Saucony Endorphin Elite 3

The Saucony Endorphin Elite 3 is the American brand's most radical racing super shoe, built for runners looking for maximum responsiveness over the marathon and shorter road races, with a slotted carbon fibre plate that delivers stratospheric propulsion, to match its price. Although it uses men's sizing as its reference, it is a unisex model. It sits at the top of the Endorphin family, a step above the Endorphin Pro 5 and the Endorphin Speed 5, with a construction aimed exclusively at race day, so think carefully about whether it is worth buying, because cheap... it is not.

Compared with the previous generation, the most notable changes aim to fix the instability some runners felt in the Elite 2, and the stack height does not help in this respect. The midsole adds more IncrediRUN foam at the heel and on the lateral side, filling empty areas to improve the base of support, while the carbon fibre plate moves to a stiffer slotted design that delivers more forward propulsion. The upper is new, a light, stretchy sock-like knit mesh that greatly improves comfort and breathability; it has no rigid heel counter, good news for anyone who suffers at the heel or has a sensitive Achilles insertion. The fit is true to size, with a square toe box and a somewhat more generous last than usual in racing shoes.

With 39.5 mm at the heel and 31.5 mm at the forefoot (8 mm heel-to-toe drop), the geometry is right at the regulatory limit (look at the limits we are reaching: remember when the definition of doping was any unnatural external aid) and combines generous cushioning with quick transitions thanks to SpeedRoll technology. The PWRTRAC outsole provides grip on tarmac, although like most road super shoes it is not designed for uneven surfaces and gives the impression it could fall apart at any moment. It is a shoe for demanding paces, where you can get the most out of the combination of foam and plate.