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Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Road Running Shoe | Review

Designed for PB chasing, the new Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 is a carbon-plated “super shoe” with rapid top speeds – as our writer James Forrest finds out

If you want to run fast, set new PBs and push the boundaries of your physical performance, then a carbon-plated “super shoe” is your friend. For all road runners, whether you’re taking on a local 5km ParkRun or pushing for a sub 2 hour 30 minutes London Marathon, this type of elite shoe will give you marginal gains, improving running economy by up to 4%.

How does it work? There’s a load of high-tech shoe wizardry to it all and I can’t claim to understand all of the mechanics and engineering at play. But, to put it simply, the carbon plate – which is embedded within the midsole – acts like a lever or spring, creating explosive forward propulsion with every stride. The plate works in conjunction with the shoe’s super-soft, ultra-bouncy foam and, ultimately, improves energy return and ensures more efficient forward momentum.

I was first introduced to super shoes in 2023 when, after turning 40, I set myself a challenge to prove I’m not over the hill, physically speaking. My goal? To run new lifetime PBs in every distance including 5km, 10km, 10 miles, half-marathon and the full marathon. My fitness baseline was decent, but I’d never run under 20 minutes for the 5km, my half-marathon PB was 1 hours 35 minutes and I’d never completed a road marathon.

The first super shoe I ran in during this over-the-age-of-40 running mission was the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 and it proved an absolute revelation. I found them supremely soft with plush cushioning, high bounciness, a lovely “ride” and a ridiculously quick sense of forward momentum (read my full review here). I ran over 300 miles in the Pro 3s, including numerous PB setting races, and they helped me along the way to loads of boundary-smashing results.

James Forrest with his pair after plenty of mileage in them.

Two years after trying my first ever super shoe, my PBs have now plummeted to 17 minutes 5 seconds in the 5km, 1 hour 18 minutes in the half-marathon and breaking the mythical 3-hour barrier with a 2 hours 58 minutes time at Manchester Marathon in 2024.

With such a good track record with Saucony super shoes, I jumped at the chance to test out a newer generation of the brand’s carbon-plated speedsters – the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2. Here’s how I got on with them, including everything you need to know about the shoe’s carbon plate, foam, upper, midsole and outsole.

Billed as a “game-changing super shoe” that will “unlock every runner’s performance potential”, the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2’s standout feature is the brand’s all new IncrediRUN foam. This foam is described as offering “exceptional energy return and unmatched cushioning, ensuring that every stride feels effortless”.

Speaking after the shoe’s official launch at a glitzy running event in the heart of Paris, featuring some of the top running crews from around the world, Brian Moore, chief product officer of Saucony, told Outdoors Magic: “The Elite 2 represents a significant advancement in the super shoe category – we have created a truly world-class running experience. It’s an outstanding choice not only for elite racers but also for mid-pack runners looking for premium performance. Regardless of your running pace, this shoe provides a remarkably soft, bouncy feel and explosive rebound, making it the perfect companion for those aiming to elevate their game.”

The Endorphin Elite 2 costs £280 in a unisex version and is available in two colour-ways. Size options range from 2 to 13.5.

The Carbon Plate & Midsole

The Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 incorporates a full-length, slotted carbon fibre plate that feels snappy, energetic and, well, rapid. It gives you excellent forward momentum and feels fast.

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The midsole, meanwhile, is the real hero. It introduces Saucony’s new IncrediRUN foam, a supercritical TPEE material offering “unheard of levels of energy return”, according to the brand. This innovative foam delivers a soft yet responsive feel underfoot, contributing to a dynamic and comfortable running experience. While all of Saucony’s different foam technologies feel very soft, bouncy and ultra-cushioned, the IncrediRun does feel particularly plush – it takes things up a gear or two. How long this will last is difficult to say and more time is needed to judge the foam’s long-term performance, but on initial inspections it’s top-tier.

I wore the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2s on three main test runs so far: a full-send ParkRun on a difficult course at Muncaster Castle in Cumbria, claiming first place in 17.40; a brutal track session of Yasso 800s (8 x 800m full efforts) for training; and a 10-mile blitz on the Netherhall 10 race, again in Cumbria, claiming fourth place overall and a win in the M40 veteran category.

During all of the races I found the foam and carbon plate super-fast, with a great “ride”, loads of forward momentum and an energetic feel. Are the Elite 2s better than other super shoes such as the Nike Vaporfly 3 or Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4? It’s really difficult to be objective about it and make a true judgement. But, in my opinion, they can certainly compete with the best of the best and the speed levels do feel excellent.

Upper

Featuring a lightweight TPE yarn knit upper, the Endorphin Elite 2 ensures breathability and adaptability. The knit tongue and stretchy laces provide a snug yet accommodating fit, while the moulded 3D heel counter adds structure without compromising weight, enhancing overall foot lockdown. I found comfort levels very high, with a nice feel to the shoe, and I didn’t suffer from any rubbing or pinch points. Each shoe is very lightweight (215g, UK 9) and super breathable.

Outsole

The outsole features a minimal layer of rubber, providing reasonable grip for road racing on flat, stable surfaces. While the lightly-indented pattern isn’t deep at all (it’s basically completely flat), it aids traction a little; on wet surfaces, some slippage may occur, but on dry surfaces, it offers solid enough grip without hindering fast running.

During my test races, I found the shoe’s grip competent enough overall, but it struggled a little on country lanes with mud and grimy, wet surfaces. This was probably the worst performance area for the shoe, in my opinion – but it didn’t pose any major problems. Ultimately it’s not a trail shoe. It does not have an aggressive outsole or deep lugs, and the outsole is designed for speed on flat, stable tarmac rather than anything more gnarly.

Who Is It For?

The Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 is clearly designed for competitive runners seeking to go faster and set new PBs. It’s a super-shoe at the top-end of the market, with a premium price point of £280. It’s pitched, therefore, at runners who take things seriously and are willing to pay top dollar for top-tier performance and speed.

If you don’t think the Endorphin Elite 2 is quite right for you, then the Saucony Endorphin collection has two other options available. The snappy Endorphin Pro 4 (£230) is built for speed training and race day full-sends, featuring a full carbon plate and Saucony’s PWRRUNPB foam, while the cheaper Endorphin Speed 4 (180) is made for “everyday training and speed training” featuring a winged nylon plate.

Price: £280
Weight: 215g per shoe (UK 9)
Unisex sizes: 2.5-13
Drop 8mm
Stack height 39.5mm (heel) / 31.5mm (forefoot)

Buy the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2: £280 at Sportsshoes.com