Details
Brand
Saucony
Heel To Toe Drop
0mm
Breathability
10/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Racing
Key Features
• FLEXFILM upper for a lightweight and supportive shoe• Features a single layer of mesh to maximize breathability• SSL (Saucony SuperLite) EVA foam midsole for responsiveness and comfort• EVERUN insole for a higher energy return and additional cushioning• PWRTRAC rubber outsole for exceptional traction• Minimalist racing shoe• Zero drop shoe
Upper
The upper of the Endorphin Racer 2 is made of a single mesh lightweight material to help keep the weight down but at the same time increasing the support and durability. The upper features Saucony’s FLEXFILM overlay which is a super lightweight material, yet strong enough to take the beating of a long run. The shoe houses only a single layer of mesh for a more seamless, breathable, and flexible feel on your feet.
Midsole
Saucony utilizes their SSL EVA (Saucony SuperLite EVA) in the midsole of their Endorphin Racer 2 shoe. The EVA foam used in these shoes maximizes the responsiveness and the durability without sacrificing the ability to keep them lightweight. In addition to their super light EVA foam midsole, Saucony also gives you their EVERUN insole for added cushioning. The EVERUN insole gives you a more responsive cushioning on the forefront of your feet, whereas the SSL EVA foam of the midsole cushions your heel. These two technologies work together very well to deliver excellent cushioning, superior responsiveness, and maximum shock absorption.
Outsole
The Saucony Endorphin Racer 2 is technically a road shoe, however, with the way the outsole is constructed these shoes are going to be able to be worn while running or walking on so many other surfaces than just the road. Saucony implemented the PWRTRAC technology on the outsole of the shoe, which is a tacky rubber-like outsole that will not only give superior durability but also allows the shoe to have far better traction. The bottom of the shoe also has an interesting pattern of different sized triangles going in every different direction to help ensure that your grip is secure while on the go.
Breathability
The construction of the upper on these shoes allows for excellent ventilation and exceptionally good breathability. The single layer of mesh that makes up the upper allows the air to flow in and out of the foot chamber easily to help keep your feet as cool as possible while on the go. These shoes are so light and breathy, you can almost see through the thin mesh material, which helps keep your feet happy, dry, and cool.
Comfort
Customers love how comfortable these shoes are, especially for their long-distance running. The EVERUN insole in the shoe gives you much needed additional cushioning at the forefront of your foot while the SSL EVA foam midsole gives you more padding on the heel. Many runners have said that the additional padding in the shoes really helps them when they are in it for the long haul. They do not have to worry about the cushioning wearing out underneath them and they can expect exceptional comfort for the entire length of their run.
Style
Both runners and casual wearers alike agree that they love the look and style of these shoes. They love that they can be worn in the gym or on the run but can also transition into their daily wear. The shoes come in a bright lime green color (slime and black) for men, and women are offered a vibrant purple (purple and teal). There may not be very many color options for these shoes but that does not stop customers from loving them just the same.
Durability
The durability of the Endorphin Racer 2 shoes is phenomenal in some places and others may need some work. The heavy-duty materials and construction of the outsole of the shoes, in combination with the strong materials of the midsole, work together to make sure that these shoes can last even through the repetitive pounding of hundreds of miles of running. On the other hand, the construction of the uppers of these shoes could be better. The thin, lightweight mesh material that makes up the upper of these shoes has a tendency to wear down fairly quickly. They do offer FLEXFILM overlays throughout the upper of the shoe to help increase the durability and to keep them from falling apart too quickly, but there are still some issues of premature wear and tear. However, customers have commented that they can still get a couple hundred miles out of these shoes.
Protection
The Saucony Endorphin Racer 2 offers you, the runner, great protection from potentially slipping and falling while out on the run. The amazing traction these shoes offer helps you to keep your grip whether you are running on wet or dry surfaces. Customers love that if they are running in the rain they do not have to worry too much about their shoes slipping out from under them. In addition to the traction, the hard rubber construction of these shoes helps protect your feet from sharp objects, such as jagged rocks, if running off the beaten path. The one area that these shoes fail in the way of protection, is that they do not offer much of a barrier from the elements. The ultra-thin mesh of the upper will not prevent your feet from getting wet which can be a bummer if you are stuck running in wet shoes.
