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.

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