Saucony - Endorphin Trail

Theoretically, yes, they should be better. If you're looking for a show with a ton of cushion like the Excursions I would look at Hoka. I dont over think my shoes I just use what works. I tried Peregrines and theyre light and hold up for a long time. I tried Hoka Speed Goats and they gave me blisters. So I went back to Saucony and used the Endorphin Trail. I liked those but Peregrine are lighter and I prefer light with less cushion.

I also have much of the Saucony trail lineup (Peregrine 12, Endorphin Trail, Switchback 2, Endorphin Rift). They work well in the midwest where the trails are mostly grass and mud or just to use in the snow. When I have taken them to the east coast I thought I was going to die sliding on all the rocks.

I have >150 miles in the Tomir 2.0 and previously ran in the Xodus Ultra 1 and 2, and Peregrine 13. Also >500 miles in 2 pairs of the Endorphin Edge. Typically run on hard packed rocky trails. First 50-70 or so miles in the Tomir 2.0 felt a bit narrow in the forefoot/toebox. Not a big issue for short runs, moderately uncomfortable for longer runs. Loosening the laces helped a bit. After 70 miles, the insole has packed down and the upper fabric has loosened so they are generally fine for me on longer runs. I know it's not a case of my feet acclimating to being squeezed because my road shoes were squeezing my feet the whole time until I replaced them recently with the wider Mount to Coast R1. I've done several 20+ mile >4,000 foot runs in the Tomir 2.0 with some moderately technical sections, no width related issues anymore. The cushioning is on the firm side and took some getting used to. Endorphin Edge generally felt like a straight upgrade to the Xodus, lighter and faster feeling at higher paces. Some reviewers reported stability issues but I suspect it's due to (1) the Endorphin Edge being too wide for people who run in Hokas and Nikes, (2) high/max stack, and (3) the Endorphin Edge's plate. In my use, I had to slow down slightly on the looser and more technical downhills particularly when making turns but was notably faster with less effort and more comfort everywhere else. Main downside is that it's a struggle for me to get 300 miles out of a pair because the outsole peeled where the cutouts are, and that the outsole material itself doesn't flex well so I've lost chunks of outsole. It was worth the money when on sale but might be harder to find now. I just pre ordered the Mount to Coast T1 and am hoping it will be a good ultra shoe for me. I've had their R1 road shoes for some time and it fits and runs well for me.

We have very similar taste in shoes. To my foot, the xodus ultra and the endorphin edge both have “wide” feeling toeboxes. Also high stacks of good foam and in the latter case, a carbon plate. Edit: I have the xodus ultra 3s to clarify.

If you think the Xodus Ultra 2 has bad grip on wet rocks, you should try Endorphin Edge Trail :D Got over 360km in the Xodus (so far) and 210km in the Edge and Endorphin Edge is by far the most unstable trail shoe I've owned, combined with the worst grip on wet..