Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Introduction
When a model makes vital adjustments to the sequel of a profitable shoe, some runners love the brand new adjustments however others hate them. Within the case of the Endorphin Elite 2, I feel most will fall into this second group.
It’s all the time an enormous danger to stray too removed from what made runners love the earlier variations. That’s why Nike doesn’t change the Pegasus an excessive amount of from replace to replace. The identical goes for the Brooks Ghost and the Hoka Clifton. It’s too large a danger to upset the loyal fanbase. The Endorphin Elite doesn’t fairly have the identical giant fanbase however I do know loads of runners who love model 1.
The Endorphin Elite is the head of Saucony long-distance racers. It’s the top quality, most costly Saucony street racer. It’s lighter than Saucony’s different racer, the Endorphin Professional and it has a more moderen midsole foam.
The unique Endorphin Elite was my favorite tremendous shoe of the previous 2 years. I cherished how stiff its midsole was and the way its aggressive forefoot rocker made quick working really feel straightforward, particularly within the second half of marathons when my drained legs felt like lead.
The worldwide launch of the Endorphin Elite 2 is 1 March 2025. Saucony was compelled to launch a small batch to the general public as a result of a Saucony elite athlete used it within the Paris Olympic Marathon. I used to be in a position to buy a pair on the Saucony UK web site.
There wasn’t any advertising and marketing marketing campaign for the Endorphin Elite 2 so not a lot is understood about it besides that it weighs 7 oz (199 g) for a males’s US 9, it has a 39.5mm/31.5mm stack peak and it encompasses a “subsequent technology” tremendous foam.
The value is 280 GBP or $275, the identical because the earlier model.
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 First Impressions
My first run was a monitor exercise consisting of 400 m intervals. My essential thought was that model 2 felt like a totally totally different shoe to model 1. The squishy, new midsole foam made it really feel like I used to be working on a marshmallow. It felt very squirrelly underfoot.
The journey felt actually unstable and the plate was extra versatile than its predecessor. The aggressive rocker feeling had additionally been toned down. It didn’t really feel as quick as model 1 nevertheless it was essentially the most bouncy journey I’ve ever skilled.
The journey jogged my memory of the Nike Invincible Run variations 1 & 2 which additionally had extraordinarily squishy rides however the Endorphin Elite 2’s journey was even softer and fewer steady.
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Higher
The Endorphin Elite 2’s higher is an enchancment over model 1 primarily due to its new heel cup which ends up in higher lockdown. It’s now a semi-bootie development nevertheless it has the flexibility to do a runner’s knot.
Breathability is sweet however inferior to v1 because of the new knitted tongue which doesn’t have air flow holes in it. The brand new heel cup flares away from the Achilles and jogs my memory of the one on the New Steadiness 1080v10.
It has an accommodating midfoot and forefoot with a traditional toe field. I like to recommend going true to measurement and it ought to be appropriate for runners with huge toes.
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Sole Unit
Over time, many manufacturers have used marshmallows to promote and convey how comfortable their midsoles really feel. More often than not, it’s an exaggeration. With the case of the Endorphin Elite 2, you get the primary and true “working on marshmallows” expertise.
The journey of the Endorphin Elite 1 was focused at runners who wished a steady, agency journey with a outstanding forefoot rocker. That is in stark distinction to the Endorphin Elite 2 which is focused at runners preferring a brilliant comfortable, bouncy journey with a gentle forefoot rocker.
The dangerous information is that the Endorphin Elite 2 doesn’t really feel as quick because the earlier model. Transitions really feel extra relaxed and it feels extra like a coaching shoe than a hardcore racer now. That is primarily resulting from its new midsole compound.
The unique Endorphin Elite had a midsole made from PWRRUN HG, a Pebax foam. It had a agency journey with little compression.
Within the new model, the unnamed midsole foam is now an aliphatic TPU, much like the one within the PUMA Deviate Elite 3 however a lot, a lot softer. This foam has a really squishy journey with numerous compression.
I get pleasure from comfortable footwear for coaching; the Invincible Run 1 and a couple of had been my favorite trainers of all time. However for racing, I desire a agency journey. A agency journey interprets to higher stability for lengthy distances and a extra responsive journey. When the froth is as comfortable as it’s within the Endorphin Elite 2, it takes a very long time for it to compress when loaded after which to decompress.
Throughout transitions within the Elite 2, it appears like my heel is sinking in an excessive amount of earlier than rolling onto my midfoot and forefoot. I felt comparable transitions when testing the PUMA Quick-R Elite 2, one other racer with an aliphatic TPU midsole; it doesn’t really feel environment friendly.
I used the Endorphin Elite 2 for a 30 km race. I’m a heel striker with slight overpronation- it felt means too squishy and unstable for my type. I additionally didn’t really feel a excessive stage of pace help from it, simply numerous bounce.
One of many options that made the Endorphin Elite 1 stand out was its excessive toe spring and stiff forefoot that made it really feel prefer it was tipping you ahead. With the softer midsole foam of model 2, the plate must be extra versatile and it doesn’t really feel prefer it’s throwing you ahead throughout toe-offs.
Sturdiness is without doubt one of the worst I’ve ever skilled. On the outsole, the uncovered foam is so comfortable that it will get chewed up by the street. On my pair, on the heel part, the half which isn’t protected by rubber is lacking a big chunk as a result of I heel strike. This additionally occurred with the unique Endorphin Elite nevertheless it wasn’t this dangerous. This can be a shoe that it’s important to reserve for racing solely.
Outsole traction is okay on dry surfaces however very slippery on moist ones. After I raced in it, I went via water stations and I might really feel that the outsole wasn’t gripping the moist street properly.
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Conclusions
The Endorphin Elite 2 is a disappointing replace as a result of it feels nothing like model 1, which was top-tier. It’s loads softer and it has a extra relaxed journey. It’s additionally very unstable and never as supportive.
They’ve modified too much- all they wanted to do was so as to add additional rubber on the outsole and to enhance the heel lockdown (which they did). For those who’re a fan of model 1, it is best to top off now whereas it’s nonetheless out there.
It’s maybe probably the most fragile trainers I’ve ever examined. For those who’re a heel striker otherwise you’re exhausting on outsoles, you’ll face sturdiness points because of the midsole being so comfortable. Even the one-race Adidas Adios Professional Evo 1 has a extra sturdy outsole.
The Endorphin Elite 2 isn’t a top-tier tremendous shoe for me and I received’t be racing in it once more. I’d even select the Endorphin Professional 4 over the Elite 2 for its additional stability and its higher outsole sturdiness.
I’m unsure why Saucony selected to go in a totally totally different route for the Endorphin Elite 2. It appears like a prototype or an experimental launch.
It fits a narrower vary of runners than its predecessor resulting from its instability and I don’t assume elite runners like their midsoles to be this comfortable and squishy.