Saucony and Brooks Running Shoe Roundup: Four Models Worth a Look

Introduction

Four running shoes, four very different jobs. The Saucony Endorphin Rift is a lightweight trail option, the Brooks Ghost Max leans into plush daily mileage, the Endorphin Speed 4 is one of the most anticipated speed trainers around, and the Endorphin Elite is Saucony’s premium race-day weapon. Here is how each stacks up based on first impressions and what matters before you commit.

Saucony Endorphin Rift

The Endorphin Rift comes in unusually low for a trail shoe weight-wise, and it uses a full PWRRUN PB midsole, which gives it a firmer, more energetic feel than most trail offerings. That beaded foam construction also bodes reasonably well for durability, since the material is compressed rather than glued together.

The upper is a stretchy bootie-style design that does the heavy lifting rather than relying on the laces, so once the shoe is on, the fit holds itself. The PWRTRAC outsole rubber is almost tire-like in its implementation, which is genuinely attractive if your local routes are wet and littered with debris.

There is no plate here, just a thin rock protection area, and the geometry sits at a five millimeter drop with roughly 33 millimeters of stack at the heel. It looks like a strong candidate for road-to-trail sessions where you want grip and speed feel without the clunky, overblown ride of many trail shoes.

Brooks Ghost Max

The Ghost Max is essentially an extended implementation of Brooks’ DNA Loft midsole with a six millimeter drop. At around 283 grams for the sample, roughly ten ounces, it sits in the same territory as heavyweight cushioned trainers rather than lighter daily shoes, so it is best aimed at recovery runs and long, plusher miles.

One clear plus is fit flexibility: several colorways come in wide and extra-wide fittings, which helps runners with more voluminous feet. The extra weight appears to come largely from a very generous outsole rubber layout, more than most runners strictly need.

Pricing is part of the appeal here. At $150 in the US, it undercuts what this category often commands, though UK pricing is expected to land higher. For runners after a max-cushion mileage shoe with a plusher upper, it earns a place on the shortlist, though lighter runners may prefer something more nimble.

Saucony Endorphin Speed 4

The Speed line has always used a PWRRUN PB midsole, and there is no reason to expect that to change. There is unconfirmed speculation that this version could use a dual-layer midsole incorporating some of the PWRRUN HG material found in the Endorphin Elite, but treat that as speculation for now.

Design changes are visible up top: lace loops on both the lateral and medial sides of the upper, with two on each side, presumably helping the wrap around the forefoot. The stabilizing plate still protrudes slightly from the lateral and medial sides of the midsole, a carryover some runners never fully warmed to.

The Speed 3 felt softer and less firm at speed than the firmer, more engaging earlier versions, which is worth remembering if you loved the original formula. Still, given the line’s reputation for speed versatility and low weight, this is an easy early call in favor, with hopes that the outsole gets the kind of refinement seen on the Triumph 21.

Saucony Endorphin Elite

The Endorphin Elite is the most premium of the four and very much a race-event and premium-training shoe. It skips the beaded PWRRUN PB approach entirely in favor of a new midsole formula, which is the biggest thing separating it from the Endorphin Pro 3. The upper is unlike just about anything else in the lineup and very much does its own thing.

Word is that it weighs similarly to the Endorphin Pro 3, and plenty of runners who have spent time in it describe it as phenomenal on foot. That makes it one of the more exciting premium releases in the super shoe category.

Two caveats are worth knowing before buying. Durability is somewhat questionable, with relatively little rubber on the outsole, and discounts have started appearing, which is likely why interest has spiked. If you have been waiting on the price to come down, this is the moment to keep an eye out, with a full on-foot verdict coming soon.

Overall Buying Advice

If you need a fast, grippy shoe for mixed wet terrain, the Endorphin Rift is the standout of this group. Plush daily mileage and generous fits point to the Ghost Max, especially at its US price. Speed trainers should wait for the Speed 4, and racers eyeing premium foam can find real value in the Elite now that discounts have surfaced.

Conclusion

Four shoes, four clear identities. The Rift brings speed-focused trail grip, the Ghost Max brings cushioned comfort, the Speed 4 continues a beloved speed line, and the Elite pushes the premium race-day envelope. Match the shoe to your actual running rather than the hype, and each of these can earn its spot in the rotation.