WearTesters is reader-supported. When you make purchases using links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Why trust us?

Saucony Endorphin Trainer Performance Review

Saucony Endorphin Trainer

Saucony tried to jump into the super trainer (versatile, high-stack running shoes) game in 2024 with the Kinvara Pro but it got mixed reviews…even from within our own team. As a result, Saucony discontinued the Kinvara Pro, and, despite a similar build, pivoted its super trainer naming to the Saucony Endorphin Trainer.

Saucony has a lot of goodwill built up with the Endorphin name. At WearTesters we’ve been fans of the Endorphin series since the beginning. We also enjoyed the recent Endorphin Speed 4 and Endorphin Pro 4.

But has Saucony built a super trainer that is worthy of the Endorphin name? Let’s find out.

Saucony Endorphin Trainer

Release Date: Spring 2025

Price: $180

Men’s Weight: 10.7 oz. / 305g

Women’s Weight: 9.3 oz. / 264g

Drop: 8mm (42mm heel, 34mm forefoot)

Sizing: ?

Buy Men's Endorphin Trainer Buy Women's Endorphin Trainer
  • Rundown: The Saucony Endorphin Trainer is a remake of the Kinvara Pro that’s much better than the original.
Saucony Endorphin Trainer lateral side view

What is the Saucony Endorphin Trainer?

According to Saucony, the Endorphin Trainer is “crafted for effortless speed, turning everyday runs into personal bests.” That sentence lays on the marketing speak THICK, so let’s dig into what the Saucony Endorphin Trainer really is.

The upper is engineered mesh in a fairly standard configuration for Saucony. The lacing system is tweaked slightly from typical Saucony shoes, but we’ll get into that later.

The midsole has three parts. A bottom layer of PWRRUN as a stabilizing layer that also represents most of the outsole, a ¾ length carbon plate, and a layer of the new incrediRUN foam on top. For those scoring at home, that’s the same midsole configuration as the Kinvara Pro with incrediRUN in place of PWRRUN PB. There’s also a PWRRUN+ sockliner just like there was in the Kinvara Pro.

The outsole gets rubber at the medial toe and lateral heel to improve durability while using the PWRRUN bottom layer of the midsole as the majority of the outsole. This is a slight upgrade from the Kinvara Pro’s all PWRRUN outsole.

So despite Saucony’s best efforts, it’s pretty easy to see that the Endorphin Trainer is the Kinvara Pro 2 under a different name. But did Saucony fix what was wrong and make a better shoe? Keep reading for our tester’s opinions.

Saucony Endorphin Trainer outsole traction

How did the Saucony Endorphin Trainer perform?

Let’s start at the top with the laces. They use a pattern that slides up the sides one eyelet before crossing. This creates more spots where the laces can lock in and lessens the pressure across the top of the foot. I think it’s a nice touch, but it does make the Endorphin Trainer hard to unlace and take off. It helps fit overall but I think you’ll need slightly more than the average time to nail down the perfect lacing pressure and tightness.

Below the laces is a ho hum Saucony upper that is still a bit narrow at the toes. I expect a wide version of the shoe to be released, but this was one of the sticking points for many people with the Kinvara Pro. I’m not sure why they didn’t widen the toebox to typical Saucony dimensions.

The midsole. Well, that’s where the Saucony Endorphin Trainer is worlds better than the Kinvara Pro. The incrediRUN foam on top is a revelation and makes me look forward to testing the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 with its full incrediRUN midsole. It’s very soft and very bouncy and makes every footstep fun. I liked it at recovery paces just as much as I liked it at marathon paces.

It also helps that it feels like the ¾ length carbon plate is softened from the super firm plate in the Kinvara Pro. This may also be a result of pairing two foams that work much better together. The softness of the incrediRUN and the firmness of the PWRRUN are a very yin/yang combination that makes the shoe feel durable but still modern in its squish and rebound.

And of course Saucony’s SPEEDROLL geometry does work in making the shoe smooth underfoot from landing to toe-off. And all the other elements work together to help that unencumbered feeling. The Saucony Endorphin Trainer is a smooth ride above all else…and that’s a great thing when you’ve got double digit miles on the training calendar.

Finally the outsole is improved from the Kinvara Pro with the addition of rubber to the lateral heel and medial toe. But, if you don’t always make it over to the medial toe and take off from the lateral toe on a regular basis, like…ahem…me, then you’ll see the foam outsole fraying quickly. If your form doesn’t utilize the two rubber areas, then you can expect the outsole durability to fall short of normal (300-500 miles) expectations.

So I’ve gone from “meh” on the Kinvara Pro to a fan of the Saucony Endorphin Trainer.

Saucony Endorphin Trainer incrediRUN close up

Pros

  • incrediRUN foam is well…incredible (bouncy and squishy in all the best ways)
  • Smooth ride due to foam balance and toned-down carbon plate
  • Great lockdown from new lacing system
  • Speeds up nicely
  • Long-run ready
Saucony Endorphin Trainer upper

Cons

  • Narrow toebox
  • Outsole durability
Saucony Endorphin Trainer heel view

Is the Saucony Endorphin Trainer wide foot friendly?

I think most wide-footers, especially wide-forefooters, aren’t going to be able to make the Saucony Endorphin Trainer work over the long term. The forefoot is just a little too cramped. If a wide version releases, try it on to see if it fixes the toebox issue.

Saucony Endorphin Trainer leaning on wall

Is the Saucony Endorphin Trainer worth $180?

Last year’s Kinvara Pro was not worth the $180 price tag. But as long as the Saucony Endorphin Trainer fits your foot well, it’s worth the price. $180 is a pretty standard super trainer price point, and the Endorphin Trainer delivers the combo of high-tech, bouncy foam, a smooth ride, and the ability to go long and fast that it needs to in order to justify the price point.

Saucony Endorphin Trainer both shoes on pavement

Saucony Endorphin Trainer Summary

The Saucony Endorphin Trainer is a fun long run and tempo shoe – a great tool to have available during a marathon training block. The fit won’t work for everyone, so keep that in mind. The outsole durability is also something to keep an eye on, but the ride is so pleasant it may not matter to you in the end. 

I’m interested to see how Saucony positions the Endorphin Speed series versus the Endorphin Trainer series because they target many of the same use cases. Maybe fit and plate composition will be the differentiators. Either way, Saucony fans have a new option that can do everything needed during a successful training block for a long distance race.

8/10
Total Score

How does the Author Run?

Drew Whitcomb (age 42, 6’6″ 195lbs): Runs daily with a once a week rest day. Runs a lot of miles due to testing needs and a growing affinity for long-distance races. Regularly competes in marathons, half-marathons, 10k, and 5k races.

Disclosure

While Saucony did provide a pair of the Endorphin Trainer to facilitate this review, the company had no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and has not attempted to influence it.

Add a Comment

Related Posts