In English, those terms just mean that the Endorphin Pro is a tall, springy, lightweight, highly responsive sneaker, built expressly for speed. Like most running gear, they do arrive with a glossary of performance spec jargon: SPEEDROLL technology, PWRRUN PB cushioning, FORMFIT, 3D Overview comfort. There are a variety of reasons why, of course - a pandemic-commitment to running included - but I understand my running idiosyncrasies well enough to know the boost I get from these shoes. I’ve run (and subsequently beaten) personal bests in the mile and 5K multiple times in these shoes - and I’ve only had them for a month.
But it’s also abundantly clear, as I discovered when I first stepped into a pair of the Endorphin Pros, that they were released at this moment in time for another, simpler reason: they were just ready to go. There is an explicit reason why so many running shoe brands dropped carbon-plated sneakers this past spring - ahead of the Tokyo Olympics (which would’ve started July 24th), the World Athletics stipulated that shoes had to be commercially available for at least four months to be legal for competitive use. He finished sixth in the marathon, as the top American overall. Eventually, the GJXT16 was given the name the Endorphin Pro, and Ward was given one final pair of shoes, which he wore last November as he raced across New York City’s five boroughs. The publicity naturally led to a debate over the shoes’ long-term legality, and discussions on the influence of technology on sport and its record books Nike sold them all out regardless.Īs the months wore on, Saucony continually tinkered with the GJXT16, introducing a a lighter-beaded foam to ease the load while running up hills, then a trimmed-down upper, then a smoother base. The globe’s top runners were suddenly setting PR’s that weren’t supposed to happen for another 55 years, and all of them were doing so in Nike’s new, neon, high-top moonshoe racer, a sneaker which featured so much technology that one journalist compared it to running with an extra leg muscle. Nike’s Vaporfly 4% became iconic, infamous and inseparable from last year’s running season, while synonymous - for most casual runners, at least - with the carbon-plated revolution. The primary protagonist in those achievements, though, wasn’t Kipchoge, or Brigid Kosgei, or any of their generationally talented runner-ups.
#SAUCONY ENDORPHIN PRO REVIEW FULL#
Over 13 months, the five quickest men’s marathons ever were recorded, the women’s world record was lowered a full three minutes, and a Kenyan named Eliud Kipchoge went right ahead and did the unthinkable, breaking the 2:00:00 barrier. Not the ‘trendiest’ feature but one that could actually save your life one day and as someone who runs at all kinds of times of day, I’m all about that level of practicality.2019 was the fastest year in running history.
As the name suggests, it just looks race ready.Īnother small feature worth noting is the reflective heel panel on both shoes that will light up when car headlights shine on it. Personally, I love the look of this shoe, the colour, the wavy shape of the brand logo seems to be echoed and complimented throughout the rest of the shoe from the midsole to the upper. Immediately I noticed the bright blue colours streaking across the shoe, fairly ‘classic’ for a men’s colour way but the way it’s applied to the shoe is makes it feel racy, streamlined and got me feeling the need for a quick run to test them out. The hype behind this shoe from fellow runners and reviewers has been really positive and I couldn’t wait to get them on foot and try them out. Opening any shoe box for the first time is always a moment to treasure however, reaching in and grabbing out a pair of Saucony Endorphin Speed 2’s felt extra special.