Running less, cycling more. Need some cushion, but really enjoy the Kinvara otherwise.
Local running stores has the following brands:
Saucony
Ghost
New Balance
Asics
On
Hoka
Hoka Rincon
.
Saucony endorphin speed. End of story.
I was a kinvara guy for like 6 years. Tried other brands and always went back to kinvara. I made move to try endorphin speeds and have been so happy. It’s an amazing shoe.
Saucony endorphin speed. End of story.
I was a kinvara guy for like 6 years. Tried other brands and always went back to kinvara. I made move to try endorphin speeds and have been so happy. It’s an amazing shoe.
X2. Awesome shoe.
Saucony endorphin speed. End of story.
I was a kinvara guy for like 6 years. Tried other brands and always went back to kinvara. I made move to try endorphin speeds and have been so happy. It’s an amazing shoe.
X2. Awesome shoe.
X3. It’s exactly what you described, a Kinvara with (MUCH) more cushioning.
Hard to beat the Saucony endorphin line up. Saucony is killing it right now. The problem with the endorphin lineup is it’s like going from little midsole and not much bounce to a high stack height and a lot of bounce. It has been a big ask for a few people. Worth the try though.
The Hoka Mach 5 is going to be more like the kinvara though.
You might also try the NB Tempo, lot’s of kinvara users also like this shoe. Maybe the 1080, probably too much shoe. The fuelcell may be an option as well.
If it were me I’d also tri (see what i did there?!) the Asics Tri Noosa 14, Novablast and the Magic speed. I’ve had several runners decide this is their shoe coming from the Kinvara and mach 4/5.
When you say ghost I’m guessing you meant Brooks.
You could try the hyperion tempo or launch. A few years ago Brooks was slaying it, now though, it’s a harder sell.
Other than DNA loft v3 with nitrogen in the foam Brooks hasn’t kept up with everyone else.
Same with NB, there is just nothing exciting there.
Hope that helps!
Saucony endorphin speed. End of story.
I was a kinvara guy for like 6 years. Tried other brands and always went back to kinvara. I made move to try endorphin speeds and have been so happy. It’s an amazing shoe.
Endorphin speed is amazing, and my main fast-day training shoe, but I have to admit through some self-testing on interval work from 400m to 1 mile+, than my Nike Alphaflys are significantly faster than both my Endorphin speeds and even the Endorphin pro. To the tune of 10+ sec/mile for me. It’s crazy.
I will likely just go Nike Alphafly for all speedwork and racing next year as cost isn’t as much an issue for me; the only reason I haven’t yet is that I have some ankle arthritis that limits me in fast shoes, but turns out I think the higher stack/padding of the Alphafly is even better than most race shoes for this.
If you can afford it, the Alphafly is no joke. It’ like running crack if it works for you - my races with Alphafly are +10 to +15sec/mile faster in an Oly compared to the Endorphin Pro. I had actually thought I was underperforming when I was running the Endorphin pro, but then I swapped back to Alphafly and was instantly back to where I expected speedwise for PR range. I can see why all the run time records in the worlds are dropping all over the place with these types of shoes.
Saucony endorphin speed. End of story.
I was a kinvara guy for like 6 years. Tried other brands and always went back to kinvara. I made move to try endorphin speeds and have been so happy. It’s an amazing shoe.
X2. Awesome shoe.
X3. It’s exactly what you described, a Kinvara with (MUCH) more cushioning.
X4
I used to do my races in Kinvara, and use a more supportive shoe for my day to day training. Now with the endorphin lineup, I’ve moved away from Kinvaras.
Bulk Training: Saucony Guide
Intervals/Tempo: Endorphin Speed
Race: Endorphin Pro
I need quite a bit of support, and will use a custom orthodic in each. Doing it like this, I’ve been able to stay mostly injury free (except at the moment…)
When you say ghost I’m guessing you meant Brooks.
Good catch, yes. I did. My wife runs in a Brooks Ghost. Got it mixed up.
Thanks for a great write up on options.
Most are saying Endorphin, but I’ll take a look at these others as well.
Saucony endorphin speed
Unfortunately they are too narrow for me.
Saucony endorphin speed
Unfortunately they are too narrow for me.
The Endorphin pro 1 & 2 were just a smidge wider than the speeds. That smidge made all the difference for me. \
I forget if there is any difference in the 3s. They did increase the width in the speed 3 and pro 3 by 2mm vs the 1s and 2s.
Saucony endorphin speed
Unfortunately they are too narrow for me.
