When I laced up the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4, I knew I wasn’t doing what most runners would do. This shoe, after all, is a road-racing masterpiece, engineered for marathons, 10Ks, and Hyrox competitions. But I wanted to see what happens when a supershoe designed for the tarmac is unleashed into the unpredictable terrain of Baikunthapur Forest in West Bengal.
Why Baikunthapur? It’s not your average trail. This forest, nestled along the Himalayan foothills, is a rich blend of soft loamy soil, pebbled paths, and dense undergrowth. It’s humid, it’s wild, and it’s the perfect proving ground for a shoe that claims to offer durability, comfort, and versatility. If the Endorphin Pro 4 could survive here, it could survive anywhere.
First Impressions: Fit, Feel, and Forest Prep
Right out of the box, the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 screams fast. The upper is featherlight and impressively breathable, almost gossamer thin. Sliding my foot in, the fit felt true to size, with a roomy toe box and a snug but not suffocating midfoot lock. The new sock-like tongue design added to the seamless feel, and the thick, responsive insole gave a nice initial bounce.
As I stood at the edge of Baikunthapur, the early morning mist curling around my ankles, I wondered: could this road shoe handle the wild roots, the slippery moss, and the rogue pebbles of this ancient forest?
The Ascent: Uphill Performance and Stability
The first stretch of my route was a gradual incline, with a mix of compact dirt and loose gravel. Here, the carbon plate and Saucony’s signature Speedroll geometry came into play. The rolling sensation was noticeable and helpful, it felt like the shoe was nudging me forward with each stride.
Despite weighing slightly more than its predecessor (7.8 oz / 220g), the Pro 4 felt light enough for uphill efforts. What surprised me most was the stability. With a widened forefoot base (118.9 mm) and a firmer dual-layer midsole (PWRRUN HG over PWRRUN PB), I never felt wobbly, even when dodging roots or hopping over exposed rocks.
The torsional rigidity score of 4/5 meant that lateral motion was controlled, even when the trail twisted unexpectedly. It’s not a trail shoe, but it held its own admirably.
Technical Specs: A Deep Dive into the Numbers
Our source for technical data is Saucony’s official website, chosen for its reliability and accuracy.
| Feature | Value | Average | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 7.8 oz (220g) | 9.3 oz | Lighter than average, but heavier than EP3 |
| Heel Stack | 38.1 mm | 34.4 mm | High stack for great heel cushioning |
| Forefoot Stack | 28.6 mm | 25.8 mm | Comfortable for long distances |
| Drop | 9.5 mm | 8.6 mm | Ideal for heel strikers |
| Midsole Softness (PB) | 22.0 HA | 20.7 HA | Balanced ride |
| Secondary Foam Softness (HG) | 18.5 HA | 23.3 HA | Softer top layer for springy feel |
| Energy Return | 71.7% | 58.2% | Excellent pop in every stride |
| Traction | 0.52 | 0.46 | Surprisingly good grip on wet forest paths |
| Breathability | 5/5 | 3.8 | Best-in-class upper ventilation |
| Flex Stiffness | 25.7N | 15.0N | Carbon plate gives race-ready rigidity |
| Heel Counter Stiffness | 1/5 | 2.9 | Soft and Achilles-friendly |
| Outsole Wear | 0.6 mm | 1.0 mm | Excellent durability |
| Toebox Width | 72.5 mm | 73.5 mm | Standard taper but roomy feel |
| Midsole Width (Forefoot) | 118.9 mm | 114.3 mm | Adds to stability |
| Insole Thickness | 6.1 mm | 4.5 mm | Supercritical foam for comfort and bounce |
The Flats: Where the Shoe Truly Shines
As the trail leveled out into a stretch that resembled a forest road more than a trail, the Endorphin Pro 4 came alive. Every step felt efficient. The PWRRUN HG top layer added a soft yet responsive feel, while the PWRRUN PB foundation provided a firmer, grounded base. The carbon plate sandwiched between the two foams gave me that unmistakable supershoe propulsion.
Here’s where the rocker profile truly shined. While many supershoes go extreme with aggressive rockers, the Pro 4 keeps it subtle. That subtlety worked in my favor as I navigated uneven ground. It allowed for a natural gait cycle while still providing a forward-tipping motion that eased my stride.
Breathability, even in the dense humidity of Baikunthapur, was phenomenal. The engineered mesh upper allowed constant airflow, helping my feet stay cool and dry, even after 10 kilometers through thick underbrush.
Downhill and Technical Sections: Can It Handle the Chaos?
The ultimate test came when the trail dipped into a narrow, root-laden ravine. This was no place for a road shoe. I slowed down, focusing on foot placement, expecting the Pro 4 to falter.
To my surprise, it didn’t.
The outsole, with its 2.1 mm XT-900 rubber and relatively high hardness (85.3 HC), offered decent grip. The traction score of 0.52 backed this up. I wouldn’t take this shoe on a muddy trail run, but on dry forest paths and light technical sections, it provided enough confidence.
The wide forefoot base and increased heel width (89.2 mm) added to the stability, and the soft heel counter (1/5 stiffness) ensured that I didn’t feel any pressure on my Achilles, even during steep descents.
The Long Haul: Comfort Over Distance
Once I passed the 15K mark, the true benefit of the Pro 4’s design philosophy became clear. This shoe isn’t just about speed, it’s about sustainability. Not environmental sustainability (though that’s important too), but sustainable performance.
The dual-foam system, paired with a 6.1 mm supercritical foam insole, made every step feel supported. Unlike other supershoes that can feel harsh after 10 miles, the Pro 4 maintained its bounce and comfort. The toebox height of 27.7 mm gave my toes ample room to splay and breathe.
Durability also played into this. Despite the thin upper, the TPU overlays and durable mesh held up to branches, debris, and even a few scrapes from rocks. The Dremel test score of 4/5 for toebox durability isn’t just a lab number, it’s a real-world advantage.
Is the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 Trail-Ready?
Let’s be honest, this shoe was never designed for Baikunthapur Forest. It’s meant for the road, for PRs, for finish lines. But what this little experiment proved to me is that the Endorphin Pro 4 is more than a one-trick pony.
It’s a durable, comfortable, and surprisingly stable supershoe that can handle more than just pristine pavement. It won’t replace your trail runners, but it will give you the confidence to push boundaries, whether that’s a new marathon PR or a spontaneous detour into the woods.
If you’re a heel striker, a long-distance runner, or someone who values comfort alongside speed, the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 deserves a spot in your rotation.
And if you ever find yourself at the edge of a forest, wondering if your road shoes can handle it, just remember my day in Baikunthapur.
They can.
Conclusion: A Supershoe with Soul
The Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 blends the technical brilliance of a racing shoe with the comfort of a long-distance trainer. Its dual-foam midsole, carbon plate, and breathable upper make it a serious contender for marathoners and competitive runners.
But beyond the numbers, what makes this shoe special is its versatility. It’s not just a race-day weapon, it’s a reliable partner for tempo runs, long hauls, and even the occasional off-road adventure.
So, would I recommend it?
Absolutely. Whether you’re chasing a podium finish or just the next bend in the trail, the Endorphin Pro 4 won’t let you down.
