Looking for a premium running shoe to give you a performance edge? Saucony think they have it in the Endorphin Speed 2. But what is it? Who is it for? How does it perform? And, ultimately, should you buy it? Join us as we put this trainer to the test, and answer all your questions in our Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 Running Shoe Review.
Saucony have built up quite a reputation over the years for producing excellent quality running shoes to suit recreational and elite runners alike.
With many models to choose from, most people can find a trainer in the Saucony range to suit the physical needs of their feet, gait style, and training needs. Take a look at our reviews of the Saucony Kinvara, Triumph and Guide models for more ideas.
With that in mind, it’s time to test out one of their performance running shoes. Let’s discover who it’s for, what it’s like to run in, and whether it’s a buy or not.
Welcome to our review, and as usual, you will get a no-holds-barred honest appraisal of the shoe. You’ll know by the end of this post whether it’s worth your hard-earned.
Disclaimer – I purchased this these shoes with my own money and have not been paid by anyone to make this review. This is my honest, independent opinion.
Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 – What is it?
The Endorphin Speed 2 is designed for runners, probably not a shoe you would buy simply for casual use.
Saucony have included some impressive technology into this shoe designed to maximise your running performance. Mainlining this technology is a full-length nylon plate built into the shoe. The idea of this is to add to extra responsiveness and to provide an enhanced rolling forward motion, and creating a more lively toe-off.
We’ll talk more about the nylon plate and whether it’s a success later, but first let’s take a look at some Features and Specs of this shoe.
Features and Specs
- Category. This is a neutral shoe
- Weight. Officially rated as 224g for the men’s variant. As tested, 418g for a pair of men’s size 8
- Offset. 8mm (35.5mm/27.5mm)
- SPEEDROLL. A technology designed to propel you forward
- Full-length nylon plate
- PWRRUN PB. A foam providing light weight and responsiveness
- XT-900. Outsole material designed for durability and grip
- Engineered mono-mesh upper
- FORMFIT. Fit enhancing technology
- Anti-slip laces
Who Is The Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 For?
As stated previously, this is a trainer with running performance in mind. One for more serious runners.
The engineering and included technology of this shoe is all about enhancing performance. Saucony’s Speedroll tech and the nylon plate work together to help you run harder and faster.
Saucony suggests that this trainer is suitable for short, fast workouts as well as longer distance runs. We will see shortly whether this bears out.
For runners looking to enhance speed and performance, the Endorphin Speed 2 was designed with you in mind. Recreational runners may also find the Endorphin Speed a suitable choice.
Unboxing The Saucony Endorphin Speed 2.
As with most athletic shoe’s these days, the Endorphins arrived in a simple cardboard box with the shoes wrapped in tissue paper for protection. There are no plastics and all the packaging is recyclable.
A nice touch is a handy Pace Chart on the bottom of the box.
First Impressions
Immediately apparent is how light the shoes are. Saucony have done an incredible job paring down the weight of the midsole foam and the upper construction, while still building in generous amounts of padding and cushioning.
In our recent test of the Saucony Kinvara 12, we were also very impressed with how light the shoes were. These came in at 417 grams for a pair of men’s 8.5, virtually the same as the Endorphin Speeds. The Kinvara’s had less cushioning around the heel and in the tongue, but had two layers of material in the upper, which the Endorphins don’t. I prefer the feel of the Endorphins on the feet.
Putting the shoes on out of the box for the first time resulted in a pleasing wrap-around feel and secure location of the foot within the shoe.
Taking the first few steps, two things were immediately obvious.
- Firstly, the nylon plate and the Speedroll technology successfully achieved the intended roll-forward assistance. These shoes had you immediately wanting to run. A good start.
- Secondly, there was more cushioning than I expected. A lot of shoes made for speed have much less cushioning and a flatter feel. Indeed, the Kinvara’s have a lower stack height and feel noticeably flatter and less cushioned.
But how does all this come together in an actual run, let’s find out.
First Run.
