The Endorphin Elite is the pinnacle of Saucony racing shoes. Regarded by many as Saucony's fastest super shoe, the Endorphin Elite features Saucony's latest technologies and innovation. The Elite belongs to the Endorphin family along with the Pro and the Speed models.
Version 2 has undergone some significant changes including a brand new upper, midsole and outsole. It has a completely different ride to the 1st version. This comparison will tell you which version is better for you.
The Elite 2 has a midsole made of aliphatic (open structure) TPU. It’s extremely soft and squishy, and it feels like you’re standing on marshmallows. It has a high level of compression and is a very low density. It feels more like a trainer than a racing midsole.
The Elite 1 has a midsole made of PEBA which is a lot firmer than the 2. It feels much denser and it is harder to compress. It has a high level of responsiveness and rebound.
The Elite 1 has a faster ride than the 2. It has faster transitions and it provides a firmer platform to push off from. The Elite 2 has a slower, softer ride which has more long-distance comfort.
There is a more prominent forefoot rocker in the Elite 1. It has a stiffer plate with a more aggressive rocker to help speed up transitions. With the more flexible carbon plate in version 2, the forefoot rocker is not as aggressive.
When it comes to stability, the Elite 1 is better. It has a firmer ride with less lean bias. It has a more supportive ride which is better for long-distances.
The outsole of the Elite 2 is very soft so it is less abrasion resistant than the Elite 1. The exposed midsole foam of the Elite 2 gets chewed up much easier than the Elite 1 so it has the less durable outsole.
Both versions have very thin, breathable uppers but the Elite 1 has more ventilation holes on its tongue and on its midfoot, making it cooler. The Elite 1 has a loose heel fit but on the Elite 2, this issue has been addressed so overall foot lockdown is better in the Elite 2.
They both fit true to size and have accommodating, spacious uppers. The main difference is that the Elite 2 has a semi-bootie construction with a knitted tongue while the Elite 1 has a more traditional upper.
This one is easy. If you want the faster option which provides more speed assistance, buy the Endorphin Elite 1. It has a more responsive midsole with an aggressive forefoot rocker. It feels like more of a racer than v2. It also has better stability and better outsole durability.
If you want a softer ride which feels extremely bouncy, get the Elite 2. It has a less prominent forefoot rocker and it has a better upper. Foot lockdown is better in the Elite 2 as well. If you’re a neutral runner and you have good form, the Elite 2 will also suit you. The Elite 2 weighs slightly less than the Elite 1 so get the Elite 2 if weight is very important to you.
