New Balance FuelCell SC Elite V3 vs Saucony Endorphin Pro 3: We compare two of the years' stand-outs

[@runfrankfurt]

Man, that Saucony is one ugly shoe 🤮😂. But that New Balance looks great. 👌 I think I might just test the NB one.

[@barryclemo9684]

Hi Tom and Nick - in your opinion, would a shoe like the SE Pro3 offer any benefit for someone running a 4½ hour marathon, or would the Speed 3 be a better option?

[@JJCA82]

I did a 3:59 marathon on the speed 1 and they were perfect. The pro 1 was too hard almost painful after a fast 21k but the pro3 is supposed to be softer so I am running paris 2023 with the Pro3

[@jungtao]

Just ordered endo pro3 on sale at Saucony for 25% off = 168 + Saucony sent me vip discount of -50 if purchase over 150 so 118 then used rakuten for additional 12% rebate so net net $104!!!! Black Friday!!! 💥

[@endersftd]

The sc elite is available in wide!! This is a significant selling point for some!

[@JoutarouKuujou1]

Compare with Deviate Nitro Elite?

[@romrome]

Excellent review as always gentlemen! Keep up the awesome work!

[@juanseaforth5111]

Hi 👋🏽 I’m a Saucony speed fantastic however this time around I have to go with the Pro3 for my serious workout.

[@BizzeB-nq1jb]

I love the shoe but I wish the endorphin pro 3 tongue came up a bit higher. The laces cut into the top of my foot. I do more fidgeting with getting the laces sorted than I should have to.

[@anthony7828]

What about the choice between New Balance supercomp trainer OR the saucony pro 3?

[@multisportflash]

You nailed this review (again). Must be so hard for you guys when the competition is getting so fierce and the quality of the top-tier stuff becomes a matter of small variables. Lots of quality stuff out there indeed. I too have a bit of an unconscious bias .... in my case for the FuelCell foam from the RC Elite V2 (but kept it more for training, sensing it couldn't match the other carbon-plated super shoes), as I loved the cushioning. So am still hoping the SC V3s become my favourite. What a luxury though, knowing that the EP3s are a no-brainer choice in the end. Keep 'em coming guys ...

[@TheRunTesters]

Thanks! Always great to get the feedback. I'm (Nick) liking the V3 more every time I use it, very pleasant 15 miles in it yesterday!

[@marcdupont9998]

@Nick .. any thoughts months late? Need your opinion. Loved the RC V2's fuel cell foam for half Iron triathlons but now looking for a marathon shoe and considering the SC V3. Has your verdict changed? The VaporFly 3 just came out as well to further confuse me. Thanks

[@cakej1]

I've got RC elite v1, fuelcell TC, 5280s, SC pacer. Trained in rebel v1, and many pairs of rebel v2s. Skipped rc elite v2. Everyone is out of my size in sc elite v3 so I'll have to wait until mass release. Sounds like I need to try it. I did just order some sc trainers to help me get some long runs in after having knee surgery less than a year ago. Hoping those will keep my knees from getting too beat up. Nice review guys.

[@danielgurmin2672]

Bought Saucony Pro 3 yesterday. It came down to the upper. Not keep on a booty upper.

[@bbnd5476]

Would it be possible for you to get a simple external caliper like what RunRepeat uses in their lab tests? It doesn't require destroying the shoe, takes a few seconds, and should be accurate. Using manufacturer stack heights is awfully deceiving in comparisons but it's one of the key specs for consumers. Asics says the Novablast 3 is 32mm but it's actually 37mm. In this video you mention the Pro 3 is 39mm but it's more like 35mm, including insole and outsole. It would be super helpful if we could know the real stack heights!

[@TheRunTesters]

Hi it's something we can look at for sure. I (Nick) would say though that there will be significant variation between shoes of the same model just through the manufacturing process - the stats given by brands are an average. So if we measure our shoe, it won't necessarily be the exact stack you'd get when buying a shoe. Sometimes it can also depend on what the brands include in their measurements, like Asics not including the insole/outsole in their stack, which is why the Novablast stack is listed as so low. And shoe size, I'm still amazed that the Alphafly 2 in any size can be sub-40mm given it's way over that in my size 9 haha!

[@runnin3216]

I think Asics does weird measurements where they don't include the outsole or the insole.

