training.

The ASICS Glideride Max 1 works well as a long run shoe. It actually has some pep to it as well, so you could through in some long run workouts too. It is on sale now for under $150. The Saucony Endorphin Trainer is another option that is on sale . It has a top layer of Saucony’s race foam and it feels great for long distances; I feel like they help me push through those last miles

For slow long runs I love Saucony Endorphin Trainer, they are very comfortable, stable, overbuilt and slow (make easy to keep slow pace). They are too expensive at retail but they are selling slow, so can be found a lot cheaper, I got at 40% off. Reviews say they are heavy but they are lighter than say Vomero 18 and about the same as Vomero plus.

Yeah to be fair saucony and asics carbons are great for me. I did not get on with adidas however those were my first pair and my initial run in them was 36k with 25 at MP so probably didn’t wear them in!

zoom fly 5’s are super comfortable by nike standards. saucony endorphin are also legit imo, but your feet will hurt regardless if you’re new to outdoor running lol