Runner-up traditional daily trainer — a PWRRUN PB (PEBA) midsole with speed roll rocker delivering a firmer, more stable, durable ride than the Evo SL, though less lively. — The Run Testers
Reviewers consider it the most fun and bouncy shoe in the group, with a nice toe spring that delivers a plated-racer feeling without an actual plate; one reviewer liked it so much they lent it away after testing.
A banger at $150 — a lightweight, plateless daily trainer that rivals the Endorphin Speed and outperforms Evo SL/Rebel on versatility.
Best for: Versatile lightweight daily trainer for easy runs, tempos, and workouts without a plate.
His fourth pick: a pleasant surprise with a bouncy plateless midsole that excels as an easy-run shoe yet responds fast for intervals, with mild instability the only real downside.
Best for: Runners wanting a bouncy, plateless shoe that doubles as an easy-day and marathon-pace interval option on a budget
Ben Parkes praises the Endorphin Azura as an excellent value, do-it-all daily trainer with a fun, stable, rockered ride, docking points only for its bulky volume and a sliding tongue with no lace notch.
Best for: Versatile daily trainer that also handles long runs, easy days, recovery jogs, and the occasional shorter race
Reviewer's top Saucony pick; a high-stack daily shoe that is fun to run in, allows easy miles and pace pickups, described as a good all-around versatile daily shoe.
An honorable mention/runner-up performance trainer praised for its versatility and value at $150, with a distinct rocker geometry that rewards longer efforts once learned.
Best for: Daily training and long tempo runs/long runs for runners who want a versatile do-it-all shoe.
The Saucony Endorphin Azura is the reviewer's personal favorite in this group for its medially stable feel and excellent performance on longer, faster efforts; it's one of the shoes he would choose for a race.
Best for: Runners needing medial stability who want a high-rockered shoe for long faster efforts and marathon racing
An accidental stable-neutral shoe — the lateral cutout, firmer PWRRUN PB platform, and aggressive rocker create a grounded, mildly guidance-y ride that pairs well with mild stability needs. A standout value at $150.
Best for: Runners who want a firm, rockered, stable-neutral PWRRUN PB trainer that can also handle uptempo work; great option for IT band/lateral-sensitive runners due to lateral cutout
David's #1 shoe of 2026 so far — a versatile, stable-neutral trainer with a late-stage rocker that handles both easy miles and faster efforts in the same ride. Andrea's mechanics did not mesh with it.
A firmer, snappier, more stable high-stack daily trainer that works across the pace spectrum and offers rare mild stability for runners who want structure without a traditional stability shoe.
Best for: Runners wanting a firmer, snappier, highly cushioned daily trainer with mild stability, usable across easy, long, and uptempo runs, and even workouts/racing for those with mild stability needs.
A competitive, versatile daily trainer built on the Endorphin Elite 1 last that delivers a firm bounce on the forefoot rocker and good value at $150.
Best for: Versatile daily trainer and long run shoe for neutral runners who prefer a firmer, responsive ride.
Ed Barratt picks the Endorphin Azura as the winner of this pairing — very stable, consistently cushioned, and more breathable — narrowly preferring it over the Hyperboost Run, though acknowledging it's a close call.
Best for: Runners wanting a very stable, consistently cushioned daily shoe
A solid marathon-block daily trainer that pairs naturally with the Endorphin Pro 5 for race-day transition.
A promising daily trainer with great midsole and improved outsole, but let down by an awkward upper with tongue slide issues and overly stretchy laces.
A more versatile long-range daily trainer than the Pegasus 42 thanks to its lighter weight and PEBA-based foam — better for marathon-tempo work despite less attractive upper design.
Best for: Half and full marathon training; runners wanting a lighter, more versatile daily option
A close peer to the Neo Zen 2 with a more stable, less compressive ride but weaker tongue lockdown.
Best for: Neutral daily miles for runners who want a more consistent, stable feel.
EDDBUD recommends the Endorphin Azura as a versatile, well-priced non-plated daily trainer with a surprisingly fun ride and excellent wet-weather outsole, held back only by an overbuilt upper and a sliding tongue.
Best for: Versatile daily training and long or recovery efforts for runners who want a controlled, denser foam ride at a strong price point.
A budget long run option that only clicks for Fordy once he's running at pace; at easy effort he finds the ride too firm and lifeless.
Easily beaten by the Deviate Pure and Evo SL as an out-and-out lightweight up-tempo daily trainer, but its more forgiving, more stable PB foam makes it a good shout for bigger runners and longer runs.
Best for: Bigger runners and those wanting a plateless PB-foam shoe for slightly longer runs
A versatile non-plated daily trainer that sits between the Adidas Evo SL and ASICS Superblast, with a firmer, stable ride that handles everything from easy miles to tempo and long runs; the only real letdown is a poor wet-weather outsole.
