Saucony Endorphin Azura Review: Plateless Perfection

Introduction to the Saucony Endorphin Azura

CHAD: I’ve got to say, I think running shoe brands are starting to jump the shark a bit when it comes to the amount of options in their lineups. It seems that every year, brands release at least one new model, if not more, while not discontinuing models that are becoming obsolete. I believe that it tends to lead to consumer confusion and an overall cluttered marketplace.

Now that I have given that spiel, I’m going to completely forget all about that as I talk about the Azura, a new offering from Saucony in their Endorphin performance lineup. Designed to be a lightweight daily trainer (i.e., New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5, Adidas Adizeo Evo SL, etc.) with the brand’s PWRRUN PB superfoam, this shoe mimics a lot of the attributes of its speedy cousin, the Endorphin Speed model.

The main differences between the Speed and the new Azura are that the latter doesn’t have a plate, while raising the stack height to 40 mm/32 mm (an 8 mm drop), compared to the 36 mm/28 mm (an 8 mm drop) in the Speed. I’m on record saying that the Endorphin Speed 4 is one of my favorite shoes I have ever run in overall, not just as a speedwork/tempo day shoe. How does the Azura compare? I guess we’ll have to see.

MEAGHAN: The Saucony Endorphin line has long been one of my favorites. When it debuted in 2020, it felt like the first truly clean, straightforward trio of shoes: a daily trainer (Shift), a speed-day option (Speed), and a dedicated racer (Pro). The lineup has evolved over the years, but its overall strength and clarity have stayed intact.

Enter the newest addition, the Endorphin Azura. It joins the family this year with a generous slab of PWRRUN PB (40 mm/32 mm) paired with Saucony’s SpeedRoll geometry and XT-900 rubber outsole. Positioned as a daily trainer, it delivers a ride reminiscent of the Endorphin Speed but without the nylon plate. It’s lightweight at just 7.2 oz for a US W7.5 and priced competitively at $150.

So the question is: does this new model earn its spot in the Endorphin lineup? Let’s dive in.

CARYN: When it comes to carbon-plated shoes, the original Saucony Endorphin Pro (white mutant colorway) is my Roman Empire. While yes, it was released over five years ago, the Endorphin Pro was everything I wanted in a race day model. It was lightweight, rockered, perfectly fitting, and not so unstable that my ankle tendons were screaming after workouts.

Since that initial version, I’ve gravitated more towards Saucony’s Endorphin Speed, the Pro’s nylon-plated step-sibling (cousin? bestie?), which, from my vantage point, offers a better value for a very similar amount of pep in your step. I am a little confused by the number of outwardly similar models being added to shoe brand lineups that don’t necessarily have a uniquely articulated purpose. The naming conventions alone require an extra college degree to understand (kidding, but there ARE, in fact, four different Brooks Glycerin models now).

So, forgive me if I rolled my eyes a bit when yet another totally new model, the Saucony Endorphin Azura, showed up at my door. As a long-time Endorphin Speed stan, could a new Saucony model find a spot in my lineup? I was doubtful, but as it turns out, I was also wrong.

What we like about the Saucony Endorphin Azura

CHAD: I don’t know if it’s the sheer number of gray colorways I am getting that’s causing me to appreciate them, but I sort of like the aesthetics of the Endorphin Azura. The Saucony logo wrapping around the lateral part of the shoe and onto the top of the toes is nice, and the neon yellow accenting “rays” coming down towards the midsole sort of makes the shoe look like a suspension bridge. Not sure why, but I sort of dig it.

Even if the looks of the shoe sucked, I would still say that I love this shoe. It’s reasonably lightweight (8.5 oz. for a US M9) and feels even lighter on the foot, and the combination of the PWRRUN PB and SpeedRoll rocker geometry creates a snappy and downright fast ride. I’m a heel striker through and through, and during every mile of my runs in the Endorphin Azura, it never felt like my heels were touching the ground.

The rocker and aggressive toe spring make running in this shoe feel completely effortless. The first run I did in the shoe, just a short 5K, had me cruising at sub-9-minute-mile paces by my third mile, despite feeling like I was running with a 10:30-minute-mile effort. This shoe just needs to go fast, and that’s not to say it doesn’t feel good at slower paces. I did a longer run in it and actually focused on keeping my pace reserved, and the shoe still felt amazing. Lively and peppy with a seamless roll-through transition.

So how fast is this shoe? For testing purposes, I wore it to my local Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving (with Robbe, coincidentally) at the Sticks and Biscuits 5K in Palmyra, PA. I figured I would take it out at a PR pace (8:30 min/mile, a PR I set way back in 2015) and when the going got tough, pull back the reins and call it a day. Holy airball on my part! My mile splits were 8:11, 8:07, 8:40 (mostly uphill), and 7:57 for the last 0.1 mile, all while sporting an average HR of 155! The Endorphin Azura carried me to a 40-second PR in the 5K on a cold and windy day; now that is damn impressive.

