The softest ride at the top of the market against the firmest-value one.
The Saucony Endorphin Elite 3 is 20g lighter (190g against 210g), the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 is £40 cheaper at RRP (£230 against £270), and the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 stays fast for roughly 20km longer (~260km against ~240km). Both are inside the World Athletics 40mm road limit.
Weight · men's US 9
Price · UK RRP
Competitive life · km before the foam fades
■ marks the better figure, where better is not a matter of taste
Endorphin Elite 339.5mm — on the limit
Adizero Adios Pro 439mm — road legal
| Specification | Endorphin Elite 3 | Adizero Adios Pro 4 |
|---|---|---|
| RRP | £270 | £230 (advantage) |
| Weight | 190g (advantage) | 210g |
| Stack | 39.5 / 31.5mm | 39 / 33mm |
| Drop | 8mm | 6mm |
| Road legal | yes | yes |
| Plate | carbon fibre | carbon fibre |
| Foam | IncrediRUN (twin layer) | Lightstrike Pro |
| Competitive life | ~240km | ~260km (advantage) |
| Price per km of life | £1.13 | £0.88 (advantage) |
| Fit | standard | standard |
| Underfoot | balanced | balanced |
| Built for | 10K · Half · Marathon | 10K · Half · Marathon |
| Economy gain | 3.3–4.5% | 3.2–4.3% |
= 5:20/km
Modelled economy gain adjusted for pace and your current shoes; ranges reflect the spread published between individual runners. Full method.
| Race | For the time | For the money |
|---|---|---|
| 10Kat a reference 45:00 | Endorphin Elite 3−40s to −58s | Adizero Adios Pro 4cheaper per second saved |
| Half marathonat a reference 1:45:00 | Endorphin Elite 3−1m 26s to −2m 7s | Adizero Adios Pro 4cheaper per second saved |
| Marathonat a reference 3:45:00 | Endorphin Elite 3−2m 52s to −4m 13s | Adizero Adios Pro 4cheaper per second saved |
Reference times, trainer baseline, whole-life economics. Your own time changes the answer — use the reading above.
The softest ride at this level by some distance, and the third generation finally made it serious rather than just fun. A genuine top-tier option.
■ Caution IncrediRUN is extremely soft. If you like a firm, connected racer this will feel vague underfoot.
The best value at the very top of the market. Within touching distance of the Evo 2 for performance at half the price and twice the life.
■ Caution The EnergyRods give a distinctive rolling feel that some runners never get on with. Try before you commit if you can.
Manufacturer-stated specs unless marked estimated on the shoe sheet · last reviewed 2026-08-13 · prices are UK RRP.