ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris vs Saucony Endorphin Elite 2: Which Carbon Racer Wins?

Introduction

The ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris and the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 are both top-tier carbon plate racing shoes, the best options from their respective brands. The Metaspeed Sky Paris has been a long-term favorite since it launched, while the Endorphin Elite 2 arrived as a new, more complex proposition: a racer built around some of the softest midsole foam ever fitted to a carbon shoe.

This comparison draws on marathon training, hard track sessions, and race-paced testing in both shoes, with more than 50 miles logged in each. The short version: the Metaspeed Sky Paris remains the more accomplished and more accommodating racer, but the Endorphin Elite 2 is genuinely fast and offers something quite different.

Two Racers, Two Very Different Ideas

The Metaspeed Sky Paris is the cheaper of the two at around £220-£250, while the Endorphin Elite 2 sits at the very top of the market at roughly £275-£280. The ASICS is also the lighter shoe: 188g / 6.6oz in a UK 9, against 216g / 7.6oz in a UK 8.5 for the Saucony. Drop differs too, with 5mm on the Metaspeed and 8mm on the Endorphin Elite 2.

Under the hood, the ASICS pairs a lightweight Motion Wrap 2.0 upper with FF Turbo Plus midsole foam, the best foam in ASICS’s range, plus a full-length carbon plate that sits a little higher under the forefoot. The Saucony uses a knit and mesh upper with a booty-style fit and an Incredrun TPE foam midsole that is exceptionally soft yet very springy, again with a full-length carbon plate. Notably, the Sky Paris has no outsole cutouts, which is unusual for such a light racing shoe, while the Saucony includes several.

Fit and Sizing

In the Endorphin Elite 2, the toe box has enough length and good clearance over the top of the toes, with a bit of structure that helps keep the upper away from the toes. Lockdown across the top of the foot is excellent thanks to the integrated tongue. The catch is width: the shoe runs tight and narrow, squashing the little toe on the outside edge, and the plasticky upper can cause some rubbing on longer runs. Runners with wide feet or those who value toe splay may find it cramped.

The ASICS fit is spot-on: snug and racy, with well-padded heel collars that prevent slipping or rubbing and easy midfoot lockdown. There was only a smidge of lace pinch deep into a marathon and one slightly bruised toenail after a long test, nothing serious. The advice for both shoes is the same: stick to your normal running shoe size. Half a size down did not work in the Saucony, and wide-footed runners in particular should think carefully before buying the Elite 2.

How Each Shoe Feels on the Run

The Metaspeed Sky Paris delivers a firmer ride than most carbon shoes, but it stays comfortable deep into marathons. What really sets it apart is turnover: the plate gives an explosive toe-off from the forefoot, with punch and lift that persists even when form is faltering late in a race. The low weight helps high-cadence runners keep their feet turning over. It has delivered two marathon PBs and shorter race PBs in testing, and it damps road impact while leaving a genuine sense of control.

The Endorphin Elite 2 is a different beast entirely. You sink deep into the Incredrun foam and get all of it back in a wild, slingshot-like rebound. It is as punchy as the ASICS and brilliant fun when you run it well, but it is noticeably less stable. The foam compresses and moves in all directions, so landings need careful, considered foot placement, especially when landing toward the heel. Grip also feels slightly slippery on every run, which compounds the sense of insecurity through corners and when stopping.

That makes the Endorphin Elite 2 a strong pick for big urban marathons with lots of straight, even running, the kind of course Chicago, Berlin, or New York offers. On anything twisty, turny, or vaguely uneven, the Metaspeed Sky Paris feels more natural and lets you simply get on with running.

The Case for the Endorphin Elite 2

The Endorphin Elite 2 is probably the softest carbon racer available right now, and its high-compression, high-rebound ride delivers huge energy. Runners who are not worried about stability, or who want a friendly, bouncy shoe for jogging or racing at slightly slower paces, may well find it works across a range of abilities where the very lightweight, less accommodating ASICS feels too racy. Run mid to forefoot and the front section of the foam feels more reliable while still being highly resilient.

The Verdict

The Metaspeed Sky Paris is the overall pick. It is one of the most accomplished carbon racers you can buy, suits the widest group of runners, and is the shoe to trust on tired legs when form gets ragged and landings drift further back. It is an all-distance option, a top contender for marathon and half marathon racing and an easy choice for fast 5K and 10K efforts too.

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The Endorphin Elite 2 is genuinely fast and delivers a super-soft, bouncy feel that many runners will love, but it is untamed, requires more focus, and comes with a higher price tag. If you crave that maximal softness and bounce and race on even, straight-line courses, it is a legitimate PB shoe. For almost any other racing scenario, the ASICS is the safer, higher-performing choice.

Conclusion

For a high-cadence runner chasing times from 5K through the marathon, the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris is the higher-performing shoe of the two, at a lower price, with a fit that works straight out of the box. The Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 is an impressive, wildly bouncy alternative for those who prioritize softness and run on predictable surfaces, but it asks more of you on every step. Hard to see anything displacing the ASICS as the default carbon racer anytime soon.