Saucony Endorphin Elite 2: Total Game Changer! IncrediRun Indeed! A Ground Breaking Supershoe

[@destrucciondeldiablo]

I was already hyped for this shoe, but this review def convinced me to grab a pair.

[@i.p2088]

TPE lasts forever. Got a Vaporfly V3 on sale. Did a PB but I know it's flat as a Pitta bread after 150 miles. My Puma Fast R V2 and Deviate nitro elite 3 with over 200 miles are like new ❤

[@woidmoasta4673]

Yes you're right.

[@robnet77]

Excellent review as usual, and I'm looking forward for the multi-tester review as well!

[@Manuel_712]

Morning all. Saucony for ever...¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Find your strong!!!!!. Like from Spain. Happy weekend.

[@shirtxl]

Thank you for the review. I think I'll start out with 5k races in these. But it definitely looks like I'll have to (full) size up considering the midfoot.

[@RoadTrailRun]

The tighter area is not the midfoot but where I show the bunion. How do you size other similar shoes? I think more than a half size up things could get loose unless you have a very broad mid foot.

[@Feanaro5503]

Very exciting, although I’m not really a super shoe guy since I don’t go past 13.1 miles. My fastest shoes are the Takumi Sen 8 and the Endorphin Pro 2.

[@RoadTrailRun]

I think it will fantastic for sub half. What do you race in now?

[@TolunayOrkun]

Thanks Sam! Oncoming Endorphin Trainer is rumored to have a layer of this foam as well but that would be another shoe to watch. I am excited again for Saucony lineup since Speed 1/2. Speed 5 looks to bring back that original aggressive fun ride. What we didn't see any news is Endorphin Pro 5. I am not sure if Saucony will be maintaining both Pro and Elite in the lineup.

[@RoadTrailRun]

Hi Tolunay, we also have the Trainer in test. It is essentially the Kinvara Pro with IncrediRUN top foam and 2 added rubber patches. Not a top speed kind of trainer. More daily.

[@colinmadbeast]

@tolunayOrkun they will, but they're spreading out the Endorphin series to be updated every 18 months. Elite this spring, Speed in the fall, and then Pro will be probably be spring 26.

[@TolunayOrkun]

@@colinmadbeast Thanks for the info. I guess, I am good with my existing stock of Speed 2 and Pro 3 until v5 shoes roll in. I skipped v4. I was not quite satisfied with Speed 3 (hence just one pair of Speed 3 vs 4 pairs of 1/2)

[@andyseal8134]

Can’t wait!

[@dhoang75]

Take my money! My most anticipated racing shoe in 2025. The horrizontal yellow color line is a miss though...

[@peterledrew2556]

I had the limited release color. Wild ride energetic like a Bronco but also i found wildly bouncy and unstable at times. Cornering not easy either. I'm surprised more people haven't mentioned this because I'm a neutral runner with little issues usually with most shoes. I'm 200lbs though so maybe a factor. I do think I'm starting to adjust and enjoy them more. Maybe I'll be very pleased eventually. Haven't ran in them that much yet.

[@RoadTrailRun]

Your weight likely a factor

[@Azer_GG]

Seems like Elite 2 caters toward cadence runners and lighter weight runners.

[@peterledrew2556]

@@Azer_GG I would think so as well but I think I'll still enjoy them as I get used to them more. I did some faster stuff on treadmill and they were deadly. Could really push it and not feel the impact with good speed.

[@abbyschwendler1107]

Saucony have historically killed my feet. But I'd be interested in trying these. Side note. Loved the NB SC elite v3. Im about to buy my 3rd v4

[@josemaioral]

I really liked your review because I was practically giving up on this shoe after reading some reviews and opinions about how soft it is. I prefer firmer shoes because they are clearly more responsive for me. But it was great that you made a comparison with the NB Elite v2 and v3, commenting that this model, despite being soft, responds well and has a different result. I have used many NB shoes in the past, but after the Rebel v2 and Elite V3 I simply gave up on the brand, because its foam is at a level too soft for me. If there is no total revolution in NB regarding the midsole foam of its performance shoes, I will never use a shoe from this brand again. But maybe I will give the Saucony Elite 2 a chance. I have the Elite 1 and for me it works very well.

[@justoutlaw6423]

Just checked Matt's review (DoR) and he says Elite 2 are less stable then version 1, makes sense due to foam being softer. With issues I have (overpronation and Posterior Tibial Tendon Problems) I'll have to pass. Thanks for the review.

