Saucony Endorphin Elite 3

Thomas rates it an A overall as a soft, bouncy race-day shoe he hit and exceeded workouts in, while Megan gives it a B, finding it fun but too soft and not secure enough for her right now; both call it a very solid race-day option (green light) for runners who prefer a very soft ride, noting it is slightly heavier than rivals at $290.

Best for: 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.

Ben Parkes says he's really enjoyed running in this shoe and considers it a potential future marathon shoe, despite its high price.

Best for: A premium marathon race-day shoe for runners willing to pay a high price point.

A wild, fun, and highly comfortable super shoe with huge energy return that the reviewer sees as a strong half/marathon-pace racer, but the steep price and fast-wearing outsole make it hard to recommend outright over cheaper competitors.

Best for: Marathon and half-marathon racing or key sessions for both elite and everyday runners who prioritize comfort and bounce over outright speed.

Ben Parkes calls the Endorphin Elite 3 a wild, expensive but genuinely fast super shoe, with a uniquely bouncy, carbon-plated ride and comfortable upper that suits half-marathon and marathon racing, despite its £300 price tag and awkward off-the-run walkability.

Best for: Half-marathon and marathon racing for both elite and mid-pack runners

Two testers give this an honorable mention for racing - the foam and fit are loved, but both flag real handling limitations in corners and on hilly courses versus the previous version.

Best for: Fast, flat, straight-course races such as track-style road miles; not recommended for courses with tight corners or lots of hills.

The Endorphin Elite 3 is an exceptionally soft and bouncy super shoe that delivers thrilling speed but requires gradual adaptation due to its extreme cushioning demand on ankles.

One of the reviewer's standout shoes of the year — durable enough for regular use despite being a top racing shoe, and a strong marathon option.

Best for: Marathon racing for runners who don't need a stiff, plated ride

The maximum-cushion option in a marathon rotation — an exceptionally soft yet lively Incredurun-foam racer that rewards midfoot strikers with good running form, though the softness and wide heel won't suit everyone.

EDDBUD calls the Endorphin Elite 3 one of his favorite shoes of the year, citing standout impact protection, improved stability and lockdown over the V2, and a uniquely soft-yet-bouncy ride for marathon/half pace — with reservations about heel-strike stability, thin outsole rubber durability, and the near-£300 UK price.

Best for: 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.

One of the reviewer's favorites of the year — a race shoe that genuinely assists performance, with proven durability, excellent grip, and a great fit for marathon and half marathon paces.

EDDBUD praises the Endorphin Elite 3's Incred foam for its softness, durability, and compression-rebound qualities, recommending it especially for half marathon and marathon efforts.

The Run Testers rate the Saucony Endorphin Elite 3 among their current favorite race shoes for its comfortable, energetic, bouncy ride and improved (though still imperfect) stability over the v2, while noting they personally prefer a stiffer, snappier racer like the Metaspeed Edge Tokyo or Puma Fast-R 3 for the closing miles.

Best for: 10K-to-marathon racing on relatively flat, non-technical courses for neutral runners who don't need extra stability and enjoy a soft, bouncy carbon racer.

The Endorphin Elite 3 is described as feeling a little soft, with most reviewers not fans of it, though one reviewer consistently advocates for it. It is eliminated in the group stage.

Tom rates the Endorphin Elite 3 as his current favorite race shoe at his present fitness: it keeps the soft, bouncy, energy-returning ride he loved in the Elite 2 while adding a touch more stability, and he slightly prefers it to the 2. He cautions that its extreme softness won't suit runners who need stability or dislike squishy shoes.

Best for: Racing (10K, parkrun and up) for runners who like a very soft, bouncy ride; avoid if you need stability or dislike soft shoes

An improvement on the Elite 2 with a bit more stability and a more propulsive plate while keeping the unique soft, bouncy ride; fun and comfortable but heavier and pricier than top rivals, and the squishy foam can drag at very fast paces.

Best for: Runners who like a soft, springy, bouncy racer for half marathon to marathon distances on flat, even courses.