Saucony Endorphin Azura

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.

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 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.

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 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 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.

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.

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 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

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.

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.

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.