With a design reminiscent of Back to the Future, and a midsole with a bold—if slightly dubious—name, the all-new 2 makes a strong entry into the market, ready to compete for the throne among racing shoes.
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In the past few weeks, I've had the immense pleasure of testing the brand-new Saucony Endorphin Elite 2. To put it bluntly: IT. IS. FANTASTIC.
| Saucony Endorphin Elite | Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 |
|---|---|
 |
 |
| 39.5/31.5mm | Foam Height | 39.5/31.5mm |
| PWRRUN HG | Foam | IncrediRun |
| 8mm | Heel Drop | 8mm |
| 204g | Weight | 199g |
| Carbon | Plate | Carbon |
A New Combo – Saucony Endorphin Elite 2
I admit it—I’m a bit of a Saucony fanboy. Over the years, I've run many miles in both the Endorphin Pro 4 and the original Endorphin Elite, even completed a marathon in the latter. I love them both, perform well in both, and it's clear that Elite 2 draws inspiration from both models while introducing world-class foam that competes with industry giants.
Reflecting on the first Endorphin Elite, it's clear that has retained the striking design in version 2. However, the upper has been developed into a hybrid between the original Endorphin Elite and the new upper from 4. The result is a more comfortable fit and improved foot lock, albeit with some compromises regarding foot stability.
The upper is extremely breathable and minimalist, balancing weight savings with impressive comfort.
Comfort and Fit
First and foremost, this shoe is incredibly comfortable. The 3D-shaped heel locks the foot well, the elastic tongue adds extra comfort, and the upper is as breathable as possible. Personally, I prefer a more traditional upper—neither too elastic nor too firm—but it's still impressive how much comfort Saucony has managed to integrate into a racing shoe. I wouldn't be surprised if many choose Elite 2 for marathons simply due to its comfortable feel over longer distances.
Regarding fit, I'd say the shoe runs a bit small. In my usual US 11, I can lace it tight enough to prevent my toes from hitting the front, but with such a comfortable upper, I'd prefer a half size up for a more comfortable fit.
Incredibly Soft – Saucony Endorphin Elite 2
The all-new midsole, featuring Saucony's incrediRun foam—though the name doesn't quite impress me—has left me speechless. The running experience is utterly insane. It's soft, springy, and feels like it defies physics. The shoe is incredibly light—only 199g in a sample size and 220g in my size—contributing significantly to its fast feel and short ground contact time.
In recent years, almost all brands, including , have focused on PEBA-based midsoles, but now the trend seems to be shifting towards other foam materials with even more exciting properties. The new midsole is a TPEE blend, feeling entirely new and innovative, making the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 feel like a solid upgrade compared to its predecessor.
Incredibly Energetic – Saucony Endorphin Elite 2
It almost feels like has created a non-Newtonian foam that's extremely soft when compressed but shifts character to something responsive and energetic as soon as you start running. Despite its softness, it doesn't feel as unstable as I expected, but heel-strikers who prefer stability might have a different experience. The carbon plate also plays a significant role in the shoe's lively feel, working perfectly with Saucony's Speedroll technology. The rocker geometry has a well-placed flex zone, making the heel-to-toe transition very natural and fast. And thanks to the shoe's impressively low weight, it feels light, fun, and explosive to run in. I've never before had a shoe that feels so quick in its ground contact time while maintaining a soft cushioning.
That said, I wouldn't recommend this shoe to runners who need a lot of stability, as it's one of the softest racing shoes ever. The high stack height, combined with the ultra-responsive foam, can make it feel a bit unstable, especially for those used to a firmer and more structured midsole. However, stability shouldn't be an issue for neutral runners.
It's important to note that this shoe is specifically designed for race day, and like most , the low weight means durability is reduced compared to an everyday shoe. To get the most out of it, I recommend saving it for your key tempo runs and races.
The outsole has a minimal layer of PWRTRAC rubber, just enough to provide adequate grip. I haven't yet tested it in extreme weather conditions, but so far, I haven't experienced any grip issues.
Where Would I Use Endorphin Elite 2?
2 is made for race days and key training sessions where you want peak performance from your shoes. Whether you're running intervals, tempo runs, or preparing for a big race, this shoe is designed to maximize your speed and efficiency.
It doesn't matter if you're running 5K, 10K, half marathon, or a full marathon—I highly recommend Endorphin Elite 2 for all races, as long as you're happy with a soft shoe that might feel a bit less stable to some.
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