by Lionel Brahim Brodie III
I was just saying to a friend that I wanted to diversify my running portfolio. Primarily a stability shoe wearer, I have been recently mixing it up a little as I make an attempt at what the kids today call 'speed'. I mean we all want to be faster right, even if we're not externally vocal about it. You might not want a Ferrari, but if you had one.....
Before we get into the shoe detail, I frequently gravitate towards anything that has the Purple/Orange colorway made famous, in my opinion, by the Phoenix Suns (sorry Clemson). Most notably in the 1990s when Charles Wade Barkley was traded from my beloved Philadelphia 76ers (sorry Philadelphia). 1993 wasn't a great year for your boy, other than graduating from the 8th Grade. Barkley, gone. My favorite player Chirs Webber calls that infamous timeout in April. Joe Carter happens in October. Cringe.
My favorite player on that Suns team was Richard Dumas. Homeboy had hops and was wicked fast. Very much unlike my own basketball game, but precisely like the Saucony Endorphin Speed franchise. Lightweight, swift, responsive.....and the Speed 4 arrives with upgrades that help make the shoe more efficient and stable.
The 'Tempo Shoe' market is booming these days, and the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 is a first–class player that is extremely versatile (like Dumas, who ironically went from the Suns to the Sixers). This is your shoe for speed work, roads, shorter/quicker runs, treadmills, racing 5Ks.....everything.
I am also a believer in giving my friends the answers to the test if I have them. I was in one of the stores on the day that the shoe actually released, and the Endorphin enthusiasts were READY. Even guests who were visiting us for a completely different shoe option were trying them on, taking them to the sales counter, putting them into shopping bags, and walking out of the door.....happy. On foot Saucony's PWRRUN PB cushioning, redesigned winged nylon plate and SPEEDROLL geometry create an extremely nice experience for runners wanting to be fast and get faster.
I'm off to get some miles in these and I’ll circle back with a full review. We have a few different color options if you're not a Phoenix Suns or Clemson Tigers fan. In the meantime, stop in to pick these up at any of our stores and let's compare notes after a few runs.
PR Center City: 1711 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
PR University City: 3621 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
PR Manayunk: 4358 Main Street, Philadelphia, PA
PR Glen Mills: 505 Glen Eagle Square, Glen Mills, PA