Best for: Versatile daily training and longer runs including half marathon training, especially for bigger runners who don't get on with softer super trainers.
A firm, versatile trainer that feels uncomfortable at easy paces but comes alive at marathon goal pace, offering strong value at 140 pounds and proving it can handle long runs.
Best for: Versatile do-it-all trainer for runners who want to drop pace into tempo and goal-pace work, including longer runs.
Reviewer strongly prefers the Endorphin Azura over the Aeroglide 4 for virtually any use case, citing superior beaded PEBA foam, prominent forefoot rocker, better versatility at pace, and better value at $150.
Kofuzi calls the Azura the shoe that finally fills the third Endorphin slot — a versatile, tall, bouncy long run shoe at a refreshing $150 that he recommends to a wide variety of runners.
Best for: Speedy long runs and versatile daily training for neutral runners seeking a tall, bouncy, up-tempo-capable trainer.
The panel's marginal overall pick between the two shoes, praised for its bigger cushioned platform, smoother rocker, and long-run protection, though a couple of testers personally found the ride less exciting than the Deviate Pure Nitro's.
Best for: Long runs and marathon training for runners who want a bigger, more cushioned, rockered non-plated trainer.
The reviewer found the Endorphin Azura to be a reliable, comfortable ultra-race shoe that performed well whether running fast, running slow, or walking, with no hot spots or blisters after 10.5 hours on rough tarmac during the Comrades Marathon.
Best for: Ultra-distance road races where reliability, comfort, and walk-run versatility matter more than outright speed.
The Endorphin Azura wins its group convincingly after Kieran ran Comrades in it, praised for looking after him when he needed it most and its all-round capability across a very hard race. It reaches the quarterfinals before losing in a penalty shootout.
A hugely versatile, light, lively, well-fitting do-it-all daily trainer with a softer edge than the Speed 5; great value priced against the Evo SL even without IncrediRun foam.
Best for: Versatile do-it-all daily training, especially marathon-block miles, for runners wanting something softer than the Endorphin Speed 5
Runner-up traditional daily trainer — a PWRRUN PB (PEBA) midsole with speed roll rocker delivering a firmer, more stable, durable ride than the Evo SL, though less lively.
Best for: Value daily trainer at 140 GBP for runners who want speed-5 flavor without a plate.
The more versatile of the two — a firmer, bouncier, more rockered daily trainer that covers easy to fast paces well and is three reviewers' pick over the Rebel V5.
Best for: Runners wanting one versatile lightweight trainer that can cruise easy runs and handle tempo and faster workouts.
A cushioned, non-plated marathon option for runners seeking comfort, security, and a little energy over 26.2 rather than an all-out racing shoe.
Best for: Runners who want to complete a marathon in comfort with a bit of energy rather than chase a PB in a carbon racer.
A very good, versatile plate-free daily trainer with a firmer, more stable and supportive ride than the Evo SL; preferable for longer, steadier runs and runners wanting stability.
Best for: Runners who want a firmer, more stable, plate-free versatile trainer for long runs, tempo sessions, and marathon training.
The Run Testers see the Azura as Saucony's answer to the Adidas Evo SL — a versatile, well-priced non-plated daily trainer that delivers much of the Speed 5's range with more comfort and stability, with most testers preferring it overall.
Best for: Versatile non-plated daily trainer for runners who want most of the Speed 5's range with a softer, more stable, more accessible ride at a lower price.
A hugely versatile, lively, well-fitting non-plated daily trainer that handles most training paces; a strong, more affordable alternative to the Endorphin Speed 5 and a more stable counterpart to the Adidas EVO SL.
Best for: Versatile non-plated daily trainer for easy to tempo paces; good option for runners who want EVO SL-style versatility with more stability.
A brilliantly versatile daily trainer that can go through the gears from easy to fast, though not the top pick for all-out 5k-pace intervals where a carbon-plated shoe or the Endorphin Speed would do better.
Best for: Versatile all-rounder from easy to fast paces; potential ultra/Comrades candidate
Reviewers note: True-to-size with a more dialed-in, snug fit than the Rebel V5; slightly less toe box room but secure midfoot and heel lockdown.
Per The Run Testers.
The Saucony Endorphin Azura weighs about 244g (men's 9), has a 41.0mm heel stack and a 8.0mm heel-toe drop.
Reviewers compare the Saucony Endorphin Azura to Puma Deviate Pure Nitro, New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5, Saucony Endorphin Speed 5, Adidas Adizero Evo SL.
Per The Run Testers, EDDBUD, Kofuzi, FORDY RUNS, Doctors of Running, Believe in the Run.
Next Pair aggregates 37 expert reviews of the Saucony Endorphin Azura, including The Run Testers, Ben Is Running, Believe in the Run.
Per The Run Testers, Ben Is Running, Believe in the Run.
Compared to other road daily trainer in the same lane.