The first run is always the most exciting part of getting new trainers. I was excited to try out Saucony’s latest technology and one of their bestsellers. Can it live up to the hype?
For my first run in these shoes, I chose a short recovery run of 7 kilometres. This run was mainly on hard surfaces such as concrete paths. Any problems or wear-in issues with the shoe should be quickly exposed on this run.
Lacing up and walking out of the door for the first run reminded me of how pronounced that roll-forward sensation is.
These shoes feel different to any other running shoe I have tested. Walking in the shoe feels odd because of the forward stance, but running feels natural and energetic.
Many manufacturers profess how good their roll-forward technology is, but end up being quite disappointing in reality. Not so with this shoe.
I can happily report that the forward motion geometry of the shoes actually works really well when running. From heel strike to toe off, there is a pleasing sense of forward propulsion, resulting in quite lively performance.
Some observations from this first run –
- The cushioning worked well to insulate the runner from heel strike shock, and also had great rebound
- These shoes track well and are sure-footed. The cushioning is not too soft, there is no mushy movement on heel strike
- Fit was secure and locates the foot firmly inside the shoe, the lacing remained firmly fastened
- There was no movement of the foot inside the shoe resulting in chafing or rubbing
- No adjustment of the fit was necessary during the run
- The shoes were perfectly comfortable for the entirety of the run, there is no ‘run-in’ period required
First run done, so good so far.
Second Run.
This run was a 21 km early Sunday morning long run.
The intent was to determine if the shoes performed well on longer workouts, or were better suited as short distance sprinters.
After the obligatory warm-up, it was time to hit the streets.
Once again, the roll forward motion of the shoes, in combination with the generous built-in cushioning, assisted in sprightly performance in the early stages of the run.
I wanted to know if this energetic effect continues throughout the entire run?
Under normal circumstances, I would choose a more cushioned trainer, such as the Saucony Triumph or Hoka Bondi for the longer runs to mitigate the effect of the constant pounding on my ligaments, muscles, and joints. What I discovered with the Endorphins, was that the in-built cushioning, in combination with the overall lightness of the shoe, had the same effect over the longer workout.
By the end of the run, there was no sense of fatigue, my pace was a little faster than normal, and importantly, there were no uncomfortable pain points.
Tip: A great was to tell if a new running shoe is right for the type of workout you are doing is to take notice of how you feel for the rest of the day, and the day after. Are your feet sore, are there any aches and pains that you don’t normally get, are you feeling abnormally fatigued or tired? Sometimes a problem with a shoe will expose itself long after the run has finished.
Due to the success of this longer workout in the Endorphins, I have tested them in other types of training. From easy recovery runs, long-distance runs, to intense run club workouts, these shoes have performed very well in all situations.
Whilst the design characteristics of Endorphins definitely make them great for speed work (they certainly help you to amp up your times), it is clear that they can also be used successfully for your longer runs.
This second run, and subsequent workouts including sprints, hills, and stairs, have proved the Endorphins to be quite accomplished in all these situations.
Design Characteristics Of The Saucony Endorphin Speed 2.
Having tested out the performance of the shoe, let’s now take a look at how each component of the shoe stacks up.
The Upper.
Saucony have used an engineered ‘mono-mesh’ upper, which contributes greatly to the lightness of the shoe.
As the name suggests, this is a single layer of mesh, there is no second layer of material between the foot and the upper.
There is very little stretch or give in this mesh, so it’s important to make sure you purchase the correct shoe size for your feet. However, the mesh wraps around your foot snugly like a second skin and locates your feet securely into the shoe.
Once laced up properly, you should not experience any movement of the foot within the shoe, which can cause rubbing, chafing or blisters.
It’s important to note that whilst there isn’t a built-in layer of material lining the shoe between the foot and the upper, I did not experience any hint of rubbing, chafing or harshness on my instep. However, make sure you always wear proper running socks.
Tip: Technical running socks are an investment in your feet I can’t speak highly enough of. For maximum comfort, protection and performance, these socks are specifically made for runners, and compliment your trainers perfectly. Take a look at this great example from Lightfeet.
