Put simply, the Saucony Endorphin Shift 2 is the underdog super shoe of the Saucony Endorphin Series.
With its high stack height, slight roll, and stiff yet soft landing this shoe ticks all the boxes for an ideal high mileage trainer.
The Saucony Endorphin Shift 2 is the third member of the Endorphin series and is often forgotten when compared to the Saucony Endorphin Pro 2 and Saucony Endorphin Speed 2.
However, this shoe completes the series as a high mileage trainer and has a lot of unique qualities compared to other shoes on the market.
The first Endorphin shoe was a super successful design that runners love, so Saucony kept many of the original design features. The main changes to the Saucony Endorphin Shift 2 is a little more cushion and a trimmed heel counter for a more propulsive feel.
Overall, this shoe is a neutral category model made for easy mileage with fantastic comfort.
| Pros | Cons |
| High Stack Height | Heavy |
| Great Cushion | Durability on outsole |
| Sleek Design | |
| Smooth Rockered Ride |
Saucony Endorphin Shift 2: The Specs
The Saucony Endorphin Shift 2 is the final shoe in the Saucony Endorphin series, known for its “effortless performance,”, using many of the same materials and designs as its sister shoes.
The main differences between the three in the Endorphin Series are the type of plates and cushioning materials used in the shoes.
The Endorphin Shift 2 does not use a carbon or nylon plate like the Endorphin Pro 2 and Endorphin Speed 2 but still incorporates the Saucony Speedroll Technology.
Saucony Speedroll is what gives the Endorphin Shift 2 the feeling of being propelled forward with each stride and is what makes the shoe feel like it is placed on a slight rocker (like Hoka shoes).
The Endorphin Shift 2 is slightly heavier than the previous model, but it is still lighter weight than most shoes on the market right now. Its increased weight comes from adding some extra cushioning to the heel and midsole.
Related Article: The 9 Best Saucony Running Shoes
This neutral trainer weighs 9.2 oz (253g) for women and 10.4 oz (296g) for men.
Another key feature of the Endorphin Shift 2 is its exceptional stack height that competes with the Hoka Bondi 7.
The Endorphin Shift 2 sits 38mm off the ground on a generous bed of PWRRUN EVA cushioning.
While the shoe sits high off the ground the drop is only 4 mm so the forefoot of the shoe is only 34 mm off the ground.
Having a shoe this high off the ground is a change for most people and it is definitely noticeable when first putting the shoe on.
Luckily, because the shoe is not a plush bed of foam and actually has a little more structure to it, the foot still feels secure and stable at this height.
Cushioning
The cushioning of the Endorphin Shift 2 is maximum in quantity, quality, and comfort!
With such a high stack height the Endorphin Shift 2 is able to pack a lot of cushioning in the sole and midsole of the shoe.
But, this is not a plush bed of marshmallows like Hoka. Rather, the cushioning is stiffer yet still extremely comfortable.
Saucony uses its PWRRUN foam which is made of a geometric plane of traditional EVA foam.
The cushioning in the Endorphin Shift 2 enhances the shoe by giving it a solid energy return in addition to softness making this shoe truly the best of both worlds.
Saucony really knows how to jam-pack their shoes with the best technology and meet the needs of everyone on the market!
(Take note, this foam is different from the PWRRUN PB+ foam which is more energy-efficient and springy. This is foam is found in the other Endorphin Series shoes.)
Saucony Endorphin Shift 2: Effortless Performance
The entire Endorphin Series is made to enhance a runner’s overall performance and is quite brilliant on Saucony’s part. No other brand has a series quite like this!
Each shoe in the Saucony Endorphin line-up is made for a specific purpose from training to race day, and the Endorphin Shift 2 is made to help training feel effortless.
Now, the feel of this shoe is nothing like anything I have ever worn especially after starting out in the Endorphin Speed 2 as my daily trainer (sorry Saucony).
When I switched from the Endorphin Speed 2 to the Endorphin Shift 2 I instantly thought, wow, this shoe is so much heavier.
But, as I continued to run in the shoe I realized quickly that it was not only comfortable and cushioned but helped me recover on my easy days despite the added weight.
The ride feels effortless like the other Saucony models and it gently rolls you through your stride.
In my opinion, the cushioning is a perfect design of soft yet stiff and you don’t feel like you are sinking into a pillow when you wear it.
