THE SPECS
Weight: 7 oz / 199 g (men size 9), 6.2 oz / 176 g (women size 7.5)
Stack Height: 39.5mm heel / 31.5mm forefoot
Midsole Drop: 8 mm
WHAT'S NEW
Keith: Nearly every feature in the Endorphin Elite 2 is brand new. It’s like Saucony was secretly waiting for us to be ready for this level of pure brilliance packed into one shoe!! Let’s dive into the magic, starting with the jaw-dropping IncrediRUN foam that’s got me equal parts puzzled and absolutely thrilled! When our Saucony rep first showed me the shoe, I honestly thought it was just a concept, not the final product. In my hands, it felt like I could squeeze the entire thing like a stress ball—but on my feet? It’s like bouncing on a cloud, bursting with energy! And then there’s the TPE yarn upper—so sleek and almost see-through, it’s like wearing a second skin. It’s ultra-light, with just the right stretch to hug your foot like it was custom-made. But wait, the magic doesn’t stop there. Saucony took it up a notch with the PWRTRAC rubber midsole, delivering an insane grip that makes this speedster grab the ground with confidence every step!
ON THE RUN
Keith: All day at work, my mind was completely fixated on the brand-new Endorphin Elite 2’s chilling in my backpack, just begging for their debut run. Every hour dragged by like a snail on a lazy day, but finally, five o’clock came around! I dashed out the door, racing against the Michigan winter, knowing I had only about an hour before darkness took over. I pulled into the parking lot with the excitement of a kid on Christmas morning—only to be met with the ultimate buzzkill: icy paths everywhere!
But hey, I wasn’t going to let a little thing like frozen ground ruin my workout plans. I defiantly strapped on my Endorphin Elite 2’s, determined to make it work, and set my sights on the road. A slight problem: the road here is chock full with enough hills to turn my fast-paced workout into an uphill struggle. Oh, and there was still some ice to dodge.
But you know what? I wasn’t backing down. My first few steps were a little tentative, testing the grip (and crossing my fingers for no slip-ups), but these shoes gripped like a dream... as long as I stayed clear of the glassy patches. As I warmed up, my confidence grew and by the 2-mile mark, I was ready to crank it up. My first 3-minute interval at 5k race pace came with a seriously satisfying burst of speed. I was zooming downhill, and the shoes were practically begging me to go faster. My body had to work hard just to keep up!
Next up: four full-throttle, 30-second sprints that had me feeling like I was blasting off from the pavement. By the time I wrapped up all of my reps, I had covered about 8 miles, which had me giddy and shocked. I felt comfy the whole time, and barely noticed the hills thanks to that springy bounce that made it all feel rather effortless.
Now, all that’s left is for me to get race-ready, because these shoes? They’re already there!
Sidney: When these babies were dropped off and I got my first peek at them, I was awestruck. I mean, just look at them—they’re gorgeous. Sleek, aggressive, and ready to fly. I had high expectations before even slipping them on—and let me just say, they delivered.
From the very first run, my legs turned over effortlessly. This shoe doesn’t just look fast—it feels fast. Right away, I could tell this wasn’t just another plated shoe. The new, lightweight, and ultra-soft IncrediRUN foam makes it feel almost weightless, like it disappears underfoot, leaving nothing but speed. Ironically, I barely even notice the carbon plate—it just works seamlessly with the ride.
THE FIT
Keith: The Endorphin Elite 2 feels like you're flying! It's incredibly light and breezy, giving you that open, airy sensation with every step, while still hugging your midfoot for a secure, supportive fit. Be warned, though—these shoes run a little small, so if you prefer a bit more room in your race shoes, sizing up half a size could be the game-changer. The molded heel grips perfectly, locking you in for an unbeatable, high-speed ride.
Sidney: The upper on the Endorphin Elite 2 is one of the most unique materials I’ve ever seen in a race day shoe. It’s a woven, almost mesh-like fabric that feels weightless on foot yet surprisingly structured. Breathability? Top-tier. No hot spots, no unnecessary overlays—just pure, light comfort. I’m honestly over sock-like uppers, so the fact that this shoe doesn’t have one is already a win. But even better? The upper is actually great, which makes it an even bigger win in my book.
