The Alphafly is the shoe that holds the record for the fastest ever marathon distance. It contains all of Nike's cutting edge technology and has a premium price tag of $285.
The Endorphin Pro is one of the Alphafly’s closest competitors and on paper, has all the features to be faster than the Alphafly but at a much cheaper price of $225.
Which one of these premium racers is for you?
Both super shoes have stiff carbon plates inside their midsoles. The main difference between them is that the Alphafly’s carbon plate differs depending on which size you purchase: it is more flexible in smaller sizes and stiffer in larger sizes.
The Endorphin Pro has Speed Roll which uses the stiff carbon plate to roll you through transitions. Unlike the Endorphin, the Alphafly’s stiff carbon plate works as a lever to propel you forward.
The midsole of the Alphafly is made entirely of ZoomX which is a Pebax foam. The Endorphin Pro is also made of Pwrrun PB and HQ which are Saucony’s versions of Pebax.
Pwrrun PB looks like small beads that have been moulded together while ZoomX has a smooth appearance. Over time, ZoomX shows cosmetic creases but Pwrrun PB is resistant to midsole creases.
The main difference between these two super shoe midsoles is that the Alphafly has two large, thick Zoom Air units. These air bags add extra cushioning and responsiveness on toe-offs.
The Alphafly has the firmer ride than the Endorphin Pro and is better for shorter distances. The Endo Pro has more long-distance comfort.
Stability is better in the Endorphin Pro even though the Alphafly has a wide forefoot that flares out at the base. The Endorphin Pro’s firm midsole and full contact outsole results in less lean bias and a higher level of stability.
The outsole of the Alphafly has more rubber than the outsole of the Endorphin Pro. The forefoot of the Alphafly is covered entirely of thick rubber while its rearfoot has two strips of rubber that are recessed into the midsole foam.
The Endorphin Pro has its entire forefoot covered in rubber and a small section of the heel high wear area. A large portion of its outsole is not covered in rubber to save weight.
When it comes to traction, the Alphafly is better because its rubber outsole can grip surfaces better. It is also more durable because most of the outsole which touches the ground is protected with rubber which is not the case with the Endorphin Pro.
The Alphafly has an Atomknit upper which has been steamed and stretched to create a highly breathable, light upper. The Atomknit is so porous that you can see right through it. Foot lockdown is excellent and there is no tongue slide because it’s a bootie construction.
The Endorphin Pro has an extremely porous mesh. It is breathable and light but not as breathable as the Atomknit of the Alphafly. The tongue is knitted and stretchy. It’s connected on both sides so there’s no tongue slide. There is also no heel slippage. The mesh upper of the Endorphin Pro is softer and more comfortable than the upper of the Alphafly.
If you’re a runner looking for a highly cushioned marathon racing shoe, and price isn’t an issue, the Alphafly is the shoe for you. It has a highly breathable upper with great foot lockdown, plenty of outsole rubber for high durability and Zoom Air units for extra ‘pop’ on toe-offs.
If you’re a runner looking for a more stable, softer-riding marathon racing shoe, the Endorphin Pro is the shoe for you. The Endorphin Pro has a comfortable upper, a midsole with Speed Roll to roll you through transitions and is great value for money at $225. It also has super smooth ride transitions and is lighter than the Alphafly.
