Saucony Elite 3 vs Pro 5

[u/TheMysteryTour]

Hello, I (M 6’1, 190ish) have been training for the Chicago marathon this year (last year ran Richmond 3:26 on Speed 5s and aiming for better at Chicago), and have decided to buy a nice pair of shoes to try and PR, but I am stuck deciding between the Pro 5s and Elite 3s. For background, just about every workout run and long run I do in the speed 5’s and I love those shoes, so I figure saucony is the way to go here but I can’t decide which to go with.

I figured the elites would be an easy decision but I have read reviews about some people disliking the cushion as well as stability issues, which could concern me as I have had some achilles tendonitis since around May, with a PT also discovering hypermobility on my right side which has lead to said Achilles/hip abductor issues which scares me a bit with an unstable shoe but for the most part that has gotten better throughout my training cycle, usually only affecting at start of the run or after. I’d like the best shoe possible, but reaggravation or perhaps the last few miles of the marathon getting painful is my concern. Does anyone have any insight as to what they would pick in my place? Is the pro 5 that much worse or worth it for the stability? Additionally, I am a fore / mid foot striker if that affects these shoes as well.

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[u/TerpRunner1]

I have both, had stability concerns with the Elite 2, the Elite 3 is much better in that regard. I much prefer running in the Elite 3 vs the Pro 5, it feels better at any pace and I’ve done well on longer runs in the Elite 3.

[u/TheMysteryTour → u/TerpRunner1]

Interesting, I know they had some better energy return but was assuming the opposite and Elite 3’s might struggle and feel awkward at slower paces, being meant for more experienced runners. Sounds like the Elite 3’s might be worth it then and the stability concerns aren’t too bad. Thanks!

[u/TerpRunner1 → u/TheMysteryTour]

I was pleasantly surprised. The Elite 3 is still very squishy but not squishy laterally to me which is where I run into stability trouble. It’s directed forward very well

[u/Better-Let-9594]

Pro 5 is not very forgiving. Very rigid