Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 vs Endorphin Elite 2

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

Saucony Endorphin Pro 4
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2

Tested using Methodology v0.10

Updated Mar 09, 2026 03:00 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v0.11

Updated Apr 17, 2026 05:58 PM

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Saucony
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 Picture

Track

Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Picture

Track

  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. Marathon

Our Verdict

Saucony Endorphin Pro 4

Saucony Endorphin Elite 2

The Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 and the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 are both carbon-plated super shoes, but they serve slightly different purposes. The Elite 2 is lighter, softer, and more deeply cushioned, offering a highly energetic ride that excels in the marathon, where protection and efficiency are key. However, its ultra-soft midsole can feel overly mushy for shorter events, lacking the snappiness some runners appreciate. The Endorphin Pro 4, while slightly heavier and firmer, is more stable and versatile—it performs well across a wider range of distances, including shorter races and even track workouts. For runners chasing maximum performance and comfort over long distances, the Elite 2 is the superior tool. But for most, the Pro 4 offers a more practical and well-rounded experience.

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Variants

  • Endorphin Pro 4 (Cavern/Violet - (Women - US 7))
  • Endorphin Pro 4 (Citron/Silver - (Men - US 9))
  • Endorphin Elite 2 (Buttercream/Ash - (Men - US 9))
  • Endorphin Elite 2 (Buttercream/Ash - (Women - US 7))
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Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

8.3
8.6

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

8.3
8.8

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

7.7
8.1

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

214.9 g (7.58 oz)
201.9 g (7.12 oz)

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

39.3 mm
40.0 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

30.5 mm
32.3 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.8 mm
8.0 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.0 mm
7.7 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

87 mm (3.4")
87 mm (3.4")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

74 mm (2.9")
55 mm (2.2")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

114 mm (4.5")
112 mm (4.4")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.21
2.18

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.74
3.47

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

270 mm (10.6")
273 mm (10.7")

Internal Heel Width 
 

53 mm (2.1")
55 mm (2.2")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

87 mm (3.4")
90 mm (3.5")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

No
No

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

9.5
9.8

Forefoot Width Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 Forefoot Width Photo
Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

-1.6 mm (-0.063")
0.2 mm (0.006")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-0.5 mm (-0.018")
-1.5 mm (-0.061")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

7.6
10

Forefoot Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 Forefoot Height Photo
Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-2.9 mm (-0.113")
-0.2 mm (-0.008")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

10
9.4

Arch Fit Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 Arch Fit Photo
Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

0.0 mm (0.000")
-1.3 mm (-0.050")

Length Fit 
 

10
7.0

Toe Clearance Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 Toe Clearance Photo
Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Toe Clearance Photo

Heel Rocker Geometry 
 

7.9

Heel Rocker Photo  

Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Heel Rocker Photo

Heel Spring 
 

26 mm (1.0")

Heel Apex Position 
 

15.8%

Heel Rocker Angle 
 

30.0°

Forefoot Rocker Geometry 
 

8.0

Forefoot Rocker Photo  

Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Forefoot Rocker Photo

Toe Spring 
 

60 mm (2.4")

Toe Apex Position 
 

70.2%

Forefoot Rocker Angle 
 

35.2°

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 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 
 

8.4
8.8

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

83.2%
85.8%

Forefoot Compression Energy Return 
 

8.3
8.8

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

82.6%
86.4%

Heel Cushioning 
 

7.4
8.4

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Heel Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.14 J
4.68 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

9.21 J
10.06 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

16.16 J
15.62 J

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

7.1
8.2

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

4.33 J
5.50 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

7.59 J
8.88 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

11.50 J
12.56 J

Heel Firmness 
 

5.6
5.9

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 Heel Firmness
 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Heel Firmness

Firmness At 550N 
 

55.2 N/mm
47.9 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

103.1 N/mm
131.9 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

250.7 N/mm
302.6 N/mm

Forefoot Firmness 
 

8.1
8.2

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 Forefoot Firmness
 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Forefoot Firmness

Firmness At 800N 
 

115.3 N/mm
106.8 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

215.0 N/mm
224.5 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

416.1 N/mm
454.1 N/mm

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

6.5
7.9

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

7.05 J
8.60 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

6.93 J
8.52 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

6.84 J
8.47 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

6.76 J
8.43 J

Rocker Stiffness 
 

7.8

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video  

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph  

 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph

Force To Flatten The Rocker 
 

111 N

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

8.9

Forefoot Bending Video  

Forefoot Bending Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Forefoot Bending Energy Return

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

80.1%

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

7.6

Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture  

Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture

Forefoot Bending Resistance  

 Preview Graph
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Forefoot Bending Resistance

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

20.3 N/mm

Forefoot Bending Force 
 

257 N

Saucony Endorphin Pro 4

Saucony Endorphin Elite 2

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