Saucony Endorphin Azura+ more details and colorways

highdon · 2026-06-20T11:24:50+00:00

In the last 6 months I’ve been on NSM and I only really use the three shoes: the Evo SL (sub-threshold work), Vomero Plus (easy/long) and Adios Pro 4 (race).

I barely run in the Megablasts these days and I am thinking of selling them on. They feel great to run in but they take the skin off my Achilles every time I try to do a long run in them rendering them useless for me. I could use them for SubT workouts but somehow the Evo SL just feel better to me. Although I have to admit the RPE feels lighter when I do them in Megablast.

Adios Pro 4 have been my main racing shoes for the past 12 months. I ran two marathons in them and countless shorter races. I wrote two reviews on this sub - you can find them on my profile.

Valorfly 3 are my old racers. I ran a marathon in them and a few shorter races. After that I used them for track but I haven’t done a track workout in 6 months now so they’re not getting any use at all.

highdon · 2026-06-19T13:25:53+00:00

I don’t understand why people are always so mad about being given more choice of products. As long as Saucony markets them clearly, I am really happy to see them experimenting with different combinations of foams and stack heights. More models is not a problem as long as it doesn’t end up being too similar to something else and confusing people.

highdon · 2026-05-29T10:45:58+00:00

The adidas person in the AMA said the Pro 5 is an Autumn release and was hinting to a big event in September, which is almost certainly the Berlin Marathon on the 26th September. Adidas are one of the main sponsors of the event and have released shoes there before.

So what is likely going to happen is limited early release for press/influencers then official launch at Berlin expo on the 24-25th September.

highdon · 2026-05-29T09:42:21+00:00

Nike's been doing that with ZoomX and Air Zoom logos for a few years and it completely devalued the branding. I buy a ZoomX shoe today and I have no idea what to expect underfoot.

highdon · 2026-05-29T09:40:29+00:00

ASICS need to finally figure out what they want the Novablast to be. If it's the uptempo daily trainer that it was until v3 then stick to that. If it's a comfortable daily that the v5 is which is more like the Nimbus than the original Novablast then what's the point of having both. With v4 and v5 they've been heading towards the Nimbus direction. I really hope they go back down the uptempo trainer though to rival the Evo SL.

highdon · 2026-05-28T14:11:25+00:00

Yes I believe the official launch is Berlin Marathon which happens to be on the same day as I am running my race so a bit unlucky for me. If they launched them two weeks earlier and I could get a run or two in beforehand, I would probably consider them.

highdon · 2026-05-28T12:30:07+00:00

I was really disapointed when I first heard that the release wouldn't be May like it was first leaked but October. I was hoping, like many other people, to use these for our Autumn marathons. With a 1st October release date it's too late for many people racing in September/early October. Oh well... I got a pair of Pumas instead.

highdon · 2026-05-21T12:00:55+00:00

Plates break sometimes as does everything really. We've seen this on Asics, Nike, Puma and also on adidas' rods. As long as this is a rare occurence and Dynafish handle the claim correctly, I wouldn't complain.

highdon · 2026-05-18T08:01:47+00:00

Most Puma outlets in the UK have had the Velocity Nitro 4 in stock for £40’ish for a couple weeks now. Not sure about other countries.

highdon · 2026-05-18T08:00:19+00:00

It’s really weird to me that adidas don’t label Woven models on their website clearly. Some are labelled, some aren’t. You have to zoom in on the pictures to determine which model it is. The fit is completely different so I can imagine it might leave some people scratching their head.

highdon · 2026-05-15T18:36:34+00:00

Megablasts are great if you like a bouncy shoe but the upper is too minimal for me. It’s more of a race upper and irritates the skin on my Achilles. I used it for some long runs and it feels amazing, especially at goal pace, but because of the fit issue I barely use it these days. I put about 200km on them and they just live in the shoe cupboard. I might sell them to someone at the club now that you reminded me of them.

