Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 Review

The Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 looks like it's slightly more bulky than previous versions. Saucony's carbon-plated footwear, the Endorphin Pro and Endorphin Elite, are usually what people choose for racing. But if you're looking for a more durable and less harsh shoe on your body, the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 is a good option.

There are some changes in the Speed 3, like a new plate shape and a wider midsole – great for those who need a bit more room. Saucony also says the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 uses "sustainable materials." But, you know what bugs me? When brands are all vague about their sustainable materials. Like, tell us what's actually recycled and how much of it there is.

They've updated the upper on the Speed 3. It now uses a "FORMFIT design" that hugs every part of your foot while allowing full natural movement. According to Saucony, this means the upper can fit a variety of foot types. To be honest, it fits my wider-than-average feet better than the previous version.

The tongue is different – flatter, but in the third version, it tends to move around during runs, which I didn't notice in the older versions. The shoe is designed to fit a variety of foot shapes, which is nice. The first two Speeds felt like they vanished on my feet, but this new tongue can be a bit annoying. The laces are a new style, not the traditional flat ones, and I kind of like them.

I'm usually between a women's size 10-11 in running shoes, and the size 11 in the Speed 3 feels just right. But don't worry if your feet are more on the narrow side – it's not excessively wide. It just ran on the narrower side in previous versions.

The Speed 3 uses this bouncy material called PWRRUN PB. They've added a bit more foam this year, and even though it's just half a millimeter more, it really makes the shoe feel softer. The softness makes it feel a lot less responsive to me, and therefore not as fast. I like soft running shoes, but I liked how responsive and fast previous versions of the Endorphin Speed were.

They've also redone the nylon plate, adding an "S-curve" and "wing-like" features for easier turning. It's a nice touch, especially if you've ever tried to make a sharp turn in other plated shoes. I've seen my fair share of wipeouts during sharp turns in races, so it's nice to know Saucony is helping prevent that.

The Speed 3 has less rubber on the outsole than previous versions, which means more of the foam is exposed. This could affect how long they last, but so far, they've held up pretty well. I've run in them in different conditions, even in the desert, and they've been fine. Not the best choice for muddy trails, though. I've got about 100 miles on them now and they seem like they'll last a decent amount of time. My guess is around 300 miles.

The earlier Speed models were my go-to for faster or longer runs. The Saucony Endorphin Speed 3, with its updates, is more versatile but also not as fast. I still prefer the Triumph for really easy runs, but the Speed 3 is great for daily runs or when I want to pick up the pace. It's a good choice for faster long runs too. The softer feel and wider design are nice, but it's not my top pick for speed work. So basically, it's moved from a speed work and faster shoe to a daily trainer that can do most things but is not the top pick for any of them.

I do like the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3, but I liked the previous versions better. It's more versatile than previous versions and makes for a better daily trainer.

Who should buy the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3? If you're looking for a versatile trainer for races, long runs, or just casual runs, this is a solid choice.

Who should not buy the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3? If you loved the faster feel of the earlier models, the Speed 3 might feel a bit slower to you. And if you're all about extra cushioning, don't like plated shoes, or want a super soft ride, then this might not be your cup of tea.