The shoe does have a high stack height on it, so I felt slightly unstable in the very beginning. But thankfully, because the cushioning is a little stiffer this offsets any balance issues from too plush of a cushion; the shoe quickly feels natural under the foot.
Another factor that is important to mention, I would not recommend this shoe when you are trying to pick up the pace. It is not impossible to run fast in it, but it is hard!
I had to do a tempo run and some track 200m repeats on a day when I forgot my Endorphin Speed 2, and this shoe was much less forgiving on my body when I needed to go fast.
So, I would definitely keep this as an easy run, recovery miles day type of shoe, or if you are going for a long, slow distance run.
The fit of the shoe, which is explored in more detail later, was perfect around my foot. I have a wider foot with a high arch volume and I did not have any issues with space in the shoe.
It has a nice breathable upper and streamlined designs for added comfort.
Overall, I am very pleased with the Saucony Endorphin Shift and will definitely be ordering another pair this season!
Breathable Mesh Upper
The upper on the Endorphin Shift is a traditional engineered mesh that is lightweight and very breathable.
As you can see on the side of the shoe, there is stitching that looks almost like a wave. While this is aesthetically appealing it serves a greater purpose in actually guiding the foot into motion!
In this stitching, Saucony took a traditional material and stitched it together to create a design that holds the foot in place and propels it forward into the next stride.
The tongue on the shoe is pretty standard. It is lightly padded but not plush like the Brooks Glycerin 19.
It is also gusseted which seems to be the new standard in 2022, and this feature keeps the tongue from sliding all over the place.
The Saucony Endorphin Shift 2 incorporates a standard TPU heel cup which adds to the security of the shoe and makes the heel feel secure and the foot stable.
The Fit and Feel
The fit of the shoe is great in my opinion. It gives enough width and volume but not too much of either.
Saucony typically has a “V” shape in their shoe with the widest part at the front and narrowing towards the heel.
This is still true in the Saucony Shift 2, but it is slightly more rectangular.
There is also quite a bit of volume from top to bottom in the shoe allowing for higher arches to fit well in this model.
I have found that the Saucony Endorphin fits many different types of feet from wide to more narrow because of the way the lacing system hugs around the foot.
There is a secure feeling when you lace this shoe up and the heel feels locked in place with a hug around the arch and freedom for your toes. It is a really great design!
There is also not a high arch in the sock liner so this is great for people who struggle with feeling like something is pressing into the arch area. Saying this, it still has good support and security and is designed for a “normal” arch height.
Safe to say that on this model, I have had no issues with rubbing, slipping, or developing blisters.
The feel is comfortable and secure, but I would say it does need a few runs to really break into the comfort.
The Midsole and Outsole
The midsole on this shoe really shines in this model because of the added cushion under the ball of the foot.
The cushioning is layered on both the medial and lateral sides, acting to guide and stabilize the foot in the shoe. This makes the shoe feel very stable and balanced.
The outsole of the shoe uses Saucony’s XT-900 rubber on the outside edges of the foot and heel known as the “strike zone.” These are high-impact areas so this adds to the durability of the shoe.
However, this is the area I think the shoe could improve. There is still a lot of EVA foam exposed under the foot which wears out a little more quickly than the rubber.
This shoe, like the others in the line-up, does lose traction in wet conditions, so hopefully, Saucony will improve on this element in the future.
Overall, the durability of the outsole is still comparable to other models and can still withstand 300-450 miles on average.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Saucony Endorphin Shift 2 is a fantastic choice for most runners and will offer both comfort and security for many miles.
This shoe offers a traditional yet innovative feel under the foot and is quite comfortable on the roads.
It is a versatile model that should be highlighted more in the Saucony Endorphin series and is great for running or anyone who is looking for comfort on a day-to-day basis.
The main issues with the model are the outsole durability and slightly heavy feel.
The main pros of the shoe are the additional comfort from more cushion, a lightweight and breathable upper, a fantastic feel under the foot through each stride, and a versatile fit.
The Saucony Endorphin Shift 2 is definitely a shoe you will want in your marathon shoe repertoire.
The Final Ratings:
Ride: 8.5/10
Cushion: 9/10
Durability: 7/10
Upper: 9/10
Weight: 6.5/10
Overall: 8/10
One if the worst (dullest, featureless) shoes I’ve had in my entire life.