Saucony has been killing it with the Endorphin lineup and the new v2 models are really solid. That being said the Pro 2 model was not truly our favorite for race day and clearly we weren’t alone because Saucony moved forward with the Pro+. This is a lighter version of the Pro 2 with a redesigned upper that feels faster and more stable and definitely would be our choice for race day.
Quick Details, Specs, and Availability
- Saucony’s best answer to the high cushion carbon plated race game.
- Runs much better than the Pro 2, given the improved upper.
- Weighs in at 6.9oz or 196g for a US Men’s 9, 5.9oz or 167g for a US Women’s 7.
- Features 35.5mm of cushion and has an 8mm heel/toe drop.
- Retails at $250.00 USD and comes in 5 colors for Men and Women.
Run Test
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 is a fantastic shoe, but the Pro 2 left us feeling a little lackluster. We struggled with the why and it definitely fell squarely to that upper. Something about the material just bugged us a bit and while the shoe was fast, it just felt highly unstable at speed. The Pro+ is the answer to that and from the first time you slip them on…. well, they feel race-ready.
The actual feel comes across more like a track shoe, they go on like a sock. That new upper breathes way better and while it still mimics the Pro 2 in many ways, there is just something better about the way mesh moves and holds you. There is still no true heel counter on here so don’t expect that to change, but the general feel is just better overall. This is most definitely a race day shoe, so if you aren’t at an elite level and have any issues with foot strength, pronation, etc then you will be better served looking at alternative options including even the Speed 2. In the run, the shoe is super responsive using the same PWRRUN PB midsole tech as the Pro 2 and the rubberized outsole grips under most conditions. That 36mm of cushion is incredibly welcome as it provides enough impact resistance and bounce to last you through most distances.
In terms of what we don’t like, there isn’t a whole lot. It is a drastically better shoe from the Pro 2 despite the very minimal switch in the uppers. If we threw it into the rotation, then we would replace the Pro 2 with this for race days and keep the Speed 2 for the tempo and speed days.
Construction: Upper
The upper on here has been improved from the Pro 2 using a new mesh and that feels more like a track shoe than your everyday. The mesh is incredibly breathable and while it still remains less structured than the Pro 2, it still feels more stable to us. There is really no heel counter on here, so this is definitely an elite runner shoe. If you want structure, look to Speed 2.
New mesh upper, great toebox width Lacing column, super simple Barely there heel counter and just a touch of padding
Construction: Midsole
The midsole is essentially identical to the Endorphin Pro 2 using their PWRRUNPB foam and that carbon plate. It features just shy of 36mm of cushion making it legal for all racing and competes well with all other shoes in the market. You can expect a highly responsive and fast ride out of these, but that extra cushion helps with recovery both during and after your run.
Lateral midsole view Medial midsole view
Construction: Outsole
The outsole is made of carbonized rubber, XT-900, to provide both traction and durability while also keeping the weight down. The carbonized rubber grips in all sorts of weather and while it will wear faster than actual rubber, but honestly, we have seen shoes using this tech last for hundreds of miles without issue.
Outsole overhead
Style and Aesthetics
Like many race edition shoes, the Endorphin Pro+ is only available in a single colorway version and it is a pretty simple black and white. It doesn’t make it any less stylish or cool looking, but expect them to get real dirty. Hoping for more options in the future of course and missing the checkerboard pattern, but pretty solid looking.
Overall Conclusion
It is amazing what a little upper update can do for a shoe, but that is most definitely the case with the Saucony Endorphin Pro+. It takes all the good from the Pro 2, namely the midsole, and layers in a new mesh upper that is lighter and more breathable while also somehow being even more stable. It is a fast shoe and definitely your best choice in the Saucony lineup for your race days.
Learn more on the Saucony website
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Check Out Other Reviewers Thoughts
As always, we gather together some of our favorite reviewers so you can get a well-rounded view of the shoe. Here are our favorites.