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Endorphin Elite 2
4.0 (1 review)IncrediRUN carbon racer. 82% forefoot energy return
Today's tracked prices
- 01RunningXpertLIVE£139.99£240.00−42%
- 02Run ActiveLIVE£139.99£240.00−42%
- 03SportsShoesLIVE£139.99£240.00−42%
- 04365RiderLIVE£144.16£240.00−40%
- 05Start FitnessLIVE£149.00£240.00−38%
- 06The Running OutletLIVE£174.99£240.00−27%
- 07RunAndBecome1d ago£196.00£240.00−18%
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Price history
Our verdict
Saucony swapped the firm foam of the first Elite for something far softer, and the Endorphin Elite 2 ended up as one of the bounciest carbon racing shoes around. Lab testing at RunRepeat rated its midsole the softest they had measured, and reviewers mostly describe a ride that squashes at easy pace and pushes back once you speed up. That makes it a marathon shoe before anything else, and it's also why it wobbles. The Run Testers found it unsettled on fast corners and slippy in the wet, and pointed to the Metaspeed Sky Paris as the steadier pick. The toe box is narrow as well. With steady mechanics and slim feet, you get a very lively half or full marathon shoe. If your form tends to fade late in a race, the Endorphin Pro 4 is calmer and cheaper, and Saucony has since followed it with the Endorphin Elite 3.
Key features
- Very soft, springy midsoleFeels squashy at easy pace and pushes back harder as you speed up, which reviewers credit for fresher legs late in a marathon
- Full-length carbon plateStiffens a foam that would otherwise feel loose at race pace and gives you a rolling push-off
- See-through racing upperLets a lot of air in, so your feet stay cooler on a warm race day
- Knit tongue and soft, counter-free heelWraps the midfoot for lockdown, and nothing rigid digs into the back of your heel
Who it suits
Who should buy it
- Marathon and half marathon racers who want the softest, bounciest ride for the late miles
- Runners with steady, efficient mechanics who don't need help keeping the foot straight
- Runners with slim or low-volume feet who like a close race fit
- Anyone who gets irritation at the back of the heel, thanks to the soft heel with no rigid counter
Who should not buy it
- You overpronate or your form fades late in races, because the soft platform wobbles
- You have wide feet or need room for your toes to spread
- Your races have lots of tight turns or often happen in the wet, where grip reviews are mixed
- You want a snappy shoe for 5k and 10k, since reviewers rate it better over longer distances
Best uses
Extra information
Fit & sizing
Expect a narrow shoe. Every review we read described a low-volume, tapered toe box, and one tester found the upper rubbed the outside of the little toe. On length they split: one test team found it true to size, another said it runs short and went up half a size, and a UK review suggested the half size up mainly for wider feet. Between sizes, take the larger one. The stiff toe guard caused early rubbing for one reviewer, who suggested thicker socks. The back of the shoe is kinder. There's no rigid heel counter, the heel is rounded and soft, and the knit tongue hugs the midfoot, so lockdown is good once you've taken care with the lacing. The collar gaped slightly for one tester.
Performance breakdown
Ride & feel
How it rides depends on how fast you go. Jogging, the foam feels squashy, close to marshmallow soft. Push towards race effort and it firms up and gives more back. One reviewer called it the bounciest racer they had tried, and found it better over long efforts than short ones, which is the reverse of the firmer first Elite.
Cushioning
There is a lot of it, and it's very soft. Lab softness readings sit at the extreme end, and one test team said the bounce was still there late in long runs. The foam compresses a lot, so the drop can feel lower than the spec suggests. One reviewer thinks all that softness may shorten its life compared with firmer racers, though lab testing found little outsole wear.
Stability
Stability is the weak spot. It's a neutral shoe with a soft, high platform and a narrow midfoot, and reviewers kept mentioning how wobbly it feels on tight turns at speed. One tester struggled in the later miles of long runs, while another found it steadier than expected. Midfoot strikers reported fewer problems. If you need any support, the Pro 4 is the steadier Saucony.
Upper & comfort
The upper is thin, see-through and very airy, which helps on a warm race morning. It's scratchy on bare skin, so wear socks. The knit tongue moulds to your foot, and one test team liked that it can flip up to guard the ankle. The main complaint is the stiff toe guard, which pressed on toes for a couple of reviewers.
Reviews (1)
Built for Speed
The Endorphin Elite 2 is an impressive racing shoe that really comes alive when you pick up the pace. It feels incredibly light, responsive, and gives you that extra push on faster runs and race day. It's definitely a shoe for chasing PBs rather than everyday training, but if speed is your goal, it's hard not to enjoy running in it.
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FAQ
Specifications
| Category | Race |
| Surface | Road |
| Drop | 6mm |
| Heel Stack | 39mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 33mm |
| Weight | 199g |
| Carbon Plated | Yes |
| Stability | No |