[@RoadTrailRun]

Would tend to agree but if you tend to heel land (at times) I think the softness here would be an advantage over the rigid leverage off the heel of the Elite 1. The softness here seems to be more linear medially the whole length of the shoe

[@justoutlaw6423]

@@RoadTrailRun I hope it will be available somwhere near me to try them on feet. Thanks.

[@lassekarsholt6115]

Same v1 is the dream for us overpronators

[@TheDude2010]

i have the metaspeed sky paris - i think the opposite is said. it is on the firmer side which was my experience as well. fun shoe though. very fast, very light.

[@RoadTrailRun]

I hear not as firm as prior. I had MS Edge and it very firm

[@JacobiusSuarinious-u2k]

It’s softer than the older versions. Still firmer than most super shoes which for runners like myself is a plus.

[@pedrofilho6818]

I also think paris is too firm, even being fast and light. Not for me.

[@metalsadman]

aliphatic tpe has been on chinese running shoe brands for quite a while now, puma also using it in deviate nitro elite 3. Looks like this will be my first saucony I love their black colorways. Is this good for heel strikers?

[@RoadTrailRun]

Yes indeed on Chinese brands but this flavor softer and more energetic than any I can recall and as said in video indeed good for heel strikers (such as me to a certain extent) as stable and rolls forward easily I think due to the soft foam

[@TolunayOrkun]

I believe PUMA is using aliphatic TPU not TPE.

[@RoadTrailRun]

@@TolunayOrkunCorrect. Thanks! Very similar though

[@NateCrail]

Adidas' Lightstrike Pro is also a TPEE foam.

[@RoadTrailRun]

Not nearly as soft as this TPEE or as friendly and pleasing. Fast part will depend on the runner but so far may be faster than any other for me and I have run them all. Albeit I am old and “slow”.

[@RoadTrailRun]

Or as dynamically rebounding from its deep compression

[@moorbr]

TPEEs can be tuned very differently.

[@jimoconnor8597]

Isn't the Elite version for super fast runners and Pro for us regular marathon runners? I'll bet these "sing" at 4:50-5:20. I think a lot of the instability comes from the runner being weak in lower leg strength. 361 uses those "side walls" in their shoes for stability.

[@RoadTrailRun]

So far Elite 2 for far more runners than v1 very much a more “elite” ride. Firm, rigid and requiring consistent forward strike or else…. I did run Pro 4 but think Elite 2 again more friendly to the slower.

[@jimoconnor8597]

@@RoadTrailRun Maybe they should rename them as the non-elite then...

[@Azer_GG]

Hi Sam, which one would you choose? Alphafly 3 or Elite 2? Thanks for the great video!

[@RoadTrailRun]

What is your goal time? What do you race in now If not sub 3:30 any day of the week the Endorphin Elite 2 and even then I think Elite 2 will be a smoother shoe and easier to roll at way faster paces than that

[@Azer_GG]

​@@RoadTrailRun Thanks Sam I'm thinking a HM, not a full marathon, my goal is about 1:26 pace. I just ran a low 38 min 10k on an old pair of Endorphin Pro 3, loved the shoes. I tried Endorphin Pro 4 but they're so underwhelming.

[@alexdenman3662]

The first version held the forefoot in a very aggressive position causing foot pain for some runners. Any feedback on this for the second version?

[@RoadTrailRun]

If you are referring to the upper at the forefoot and especially as shown the rear of the forefoot, yes quite snug there ,see video. If you are referring to the platform due to the softer high rebounding foam and overall geometry a far easier roll forward with far less rigid firmness felt and this applies to the entire shoe back to front.

[@i.p2088]

This will cost like the Cielo X1 /2. With the new outsole cover should last longer than the V1 which had no outsole on the Medial side of the heel 😂.

[@dynamike9248]

How do you find the outsole traction versus gen1?

[@RoadTrailRun]

On dry roads so far excellent

[@markoljustina]

…since original Vaporfly 🤤 must have them; Sky Paris are on firm side, you don’t need to test them; i run marathon PB in them but i am not delighted

[@RoadTrailRun]

Yes my sense for me. The very first VF the baby blue one. The other early ones got stiffer and firmer. I did like Next % 2 a lot. I tend to like a shoe I can roll through and for sure this one enables that. You did get at PB in the Sky Paris which is great!