The fit itself is dialed in but not overly snug. It’s accommodating enough for different foot shapes while still locking you in for those fast efforts. If you love a lightweight upper that molds to your foot without any distractions, this is it.
THE FEEL
Keith: Let’s go back to that IncrediRUN cushion! I literally couldn’t believe it would perform well when I held it in my hand and was able to mold it like putty. On foot, though still very soft, it feels surprisingly solid and balanced. It rocks forward and throws you into your run when you're ready, but even standing in it, the shoe didn’t feel like it was collapsing under my weight or anything. The cushion actually adapts depending on pace, too. The faster I went the firmer it felt, and once I got used to the spring I was able to fall into a really good stride and cadence. In no time at all, this oddly shaped and massive looking shoe didn't feel all that odd, it felt… incredible!!
Sidney: Let’s talk foam—because this midsole is something else. It’s honestly unlike anything I’ve ever felt before. If I had to compare it to something, weirdly enough, it reminds me of a scallop (yes, like the seafood). It feels spongy and soft at first, especially in the heel. But the second you pick up the pace? The whole shoe transforms.The foam compresses in a way that gives you this insane energy return, making every step feel snappy and propulsive.
It’s the best of both worlds—plush and forgiving when you need it, but as soon as you start running fast, it responds like no other.
THE NITTY GRITTY
Keith: What I absolutely love about the Endorphin Elite 2? It's like a sneak attack! You slip it on and think, “No way this thing lives up to the hype.” Then—BOOM!—it hits you with a bounce you didn't see coming out of something so marshmallowy soft. Saucony’s claim of 97% energy return? Yeah, they might actually be spot on. And get this—no sacrifice in comfort to pull it off. Seriously, the performance, the quality, the materials? All top-notch, no complaints. Okay, the sizing's a tiny bit on the small side, but even that’s a minor blip. In the end, this is by far the most race-ready marathon shoe I've ever tested. Saucony, you nailed it—absolute home run!
Sidney: Now, let’s break things down. I’m not usually someone who wears plated shoes or goes all out for races, so testing the Endorphin Elite 2 was a totally new and exciting experience for me. Safe to say—it was a blast.
The plate in this shoe doesn’t feel overly stiff like some other super shoes on the market. Instead, it works in harmony with the foam, creating a smooth and natural rolling sensation. The rocker shape keeps you flowing forward effortlessly, and the weight (or lack thereof) makes it feel like nothing is holding you back.
Not only does it look sweet, but it’s built to help you hit PRs.
THE RUNDOWN
Keith: I know there are die-hard Alphafly fanatics who’d defend that shoe with everything they’ve got, and trust me, I’m a huge fan of the Alphafly 3 too! But I’ve been on the lookout for that game-changing shoe — the one that finally puts a dent in Alphafly’s reign over the racing world. Well, Saucony might just be the one to deliver that knockout punch in 2025! I can foresee some thrilling front of the pack showdowns between these two shoes, and it’s hard to say who will win!
Sidney: The Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 is an absolute weapon for race day. It’s lightweight, insanely responsive, and just plain fun to run in. Whether you’re an experienced racer or someone looking to crush their first race, this shoe makes running feel effortless. It’s truly built for anyone looking to go fast and have fun doing it.
The good? The incrediRUN foam is next-level and the fit– thanks to that TPE yarn upper– is dialed in. The bad? Your friends won’t be able to keep up with you. Kidding—honestly, I don’t have any complaints. But, hey, maybe they really won’t be able to.
Bottom line: this is an amazing race-day shoe option for everyone. Watch out Alphafly… the Endorphin Elite 2 is coming for your top spot.
MEET KEITH
Running trails, training for races and leading a group to PRs is just his side-gig. A dog Dad with an everlasting love for soccer, he is one active man with an affinity for GOOD shoes. He can be quoted saying ' you only get one pair of feet, you should probably be wearing good shoes'
All time favorite shoe: Altra Torin 4 (specifically gray & yellow colorway)
MEET SIDNEY
Sidney despised running her entire life until a doctor told her she wasn't allowed to run. A switch flipped and now she still can't stop years later. With an abundance of shoes and always being constantly on the move, she's fairly knowledgeable in the shoe game.
All time favorite shoe: Altra Experience Wild