Doctors of Running Podcast #273 Breaking Down Saucony's Foams and New Endorphin Shoes for 2026
Dec 24, 2025
Luca Ciccone, Saucony engineer specializing in foam chemistry and plate geometry. Cory Hoffman, senior performance engineer who tests and tunes foams and plates in the lab. Katie Pyle, senior product manager leading the 2026 Endorphin lineup. They break down new Endorphin Azura, Pro and Elite tweaks, the IncrediRun and Incredilux foams, plus big updates to Triumph, Hurricane, Paramount Max, Ride and Guide.
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Azura Delivers Shift-Like Propulsion Without A Plate
- Saucony's Endorphin Azura is a non-plated daily speed shoe using 100% PWRRUN PB to give a poppy, propulsive feel similar to the Shift.
- Developers based its last and toe-spring geometry on the Endorphin Elite to produce a late-stage rocker and aggressive forward roll.
Pro 5 Adds Articulated Plate For Stronger Toe Off
- Endorphin Pro 5 keeps the same PWRRUN PB base with a PWRRUN HG top layer for durability and pop but updates the plate geometry.
- The plate now has forked ends and forefoot fluting to add longitudinal stiffness and aid toe-off propulsion.
Forefoot Slots Improve Natural Lateral Motion
- Saucony adds longitudinal forefoot slots and tuned carbon layups to allow medial-lateral flexibility without reducing fore-aft bending stiffness.
- This design helps lateral foot landers transition naturally while preserving speed-rocker stiffness.