[@markoljustina]

actually i plan to run Berlin 2025 in Elite 2

[@JacobiusSuarinious-u2k]

Only issue I have with this shoe is the marketing approach, this hype drop shit doesn’t make me want to buy your shoe Saucony lol, same goes for you Adidas. It only turns me off and gets me looking into other options.

[@russellbutt1553]

There was no 'hype' release, but a very limited release to meet requirements for their Olympic athletes to use the shoe. Barely anyone even knew they had dropped. No build up whatsoever.

[@taurusx1000]

Think it will be the shoe of the year for 2025,but too they could have come up with a better name

[@stevestarr9769]

IncrediRUN...worst name ever.❤

[@RoadTrailRun]

Actually appropriate it turns out if goofy!

[@rmsrmsrmsrms]

tightness across the metatarsals concerns me

[@Ryanl27-u4x]

Watched this review up until 9:14 when you said 9:30 pace . If you’re running that slow a shoe like this is not for you . Sorry but they are not designed for paces this slow . Lighter weight elite to sub elite runners with strong form are the target here .

[@RoadTrailRun]

You are not correct and especially about this particular super shoe, many others see below I would agree with you. Marketing may indicate what you say and for sure I believe elites will fly in this shoe but that is not always the reality. Just because the word "Elite" is the name it doesn't mean it is so. Think the marketing of the Streakfly for "5K-10K" racing. It was not a good shoe for the elites for that but really the world's lightest trainer Yes at 9:30 almost all super shoes are a chore and not an appropriate shoe. This one was great and only got better as I picked up the pace. I tend to have a more rolling stride and the soft foam really helped that while in a huge surprise the soft heel (and I do heel land initially) was a strangely big bonus at all paces and more stable than any other I can recall . Here the range of use is far, far broader than any other I have tested and I have run all of them except the Metaspeed Paris series and latest SC Elite. For example the Sky Edge was way too stiff and firm for me. I liked the OG Vaporfly and Next %2 a lot and the Cloudboom Strike works well for me but I wish it had higher drop so I could roll it better. AF1 was fine for me with AF 3 way to rigid at slower paces than say 8:10 per mile. AF 3 is truly an elite to sub elite shoe and I think if you are not sub 3 for a marathon not a good choice.

[@Ryanl27-u4x]

@ super shoes aren’t designed for 8:00 min mile runs at all . But people want to and will use them for it and then complain when they cause problems ( arch issues , stability issues etc ) . That’s why adidas came in with evo 1 for elite runners and others will follow. Saucony already almost do it with endorphin elite vs pro where side by side the pro almost isn’t a “super” shoe anymore . Instead of making super shoes more accessible to the masses there will be a clear divide between elite and non elite versions . Why anyone would want to wear super shoes risk injury’s for a 3 hour + marathon is a bit beyond me the amount of progress that can still be made thru the right running program , strength training and miles spent running is 10 fold that any super shoe will offer . Not to mention the amount of shoes out there that do a much much better job at those paces , will look after your body and won’t cost an arm and a leg .

[@brokenfreddy1262]

Another great review Sam..we the same age and "speed" lol..everything is relative,but ALL the other shoes have issues for me except the NB elite V3..I tried V1 of the Saucony and sent it back immediately..it was very hard and the upper was terrible..I definitely will try V2 cos I'm always looking for a good long run shoe..one thing that many people don't seem to understand is that a "super shoe" is not just about them is that regular shoes are too hot,too heavy,too hard,don't fit right, too sensitive to temperature..I don't care how much it cost,I don't care how fast it is..if it's comfortable,good breathability,light weight,relatively durable and rolls easily thru the gate cycle I and makes running/racing fun nothing else means anything..I have and/or used all of the shoes on the market and NONE have everything in 1 package..nice discussion Sam..

[@RoadTrailRun]

Thanks Freddy! Well said! It's about each of us and not about marketing labels in the end. After those initial very very elite focused super shoes (other than Vaporfly 4% in particular) brands are realizing that overly aggressive firm and rigid super shoes may benefit top elites but not the rest of us. I don't think they are "slowing" them down with shoes such as the Endo Elite 2 but improving the practicality, comfort and utility for everyone, elites included.

[@TolunayOrkun]

@@Ryanl27-u4x You are being elitist and looking down the people that run slower. I had my marathon PR in Alphafly 1, 10K/HM in Vaporfly 2. I just ran CIM in Adios Pro 3. I do run faster and with less fatigue in these shoes even as an older and slower runner by your standards. If it works, it works. There is not need to delegate people to lower grade shoes because of their paces. If you can afford it and can run comfortably, it is all good.