Key Features
- SpeedRoll geometry
- PWRRUN PB midsole
- XT-900 outsole
- Engineered mesh upper
ON THE RUN
Sidney: We all know and mostly love the Saucony Endorphin Speed. Saucony has created something really special with the Endorphin line, similar to what ASICS is doing with their Blast family. The Endorphin family continues to grow, and the Endorphin Azura is a great addition to that lineup. Think of it as the Speed, but with more cushion and lose the plate.
The Azura honestly shocked me with how bouncy and peppy the ride felt, step after step. This shoe lived in my car from fall into winter, which, if you live somewhere with cold temps, you know that's usually a death sentence for foam. You go to put the shoe on for a run and it feels like a solid brick: cold, firm, dead, and absolutely not what you want before a windy 10-degree run.
But something about this shoe, whether it’s the PWRRUN PB midsole, the SpeedRoll technology, or a mix of both, means it never feels dead. Ever. Even straight out of a freezing car. It’s kind of magic.
Jacob: In the last year or so, there has been a big void in the running industry; a true competitor to the Asics Novablast. Some brands would try their hand in creating an equal, but very few have been successful. I am proud to say that we finally have that true competitor in the Azura. The springy, smooth step that this shoe provided me was such a refreshing feel. It gives me the cushion that I wanted without being a soft and squishy feel.
THE FIT
Sidney: Saucony really has the step-in feel dialed, and this one feels great not just at first lace-up, but well into the run too. Overall fit: 10 out of 10. No complaints here.
The toe box is spot on, not too roomy and not too snug. The engineered mesh upper gently wraps around the foot for a locked-in feel without pressure. The heel counter is nicely padded, not bulky and not heavy, just enough cushion to keep your heel happy mile after mile.
Jacob: The fit and feel is very similar to Saucony's other shoes in their Endorphin category. It gives a nice stretchy, elastic upper that wrapped around my foot and gives me a hug. The SpeedRoll technology in the shoe delivers a nice rocker-feel that I have found to love in my tempo shoes. One of my favorite aspects in this shoe is the toe off feel. When I had learned about the shoe having a 8mm drop, I was skeptical on how my forefoot would feel, but I was very impressed by how nice the rebound was under the ball of my foot. My toes felt like they were in a bouncy castle for my entire run!
THE FEEL
Sidney: I felt lucky to wear-test both the Endorphin Speed 5 and the Endorphin Azura because they’re two really fun shoes to compare. I was very excited about the Speed 5, but my initial run fell a little flat. Nothing against the Speed 5. I’ve figured out exactly what I like to use it for.
When I have energy and don’t feel like I need the extra blast the Azura gives me, I’ll still reach for my Speeds. But the added PWRRUN PB in the Azura is wild. The amount of bounce it delivers is honestly mind-boggling. It’s hard to believe this shoe doesn’t have a plate in it. The pep feels like a plated trainer, even though it’s not.
Jacob: The cushion to the Azura uses Saucony's PWRRUN PB foam, which they use in other popular shoes like the Speed 5. In a tempo shoe like this, I usually look for something on the firmer side so I can feel the spring underneath my foot. This shoe delivers that feel with a taller stack-height and a more stable base than others in its category. It is by no means a stability shoe, but for a shoe with such a curved last, my foot feels secure!
THE NITTY GRITTY
Sidney:
Supertrainer (noun): A high-performance hybrid running shoe designed to combine the plush cushioning and advanced technology of race-day super shoes with the durability, support, and stability required for everyday training. Built to deliver a fast, comfortable, and efficient ride, a supertrainer is suited for long runs, uptempo efforts, and a wide range of daily miles.
Supertrainers continue to evolve, redefining themselves with every new launch. At this point, the category is delivering such unique superfoams and rolling technologies that it actually makes sense to have multiple supertrainers in your rotation, each serving a slightly different purpose. Which is a great excuse for me to continue to add to my shoe collection ;)
Jacob: This shoe is a tempo shoe and a speed trainer. If you are looking for a shoe that gives energy and a springy feel underfoot without wanting to pay for a plated shoe, this is a great option! I have taken this shoe for runs from 1 mile intervals up to 12 miles, and both felt like I was able to pick up the pace. This shoe is in direct competition with Asics Novablast and Mizuno Neo Zen (A very stacked category!)
From Saucony's vault, this shoe is like the love child of the Endorphin Trainer and Endorphin Shift. It gives a nice roll like the shift, while giving the more springy energy of the trainer.
THE RUNDOWN
Sidney: When you compare it directly to the Speed, the Azura comes in $20 cheaper, likely because it doesn’t use a nylon plate. Instead, you get a higher stack of PWRRUN PB, and that’s where the power comes from. Yes, there’s a little added weight with the extra foam, but we’re talking less than 10 grams.
Personally, I like the Azura better. Not that it’s a competition or a favorite-child situation, but it’s genuinely interesting to compare the two. I’ll be very curious to see how these shake out among Saucony fans and Endorphin enthusiasts as more people get miles in them.
Jacob: The Saucony Azura is going to be a hit. It fits into a category that has been needing a refresh in the industry, and this is going to set the new standard for non-plated speed shoes. Get ready for every track and cross country runner to be wearing these during warmups, and half marathoners/marathoners to be wearing these as trainers. Can't wait to see how this shoe does!
Meet the Reviewers