Also, I’m not sure how Saucony did it, but this shoe is probably one of the best examples of a stable-neutral shoe I have seen, especially in a model with a superfoam. The firmer/responsive PWRRUN PB and SpeedRoll just keep the foot right in line. I had absolutely zero wear on the medial side of the midsole, which is something I tend to experience in most neutral shoes.

MEAGHAN: There’s no denying that the Endorphin Azura looks like a Saucony shoe. It carries the brand’s signature aesthetic, but the white/splash colorway I tested is especially nice. Step-in comfort is strong as well. It fits true to size, the toebox is roomy, and while the upper is lightweight, there’s still enough padding around the collar. The tongue is minimal, yet thoughtfully cushioned in key areas, so tightening the laces feels secure and comfortable.

What surprised me most, though, was how much I enjoyed the ride. I’ve always been a fan of the Speed, but admittedly, a lot of that love comes from the bouncy nylon plate. I’m one of those people who could happily run in a plated shoe every day (yes, yes, I hear you, physical therapists), so I assumed I’d miss that in the Azura. Instead, I found the opposite — I didn’t miss the plate at all, and I actually ended up preferring the Azura’s ride to the Speed. It hits a sweet spot: firm but comfortable, with a smooth, efficient roll-through. It’s effortless on easy miles yet springy enough to pick up the pace, and more than once I realized I was running faster than I expected.

And we can’t ignore the price: $150. That puts it right alongside the Adidas Adizero Evo SL and New Balance Rebel — but honestly, I think the Azura is the more versatile shoe of the bunch.

CARYN: I won’t bury the lede here- the answer to my question posed in the intro is a wholehearted “yes.” At $150, Endorphin Azura is one of the best (if not the best) value options out there. Opening the box, the shoe looks like a classic Saucony shoe — the white colorway with a pop of neon was right up my alley. On step-in, the Azura felt similar to my other Saucony favorites. Saucony’s fit has long worked well for me, so I was glad to see they hadn’t changed much in the way of their toebox and midfoot width.

Out on the run, the Azura was an absolute pleasure to run in at all paces. I found myself cruising along at a pace at the fast end of easy with minimal effort. Thanks to Saucony’s PWWRUN PB midsole and SpeedRoll rocker, the Azura is responsive without being aggressive, making it friendly for both uptempo and easy running. I found that it all but disappeared on my foot out on the run, as I had to make no adjustments to the lacing or tongue.

I also love that the Azura maintains a slim build (7.2 oz for a US W7.5) while maintaining an intentional and well-padded upper. The Azura lands squarely in the category of versatile, non-plated “do-it-all” shoes, but I agree with Meg – I think it’s the best of the bunch (and the Adizero Evo SL has been my go-to this year). With its stable neutral feel underfoot, the Azura could also potentially serve as a race day option for those wanting a non-plated shoe.

What we don’t like about the Saucony Endorphin Azura

CHAD: I’ve probably said the same thing in my last three or four Saucony reviews, but the aggressive taper of the forefoot can cause some crowding for the toes, especially if you end up in between sizes. I do wonder whether I would feel the same in a US M12, because I usually wear a US M11.5 in Saucony. It might be worth a try in the next Saucony shoe I review. My only concern would be having too much room in the heel and getting heel lift.

MEAGHAN: I’m honestly having a hard time finding anything negative to say about this shoe. Instead of nitpicking for the sake of it, I’ll just say it plainly: I really don’t have any complaints.

CARYN: I have nothing to say here. I’ll just note that this shoe is NOT soft and marshmallow-y (nor is it advertised as such). If that is your jam, I’d probably steer clear. On that note, please, Saucony, don’t ruin future versions of the Azura.

Final thoughts on the Saucony Endorphin Azura

CHAD: The Saucony Endorphin Azura is everything for me that the Adidas Adizeo Evo SL wasn’t. I didn’t get the same fast and snappy experience in that shoe that everyone else seemed to have; in fact, I felt like it lacked pep and was inherently unstable, particularly with the Lightstrike Pro and no stabilizing elements. This shoe is light, snappy, and an absolute joy to run in at any pace. Saucony claims the Azura has a “smooth, faster, and more efficient ride,” and I couldn’t have said it any better myself. In fact, I could just let my new 25:54 5K PR do my talking for me. At $150, this shoe is a must-have in 2026.

MEAGHAN: Outside of race-day shoes, this might be my favorite Saucony model, maybe ever. Sometimes the simplest shoes end up being the best ones. No fancy plates, no air pods, no rods, no lightspeed gimmicks — just a clean mesh upper and a generous slab of genuinely great foam. If you liked the Endorphin Speed, you’re going to love the Azura. This is one of those shoes I’ll keep reaching for long after the review is done.

CARYN: As a ride-or-die fan of the Endorphin Speed, it’s almost hard for me to write this, but this is without a doubt my favorite non-race-day shoe Saucony has released. It’s lightweight, responsive, and straightforward in composition, yet the ride is phenomenal. I highly recommend adding a pair of Azura to your closet next year.

You can pick up the Saucony Endorphin Azura for $150 on February 1, 2026, from Running Warehouse (featuring free shipping and 90-day returns) by using the buttons below.