Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 Review
Same Fantastic Speed With an Updated Upper
Likes
- Fast and efficient ride
- Bouncy, protective midsole
- Comfortable, breathable upper
Dislikes
- Some funky colorways
What's New
Not much has changed with the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2, and honestly, that is great news. The original Endorphin Speed, along with the rest of the Endorphin series, took the running world by storm last year, so it's no surprise that Saucony played things safe by retaining many of the same features as the original. What has changed is the upper design, which Saucony claims is now snugger in the heel and more breathable, with anti-slip laces for an improved lockdown.
The Bottom Line
The original Endorphin Speed was one of the biggest successes of 2020, making the Running Warehouse "Most Versatile Shoes" list and gaining praise throughout the running community for its fast and versatile ride. Saucony responded to this success by reintroducing the same midsole and outsole combination that everyone loved in the original Speed but adding a refined upper design. The PWRRUN PB, nylon plate, and SPEEDROLL midsole offer a fast and efficient ride that has the versatility to excel during a variety of runs. The strategically placed carbon rubber outsole remains impressively durable and offers no-nonsense traction to keep your footing on the roads. The newly updated FORMFIT mesh upper is snug throughout, offering a more secure lockdown when pushing faster paces. Additionally, your feet will have no problem staying cool thanks to the more breathable design.
The only small negative our team could find while testing the Endorphin Speed 2 was the "Reverie" colorway. Understandably, colorway preferences are subjective, and some runners may love rocking the "racing" print, but it is an interesting style choice nonetheless. Overall, the Speed 2 is another excellent shoe that is sure to be a favorite among runners throughout 2021 for fast training runs or everyday workout needs.
Shoe Performance
Shoe Softnessi
FirmSoftRide/Energy Returni
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protectioni
LowHighFlexibilityi
RigidElasticUpper Supporti
StructuredAdaptableSpecifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium | Height: Medium |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium |
| Heel Width | Medium |
| Arch Height | Medium to low |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 7.9 oz (size 9) | Women's: 7.1 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 39 mm (Heel), 31 mm (Forefoot) |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
The Endorphin Speed 2's midsole is a thing of beauty, as it strikes an excellent balance between softness and responsiveness. With a nylon plate in the midsole, the underfoot feel is not exactly plush, but the PWRRUN PB foam softens landings with ease and will keep runners comfortable throughout their runs regardless of the type or distance.
Kaleb: "Similar to its predecessor, the Endorphin Speed 2's midsole is designed with a focus on speed and responsiveness, and the PWRRUN PB midsole retains a nice level of softness that adds to its comfortable ride."
Matt: "The Endorphin Speed 2 comes packed with Saucony's PWRRUN PB foam, which is one of the best PEBA-based foams I have ever run in. This foam has a dense build and offers more of a trampoline bounciness than pillowy softness, which worked great for me. The PWRRUN PB had the perfect level of responsiveness, durability, and softness that I was looking for in my workouts and even for some daily runs as well."
Ride/Energy Returni
With Speed in the name, you better produce a fast shoe, and the Endorphin Speed 2 once again delivers. The PWRRUN PB foam feels soft underfoot, but it also packs a serious punch in terms of energy return and will propel the wearer through every stride. The SPEEDROLL midsole design is efficient and will help runners more easily sustain their speed throughout their run. Like the original version, runners will want to strap in for this speedy ride time and time again.
Kaleb: "The Endorphin Speed once again delivers a speedy and comfortable ride. With the springy PWRRUN PB foam and a nylon midsole plate, these shoes are very fast and fun to run in. I gave them a 10/10 here because I had to honor the shoe that is responsible for my current 10K PR."
Matt: "Energy return is where the Endorphin Speed 2 shines. These speedy shoes have the perfect amount of midsole pop to make them one of the best tempo options on the market. Saucony's combination of PWRRUN PB foam with a nylon-plated midsole creates a super bouncy ride that helps runners crank up the pace with ease. The softness of the foam and the fit of the upper are comfortable at slower paces, while the responsiveness and efficiency of the Speed helped me run fast without hesitation. The Endorphin Speed 2 is an incredible do-it-all shoe that will maximize any training run."
Underfoot Protectioni
With a 39-mm heel of PWRRUN PB underfoot and 31 mm in the forefoot, the Endorphin Speed offers ample protection from the roads. Although slightly firm underfoot, runners will be able to stay fresh for mile upon mile in these performance trainers.
Kaleb: "I was surprised how protective the Speed 2 was given its firmness and plated midsole, but I had no issues staying fresh deep into my runs. I do not think I would have any trouble going half-marathon distances or farther in the Speed 2."
Matt: "There is a reason why this shoe is one of the most versatile options out there. It has the speed, but also the protection. Even though the PWRRUN PB foam is firmer, my legs always felt pretty good after runs. I never had any doubts when lacing up the Endorphin Speed 2 for easy days, long runs, or workouts."
Flexibilityi
The Endorphin Speed 2 is more rigid than it is flexible, but the SPEEDROLL rocker design creates a very efficient and smooth heel-to-toe transition that is a blast to run in. That said, our testers did note that the rigidity of this trainer could be a limiting factor at slower paces, so given its impressively fast performance, the Speed 2 is best reserved for faster days.
Kaleb: "With its high stack and carbon plate, the Speed 2 is fairly rigid. The shoes are designed for speed and responsiveness so it is no surprise that they are stiff, but this lack of flexibility does not take away any enjoyment from the ride."
Matt: "The Endorphin Speed 2 isn't very flexible. The plate and a higher stack of foam limit the flexibility of the shoe. The SPEEDROLL rocker shape helps move my foot forward, but I could see the stiffness being limiting at slower paces."
Upper Supporti
The upper is where we see the most notable updates to this new Endorphin Speed. Although both models rock a very similar mono-mesh design, the fit of the Speed 2 has been improved with a snugger heel counter layout, as well as the addition of an anti-slip lace design that creates a better lockdown. Finally, enhanced breathability further separates the Speed 2's upper from the original.
Kaleb: "The Endorphin Speed 2 has a lightweight upper that is somewhat adaptable. The wrap is relatively snug throughout and offers a secure hold that was not a distraction out on my training runs. The breathability is also worth highlighting, as my feet were able to stay cool and dry while running in hot temps."
Matt: "The upper works great. It is light and durable, and the mesh adapts well to my foot while still being strong."
Saucony Women's Endorphin Speed
Saucony Men's Endorphin Speed
Individual Thoughts
The Endorphin Speed 2 is, more or less, the same great shoe that the original Speed was. The updated upper improves upon an already solid upper design and has a more dialed-in feel which I really appreciated. The PWRRUN PB midsole is a rockstar, providing a bouncy energy return and substantial protection from the road. I quickly found myself wanting to wear the Speed 2 for all of my training runs, as the shoe could handle any run I could throw at it. I had no issues with fit and security while wearing these versatile trainers. I highly recommend purchasing a pair of the Endorphin Speed 2s, but because they are very similar to version 1, I would try to save a penny or two by finding a pair of the original Speeds.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 is the shoe you want when it comes to versatility. It has the protection and comfort for warm-ups and cool-downs, but the snappiness and efficiency needed for faster workouts or races. My only hesitation with this shoe is that it might seem too aggressive for slower paces or more inefficient runners. This shoe worked perfectly for a lot of my training runs and really shined during my 14-mile progressive long runs. The Speed 2 also performed well during my threshold interval workouts on the track. Needless to say, this shoe has some great versatility and range that all runners will appreciate.