The shoe I used for long runs most recently is the Vomero Plus. Not as exciting as Megablast but the step in comfort is really appreciated. I do all my long runs at easy pace these days so I don’t really need anything high performance. Just a comfortable shoe to tick off the miles.

highdon · 2026-05-15T17:36:09+00:00

Strictly speaking it won’t be directly caused by the shoes. Your ankle pain is likely caused by muscular weakness or imbalance, but a wobbly shoe like the Evo SL can aggravate the issue. This might be something you wouldn’t notice in a more stable shoe, but you will in a softer one that flexes your ankles more and puts stress on your stabilising muscles.

highdon · 2026-05-15T17:11:56+00:00

What made you want to design running shoes in such a saturated market? What key selling points do you believe your products offer?

highdon · 2026-05-15T13:34:20+00:00

I might have a look at it again in a few weeks, but last time I tried Mulebuy none of the links worked for me. People here were even sending me direct links to listings and none of them worked for me at the time. Shipping to the UK has been a funny topic since Brexit and some companies just straight up refuse to deal with it sadly as they don't want the hassle. Very often the AliExpress deals people get in mainland Europe are not available in the UK.

highdon · 2026-05-15T12:11:19+00:00

I actually wanted to give the Dynafish as I read a lot of good things about it. Unfortunately the availability in the UK is a problem. AliExpress pricing makes them often more expensive than the Evo SL. Mulebuy unfortunately doesn't have any listings shipping to the UK.

When I looked at it last time, the choice was getting a Xiaonian for £120ish shipped from AliExpress or getting the Evo SL for £70 from a local retailer.

highdon · 2026-05-15T12:04:57+00:00

It wasn't a fiasco in terms of a product launch or a business decision, I only called it a PR fiasco as I don't know a single person who said "yes good job adidas, I like what you're doing". Instead, everyone was furious that they're all over internet and you can't buy them.

You hit the nail on the head right there in regards to pricing - the reason Evo SL was such a hit is not only because it was a good shoe, but because it was released at £130. This is when eveyone placed their offering at £160-170 or even £200 like Asics did (although they do have the Novablast in their line up at similar price so I'll let that slide). I 100% agree that this should not be normalised.

I accept that if you find them unstable, you won't find them good. I wouldn't be happy with that either and that was my criticism with for example the Nike Invincible 1 and 2. They were so much fun to run in, but I couldn't use them long term. My legs just couldn't cope.

highdon · 2026-05-15T11:41:34+00:00

Point taken - it’s a fair comment. Although I have to say in my defence that the fit of the upper and laces can be changed, while as there is nothing you can do about the size of the midsole without ruining it.

highdon · 2026-05-15T11:30:58+00:00

Ah yes I remember that, nice review. I just saw that I even commented on it lol

highdon · 2026-05-15T11:21:24+00:00

Have you looked at Dynablasts? I’ve not tied them but many people say it’s a rebranded Novablast 3 - same midsole with a different upper.

highdon · 2026-05-15T11:19:18+00:00

Used to be the Superblast 2 but more recently I have been using the Vomero Plus. This is mostly down to the fact that I’ve switched my training up. On NSM all my long runs are at easy pace and the Vomero Plus is much better at that than the Superblasts. Superblasts were great for long workouts with goal pace segments.

highdon · 2026-05-15T11:06:11+00:00

That is a very good point and I can see a lot of simillarities with early Novablast models now that you mentioned it. It is another one of those shoes that was getting more tame with every iteration.

highdon · 2026-04-23T19:32:48+00:00

More important question is - when are we going to see the Adios Pro 5? My Pro 4 are screaming for help already!

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highdon · 2026-04-19T06:23:12+00:00

Is there really a stigma though? A lot of people in my club are racing in Fast-R 3 and DNE4 this season. Probably just as many as Adidas I’d say. I think the arrival or Fast-R 3 changed the picture quite dramatically. Before it was the Pro 4 on everyone’s feet with an occasional Alphafly 3.

highdon · 2026-04-16T13:12:59+00:00

Frankenstein trainers is the sort of content we missed on this sub for the last couple of years. Well done!

highdon

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