Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 vs Asics Metaspeed Edge Paris, Nike Vaporfly 3 & Adidas Adios Pro 3 

The reviewer I have been waiting for all my life. Great visual comparison of the widths of the shoe. This is what I wanted in a shoe review. Keep rocking bro 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽

Wow - this was incredibly helpful. Thank you!

I’m so glad I found your channel - the content is so well put together and presented. I have wide over-pronating feet so have struggled to find super-shoes that work for me, until the Pro 4s came along. Two marathons in two weeks, two PBs and not a single issue. They are stable, comfortable and fast without feeling aggressive. They will work for a lot of people

Love your unique perspective and explanations, and it is really helpful !

Another great value video. Genuinely helpful.

Helpful, detailed and well thought out review. I was considering the Sky-Paris or EP4 for my next marathon…your review has me leaning more towards the EP4 (or maybe run again in the AP3 -I ran Berlin-23 in those) never disappointed. I trained in EP3 for my last block and felt the foam compressed too much by mile 17-18. I’m sure that’s improved in v4.

Very informative Chris. Your advices about Endorphin Pro 4 are spot on. Yes they are less sexy but they might be the better option for most. Also true about Adidas and heel strikers. After the punishment Edge Paris gave to my ankle a month ago (still haven't recovered), I run today's half Marathon on the Adios Pro 3. Managed my second best time ever limping and my feet felt better than after the race on Edge Paris 4 weeks prior.

I just ran my first half marathon in the Endorphin Pro 4 today, and I'm impressed! As a stability shoe wearer, transitioning to a super shoe was seamless with the Pro 4. It combines the comfort and rocker I'm used to from the Saucony Tempus with a more dynamic, race-ready feel. It's fun, fast, and still provides some stability (however I can definitely feel that it is no stability shoe). Highly recommend for anyone looking to try super shoes!

This is really helpful! Thank you!

Great comparison on the widths at different portions of the shoes. I hope the easier fit nature of the Endorphin would prevent pain / discomfort during the end of marathons, in turn, produces better performance.

Great review, and you are very right about the instability in the heel of the Metaspeed Edge Paris which is something I noticed immediately after taking them for a test sleep. I thought I was a midfoot striker but after taking a look at the photos of me during a half marathon I ran yesterday (went for my novablasts 3 because of ankle pain) I noticed that I revert to heel striking especially when I’m gunning for it. So yeah, a little concerned about using the Edge now for my marathon training for October.

Lovely review! One thing to add is the outsole of the shoe last longer then the list stated above. If im going to spend that much money on a super shoe; it better last long

Ah finally! I do enjoyed now more the speed 4 with combination of AP3. It feels natural to me switching between both.

How would you say the vaporfly fit is compared to the sky Paris? I have a slightly wide foot for my size, and the vaporfly is way too tight and narrow for me, but the sky fits like a glove - meaning it’s not too narrow but the shape of it really wraps around my foot and is actually quite comfortable. Also, currently racing in the endorphin pro 3 and planning to get the sky Paris for future races (sky feels so much better for my forefoot strike than the edge). Interested to know your thoughts.

This is definitely one of the best Supershoes comparisons between multiple brands, much appreciate especially for slower runners which haven't tried any Supershoes yet so far, the size measurement from the shoes bottom outlined a much bigger and clearer picture than pure data and statistic especially for different footstrikes runner. How would you compare the Endorphin Pro 4 vs Pro 3 for a beginner runner aiming for Sub 4 finished time? Planning to get my first carbon racer to replace my Speed 3 or is Speed 4 actually good enough for this pace over the 26.2 miles? Male height 5.6 feet weight 143 pounds

Thanks. How does the Pro 4 compare to the latest NB SC Elite?

Amazing video, i dont have the usual problems with the AP3 uppers. However, I have encountered some arch issues due to my somewhat flat feet and how much I had to really sinch up my laces. Was there anything you know of that could fix that other than the sock method, would love to hear yours or other peoples thoughts on them!

Very helpful

Great review although I’m having doubts now about whether to run a marathon in the edge Paris(3 hour marathon pace)

