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.

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 described as the softest, squishiest shoe BJ has ever run in, delivering an almost overwhelming level of cushion and speed that required careful introduction to training due to ankle strain.

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 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.