The RW Takeaway: The Endorphin Pro+ gives runners a sneak peek of what’s to come in 2022’s Endorphin Pro 3 release. Over the course of 26.2 miles, we found the “plus” model more stable—and comfier—than the Pro’s previous two iterations.
- Lighter weight, more breathable mesh and suede upper
- Same Speedroll technology and Pwrrun PB midsole as the Pro 2
- Improved lacing system provides a more locked-in fit.
Price: $250
Type: Road Racing
Weight: 6.9 oz (M), 5.9 oz (W)
Drop: 8mm
Maybe you’re one of the lucky few to snag a pair of Saucony’s Endorphin Pro+ after its mid-September launch. Indeed, you can’t find this rare shoe anywhere now, except eBay where the bidding starts at $350.
This beaut is like an early Halloween treat, the trick being its limited run. It’s an update of the Pro 2, which we praised for being a near-identical twin of the original. Cosmetically, the Pro+ looks simpler and fresh, stripped of that crazy checkered pattern that was a divisive feature amongst testers. Some flaunted it, others just went with it. But functionality-wise, the new upper is a major upgrade.
Upper Upgrade on the Way to Pro 3
Saucony uses three key technologies, called Speedroll, to make the Pro the fastest shoe in its Endorphin series. To promote a quick turnover, the midsole is curved for a rocking chair-like effect where you feel like you’re slightly tipping forward. That pairs with an S-shaped carbon-fiber plate to increase energy return. The final piece is the midsole material itself, a top-tier Peba-based foam called Pwrrun PB.
I had raced in the OG and Pro 2, lauding both for their quick transitions and propulsive kick. But, both models plagued me with a sore instep; the upper put a lot of pressure on the top of my foot. Worse, if I loosened the laces to relieve some pressure, my gait became unstable and my ankles turned inward, making me wary of sharp turns. Saucony’s own professional athletes said they wanted an upper makeover, as well.
While developing the Pro 3, the brand’s product team had conversations with its elite runners, including Jared Ward, Laura Thweatt, and Parker Stinson. The overall consensus was that they absolutely loved the Pro 1 and 2, shared Saucony product line manager Jessie Petersen with Runner’s World on a video call. But, one change would make the shoe even more race-ready: a more “deconstructed” upper. And so, as the team was in the process of creating the Pro’s third version, the Plus came to be.
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Think of the Plus as a behind-the-scenes look at an intermediary model usually only worn and tested by elites. It’s a surprise release to keep us all sated as we wait for the Pro 3, which is tentatively scheduled to launch in June 2022.
“Several years ago, you’d make prototypes for an athlete and people would wonder what it was (read: those suspect shoes worn by the pros at major races) but it never went to retail,” said Petersen. “You never could find it, it wasn’t available. So, we thought that it would be a fun angle to kind of open it up for more people to buy.”
The Plus is about half an ounce lighter (in both men’s and women’s sizes) than the Pro 2. Saucony trimmed down the weight by replacing the upper’s cloth-like engineered mesh with ultralight mesh and suede. It feels airier and has a second-skin fit like a track spike. The tongue has perforated holes for more breathability, and the lacing system is slightly curved, which makes the fit more secure and relieves pressure on the top of your foot. We’ve seen similar lacing systems on other racing shoes, such as Nike’s ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2.
Racing in the Pro+
I chose to run in the Plus at this year’s Boston Marathon. I was a Sauconic outlier amongst most of the runners who were laced up in Nikes, including our RW deputy editor Jeff Dengate.
Throughout the race, I felt stable and confident plowing down the first couple of hills (I’d advise against doing this if you love your knees) and darting to volunteers holding out hydration. The only casualty was a few toenails, which I can avoid next time by going half a size up.
Except for my toes, the rest of my body wasn’t as beat up post-Boston, a course notorious for its rollercoaster-like elevation. The best surprise after a very hot summer (because Boston is usually in spring, I’m used to below-freezing marathon training): PR’ing by almost five minutes.
Even though the Plus is nearly impossible to find, you can still experience that propulsive Speedroll/carbon-fiber plate combo while running in the Pro 1 and Pro 2. Until then, we’ll patiently await the Pro 3’s June 2022 release.
Amanda is a test editor at Runner’s World who has run the Boston Marathon every year since 2013; she's a former professional baker with a master’s in gastronomy and she carb-loads on snickerdoodles.