I really appreciate your thoughts and videos and agree a lot. Especially your final thoughs completly nailed it. I recommended the Pro 4 a lot to non elite runners who search a racing shoe. My personal opinion: I still think the Endorphine Elite is under the radar. But yes, I dont see the Elite on many Pro's either or I'm just blind, maybe because Saucony isn't shopping runners? I mean Hellen Obiri would win the most races even in a Brooks Ghost, but ON is shopping runners like crazy, they pump BILLIONS into marketing over the past few years. Since I own both the Elite and the Pro 4 I have to say the Elite feels better than the Pro 4 in all aspects. Yes - they do run very differently, but from my aspect as a midfoot striker the Elite is just way superior to the Pro4. But there it is something what you mentioned - maybe the Elite fits so well to me because it welcomes wide feet a lot. It also just throws you forward with its super aggressive rocker, but its not throwing you high, it just manages to get you perfectly in rythm. And its amaaazingly stable. I look more stable in the Elite than in some lighter stability shoes. A lot of fanboying from me to Elite, as it got released I didnt like it. Now I love it. PERSONALLY, I would never compare the Pro4 to a Vaporfly 3 or Edge Paris... and there is the point, I think the Pro4 is somewhat overpriced and I think this shoe fits more in the category of a super trainer, aka SC Trainer v2. But for that Saucony has the Kinvara Pro - a shoe that I also do have and that is very weird, its not fish but also not meat. Its not bad, but also not great, its not firm but also far from being soft. I have seen the Endorphin Elite for 140bucks in sale recently for people who are interessted to try. Btw: I do train in the Adios Pro 3 it's probably the most durable "racing" shoe out there, but indeed as a midfoot striker - as soon as my running form suffers I feel the cutout and it makes my feet hurt somehow. Your overall knowledge is just sooo good, its a pleasure to listen to you.

Awesome running channel, hugely underrated, thanks for the great content. Out of interest, how does the narrowness of the Asics compare to the Vaporfly 3. I have reasonably wide feet and would like to try some Vaporfly''s

Great review. I was choosing between adios pro 3 and endorphin pro 4 for my first supershoe (coming from endorphin speed 4). Ended up going with adios pro 3, absolutely loving them! They are pretty versatile because I feel as though I can do shorter fast workouts with them (1.5 to 3km), but I know I can also take them for long workouts as they are comfortable for that too. Also I tried both on at the store, I think the toe box is shorter for adios pro 3, but I’m not sure if you should go half a size down on the endorphin pro 4 or stay true to size

Interesting you mention the upper issues at the end of the eyelet chain on the Adidas, but love the Takumi 10. Both the Adidas Pro 3 and the Takumi 10 wrecked the top of my big toe joint, had to return to the Takumi 9 for yesterdays London marathon. I guess just different feet, different results!

Excellent review. I recently purchased the Paris Edge and have been doing intervals and tempo runs in it. I must have a narrow foot because the Edge fit me perfectly in my normal size. I totally agree the Edge has a fairly stiff ride. I have run hard 1/4's on up to 5 mile tempo runs and the shoes don't beat me up. I feel like the Edge is far stiffer than the Vaporfly 3. But it's just as fast, if not faster, at both short intervals and longer tempo runs.

Great information! I love super shoes but i tend to not do well for shoes that are on the unstable side. I find the vapor fly 3 to be a little unstable. Sounds like the edge would not work well for me as I tend to heal to mid foot strike. I recently got the adios pro 3 on sale but it had a mfg flaw with the heel stitching where the stitching sticks out on the heel and the pad on that shoe was off set enough so the stitching rubs. I ran just a few miles in it and did not notice it to be unstable and really liked how it felt running but had to return it because of the stitching issue.

First class review AND the best comparison video I’ve ever seen on RU-vid. The objective stats really help. For example, I love ASICS but that Meta Speed is really NARROW! Your own input on the Adios pro 3 left me wandering (as a slight supinator on my left foot) if I’d fall foul of the gap? Given my weight height and width of my foot I’m concluding a Saucony Pro 4 is probably the likely best bet when I fork out for my first race shoe. One shoe I’d be really interested in seeing your review on once it is out is the new Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3. Puma seem to have put together a coherent line. They tend to be reviewed as “good value” but ultimately lose out to the bigger brand in 1-1 versus. The new DNE3 has been worn by pros with success, appears Puma’s pros shoe of choice over the de coupled heavy Fast R so once it’s out be intrigued on how it faces off against a Pro 4 or Meta Speed Sky etc! Thanks Chris “excellence as standard” appears to order of the day on this channel.

I tried on the Metaspeed Sky Paris at a store and it was fairly stiff. Is the Edge Paris just as stiff even with more foam under foot before the plate? I think the Pro 4 may be the way to go as it seems less aggressive but would be more comfortable.

I have VF3 and Adios Pro On point description between Adios and Saucony Pro 4 which is more stable than Adios. I’m excited to try Saucony Pro 4 Great Review.

I have all of the shoes in this comparison and as an older slower, 8 min/Mile, heel striker I am really enjoying the Saucony Pro 4 and I couldn’t even run in their Pro 3. After swapping out the laces with a set from an old pair from my VF2 no issues, no break in needed, cushion comfort and stability that keeps my legs going and feeling fresh. You are 100% spot on with the Edge Paris they are more for elite runners. I could not relax and just run in them because I felt if I took just the slightest misstep I might hurt myself or even go down. You need to have a fast perfect stride on even terrain for these shoes. I am still working on a lace/sock/padding solution for the Adios Pro3 as they give me a blister on the outer aspect of my right large toe knuckle. Still deciding if and when I can find the AF3 if I will try them supposedly they have better heel striker support than the VF3 and allow you to run faster without increasing your HR.