The Endorphin pro 1 & 2 were just a smidge wider than the speeds. That smidge made all the difference for me. \
I forget if there is any difference in the 3s. They did increase the width in the speed 3 and pro 3 by 2mm vs the 1s and 2s.
Good to know! Even though the difference was very small, I did settle for the Pro. I will try the Speed 3 (when they go on sale… haha).
Saucony endorphin speed. End of story.
I was a kinvara guy for like 6 years. Tried other brands and always went back to kinvara. I made move to try endorphin speeds and have been so happy. It’s an amazing shoe.
X2. Awesome shoe.
X3. It’s exactly what you described, a Kinvara with (MUCH) more cushioning.
X4
X5
Saucony endorphin speed. End of story.
I was a kinvara guy for like 6 years. Tried other brands and always went back to kinvara. I made move to try endorphin speeds and have been so happy. It’s an amazing shoe.
Endorphin speed is amazing, and my main fast-day training shoe, but I have to admit through some self-testing on interval work from 400m to 1 mile+, than my Nike Alphaflys are significantly faster than both my Endorphin speeds and even the Endorphin pro. To the tune of 10+ sec/mile for me. It’s crazy.
I will likely just go Nike Alphafly for all speedwork and racing next year as cost isn’t as much an issue for me; the only reason I haven’t yet is that I have some ankle arthritis that limits me in fast shoes, but turns out I think the higher stack/padding of the Alphafly is even better than most race shoes for this.
If you can afford it, the Alphafly is no joke. It’ like running crack if it works for you - my races with Alphafly are +10 to +15sec/mile faster in an Oly compared to the Endorphin Pro. I had actually thought I was underperforming when I was running the Endorphin pro, but then I swapped back to Alphafly and was instantly back to where I expected speedwise for PR range. I can see why all the run time records in the worlds are dropping all over the place with these types of shoes.
Is that in the new Endorphin Pro 3? I didn’t use the Pro 2 as I had read mixed reviews but the 3 is amazing and, from what I can tell, a big improvement over the 2.
i still like the kinvara for some stuff, but find myself doing a lot more long runs in the saucony peregrine. same fit and drop as the kinvara. but it’s got a rockplate and great aggressive lugs that i find give it a different ride. i’m definitely waaaay less sore after long workouts in the peregrines. i save my carbon shoes for race day.
I think Saucony has some inventory issues with older shoes. I bought a pair of Endorphin Speed 2 earlier in the year from the company for $100. Amazon now has them for $88.
Saucony endorphin speed. End of story.
I was a kinvara guy for like 6 years. Tried other brands and always went back to kinvara. I made move to try endorphin speeds and have been so happy. It’s an amazing shoe.
Endorphin speed is amazing, and my main fast-day training shoe, but I have to admit through some self-testing on interval work from 400m to 1 mile+, than my Nike Alphaflys are significantly faster than both my Endorphin speeds and even the Endorphin pro. To the tune of 10+ sec/mile for me. It’s crazy.
I will likely just go Nike Alphafly for all speedwork and racing next year as cost isn’t as much an issue for me; the only reason I haven’t yet is that I have some ankle arthritis that limits me in fast shoes, but turns out I think the higher stack/padding of the Alphafly is even better than most race shoes for this.
If you can afford it, the Alphafly is no joke. It’ like running crack if it works for you - my races with Alphafly are +10 to +15sec/mile faster in an Oly compared to the Endorphin Pro. I had actually thought I was underperforming when I was running the Endorphin pro, but then I swapped back to Alphafly and was instantly back to where I expected speedwise for PR range. I can see why all the run time records in the worlds are dropping all over the place with these types of shoes.
Is that in the new Endorphin Pro 3? I didn’t use the Pro 2 as I had read mixed reviews but the 3 is amazing and, from what I can tell, a big improvement over the 2.
They were the 2s. It’s possible that the 3 is improved over the 2 and can compete with the Alphafly!
Wow, I switched from Altras to the Endorphin Speed V1 and they were wide enough. I can’t imagine how roomy the V3 would feel. Thanks for the info Brian.
I think Saucony has some inventory issues with older shoes. I bought a pair of Endorphin Speed 2 earlier in the year from the company for $100. Amazon now has them for $88.
the reason is there is no inventory left on the B2B side for retailers or discount houses to order. They stopped production on the 2s about June. The model year switched to the 3s in Oct.
Retailers can usually take shoes off MAP pricing about 2 mo before the new models come out.