Before we get into the full review of the Saucony Endorphin Edge, let’s address the elephant in the room: the colour.
If pink isn’t for you, don’t worry, as the Endorphin Edge also comes in a vibrant blue colourway. However, one thing you can’t avoid here is the price.
At a whopping £200, it’s a big investment, but that’s typically par for the course when a shoe has a carbon fibre plate.
What's the ride like?
Speaking of which, that bit of tech works with the PWRRUN PB foam cushioning to deliver a super-responsive, propulsive and smooth ride, though it does feel a little stiff to start with.
If you like to pick up the pace on your trail runs, or race off-road, this is a great option. That said, as is often the case with carbon shoes, if you’re logging particularly slow training miles, the impact of a carbon plate on your performance is likely to be less obvious.
Stack height is 35mm at the heel and 29mm at the forefoot, resulting in a 6mm drop and a neutral ride.
How good is the Endorphin Edge on trails?
The Endorphin Edge was one of the lightest options (310g; UK11) in our recent group test of trail shoes in the magazine and it feels nimble underfoot, while the ankle cushioning and effective lacing system helps ensure a secure and comfortable fit.
Meanwhile, the upper is thin and breathes well, but doesn’t offer as much support as some competitors, which is worth noting if that’s important to you.
The 4mm lugs offer more than enough grip for wet grass, hard-packed trails and muddy paths, with traction only faltering in seriously boggy conditions.
The Edge also gets bonus points for being gaiter compatible, having a decent toe guard and using recycled materials.
Verdict: A pleasure to run in; fast, responsive and great traction.
Score: 92%
Also consider...
Hoka Tecton X
Tempted by a carbon-plated trail running shoe but not sure the Endorphin Edge isn't quite what you're after? You may want to check out the Hoka Tecton X.
This is another neutral trail running shoe that utilises a carbon plate, or rather, two carbon plates next to each other to deliver a smoother ride.
It feels stable, lightweight and responsive, while there's plenty of room for toe splay.
The Vibram outsole features 4mm lugs like the Endorphin Edge, though the pattern means the latter is a better choice for sloppy mud.
See our full Hoka Tecton X review to find out our verdict.
