Sauconys PWRRUN PB midsole foam is the base for one of the brands most popular running shoe lines named Endorphin. With an energy return of 88% PWRRUN PB is Saucony’s lightest and most responsive cushioning ever. The foam is one of the best I have tried in the last few months and was used generally on road shoes. It is tremendously springy, and amazingly sturdy. After the foam and the respective Endorphin line gained following all across the road running market, Waltham, Massachusetts based Saucony, takes this line of the beaten track and onto the trails. But it is not only the foam. Saucony delivers a mix of carbon with their PWRRUN PB and shapes capable mixture for all off-road desires.
To my liking, Saucony continues to offer a roomy toe box once again and to my full satisfaction also adds little shielding on top of it. A feature that protected me and my size US13 feet quite some time while being out and about. A suitable toe protection is key and nicely crafted with the latest Endorphin Edge. As a lot of trail runners looking specifically into bigger toe boxes like seen in popular Topo and Altra models, it can also be found right here.
Saucony has adapted quite a lot of features from the Endorphin Road running line. Even though the general fit is now true to size, the sensation of the shoe compared to the road version feels very alike and bids the same snug feeling and comfort. A well understood change is a suitable modification to the upper. Although some other brands choose to take their road upper for their trail versions, Saucony altered that around and made the upper more robust and better suited for rougher excursions. Still the air circulation and comfort remains. The lightweight mesh dynamically pulls wetness away from your foot, keeping you cool and dry.
The word carbon joint with running shoe, draws a lot of attention. Although it is practically standard to have carbon plated road running shoes, it is still a novel feature beside the street. We can now witness an invasion of carbon equipped models which is long overdue. Since years trail shoes were equipped with rocker plates as a protection feature on rocky trails. Now companies combine the protection with performance. Saucony uses a MonoFlex carbon-fiber platter named Carbitex. It is managed as a 3-quarter plate design that delivers the bounce and spring but still keeps the suppleness on the trails. This explicit carbon plate shape is unique and not used in any other carbon model. Most of the times, one plate is used or various, compact plates. This Carbitex plate has a lobster claw split that allows flexion.
Who doesn’t like a pleasant, subtle feature? Saucony appears to pay more and more attention towards their trail line. Also, with a simple lace cover on the front upper.
I took the Endorphin Edge through more than a few proper sessions including our latest SwimRun excursion at the Ötillö competition in Cannes (more HERE). The thoughtless mixture of rocky, technical trails combined with sand and proper off-trail runs AKA bushwhacking should have been a proper challenge for the Endorphin Edge, but it wasn’t really. There is no perfect shoe for such a competition, also when you consider that there was a proper amount of basic and clean road running on the agenda. We decided not to take a road shoe and expected to suffer a bit with a sluggish performance on the road, but that wasn’t the case. The shoe works very well on the road but undoubtedly excels on the trail and offers a splendid grip. And it doesn’t soak a lot of water thanks to the upper as described above.  
The true heart and sole (by any means…) is the PWRRUN PB foam that’s used throughout the midsole. I quickly became a fan of the foam. It is very durable and keeps the springiness for a long time. Some of the other super foams seem to last only for a short while, something I haven’t experienced in the Saucony Endorphin Edge until now. With a measurement of 36 millimeters at the heel part and 30 millimeters at the forefoot, the shoe is not overly high in stack. Which can be quite comfortable and secure on the trails. It still offers proper cushion through the PWRRUN PB foam. Something that adds to the very well-rounded overall firmness and steadiness amid the rounded corners of the midsole and outsole.
Sauconys very own outsole material goes by the name of PWRTRAC. It is an adhesive, sturdy rubber providing proper traction. The 4-millimeter lugs work fine and deliver real good grip on techy trail but struggle quite a bit with real deep mud. The ground feel is amazing, and the transitions feel super smooth and quick.
A close up to highlight the outsole material and the well placed lugs of the Endorphin Edge.
As with almost all carbon plated shoes the style and kick-back changes in this shoe with the speediness you choose. It is not as bouncy and springy as its road brothers and sisters, but it still delivers a very exceptional feeling for a trail shoe. A feature that makes this allrounder a proper challenger for trail races. With the huge toe box, this shoe is even ready to take on an ultra-effort.
Maximum cushion on minimal weight – the Saucony Endorphin Edge weighs in at 268 grams in US13. That is pretty light when you consider the proper amount of cushion that this shoe offers. This was one of the first sensations that this shoe offered to me during the first runs. Today it is the sensation that I’m looking forward to when I lace up. These days I use this shoe for a wide range of runs as it is happy to take on the roads as well. A proper allrounder that doesn’t compromise in its natural habitat.
The last few seasons have been rough on the trail side of things for Saucony. Although the road shoes last to perform to the peak standards, the trail part wasn’t really looked after. At least that was the impression I had. After the modernized versions of the Peregrine 11 & 12 have been hits, I also became a big fan of the Xodus Ultra. But the up-to-date adding to the trail range takes the level to new heights. The Saucony Endorphin Edge is a proper high end trail shoe that doesn’t shy back from hard work and rough milieu. Whereas I was sceptic towards an implementation of the Endorphin series into the trail collection, this shoe has proved me wrong. Though daily sessions are a lot of fun, this shoe displays its full potential when its raced.

¨Tune of the day: Enfant Sauvage – 58500 (Daniel Avery Remix)