SHOE REVIEW: Saucony Endorphin Pro+

The Saucony Endorphin Pro+ is a limited-edition version of the Saucony Endorphin Pro that’s lighter than ever. By stripping down the upper, the Pro+ is 17 grams lighter than previous versions, and designed to be the company’s fastest shoe yet.

I think the shoe delivers. However, if you’re a fan of the cushioning and ride and felt good in the Endorphin Pro 2, purchasing a previous model will give you a nearly identical ride. The difference in this shoe comes down to the upper. 

Category: Neutral cushioning
Drop: 8 mm
Weight: 195 g for men’s size 9
Stack height: 35.5 mm
Available: September 28-30, 2021
MSRP: $325

RELATED: SHOE REVIEW: Saucony Endorphin Pro 2

Upper

This upper is where it’s at. It fits better than any Saucony shoe I’ve ever worn, especially for a person with narrow feet. The upper is made of two new materials: suede and a tightly-woven mesh, both of which are comfortable and flexible while keeping your foot locked down. The heel counter has been removed, presumably to lessen weight, and the lacing material changed to a more pliable knit. As a neutral runner who loves the feeling of spikes, I really enjoyed these changes. However, if you’re someone who tends to over-pronate or supinate, previous versions of the Pro (which include a bit more upper support) might be the race-day shoe for you. 

Midsole

The midsole is the same as the Endorphin Pro 2, with complete PWRRUN PB cushioning and a carbon plate in the middle for propulsion. Much like the previous versions of the shoe, it rolls nicely and feels extremely well cushioned. 

RELATED: REVIEW: Saucony Kinvara 12

Outsole

The high-abrasion outsole is also solid. I’ve worn the Pro many times in the rain or on wet roads, and it holds the ground well. Because the stack height isn’t as high as, say, a Nike or a Hoka, I also find the shoe quite stable around corners, and have even worn it for track workouts. It holds well on the track surface, too. 

Final thoughts

The updates to the upper are notable. If you’re coming from a track background, you’ll recognize the fit of the shoe and love how it feels on race day. While the upper is highly comfortable, it provides very minimal support beyond keeping your foot inside the shoe. This is intentional, to save on weight, but if you’re someone who needs a little more ankle or midfoot support, you should consider checking out a slightly more built-up shoe like the Endorphin 2 or Kinvara for race day. 

Overall this limited-edition Pro+ looks and feels great. Do you need it if you’ve already got the Pro 2? Probably not. But will you want it purely for its looks, exclusivity, and 17 grams less weight? Probably.

The Pro+ is available in limited quantities for only 72 hours. You can purchase these racing flats at Saucony.ca or at select Canadian retailers from 9 a.m. ET on Sept. 28 through Sept. 30. Those retailers are:

Vancouver Run Co
Frontrunners
Forerunners
BlackToe Running
Boutique Endurance
Runningroom.com

RELATED: Canada’s Malindi Elmore places third at the Saucony Endorphin Pro+ launch