Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 vs Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3: Marathon Racer Head-to-Head

Introduction

Carbon-plated marathon racing shoes are where every serious running brand wants to win, and in 2022 two models dominated the conversation: the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 and the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3. Both are built around aggressive foam and a carbon plate, and both are aimed squarely at race day from the half marathon up to the full marathon. We compared them category by category to see which one comes out ahead.

Weight and First Impressions

In a US men’s size comparison, the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 comes in at roughly seven ounces, while the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 sits just below at 6.8 ounces. That is a difference of about one ounce, small on paper but enough to give the Saucony a slight edge for runners who care about every gram on race day.

Both shoes are unapologetically race-day tools. Neither is designed as a daily trainer, and both reward runners with efficient biomechanics who want maximum return from their stride.

Upper, Breathability, and Lockdown

The Adizero Adios Pro 3 uses a dual-layer mesh upper that is genuinely very breathable. The Endorphin Pro 3 is fairly breathable as well, but its standout quality is lockdown: a semi-gusseted tongue holds everything in place all day long, and lockdown is where the Saucony clearly wins.

That said, the Saucony is not perfect on the top of the foot. The upper can feel slightly plastic-like against the foot, and the heel counter would benefit from a touch more interior padding. Even accounting for that, the overall upper scores ended in a tie, which says a lot about how close these two are.

Midsole: The Deciding Battle

The Adizero Adios Pro 3 runs on Lightstrike Pro foam with Adidas Speedroll technology underfoot, which produces an impressively smooth rolling ride. The Endorphin Pro 3 uses Power Run PB foam, and this is where the battle tilts. In a simple thumb-press test, the Saucony foam is dramatically more bouncy, launching the thumb back in a way the Adidas simply does not match.

The outsole scores ended in a tie, so the midsole feel is where the real separation happens: the Endorphin Pro 3 delivers the more energetic, springy ride.

Fit, Comfort, and Durability

Fit and comfort scores came out even, and the durability prediction was also a tie. Neither shoe showed a decisive advantage in how it is expected to hold up over a racing season. For runners choosing between them purely on fit and long-term wear, this comparison will likely come down to personal preference and foot shape rather than objective differences.

Price and Overall Winner

Price is a clear win for the Saucony. The Endorphin Pro 3 sits at $225 while the Adizero Adios Pro 3 lists at $250. With carbon-plated marathon shoes climbing in price, keeping this category in check matters: if runners reward the more affordable option, it pushes the whole market to be more reasonable.

The overall result landed at 7.4 versus 6.6 in favor of the Endorphin Pro 3, which was widely regarded as the favorite carbon fiber plate shoe of 2022 before the Alphafly 2 arrived.

Which One Should You Buy?

If you want the bouncier midsole, slightly lighter weight, lower price, and excellent lockdown, the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 is the pick. If you prefer the rolling efficiency of Speedroll technology and a very breathable upper, the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 remains an excellent alternative. Either way, grab your marathon racer early in the season so you have time to break it in properly before race day.

Conclusion

The Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 edges out the Adizero Adios Pro 3 on midsole energy, weight, and price, but the Adidas stays competitive on breathability, outsole, and fit. For most marathon runners shopping in this category, the Endorphin Pro 3 is the stronger overall buy.