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Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 | Pure versatility. Analysis and details

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The Endorphin range has put Saucony back on everyone's lips for its good performance and performance. It consists of three models: Shift, Speed and Pro. With this year's renewal, they have been renamed Shift 2, Speed 2 and Pro 2. This was to be expected.

The Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 in this test is the intermediate model of the range. A mixed shoe focused on fast trainings or, why not, also competitions. The recipe is the same: PWRRUN PB foam and nylon plate, leaving the carbon reserved for the Pro 2, a model that is clearly for racing.

But don't think that the Speed 2 is the "poor sister" of the Pro 2. In fact it is preferred by many users for its versatility and for not being as stiff as the carbon plate model. The top of the range model may always be the one that everyone will end up using, but the Speed 2 will be the one that everyone will end up using.


Plus

  • Pure versatility
  • Balanced price for a good performing shoe
  • Eye-catching and, in my opinion, successful aesthetics.

Minus

  • In my particular case, I found the damping to be insufficient.
  • Lots of exposed midsole at the bottom of the shoe

Nike Vaporfly 2 video review

If you prefer to watch the video analysis you can click here or watch it below. It is not a substitute, but the video provides information that is not available in the written analysis and vice versa.

 

 

Upper Saucony Endorphin Speed 2

With respect to the original model, the changes in the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 are in the upper, although beyond aesthetics they are not very noticeable.

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It is constructed in a single piece of mesh with good ventilation. The construction is simple and there are not many elements to highlight, it stands out enough for its striking aesthetics.

Saucony Endorphin Speed 2

The fit of the mesh is good, leaving the foot subject but at the same time leaving space in the toe area. There is no feeling that the foot is imprisoned and at the same time once the laces are tied it does not dance inside the shoe.

The tongue is slightly padded on the upper, just where we close the lacing. This tongue is independent of the mesh, but is attached to the midsole by two elastic straps. It is comfortable and does not move when running or present any difficulty when putting the shoe on (I am thinking of duathlon or triathlon transitions). 

Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 - Tongue

It also has a new pull tab to help fit the shoe, something that was not present in the first version of this shoe.

Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 - Tongue Puller

There is also a small puller on the heel part.

Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 - Heel puller

Just below that puller we have a rigid piece that completes the structure of the shoe. It is finished in a silver-colored imitation leather, but actually the size of this plastic piece is somewhat larger. Its mission is to maintain the shape of the shoe and at no time presents any discomfort or chafing on the foot.

Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 - Heel Reinforcement

The collar is not very detailed. It is padded and very basic, but it fulfills its function perfectly. In short, it is a comfortable, lightweight, practical and well ventilated upper. That's how you want an upper to be, right?

Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 Midsole

There are no changes in the midsole from the first model, which is good news. It is made entirely with Saucony's PWRRUN PB foam and has a nylon plate inside to give a bit of boost, but still remaining flexible.

It has a front design with a clearly marked rocker. It is what Saucony calls "SpeedRoll".

Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 - Speedroll

This shape of the shoe makes the transition quite smooth and, combined with the nylon plate, makes for some momentum in each stride.

Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 - Speedroll

The drop is fairly standard, with a difference of 8mm from front to rear.

The PWRRUN PB foam is reactive although it doesn't reach the rebound capacity that Nike's ZoomX can have. Nike's foam feels much more bouncy and special. But that doesn't have to be a bad thing, in return it's a foam that offers a lot of stability.

Saucony PWRRUN PB

And this is what makes the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 such a good shoe. Despite being a mixed shoe it is one of the most versatile shoes on the market. It works perfectly at any pace you want to take it to. Today without going any further I did a run with them with a warm up of 15 minutes over 5 min/km, then running at sub 4:00/km and 5:30/km rests. At no time the shoe feels strange, no matter the pace at which we take it, its behavior is great at all times.

At easy paces it's a stable shoe that doesn't give any scares (the same can't be said of Nike's ZoomX), but when we increase the pace the shoe responds perfectly, and its lightness and the small response of the nylon plate are noticeable. 

Although for my taste, or rather for my weight (I'm over 90kg), it is short on cushioning. After an hour of use the discomfort begins in the impact zone, which in my case is the midfoot. Up to that point I have no complaints and everything goes smoothly, but after 50 or 60 minutes the discomfort starts to become noticeable. And the days that I have reached 1:20 or 1:30 with this shoe have ended up being a real torture.

This is something that, for example, does not happen to me with the Tempo NEXT% by NikeI've seen from other users that this is not common (it can happen with the Pro, which are stiffer because of the carbon plate), so I have to put it down to the fact that they don't adapt correctly to my weight.