Responsiveness
One of the best features of these shoes is that they are amazingly responsive. The SSL EVA foam in the midsole with the EVERUN insole on top of it gives you extra cushioning in the forefront and the heel of your foot for a more bouncy step. These shoes give you a higher energy return with each step to help propel yourself forward, allowing for a bigger snap and a more responsive run.
Support
The Saucony Endorphin Racer 2 does not offer a whole lot in terms of support for the runner, but they do offer some. The upper of the shoe does offer Saucony’s FLEXFILM overlays to help lock in your midfoot to keep it from sliding around while running. The shoes, however, do not have a heel cup and therefore do not offer support in the rear. Runners have commented that they have to rely on lacing the Saucony Endorphin Racer 2 a little tighter so they can get adequate support while running.
Terrain
The Saucony Endorphin Racer 2 was made and advertised as being a road running shoe made primarily for those who like to run on flat, non-abrasive surfaces such as road, tracks, or treadmills. The beauty of these shoes is that because of the amazing design of the outsole and superior traction, they can safely be worn on a wider variety of surfaces. The rubber compound and tackiness of the outsole allows you to run on many different terrains without having to worry about slipping and sliding around and makes sure that your grip is secure. No one wants to have to worry about their feet slipping out from underneath them while they are on the go.
Price
The price tag of the Saucony Endorphin Racer 2 is a little on the higher end, coming in at an MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) of $125. Although, with most things nowadays, you can usually find these shoes on sale somewhere and avoid paying full price for them. The reason these shoes have such a high price tag is due to all of the wonderful technologies that Saucony has poured into them. These shoes may not be the most durable (due to the upper) but they are definitely worth the price if you are looking for something that is super lightweight, comfortable, responsive, and offers excellent shock absorption.
Drop
The Saucony Endorphin 2 shoes feature a zero drop which means that they are the same distance from the ground at both the forefront of the foot and the heel, with no incline to them at all. Because of the zero drop sole, these shoes are going to closely mimic running barefoot with a more natural foot movement. The drop is a personal preference for the runner, so if you enjoy a minimalist shoe with a zero drop then these are going to perfect for you.
Stability
The Saucony Endorphin Racer 2 shoes are a minimalist racing flat and do not offer too much support. These are a neutral shoe that is aimed more for those runners who have a more neutral gait while running. If you are one of the thousands of runners who need a running shoe for overpronation or supination then these shoes are probably not for you. The insole of these shoes cannot be removed and offers additional cushioning but can become a problem because it features a higher arch.
Flexibility
As previously mentioned, the outsole of these shoes is made of a hard rubber material, but also has small triangular shaped holes throughout the entire bottom. The little holes and grooves on the bottom help the shoe become more flexible and allows you to have more control of the movement of your feet while you are running. In addition to the holes on the outsole, the thin midsole also allows for better flexibility.
Traction
The construction of the outsole of the Saucony Endorphin Racer 2 is amazing. The PWRTRAC rubber that makes up the bottom of the shoe provides the runner with three times better traction than that of a standard rubber outsole. The rubber outsole is tacky which also increases the grip these shoes have. The bottom of the shoe has a lot of triangular shaped holes as well for just a little bit of extra help on the already phenomenal traction.
Bottom Line
Consumers agree that this is an all around good running shoe that they would recommend to their friends and family who are looking for a minimalist, neutral, and zero drop option. These shoes are super comfortable, responsive, breathable, and lightweight. They are going to last you hundreds of miles, although some say that the durability of the upper is questionable so that is something you may want to consider. These are a little on the expensive side, but customers have said that they are well worth the price they paid for them and that they definitely got their money’s worth.
