Article by RTR Team
Saucony presented its completely remodeled pinnacle racer the Endorphin Elite 2 as well as updates to road and trail shoes at the recent The Running Event in Austin, Texas which the RTR team covered. Note that not all models were presented and some are previewed later in the year. Our 2025 Saucony Previews report is below with video version at the end of the article. We expect test samples soon for review.
Endorphin Elite 2
Update: Endorphin Elite 2 Video Review
The Endorphin Elite, Saucony’s pinnacle marathon racer, gets a new TPEE foam “IncrediRun” which is said to have “unseen levels” of energy return and cushioning. Remains to tes, but other TPEE foams have been energetic and efficient and here to pressing we thought it was softer than the quite firm v1’s foam. It is said to get increasingly responsive as forces are applied from a soft feel to pressing, so land softly spring back quickly.
For sure this new foam also plays a key role in reducing the weight of this legal max 39.5 mm heel / 31.5mm forefoot racer. With a spec weight of 7 oz / 199g it contends with the lightest of the light in its class and is about 0.2 oz lighter than v1.
The airy upper loses the straps and gaps of the first version yet remains highly open and breathable. Available March 15, 2025 $275
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Xodus Ultra 4
The Xodus, Saucony do it all, ultra focused trail shoe see big changes. First and foremost, it gets a full coverage Vibram Magagrip outsole with 4mm lugs and Traction Lug. The earlier Xodus woven rock plate is removed but our sense is the new outsole should provide plenty of protection and without the glued in plate we should see more flexibility.
Still a dual foam shoe, the central core of supercritical PWRRUN PB is increased 8% in volume with the outer PWRRUN EVA carrier remaining as before but with new sculpting. The stack height remains at 36mm heel / 30mm forefoot while the weight increases somewhat to 10.9 oz / 309g in the US9 men’s early sample we weighed.
June release. $160
Ride 18
The Ride is Saucony’s core neutral trainer with a more traditional hourglass shaped platform for nimble transitions and any pace ride. As in the 17, it features quite bouncy PWRRUN+ foam, an expanded TPU beads compound.
Sam’s first run in his sample points to a bit more responsive less mushy ride than the 17 which may be due in part to the expanded outsole coverage especially at the forefoot.
The upper is an engineered mesh with elegant simple looks that holds wonderfully without excessive overlays. The weight drops a few tenths of an ounce while the stack height remains the same at 35/27.
Weight: 268g / 9.5 oz US M8.5 Sample
January 2025, $140
Triumph 23 June 2025 ($160)
The Triumph is Saucony's other daily neutral trainer, always on the more “cush” side of the line up.
For 2025 it loses about 1 oz / 28g with a PWRRUN Pb super critical foam PEBA/EVA blend said to be softer and lighter while remaining the same stack height at 37 mm heel / 27 mm forefoot stack height overall and while gaining a bit more foam in the mix.
The outsole has a bit less coverage through the midfoot for smoother transitions and to reduce weight. The upper, matching the ride is of course, plush. At 9.2oz (263g) in the men’s and 8.4oz (239g) in the women’s it is a lot of shoe top to bottom for the weight. With its big weight drop it should move it more solidly into “daily trainer” all arounder class for those who like a big plush overall ride and fit. June 205 release. $160
Endorphin Speed 5 ($170)
The uptempo trainer/racer returns in the same Mutant colorway as the 2019 OG, with the Speed modernized yet again. It still should keep its place as a favorite do it all speed shoe for both training and racing. The outsole increases rubber coverage at the heel and wraps it up for improved durability.
The big 36mm heel / 28mm forefoot stack height, winged Nylon plate for torsional rigidity yet flexing forefoot, light spec weight of 8.4 oz / 238g US men’s 9 / 8.1oz (229g) for the women’s and reasonable $170 pricing are all still in play and nearly identical to the 4.
A new full length longitudinal groove is included to increase flexibility and ease transitions. We think this last a smart move to balance out the somewhat stiff winged plate.
The upper is a new lightweight engineered mesh.
June 2025 ($170)
Hurricane 25 ($165)
The Hurricane can be thought of as the stability oriented max cushion premium cousin to the Triumph with a higher sidewalls and broader base than the Triumph.
The outer stabilizing PWRRUN EVA blend remains as does the core of energetic PWRRUN Pb with the shoe dropping 0.5 oz /14g in weight with the medial side walls increased in height. With Center Path Technology to center the foot after landing then through the gait cycle, and now with more of a rocker and more outsole flex grooves, the Guide should now move along more smoothly than before.
Stack Height: 35/29
Weight: Men 9.6oz (272g), Women 8.6oz (245g).
$165 February 2025 release
Kinvara 16 ($120)
With a 3% more responsive ride with a new PWRRUN blend said to have more energy return and be tougher wearing, the Kinvara OG was the first lower stack, lower drop uptempo shoe from a major brand and here it looks like it returns to its roots.
It gets lower sidewalls that are more vertical on the medial side than previously to both help return some of the agility and at the same time light stability the Kinvara has been known.
In recent years it drifted heavier and bigger but now appears back in fine form for those faster shorter runs where you want to work the feet and change up from max cushion.
We weighed a US men’s 9 sample at 7.5 oz / 212g
$120. Releases July 2025.
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