Chasing the Endorphin High in the Saucony Endorphin Trainer

Saucony has unveiled the Endorphin Trainer, a completely new addition to their lineup that aims to replace the discontinued Kinvara Pro. It’s designed as a high-stack, three-quarter carbon-plated daily trainer that mixes performance and comfort. With a bold design and unique blend of foams, it’s hard not to be intrigued. While it may blur the lines between up-tempo shoe and daily trainer, there’s plenty to explore about its functionality and appeal. Let’s dive into the details.

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Looks

I’ve done a full 180 on white running shoes in the past year, and the Endorphin Trainer hits just right. The crisp, all-white upper is paired with a bold yellow stripe that wraps around the shoe and continuing inside, adding a pop of flair without being too busy. It feels modern and clean, making it a shoe that stands out on the road or track.

The minimal use of color keeps the design fresh and avoids overwhelming the aesthetic. It’s not for everyone, though—some runners might prefer something not white—but if you’re into something cool, this might be your vibe.

Construction and Fit

Step-in comfort is a win for the Endorphin Trainer, with a plush feel that’s noticeable right away. The toe box does taper as it approaches the toes – so wide footed people may not love it. I found it to offer an ample amount of wiggle room though. The engineered mesh upper creates a breathable and accommodating environment for your foot. It is a little voluminous on the top – which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However, runners who favor a snug, locked-in fit might find the extra space less ideal.

Specs

• Stack height: 42mm (heel) / 34mm (forefoot)
• Drop: 8mm
• Weight: 10.7 oz (Men’s size 9)

While the weight isn’t egregious, it’s on the heavier side for a shoe marketed as an up-tempo option. This creates a bit of a disconnect between its intended use and actual performance. If you approach the Endorphin Trainer with a mindset of using it as a cushioned daily trainer, the weight becomes less of a concern. However, if speed is your primary goal, this might not be the light and agile option you’re hoping for.

Upper

The engineered mesh upper is both breathable and comfortable, offering a great on-foot experience. Its lightweight construction contributes to the shoe’s overall feel, while the material’s durability ensures it can withstand consistent use. While the upper is slightly voluminous, the narrower taper toward the toes prevents it from feeling overly loose, striking a balance between space and structure.

Midsole

The Endorphin Trainer’s midsole is where the magic happens—or at least, most of it. The Kinvara Pro design was not well received – at least in part due to a rigid ride. The features a dual-layer foam system, starting with the soft Indredirun foam on top. This layer provides a plush and cushioned ride, ideal for absorbing impact on daily runs. Beneath that, Saucony has added a layer of PWRRUN foam, which balances the softness above with a firmer base. Together, these foams sandwich a three-quarter carbon plate that adds structure and responsiveness.

The carbon plate is surprisingly forgiving compared to others on the market, offering some rigidity for propulsion without feeling overly stiff. This setup gives the shoe a smooth and stable ride, even with its high stack height. Stability is further enhanced by the wide platform and supportive sidewalls, ensuring you don’t feel wobbly despite the towering 42mm of foam underfoot. While it may not deliver the explosive pop you’d expect from a true super shoe, the combination of foams and plate creates a unique blend of cushioning and mild responsiveness that works well for steady-paced training.

Outsole

Rubber coverage is minimal, with small patches at the inner toe and outer heel. Most of the outsole is exposed foam, which raises durability concerns for high-mileage runners. While the carbon EVA adds some protection against wear and tear, it’s surprising that a shoe weighing over 10 ounces has such sparse rubber placement.

For a daily trainer, you’d typically expect more robust coverage to handle the rigors of regular use. As it stands, the outsole design may work well for lighter mileage or runners who rotate their shoes often, but it could struggle to meet the demands of those who log heavy miles on a single pair.

Final Thoughts

The Saucony Endorphin Trainer is a shoe that feels a little unsure of its identity. Marketed and priced as an up-tempo super trainer, it instead performs more like a solid daily trainer. And if it is truly that, it has some features that sort of get in the way of that (limited rubber outsole, a carbon plate, for example).

That said, it’s not a bad shoe by any means. The cushioning is soft yet stable, the fit is accommodating, and the ride is smooth. It’s a shoe that works well for steady training runs but struggles to align with the expectations set by its marketing. If you’re willing to embrace it as a cushioned daily trainer, there’s a lot to like but there are also others in Saucony’s own lineup that do that super well (as well as lighter and less costly).