You said that the Adios Pro 3 is the 2nd best race shoe for heel strikers. Whats the no. 1 best race shoe for heel strikers? Thanks!

Still waiting for a foam with varying cushioning from top to bottom..virtually every shoe is either a brick or bottoms as it heats up..the pro4 is getting closer,but not there yet..I do like the upper..

I was so excited to use the ep4 as my first marathon shoe, but when trying it on, I realized that the heel was strangely narrow. I felt like I was stepping on the edge of the insole on my medial side…something I’ve never experienced before. Such a shame because the rest of the shoe felt great. Surprised that no other reviewers have mentioned this. I must have freak feet lol😅

I have both the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 and Vaporfly 3 in my rotation. I use the Vaporfly 3 for my speed works (along with Saucony Endorphin Speed 3) and the Pro 4 for longer distances training runs. I tried the Asics Metaspeed Edge Paris few weeks ago in a store in Tokyo, I don't think I can run a 4hr+ marathon in those so I didn't get them. I ran in the Adios Pro 3 in some long runs in the past but I just find the responsiveness of the foam is too aggressive for me. Overall, the Pro 4 is just more friendly for me.

Adios pro 3 ‘s big cut out in the forefoot is a big flaw. Your foot rolls outwards as you push off making the shoe unstable.

I now understand why the Saucony Endorphin Pro appeals so broadly. It has to be about the heel strike friendliness which is more common among non-elite runners. I agree that the Adios Pro 3 upper design is weird with the little stupid eyelet loops and the midfoot lockdown strap over the forefoot. I don’t understand what they were thinking. However practically speaking for me it’s been no problem whatsoever in any sock I choose. Usually I wear a Balega Hidden Dry which is an ultra thin minimal sock - unless it’s just too cold for that and then I use a mohair sock. Maybe I have particularly insensitive feet? The center forefoot rod on one of my Adios Pro 3 is broken now. They are runnable but it makes a popping noise and even can make it with my finger pressing into the middle of the forefoot contact patch. That must be the highest force moment spot. I kind of wonder if the rods are a brand gimmick for marketing and to avoid a patent dispute with Nike or a real engineering thing. I wish the AP3 was lighter and I’m reluctant to buy another pair at this point because surely another model will come soon?

Very interesting comparison. I can tell you're a fine runner/tester from 21:00: this is a problem I noticed as well when running in AP3 , especially on uneven terrain and one of the reasons why I sent back the shoe: that horrendous cutout nearly costed me an ankle - luckily I managed to correct on time. I can tell you NO tester I'm aware of never pointed out this flaw on this shoe. By the way, running in lots of shoes (and probably more a Nike guy than an Adidas one) I cannot say enough BAD things about AP3.. the upper isn't terrible, the shoe is fairly clunky (too much underfoot) .. yes the foam is good I admit it but honestly between VF2/3 and AP3 I would go VF all day. Luckily for Adidas EVO1 looks to be a better shoe and without those midsole cutouts..

The Pro 4 heel whilst wide cuts in strangely at the base and can dig in. Felt weird to me. Also the heel didn't feel locked in even with a runners knot. I wamted to like it as it was more stable for a bigger runner. But re-tried the Edge Paris am now keeping that for 5ks and 10ks. Not sure i could take it to a half.

Why no new balance sc elite v4 and hoka cielo x1?

I’ve tried all of these shoes on foot, and the only one I felt comfortable in was the endorphin Pro 4. I do have a slightly wider foot, but there is no way I’d feel good running a marathon in anything that feels as constrictive as the modern racing shoe. The endorphin pro 4 stands alone for me.

It is interesting isn't it how the shoe companies look at the same problem and come to somewhat different conclusions on the relative widths of outsoles. Then again there is a bit of a curveball from Nike as the Alphafly 3 is way way wider in the outsole than the Vaporfly 3 and even that has a very "sloppy" and "roomy" upper compared to at least the VF1. As such I think the AF3 would be wider in this context than any of the ones you featured. I haven't yet seen a "need" to pick up the Endorphin Pro 4 partly as I only used the previous 3 versions in a rather limited way although I did think the Pro 3 felt closest to a Vaporfly without being one with the caveat that the ASICS Metaspeed shoes aren't made in my size (US 14). Further not sure how the Endorphin Elite compares to the Pro 4 in this context. I was worrried that the Elite would be too wide for me but it is actually OK. Never really felt for me however that it was significantly better/faster than the Pro 3 but presume Saucony sort of intended to make the Pro 4 more accessible with somewhat ironically their actual pros more in the Elite?

Endorphin Elite ❓

Have you considered teaching, Chris?