Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 vs Saucony Endorphin Elite 3
A side-by-side comparison grounded in verdicts from 6 reviewers with every source linked. We don't invent quotes; every claim below is attributed.
Specs at a glance
Reviewers who wore both
Direct paired observations — reviewers who actually ran in both of these and wrote the contrast. This is the strongest comparative signal on the page.
Adios Pro 4 is softer, lighter, grippier, and cheaper; Endorphin Elite has a firmer, airier, more rebound-like foam and wider heel
Might be a better purchase for runners with wider feet given the Adios Pro 4's tapered toe box
Pro 4 is more versatile and complete; Elite 2 is bouncier and more exciting but narrower toe box causes issues for the reviewer
Pro 4 is significantly lower priced
Pro 4's ride is a close match to the Elite 2's softer, bouncy feel, but the Pro 4 avoids the little-toe rubbing issues the reviewer had with the Elite 2.
Cheaper, lighter, less drop, firmer/more aggressive with a rod-based propulsion system, and a more versatile/faster race day option than the softer, bouncier Endorphin Elite 3
Also very soft and bouncy but lighter
Adios Pro 4 is cheaper, lighter, firmer, and more versatile/faster on race day via its rod-based propulsion; Endorphin Elite 3 is more comfortable with more bounce, better suited to regular runners
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , neutral stability .
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A strong marathon race shoe once fit is dialed in — the reviewer used it successfully at Chicago Marathon after making tweaks.
Fit:Required some personal tweaks to dial in before it worked well for this reviewer.
In their words: "worked out perfectly well"
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Works well for half/full marathon but too soft for shorter, faster distances, loses pep quickly, and its softer Lightstrike Pro foam is linked to rod-snapping issues. Tier C.
In their words: "went a bit flat even quicker than Man City" · "just a few too many issues"
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Ben Parkes calls this probably the best-value super shoe on the market, lightweight and fast, and a strong marathon race-day option.
Ride:Reviewer describes carbon rods (rather than a single plate) giving a similar propulsive effect.
In their words: "probably the best value super shoe" · "Lightweight, fast, used by so many"
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The most comfortable of Ben's three race day picks — carbon rods instead of a plate allow more natural movement, making it an excellent choice for longer race distances.
In their words: "most comfortable for me" · "can move a little bit more"
Saucony Endorphin Elite 3 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , neutral stability .
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Despite costing £70 more and running heavier, Parkes found the Endorphin Elite v3 softer, bouncier and noticeably faster than the SC Elite v6 in a half marathon outing, and says it's the shoe he'd pick between the two.
In their words: "really quite a lot softer" · "a lot more bouncy" · "I just run so much faster"
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A race-shoe runner-up pick; the reviewer calls it one of the softest, bounciest race shoes around and a likely choice for an upcoming marathon.
In their words: "softer bouncier"
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His standout favorite of the tier list — wildly soft, compressive yet reactive, superbly light with an exceptional, foot-shaped upper. Tier S.
In their words: "it just seems to handle changes of pace very, very well" · "an S tier for me"
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On a first run, praised as by far the softest and bounciest super shoe the panel has tried, well suited to longer straight-line racing, though cornering control is a weak point.
Ride:First-time run in the shoe; tall sidewalls and dialed-in geometry make it a strong straight-line performer that responds well when the runner leans forward and engages the leg, but turning felt harder/less controlled than some other super shoes, and the soft PWRRUN foam bottoms out at top-end speed.
In their words: "the softest and bounciest super shoe" · "controlling it is another story"
Who should buy which
Use cases the reviewers above actually call out — one bullet per distinct take, attributed. Where reviewers converge (e.g. "5K to half marathon" appearing across multiple takes) the agreement is a stronger buying signal than any single voice.
Consider the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 if
- A marathon race-day shoe, also suited to 5K, 10K, and half marathon distances; good value since it's been out a couple of years. — Ben Parkes
- Any distance from short reps to marathon racing — The Run Testers
- Marathon racing; verdict deferred to 2025 list. — Kofuzi
- Marathon racing where bounce and pop matter most — The Running Channel
- The most versatile super shoe in the test — 5K through marathon. EDDBUD's overall winner at 19/25. — EDDBUD
- Runners targeting marathon or longer who want cushioned protection and are comfortable with the fit; recommended for those running slower than sub-3 marathon pace — The Run Testers
Consider the Saucony Endorphin Elite 3 if
- Marathon and half-marathon racing for midfoot strikers wanting maximum cushioning and reduced perceived effort, including runners who found the V2 too unstable or narrow. — EDDBUD
- Runners who like a soft, springy, bouncy racer for half marathon to marathon distances on flat, even courses. — The Run Testers
- Marathoners running 3:30 or slower who want a cushioned, forgiving race-day ride that keeps the legs fresher over longer efforts. — Believe in the Run
- A premium marathon race-day shoe for runners willing to pay a high price point. — Ben Parkes
- Racing (10K, parkrun and up) for runners who like a very soft, bouncy ride; avoid if you need stability or dislike soft shoes — The Run Testers
- Runners who want a very soft, bouncy carbon-plated race-day shoe, especially for marathons where soft cushioning helps in the late miles; also versatile enough for uptempo training after racing. — Believe in the Run
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 and the Saucony Endorphin Elite 3?
The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 is a race shoe and the Saucony Endorphin Elite 3 is a race shoe. By the numbers, the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 weighs 201g, has a 39mm heel stack and a 6mm drop, while the Saucony Endorphin Elite 3 weighs 210g, has a 40mm heel stack and an 8mm drop. MSRP is $220 for the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 and $290 for the Saucony Endorphin Elite 3.
Should I buy the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 or the Saucony Endorphin Elite 3?
Ben Parkes on the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4: A marathon race-day shoe, also suited to 5K, 10K, and half marathon distances; good value since it's been out a couple of years. EDDBUD on the Saucony Endorphin Elite 3: Marathon and half-marathon racing for midfoot strikers wanting maximum cushioning and reduced perceived effort, including runners who found the V2 too unstable or narrow.
Per Ben Parkes, EDDBUD.
Has anyone reviewed both the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 and the Saucony Endorphin Elite 3?
Yes — EDDBUD, FORDY RUNS, Ben Parkes, and The Run Testers directly compared the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 and the Saucony Endorphin Elite 3 in their reviews.
Per EDDBUD, FORDY RUNS, Ben Parkes, The Run Testers.
Which is lighter, the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 or the Saucony Endorphin Elite 3?
The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 is lighter, at 201g versus 210g (men's 9) — about 9g less.
Which is cheaper, the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 or the Saucony Endorphin Elite 3?
The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 is cheaper at $220 versus $290 MSRP — about $70 less.