SHOE REVIEW: Saucony Endorphin Pro 2

In 2020, Saucony released one of the most highly-anticipated racing shoes on the market – the Endorphin Pro. Just over one year later the Pro 2 is here, and with a few small tweaks to the upper, it’s even better than the original. 

The main changes in the Endorphin Pro 2 come from a slightly wider toe box and an improved lacing system. Saucony’s PWRRUN PB midsole remains, coupled with a S-curved carbon plate, and the outsole material and pattern is unchanged. 

Category: Neutral cushion
Drop: 8 mm
Weight: 213 g (7.5 oz ) for men’s size 9
Stack Height: 35.5 mm
Available: June 15, 2020
MSRP: $250.00

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Changes to the upper

I loved the Endorphin original. I was given the shoe as the pandemic locked Canada down, and I wore it consistently for workouts on the road during the spring and summer of 2020. Once on foot, the shoe was amazing. However, getting it onto my foot was a challenge. The Endorphin 2 eliminates that problem with a slightly wider upper and improved lacing system. The toebox is notably wider and the shoe felt a little longer to me as well. Due to my very narrow feet, I would probably go down half a size from what I typically wear, but for most runners, the wider shoe will be a welcome change. 

The upper material is still a single-layer mesh that’s highly breathable and light – a perfect design for spring and summer racing. I found the upper comfortable and had no hot spots during any of my training sessions. 

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The rest of the shoe

When it comes to the rest of the shoe, it remains top-of-the-line, and it has proved itself in many prestigious road races around the world. The Endorphin Pro and Pro 2 are world-class racing shoes that handle well at paces ranging from 5K to the marathon. I even wore them during a track workout and felt stable and smooth running at 1,500m pace. While track work isn’t necessarily their intended use, the versatility is impressive. 

The cushioning has great pop and the XT-900 outsole holds the road in both wet and dry conditions. Even after months of workouts, I found this shoe to be impressively durable for a carbon-plated racing flat. One year later, I still haven’t been able to bring myself to retire the original Pro, and I still throw them on for the odd tempo run. 

Final thoughts

The ideal use for this shoe is for race day on the road, when you’re trying to go as fast as possible. Give the shoe a try during one or two key workouts through your build, but generally speaking, save it for your goal event. A trainer like the Endorphin Speed is the perfect accompaniment to the Pro, and will provide a similar sensation on the run, without the rigidity of a carbon plate.

If you found the first iteration of the Pro a little snug, you’ll love the upper updates. If the first version was a perfect fit, size down a touch on the 2.

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