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.

The Endorphin Trail was the predecessor to the Edge and was recalled due to the outsole delaminating (I believe just on the checkered colorway). They dumped all the other colors at places like Sierra a year later. They had a ton of one off models over the past decade that never stick around.

The Endorphin Edge is one of my all time favorites for smooth trails, but not great in the technical stuff and not very durable.

Salomon Genesis for technical trails. Saucony Endorphin Edge for non-technical trails and non-technical races. OG Nike Zegama retired to short runs and family hikes. North Face Enduris 4. Great shoe, but returning them because the Vectiv plate digs into the sides of my feet. Brand new pair of Mount to Coast T1 that I haven’t had a chance to run in yet.

The endorphin edge had the scariest rubber i have ever come across. Literally zero grip on wet rocks. Fast and fun on open firetrail but that was about it for me.

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.

I have >200 miles in my Nnormal Tomir 2s, spanning short steep runs to 20 mile runs with >5,000 feet of climbing at altitude. Previously ran in Saucony Xodus Ultra, Endorphin Edge, and Endorphin (g)rift. Traction and durability on the Tomir 2 are great. They are on the firm side, even with the mileage I put on them so far, and lean on fast feeling given my previous shoes. I would want more underfoot cushioning for anything beyond a marathon or 50K. To me, these are medium generalist leaning shoes, great for racking up miles and training. Fit was a touch too narrow at first, I have wide feet. Took around 50 miles for the insole to pack down and the upper to stretch and flex a bit. Fits comfortably snug now. For the long stuff I am using the Mount to Coast T1. Comfortable fit for my toes, good underfoot cushioning, yet light and fast enough that I don't feel like I'm working too hard when running uphill or picking up the pace. I have ~80 miles on them so far, really just a few long runs, they're great. Durability looks good but need to take them out to at least 200 to say more. If these still look good after 300 miles I would switch completely to them and not get another pair of the Tomir 2s.

I've got a pair of plated Saucony Endorphin Edge trail shoes. I really only noticed the plate on flatter fast sections - road sections, flat trail. Sadly discontinued now though!

North face Enduris 4 is great. La Sportiva Prodigio Pro is the best but pricier. Evo SL is also my favorite road shoe. For a wilder ride that you can pick up for cheap, the Saucony Endorphin Edge is very fun but can bounce you around a bit, so not recommended if you have wobbly ankles. Very fast shoe.