[@bbnd5476]

@@TheRunTesters thanks! It would he very helpful. While there is expected variation in manufacturing, +/- 5mm would be shocking. Averaging across your team would help, too. At minimum, we would be comparing apples to apples and it would be more accurate than comparing an Asics-provided number (understated) to a Saucony-provided number (overstated).

[@bbnd5476]

@@runnin3216 Yes. That is the case, which is why it's misleading to just use the mfg numbers.

[@MrMars121]

Which is the faster shoe?

[@dragosvoda3445]

Why do you guys think they have change the drop from 10 to 4, in the RC Elite. A lot of brands are turning to a lower drop, any idea why. I kind of like high drop shoes like the Nike Tempo ZoomX, it feels like it helps me.. and I was about to buy the new V3 from New Balance, nd now I've change my mind, because of the drom. Do you feel any difference, in a higher drop, in the wat that it might help you? O probably it's just in my mind:)

[@Artemis-v8i]

It’s generally agreed that higher drop is associated with uncomfortable and injuries. That’s what I’ve seen a lot on the internet.

[@dragosvoda3445]

@@Artemis-v8i didn't knew that. Thanks for sharing.

[@multisportflash]

@@Artemis-v8i Actually my physio claims the contrary. higher drops can be more protective for insertional tendinopathies as they help avoid too much dorsiflexion. The research seems to be cyclical about this though I will admit...

[@TolunayOrkun]

Dragos Vda: It should be obvious that since they cannot increase the heel stack over 40mm (max legal limit for road races) the only way to put more foam under forefoot is to reduce the drop.

[@mouahmong]

Personally for me, anything over 5mm drop aggravates my knees. There are studies that show this as well. High drop shifts loads to the knees and hips. Low drop shifts more load to calves and ankles.

[@stevenmaciver7988]

Bit of weird question, but I already own the Endo Pro 3 and have been looking to buy the NB SC Trainer for easy days. Do you think the Pro 3 is just as capable and fun as the SC Trainer at easy paces?

[@TheRunTesters]

For us the Pro 3 beats the trainer hands down. Might have less durability though being a a race shoe.

[@runlifedak]

@@TheRunTesters Love this reply! Money doesn't grow on trees where I live, but I'll gladly deal with faster wear to have a lighter, more capable shoe. Excited to take delivery in the next few days!

[@seeleftyrun]

I loved the RC Elite 2, but raced last weekend in the Saucony Pro 3 & grabbed a 10 min PB & an 11 min course PB. I think it’s going to be hard for NB to beat. I also tried the Alphafly & although it did give me great paces, the unnatural feel was a big turn off for me. I’m also a heel striker. I haven’t tried the Vaporfly.

[@pegaxes84]

Is Saucony pro 3 a better option for heel striker?

[@seeleftyrun]

@@pegaxes84 I love it & I’m a heel striker.

[@Ligerpride]

The Pro 3 is an absolute gem of a shoe. Love it.

[@RyDawg084]

I just ordered the Saucony Pro 3‘s for a upcoming marathon!. A big reason I went with Saucony was they carry larger sizes, I have a size 15 feet 😅

[@garysailors]

Love you guys banter and different perspectives. Thanks for this; I’m continuing to keep my eye out for a bargain the SC Elite as I still use and live bother the RC v1 and v2. But yes, the Endo Pro 3 is a special shoe!

[@multisportflash]

Agreed 100%

[@AlexKane_2024]

+

[@normanfo425]

Comparison coming from 2 Saucony biased runner is a waste of my time

[@vladankostevski5749]

Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 ❤️

[@Fozzee.1970]

Strange comment. That shoe is irrelevant to this comparison.

[@dnice362]

Honestly the Vaporfly is the best shoe

[@randenlewis152]

i didn't really like it that much sorry

[@dnice362]

@@randenlewis152 it’s the best shoe. The alpha fly I agree that shoe is to much

[@lmozza4402]

​@@dnice362 you can't say it's the best shoe period. You can say it's the best shoe for yourself but everyone has different feet and what they feel comfortable and fast in

[@guysmith9353]

I 💯 agree

[@dnice362]

@@lmozza4402 I’m pretty sure it’s voted the best by everyone so yes my opinion and everyone else too

[@Jake-ve3ro]

But the pro 3 is soooo fugly…