Saucony Endorphin Elite 2: A 100-Mile Look at the Softest Super Shoe

Introduction

The Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 is the brand’s premium super racing shoe, and it debuts a full-length, full-height IncrediRun midsole. That foam is the softest thing I have ever put on my feet. It makes genuinely cushioned shoes feel firm by comparison, and it completely changes the character of this shoe relative to the original Endorphin Elite.

Version one was a favorite: stable, neutral, snappy, and slightly firmer than a lot of super shoes. Version two goes the exact opposite direction. It is very soft, wobbly, and a completely different ride. Even though it did not match my mechanics, I kept running in it to see how it wore over time, since version one did not age well. Here is how version two has held up over 100 miles.

Specs at a Glance

In a men’s size 10, the Endorphin Elite 2 comes in at 7.7 ounces, about 218 grams. That is not the lightest shoe on the market; it sits closer to the heavier end of the super shoe range, but raw weight is not the point here.

Stack height measures 39.5 mm in the heel and 31.5 mm in the forefoot for an 8 mm drop. There is a full-length carbon fiber plate inside, so the shoe has structure under all that soft foam, but the ride is dominated by the midsole.

How the Midsole Holds Up Over 100 Miles

When I first put this shoe on, it was so soft I genuinely worried I could not run in it. Even though it is not the tallest shoe out there, it wobbles quite a bit, and my hip muscles had to work extremely hard to keep things controlled. The large cutout in the midsole drove me slightly lateral, and the sidewalls could not do much about it because the foam is just too soft.

The good news: over time, the midsole has firmed out just a little. At 100 miles, I like this shoe more than when it was new. It still feels insanely soft, but it is noticeably less unstable, and it actually feels more responsive now than it did at first. Early on it just compressed and rolled forward with little bounce; as it has firmed slightly, I am getting more energy return out of it.

That said, the midsole still does not respond fast enough for me to want to race in it, and the super-soft, high-bounce feel lasts roughly 75 to 100 miles before it starts to fade. It firms up without getting mushy, though, so there is still a good amount of bounce left after that initial window.

Stability: Know Your Mechanics

This is not a shoe for anyone with stability needs. It wobbles in all directions, and you need genuinely stable mechanics to handle it, even after the foam firms up. If you have a history of lateral ankle sprains or severe excessive pronation that you struggle to control, this is not your shoe. If you have hip instability concerns, make sure your hip strength is excellent, because you are essentially running on a soft, unstable surface.

For runners with very good ankle and hip control who do well in soft shoes, though, this can be a genuinely pleasant ride. One interesting side effect: because the foam is so soft, I found myself landing lighter and increasing cadence in this shoe, which may have helped the outsole survive.

Best Use Cases and Paces

The Endorphin Elite 2 is best for runners who want the softest shoe possible for longer distance races like the half marathon and marathon, provided they have the stability to handle it. I could not get this shoe to turn over quickly at 5K pace or below; it simply will not move that fast. At threshold, tempo, and longer efforts, though, it feels really good.

Where it earned the most miles for me: second threshold workouts. After a morning session, when the body is trashed and the feet and ankles need a break, this is the go-to shoe to get some bounce and get through the effort. It also handled occasional easy runs surprisingly well, and its forgiving, cushioned ride may actually suit runners at slower paces, since the foam compresses instead of feeling aggressive and stiff.

Outsole Durability: A Surprise

By all expectations, I should have ripped through this outsole. Instead, at 100 miles it is essentially intact, with only minor wear. Two factors seem to explain it: the soft midsole encourages a lighter, higher-cadence landing rather than a hard strike, and the place where I normally land simply has no exposed material to tear off.

The outsole rubber is thicker than on most racing shoes and it is effective. Compared with the original version, whose thin outsole came off easily and made me afraid to add miles, this is a major improvement. Your mileage may vary, but this one has held up far better than expected.

Fit and Upper: Narrow Feet Win

I did not like this upper initially. The toe box is pretty narrow, especially compared with version one, and the toe guard narrows things further. Runners with narrower feet will like this shoe; runners who want a wide toe box will not. It is snug through the forefoot, and over longer miles I picked up some chafing.

The midfoot does have some stretch, which makes the fit more accommodating there, but you will need to cinch the laces down. The tongue is connected, so if you do not lay it flat carefully it folds on itself, which caused some blistering for me.

The heel, on the other hand, deserves credit. There is no heel counter, the shape is nicely rounded, and despite a slight inward taper that pushes on my Achilles, the flexible material has kept it from being an issue. For runners with heel sensitivity, this is actually a great option: no padding back there, yet it still locks the heel in well. If you have Achilles tendinopathy issues, though, be warned that the shoe’s wobble may aggravate excessive heel motion.

Buying Advice

If you want the absolute softest ride on the market for long-distance racing and you have strong hips, stable ankles, and narrow feet, the Endorphin Elite 2 is a compelling pick. Expect the peak super-soft feel to last around 75 to 100 miles, with the ride firming slightly but remaining pleasantly bouncy after that.

If you need stability, have a history of ankle sprains, want a wide toe box, or plan to race 5Ks, look elsewhere. And if, like me, you find the midsole too slow-responding for race day, this still works beautifully as a second-workout or long-effort shoe. It is a niche tool, but within that niche it does its job well.

Conclusion

Over 100 miles, the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 surprised me. The midsole firmed just enough to become more enjoyable and slightly more responsive, the outsole held up far better than expected, and the ride remains the softest I have ever experienced. It is not a shoe for everyone, and it is not one I would race in, but for stable runners with narrow feet chasing maximum cushion over long distances, it is worth a serious look.