Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 Review: Smooth, Approachable, and Still a Bargain

Introduction

The Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 is a carbon-plated racing shoe that pairs a full-length carbon fiber plate with two of Saucony’s high-end race foams. On paper, that sounds like a recipe for the most aggressive racer on the market. In practice, the result is a shoe that is smoother and more approachable than its predecessor, which may or may not be what you want from a race day shoe.

After spending real miles in it, the verdict is nuanced: this is still one of the most recommendable carbon-plated racing shoes available, but a couple of design choices mute the overall experience in ways worth understanding before you buy.

Specs and Construction

The Endorphin Pro 4 uses a 39.5 mm stack height with an 8 mm drop, leaving 31.5 mm of foam under the forefoot. The midsole is built from three layers: a bottom layer of PWRRUN PB, a beaded PEBAX racing foam, a full-length carbon fiber plate in the middle, and a top layer of PWRRUN HG, Saucony’s other premium racing foam.

The outsole offers a large amount of rubber coverage, including a crosshatch pattern across the forefoot that provides plenty of grip, with some exposed foam and a window into the carbon plate, plus rubber patches on both sides of the heel.

The upper is very similar to the previous version, with slightly larger mesh holes and a largely unchanged heel cup with the same padding. The real change is the tongue: the previous short, three-hole cut design is gone, replaced by an integrated knit tongue with an extra-long flap that can be folded down or extended taller if you get chafing at the top of the tongue on long runs.

All in, the shoe weighs 7.5 oz (212 g), a touch heavier than the version before it.

Ride and On-Road Feel

The ride is very similar to the Endorphin Pro 3, just a bit smoother overall, which seems to be exactly what Saucony was aiming for: snappy and responsive, yet smooth and efficient. The shoe feels slightly elongated compared to the previous version even in the same size, and that stretched-out geometry contributes to a rolling, fluid ride. It is an exciting shoe to try to run fast in, with the PWRRUN PB delivering its signature beaded PEBA squish and bounce.

The catch is in the fine print. The elongation, the widened midfoot, and a reduced speed roll angle, combined with that top layer of PWRRUN HG, leave the ride wanting just a little more pop. The expectation was that PWRRUN HG would lighten the shoe and refine the bounce of the PWRRUN PB. It likely keeps the shoe from being even heavier given the added knit tongue and more foam volume, but instead of amplifying energy return, it feels like it absorbs it: energy goes into the ground and dissipates rather than bouncing back. The ride is a little numbed, like the Pro 3 on a mild anesthetic.

That said, this level of nitpicking is only possible because the current racing shoe market is so strong. The Endorphin Pro 4 remains approachable across a wide range of runner skill levels and paces, and it performs well at the same time. It is a shoe that gets recommended frequently for good reason.

How It Compares to the Endorphin Pro 3

The most direct competition to the Endorphin Pro 4 is its own predecessor. The Endorphin Pro 3 is narrower through the midfoot and lacks the bulbous heel flare of the newer version, so it is not quite as stable, but the more aggressive speed roll delivers the extra pop the Pro 4 holds back. For many runners, that aggressive rocker is exactly what makes the Pro 3 the preferred race shoe.

Both shoes still retail at the full $225, and both are good options at that price. Since the Pro 3 has been out longer, you may be able to find it at a discount at a trusted retailer, which makes it an even more attractive alternative.

Another alternative worth considering is the TYR Valkyrie Elite Carbon, a beaded PEBAX midsole shoe with a carbon fiber plate that sits somewhere between the Endorphin Pro 3 and the Endorphin Elite in character. It lacks a PWRRUN HG-style top foam layer and arguably bridges that gap more successfully than the Pro 4 does. It costs $250, a $25 premium, which is fair for what it delivers.

Price and Value

The Endorphin Pro 4 comes in at $225, the same price as the previous version. Given the addition of PWRRUN HG, a bump to $250 would not have raised eyebrows, so keeping the price flat makes this a genuinely strong value in the carbon racer category. It is still fair to call it a bargain at $225, especially against competitors charging more.

Building a Rotation Around It

If the Endorphin Pro 4 is your race shoe, Saucony’s own lineup covers the rest of the rotation neatly. The Endorphin Speed 4 is its natural training companion, using PWRRUN PB with a nylon plate and an upper built for the wear and tear of daily training, making it suitable for light workouts and easy mileage alike.

For long slow distance or recovery days, the Saucony Triumph, including the more eco-friendly RFG version, offers a tall stack, plenty of comfort, and a hint of stability for those easier days.

Who Should Buy It

The Endorphin Pro 4 suits runners who want a carbon-plated racer that is smooth, stable, and easy to run in across a range of paces. If you prioritize maximum pop and an aggressive rocker above all else, the Endorphin Pro 3 or the TYR Valkyrie Elite Carbon may align better with what you are after.

Conclusion

The Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 is a case where more was not necessarily more. Two premium foams and a smoother, more stable ride make it highly approachable and still one of the most recommendable carbon racers at $225. But if your priority is raw snap and aggressive speed, its predecessor remains a compelling pick, especially if you can find it discounted.