So they will be reserved for interval days or maximum distances of 10km, but anything more than 45 or 50 minutes of use will definitely make me think about any other shoe.

Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 outsole

The sole of the Endorphin Speed 2 is neither good nor bad. It just "is". It does its job in the dry, it is not designed to leave the asphalt and in the wet it lacks traction. 

Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 - Outsole

In its favor I can say that it is reduced to the minimum expression. Enough to separate the PWRRUN PB midsole from the asphalt and for it to wear out, but at the same time quite light precisely because of its reduced size.

However, by reducing the rubber part of the outsole so much, the midsole is completely exposed. This makes the Saucony shoes suitable only for running on asphalt.

 

Want to help the web? Buy here your Saucony Endorphin Speed 2

I hope this full review has helped you decide if these shoes will fit your wear. All the work I do is without any cost to you, but if you want to support the page and by doing so the work I do, the best way to do that is to buy these shoes through the links that I provide .

And if you don't buy them today, remember to stop by when you're going to! Through these links you will not only get a competitive price and the best customer care, but also I will receive a small percentage at no additional cost to you. That's what allows me to keep offering you reviews like the one on this page.

By the way, you get an additional 10% off at RunningWarehouse by using the exclusive code CUMAR10.

 

If you have any questions, remember that you have the comments section at the bottom, where I will try to answer all your questions.

 

Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 review

The Endorpin Speed 2 is a very good performance shoe that is primarily intended to be a fast, mixed shoe, but in reality can be used in virtually any circumstance.

From light outings to fast intervals, to high-paced outings or even competition. Versatility, that's the word that best defines these shoes.

My only complaint is the aforementioned lack of cushioning for my characteristics. In short distances I am perfectly comfortable with them, but anything more than 10 kilometers would force me to seriously think about another model.  

And with that... thanks for reading!

Eduardo Mateos

I've been surrounded by electronic devices of all kinds for more than 25 years. Using them, testing them, taking them apart and dissecting them. Long distance triathlete: I swim, run and cycle for a long time. Maybe too much.

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11 Comments

  1. Other mixed that move on to infinite midsoles.

    I wonder if I'm the only one in the world nostalgic for the old mixed and flying shoes. I came from using the Boston 6 to 9 as a mixed shoe, and now I've switched to the 10, and joe, I see all the drawbacks in the world, and none of its advantages. Heavier and less stable. I don't notice that greater "reactivity", in fact I feel more clumsy and slower. In addition, I totally lose the feeling of stepping on the ground and it is replaced by stepping on jelly beans. It is unpleasant. For me the equivalent simile is that of driving with hard-soled boots, you have no idea if you are stepping on the pedals or not, if too much or too little.

    The change has been radical and I'm still getting used to it, but I still have doubts. So nothing, it is clear that this is the new standard, I hope to get used to it soon, and pray that the fashion passes as soon as possible.

    1. So far the segment that has been moving has been this type of shoe. But the pure flyer segment is going to start to move this year. Adidas has the Takumi Sen 8, Nike will introduce the Streakfly soon... The traditional flying concept is the one that is starting to be updated now.

  2. I would like to know if the Hoka Rocket X are better than this in terms of shoe for training and competition, half marathon distance although without ruling out the marathon for paces of 4:30 to 4 and weight of 77 kg. Thank you.

  3. Very good post.
    I was thinking of buying these for the days of fast series and a test of 400m and 1500m, because I think it can fit my profile (175cm, 68kg), but I have read on some sites what you say about traction and I'm pretty worried because I'm going to take the exam and train in Avila throughout the year. That's why I wanted to ask you if you consider it a good option, and especially if for the 110 € that is, compensates these or Nike Tempo Next% that are very discounted for a similar price. Thanks

  4. Hello, I am a girl who weighs 54 kg and has been running for many, many, many years, but my pace is 4.30 to 5.15 in training and 4, 15 to 5 in competition.
    I'm thinking of buying a shoe and I don't know if the Hola Rocket X or the Saucony speed 2, I want them for training as well as for racing since I don't compete too much, occasionally a popular race and a couple of half marathons a year.
    I have good running technique.
    Which one do you recommend?
    Thank you!

    1. Thank you very much for your quick response!
      Well, the decision has already been made, I'll stick with the Hoka.
      My current shoes are Hoka and they have been great for me.
      But I don't know why I thought the Speed was more suitable for me, for great training and occasionally racing, and that the Hoka was more for racing and not so much for training.
      I will check out your analysis!

  5. Hi Eduardo, I have read your article. I have been using Saucony Ride and Guide for almost 10 years, my size is US9, do you recommend me in the Endorphine Speed 2, with one size less or the same. Target distance 10km and half marathon.

    a greeting

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