Nike Alphafly 3 vs Saucony Endorphin Elite 2

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

Nike Alphafly 3
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2

Tested using Methodology v0.11

Updated Apr 10, 2026 07:58 PM

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Nike.com

Tested using Methodology v0.11

Updated Apr 17, 2026 05:58 PM

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Saucony
Nike Alphafly 3 Picture

Track

Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Picture

Track

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Our Verdict

Nike Alphafly 3

Saucony Endorphin Elite 2

The Nike Alphafly 3 and the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 are both marathon-optimized super shoes with similar weights, but they deliver very different ride experiences. The Alphafly 3 has a firmer forefoot thanks to its Zoom Air pods, creating a more mechanical, highly efficient feel that many runners find propulsive. The Elite 2, by contrast, is softer and more cushioned underfoot, offering excellent protection and bounciness over long distances, but its ultra-plush feel may come across as overly mushy for some. While neither shoe is particularly stable, the Alphafly 3 holds the edge in that regard, making it feel a bit more controlled at high speeds. 

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Variants

  • Alphafly 3 (Black/Olive Aura/Metallic Silver - (Men - US 9))
  • Alphafly 3 (Bright Crimson/Lime Blast/Mint Foam/Cave Purple - (Men - US 9))
  • Endorphin Elite 2 (Buttercream/Ash - (Men - US 9))
  • Endorphin Elite 2 (Buttercream/Ash - (Women - US 7))

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

8.5
8.6

Forefoot Compression Energy Return 
 

8.2
8.8

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

8.1
8.1

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Alphafly 3 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Alphafly 3 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

200.7 g (7.08 oz)
201.9 g (7.12 oz)

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Alphafly 3 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

39.8 mm
40.0 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

33.4 mm
32.3 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

6.4 mm
8.0 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.0 mm
7.7 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
Nike Alphafly 3 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

91 mm (3.6")
87 mm (3.4")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

68 mm (2.7")
55 mm (2.2")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

116 mm (4.6")
112 mm (4.4")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.29
2.18

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.47
3.47

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
Nike Alphafly 3 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

273 mm (10.7")
273 mm (10.7")

Internal Heel Width 
 

59 mm (2.3")
55 mm (2.2")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

90 mm (3.5")
90 mm (3.5")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

No
No

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

9.4
9.8

Forefoot Width Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Alphafly 3 Forefoot Width Photo
Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

-0.8 mm (-0.032")
0.2 mm (0.006")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-2.2 mm (-0.087")
-1.5 mm (-0.061")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

9.7
10

Forefoot Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Alphafly 3 Forefoot Height Photo
Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-0.8 mm (-0.030")
-0.2 mm (-0.008")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

6.2
9.4

Arch Fit Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Alphafly 3 Arch Fit Photo
Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

-5.6 mm (-0.219")
-1.3 mm (-0.050")

Length Fit 
 

10
7.0

Toe Clearance Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Alphafly 3 Toe Clearance Photo
Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Toe Clearance Photo

Heel Rocker Geometry 
 

6.6
7.9

Heel Rocker Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Alphafly 3 Heel Rocker Photo
Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Heel Rocker Photo

Heel Spring 
 

16 mm (0.6")
26 mm (1.0")

Heel Apex Position 
 

15.3%
15.8%

Heel Rocker Angle 
 

21.3°
30.0°

Forefoot Rocker Geometry 
 

6.7
8.0

Forefoot Rocker Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Alphafly 3 Forefoot Rocker Photo
Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Forefoot Rocker Photo

Toe Spring 
 

45 mm (1.8")
60 mm (2.4")

Toe Apex Position 
 

66.4%
70.2%

Forefoot Rocker Angle 
 

26.6°
35.2°

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Alphafly 3 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted

Plate 
 

Carbon Fiber
Carbon Fiber
Performance

Heel Compression Energy Return 
 

8.2
8.8

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Nike Alphafly 3 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

82.0%
85.8%

Forefoot Compression Energy Return 
 

8.2
8.8

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Nike Alphafly 3 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

82.2%
86.4%

Heel Cushioning 
 

7.6
8.4

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Alphafly 3 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Nike Alphafly 3 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Heel Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.82 J
4.68 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

9.18 J
10.06 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

14.96 J
15.62 J

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

8.0
8.2

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Alphafly 3 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Nike Alphafly 3 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

4.68 J
5.50 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

8.55 J
8.88 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

13.10 J
12.56 J

Heel Firmness 
 

5.9
5.9

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
Nike Alphafly 3 Heel Firmness
 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Heel Firmness

Firmness At 550N 
 

49.4 N/mm
47.9 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

129.6 N/mm
131.9 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

277.3 N/mm
302.6 N/mm

Forefoot Firmness 
 

7.4
8.2

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
Nike Alphafly 3 Forefoot Firmness
 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Forefoot Firmness

Firmness At 800N 
 

103.1 N/mm
106.8 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

170.1 N/mm
224.5 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

370.8 N/mm
454.1 N/mm

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

7.8
7.9

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Nike Alphafly 3 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

8.41 J
8.60 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

8.33 J
8.52 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

8.27 J
8.47 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

8.24 J
8.43 J

Rocker Stiffness 
 

7.9
7.8

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video  

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph  

 Preview Graph
Nike Alphafly 3 Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph

Force To Flatten The Rocker 
 

117 N
111 N

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

8.0
8.9

Forefoot Bending Video  

Forefoot Bending Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Nike Alphafly 3 Forefoot Bending Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Forefoot Bending Energy Return

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

71.3%
80.1%

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

9.5
7.6

Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Alphafly 3 Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture

Forefoot Bending Resistance  

 Preview Graph
Nike Alphafly 3 Forefoot Bending Resistance
 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Forefoot Bending Resistance

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

41.6 N/mm
20.3 N/mm

Forefoot Bending Force 
 

484 N
257 N

Nike Alphafly 3

Saucony Endorphin Elite 2

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