The upper seems to breathe well. Running in some hot conditions, I have not experienced overheating, and neither did my feet get wet with sweat.
The engineered mesh has breathing holes the entire length of the shoe, not just in the toe area. Heat dissipation and breathability are first class in the Endorphins.
Lacing And Tongue.
Funky multi-coloured laces are a highlight of the Campfire Story edition of the Endorphins. These work well, tie up securely, and don’t shake loose during the run. They also have enough length to employ a lock-lace if required.
The tongue has cushioning under the knot of the tied laces, which is great for comfort and protection of the instep. The rest of the tongue has gussets which are sewn into the shoe under the insole. This locates the tongue and stops it bunching up over the instep.
The lacing and tongue areas of the shoe work well, are lightweight, and comfortable.
Toe Box.
There is no stiff mudguard around the toe-box, however there is a slightly reinforced area around the toe tip and back into the shoe a little which protects the toes. The upper will simply wrap over and around the toes, this seems to comfortably locate the forefoot into the shoe.
Due to the shoe having a medium width, most people should find the toe box wide enough to avoid any cramping of the toes, however, there is no wide edition of the Endorphin available.
Heel And Collar.
Cushioning around the collar is minimal but effective. In combination with a reasonably stiff heel counter, the heel of the foot is comfortably and securely located into the shoe. I have not experienced any movement of the foot in this area, thus no chafing or blisters.
As is commonplace with athletic shoes these days, there is a second rearmost lacing eyelet which you can use to lock down the heel of the foot even further if any movement is experienced.
Insole.
The cushioning and rebound magic happens in the midsole, and in this case, the insole is really just a liner and has very little inherent cushioning.
There is a little more cushioning around the midfoot, under the arch, but virtually nothing under the heel.
After running in these shoes for a while, I have noticed some crimping and creasing of the upper edge of the insole around the heel, almost as if it is slightly too large for the shoe. At this stage it is not irritating my heel.
Midsole.
This is where this shoe has surprised me the most.
Saucony’s nylon rocker plate and Speedroll technology should endow this shoe with some real cred in terms of speed and performance. In testing, I have found that Saucony have really nailed the brief here and produced a trainer that just begs to be driven fast.
However, what I wasn’t expecting was the midsole’s ability to have such an excellent combination of cushioning and rebound. Going into this test, I was envisioning a reasonably flat racer with minimal softness. What Saucony have done is successfully produce the racer, but added in enough quality cushioning to make this shoe eminently suitable for long-distance workouts as well.
This is no small feat for a running shoe, and would explain its popularity with experienced athletes. The Endorphin Speed is one of the company’s bestsellers.
Outsole.
Saucony have fitted the Endorphin with what they call an XT-900 outsole. This is their premium carbon rubber outsole designed to mitigate wear in high-abrasion areas, but also enhance grip and durability.
Traction is good on the surfaces we tested, such as concrete, dirt tracks, trails, gravel, and grass. We also tested the shoes on stairs and boardwalks, confident grip in these situations enabled stability and sure-footed feet placement.
We haven’t had a rainy day to test wet weather grip, however we have tried to induce slip on wet concrete and the shoes retained their grip and did not appear especially slippery. However, the carbon rubber outsole is thin and exposes the midsole to ground contact in many instances, this can make the shoes a little slipperier than a more aggressive outsole design.
Extra care should always be taken in wet or icy conditions as some surfaces, such as clay or snow, become extremely dangerous for runners.
Durability is not usually an issue with Saucony products. The outsole materials used are tough and hard-wearing whilst still maintaining flexibility, and do not typically display any premature wear. I would expect that the Endorphins will maintain this tradition.
Quality And Value For Money.
Premium running shoes do not come cheaply. Advanced technology and the latest quality materials require thousands of hours of research, testing, and refinement.
Taking advantage of all this development and purchasing a high-end running shoe such as the Endorphin Speed 2 can result in big payoffs in terms of performance, comfort, and durability.
