Adding my words of praise about the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2’s, is only adding more to what most readers already heard. The the Speed 2s are a great shoe and if I had to choose a running shoe as my shoe of the year today – they would be it, without having to think about it very much at all. 

However, as much as I gush and ooh ahhh about the Endorphin Speed 2s, I also know that there are others for whom this shoe doesn’t work all that well. Every runner is different and the shoes that work great for me, may not work for you and you can explain why they didn’t work for you in the comments if you like. Otherwise, all I can say is be happy that these do work for me, and I hope that you find the shoes that work great for you.

The short review of the Endorphin Speed 2s. Of all the running shoes that I have run in since 2012, they very comfortably fit up on that top shelf with the best of them. If they keep impressing me the way that they have so far, I might have to add another shelf above the one that exists for them to sit alone.

However, I am as usual late to the party, but not as late as usual. Many of you have tried v1 (I have not) and v2 has been out for a few months now. So, I cannot compare the differences between the two versions. 

I got the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2’s on eBay as gently used running shoes with the box. It was a long journey to finally get a pair (you can read about it here), but the below paragraph from that initial review, says all I really need to say about them. 

“Who knows maybe these are those mythical unicorn shoes I have been looking for — for so long? I will find out I have a feeling, but there is something that just feels right when I run in these shoes.”

But of course, I will add in a bit more.

Everything from long runs, to recovery runs, but nothing on the track. The best part of all of those runs is that I have not had any issues related to the performance of the Speed 2s. 

I am a true to size 8.0 and historically in Saucony running shoes, I have sized up due to the taper in the toe box on most of their offerings, usually to a size 9.0 US. In the Endorphin Speed 2s I got them in a size 8.5 US, which fits perfectly. I have had zero issues with fit, no blisters, rub spots and my Tailor’s Bunionette is completely happy as long as I don’t wear my thicker Winter wool socks.

The color way is good, although I would have preferred a brighter and louder one, the blue/black that I have is quite nice, though a bit subdued. Saucony has done a great job with the color way selections for the Endorphin line overall in my opinion.

The weight is exactly where I would love my daily trainers to be. That is what the Endorphin Speed 2s are in my rotation — daily trainers or tempo type shoes. I could easily use them to race, but I have a pair or carbon-plated shoes that are just a bit faster feeling than the Speed 2’s. Although, I believe that I would prefer the Speed 2s for any race over 10 miles.

The Speed 2 breathes well, but I have a feeling will be a colder shoe during the colder, nastier weather that is coming to Maine. The merino wool socks will be needed then. Speaking of nasty weather, I have run in the rain on several of my runs and have no issues with slippage on wet tar. They will not be mistaken for trail shoes, but the plastic plate does work as a rock plate on the dirt road down-back and they have handled the wet dirt road good enough that I am willing to run with them there when it rains. 

Though in slimy mud, snow, sleet or other weather where you need more outsole with lugs, I have better choices.

After 63 miles there is no noticeable wear on the outsole, other than the end of the toe box where I tend to push-off harder. The parts of the midsole that are exposed are holding up well.

The Endorphin Speed 2s are not the quietest shoe in my rotation, but I have noticed that when I run with the correct gait for the shoes, that they are quite a bit quieter, so when I am clomping along, it also means that I am not running with good form — a way to know when I am not running well. The heel-to-toe transition is smooth as warm butter and they have a snappy toe-off. I feel comfortable and as though I always have that extra gear available to me if I need it. Well, more like if I can access it at this point in my running.

I have done more long runs in the Endorphin Speed 2s than I have any shoe over the past five years and I have only had them a few weeks. They are comfortable and while the bottom of my feet start to bother around 9-10 miles, that is a me problem not a shoe problem and happens much sooner in other shoes. It is for now, my limiting factor on how far I can comfortably run in any pair of running shoes.

The pull-tab on the heel counter is useless and the one on the tongue is also, except that it is reflective. I could cut both of them off, save a little weight and not notice they were gone.

It is not very often that I can say this. I got nothing that really matters.

The Endorphin Speed 2s are probably one of the best shoes I have run in over the past 10 years. That is a huge statement for me since I have run in around 25 pair of running shoes a year. To say this after only 63 miles and as jaded as I am regarding 50-mile reviews of running shoes, says a lot about how I am feeling about the Endorphin Speed 2s.

The Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 is going for $160 USD retail. The price in the future I have a feeling will depend on supply chain issues and production cost increases moving forward. However, that price is at the very top of my price range for a pair of running shoes. I cringe when I see the buy button with that price plus tax and work hard to avoid paying full retail. Quality running shoes are getting very pricey, so when I can find a deal on a pair of gently used shoes, my frugal side considers them a better deal than buying at retail.

Will I get another pair when this pair finally wears out? Unless they suddenly go completely to crap on me, I foresee another pair in the house at some point in early 2022. After all, this is about as close as I have come to my mythological Unicorn shoe at 50+ miles in a long, long time,

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I purchased these shoes on eBay as a personal purchase. The opinions I have expressed are my own, no brand, retail entity or marketing department have had any input or editorial control over what I have written. Your experiences with this product might be different from mine. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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