Race Day · Saucony

Endorphin Elite 2

Name: Saucony Endorphin Elite 2
Brand: Saucony
Price: 275 USD

A slotted carbon plate and supercritical foam that bends where your foot does.

8.3 Strong

Runsletter Score out of 10. Excellent, with a trade-off or two worth knowing.

Buy it if

Forgiving, flexible ride for a carbon racer
Cushioned enough for the full marathon
Suits a wide range of paces and strikes
Light for the amount of foam

Skip it if

Less raw pop than the most aggressive racers
Soft foam may lose bounce sooner
Pricey for what remains a race-only shoe

$275

List price; often discounted in seasonal sales

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Weight: 200 g
Stack: 40 mm
Drop: 8 mm

The verdict

The Endorphin Elite 2 combines Saucony's new IncrediRUN foam with a carbon plate that has a slot cut through the forefoot. That slot lets the shoe flex where your foot does, so the ride feels propulsive without the rigid, stick-like quality of some rivals.

It is a strong marathon choice for a wide range of runners, including those who aren't elite and won't stay on their forefoot for all 26.2 miles. The generous cushion and gentle flex make it kind to legs in the final 10K.

Against the Alphafly 4 it is softer and more forgiving, if a little less dramatic in its bounce. The Endorphin Speed 5 is the better pick if you want one shoe for training as well. Fit is comfortable and secure, with a little more room than a typical racer.

“The most forgiving super shoe on the shelf.”

Specs

Weight	200 g
Stack height	40 mm
Drop	8 mm
Cushion	4 / 5
Plate	carbon
Support	Neutral
Surface	road
Best for	race, long
Midsole	IncrediRUN foam above and below the plate
Plate detail	Full-length slotted carbon plate
Upper	Light, breathable race upper
Outsole	Rubber in the high-wear zones
Fit	Secure, slightly roomier than most racers
Widths	Standard only