In Australia, the list price for the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 is $259.99. This is high-end pricing in the Saucony range, and in running shoes more generally, with only the Endorphin Pro 2’s coming in more expensive at $319.99. We’ll also test these to see if they are worth the extra money.
Close inspection of the shoes reveal no glue runs, errant stitching, or manufacturing faults. The quality seems solid.
With most premium running shoes costing around this price point and more, I would say that the Endorphins represent good value for money in terms of being fit-for-purpose, good quality, and up to date in tech and materials utilised.
Pro’s And Con’s.
Pro’s
Con’s
- Nylon plate helps with forward propulsion
- Smooth and lively transition from heel strike to toe-off
- Enough cushioning for longer runs whilst maintaining great rebound
- Very lightweight
- Breathability in the upper is good
- Good grip in most situations, care needs to be taken in wet conditions. Shoe is not waterproof
- Comfortable and secure fit is easily obtained, there are no rubbing, chafing or pain points
- Not a shoe for those runners needing a wider fit
- Roll forward rocker can take a little getting used to and may not be suitable for walkers
Wrapping It Up | Final Verdict.
Occasionally a shoe comes along that really surprises us and surpasses any expectation we might have had going into a test or review.
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 is one such shoe.
The most surprising feature of this trainer, is the effectiveness of the midsole, and in particular the responsiveness and level of cushioning.
A lot of shoes designed for speed are less soft and can have a minimalist feel, the shoes just get out of the way and let you run fast. The Endorphin Speed 2 is also a lightweight racer, but commendably, with greater rebound response and cushioning than we were expecting.
In summary, if you want to improve your pace and run fast. The Endorphin Speed will get you there, the nylon plate, roll forward geometry, and the lively midsole will certainly assist your performance.
If you want to run long-distance, the Endorphins are suitable for this too. Since starting to write this review, I have covered quite a bit of distance in the Endorphins, including a couple of 21km workouts. I can attest to the excellent performance of the Endorphins over longer runs, however, I would probably opt for an even more cushioned shoe such as the Saucony Triumphs for anything over 21k.
If you are shopping for a new trainer, we recommend you put the Endorphin Speed 2 on your list of shoes to try out. You may be as surprised as we were.
I hope you have enjoyed this road-test and the information has helped you in your purchasing decisions. As always, please let us know in the comments if you have had any experience with these shoes, and any other opinions, tips or ideas you’d like to share.
A rare five stars out of five from us.
Happy running
Steve
Frequently Asked Questions.
Who should buy the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2?
You want to improve your speed and performance, you appreciate a lightweight trainer but with built-in cushioning, you want roll-forward geometry to propel you through your transition from heel to toe-off, you want a shoe for race day but also a great daily trainer, and you want quality and durability.
Is the Endorphin Speed 2 only for racing or elite runners?
No. This shoe is a great racer and will be a great choice on race day, but is also highly effective as a daily trainer. Elite runners may prefer the Saucony Endorphin Pro 2, the next step up in the Saucony performance range.
I have wide feet, can I use the Endorphin Speed 2?
This shoe has a medium to narrow fit, runners with a wider fit may find this shoe too cramped. There is no wide version available.
The Endorphin Speed 2 is quite expensive, is it worth it?
At $259.99 in Australia, this shoe ranks with other high-end, top quality running shoes. We believe this represents good value for money given how accomplished this shoe is in terms of performance, comfort, and quality. The next level up in the Saucony range is the Endorphin Pro 2 at $319.99.
If I supinate or over-pronate, can I use this shoe?
If you roll-out or roll-in too far, you may need to look for an alternative to this shoe. The Endorphin Speed 2 is a neutral trainer. Our advice is to seek proper fitting at a specialist running shoe store.
Is the Endorphin Speed 2 for short distance or long distance running?
In reality, this shoe is suitable for both. The Endorphin Speed 2 is great for sprinting or racing, but is equally effective as a distance running option. For very long runs such as a marathon, you may want to opt for a more cushioned shoe such as the Saucony Triumph, but this is a personal choice.
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