Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 vs Speed 2: First Run Impressions Compared

Introduction

The Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 was a hugely popular shoe, picking up plenty of awards and a devoted following among runners who wanted a lively trainer that could handle everything from easy miles to marathon pacing. The Endorphin Speed 3 follows a tough act, and the changes are more extensive than the “whisker lighter” headline numbers suggest.

This comparison covers the key spec differences, how each shoe fits and rides, and which runner each version suits best.

Key Spec Differences

The updates here are incremental on paper but noticeable in practice. The Speed 3 comes in at 236g (8.3 oz) in UK men’s size 8.5, a small reduction from the 238g (8.4 oz) of the Speed 2 in the same size. The stack grows slightly too: 36mm at the heel and 28mm at the forefoot for the Speed 3, versus 35.5mm and 27.5mm on the Speed 2. The drop stays at 8mm.

Price has crept up as well. The Speed 3 launched at £165 in the UK and $160 in the US, compared with £155 in the UK for the previous version.

Saucony Endorphin Speed 3: What’s New

The upper is the most obvious change. The dual-layer mesh of the Speed 2 has been replaced with a single layer that is lighter, more flexible, more breathable, and roomier overall. The laces are slightly more padded and easier to lock down, and the tongue is thinner, with wider gusset sections that keep it in place against the foot.

The heel collar has slightly less padding than before, though it remains well cushioned around the Achilles, and a firmer plastic reinforcement holds the heel’s shape. In the midsole, the familiar Speedroll geometry and PowerRun PB foam carry over, but the nylon plate is new: it now has an S-curve shape with small wings protruding at the sides to add stability, paired with a wider platform in the midfoot and heel.

View more details for Saucony Endorphin Speed 3

Ride and Performance

On the run, the Speed 3 feels softer at relaxed paces than its predecessor, then firms up and rolls forward responsively as the pace climbs. Testers described a stable, bouncy, springy ride with the PowerRun PB foam and the S-curved plate clearly doing their work. One runner went as far as saying they would happily race a marathon in it, and that it feels a bit more natural than some full carbon racing shoes.

That said, the wider platform changes the character. During a mile run with one shoe on each foot, the difference was clear: the Speed 2 is firmer and sits on a narrower base, which tends to encourage a quicker, higher-cadence foot pickup. The Speed 3 lets you sink a little deeper into the cushioning before it springs back, and it feels like there is more shoe underfoot, even if not heavier.

The Speed 3’s extra width and winged plate add stability that some runners felt the Speed 2 lacked, though it was less noticeable on uneven ground like cobbles and loose trail, where neither shoe is at its best. In the end, the verdict was that both are excellent shoes, and neither is an obvious winner.

Fit Comparison

Both shoes run true to size. The Speed 3 has a roomier, airier fit with a generous toe box, and the single-layer upper wraps the foot well. Runners with wide feet found it plenty roomy, while a runner with narrow feet still got a secure hold by cinching the laces down.

Which One Should You Buy?

If you liked the firmer, narrower, slightly more nimble feel of the Speed 2, that shoe remains a fantastic option and some runners still prefer it for faster, high-cadence running. If you found the Speed 2 a touch narrow at the ball of the foot or wanted more underfoot stability and cushioning, the Speed 3 addresses exactly those points without losing the punch that made the original popular.

Both shoes handle a full range of paces comfortably and would happily carry you through a marathon. The choice comes down to ride feel: firmer and nimbler versus softer and more stable.

Conclusion

The Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 is a confident follow-up to one of the most beloved daily trainers in recent memory. It is not a replacement for the Speed 2 so much as a slightly different flavour of the same idea: softer, wider, more stable, and a little more accessible, at a modest price increase. Whichever version matches your preferences, you are getting a genuinely versatile, comfortable, springy trainer.