ASICS Metaspeed Ray vs Saucony Endorphin Elite 2
A side-by-side comparison grounded in verdicts from 5 reviewers with every source linked. We don't invent quotes; every claim below is attributed.
Specs at a glance
The consensus read
Each paragraph is a synthesis across every reviewer in our database for that shoe — what they collectively concluded after wear-testing. Not a quote. Not one person's take. The shape of the room.
ASICS Metaspeed Ray
A hyper-light racer with exceptionally soft, springy foam that excels at 5K–10K pace but sacrifices stability, making it best suited to neutral runners comfortable with a lively, unpredictable feel on longer distances or uneven terrain.
Reviewers who wore both
Direct paired observations — reviewers who actually ran in both of these and wrote the contrast. This is the strongest comparative signal on the page.
Endorphin Elite 2's Incredirun foam is slightly softer than Ray's FF Leap.
Most similar underfoot feel — soft and bouncy — but the Ray is much lighter
ASICS Metaspeed Ray — what reviewers say
Ride profile: maximal cushion , neutral stability .
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A genuinely exciting hyper-light racer — softer, bouncier, more fun than the Pro Evo 2, and a fraction cheaper. Stability is the only reservation for longer races.
Ride:Very soft and squidgy but transitions fast — you sink but get bounced onward quickly. Heel is particularly squishy (no plate there). Nick ran his sub-32 10K PB at Brighton in it, closed the race the best he ever has. Feels best at marathon pace in training (cruise control). Both testers worry about stability at full marathon distance given the softness, but Nick noted every time he goes back to it, it's less wobbly than he remembers.
Fit:True to size with softer, more flexible upper than the Pro Evo 2. More clearance at toes, bit easier to splay. Heel tab sits a bit more comfortably under the Achilles than Pro Evo 2's.
In their words: "soft and very bouncy" · "so fun and bouncy" · "so soft, so squidgy"
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Megan's pick over the Sky/Edge Tokyo. Knocks out the Adidas Pro 4 in her bracket — soft landing + really propulsive forefoot once you adjust to the instability.
Ride:FF Leap is the lightest, most energy-returning foam (shows wear visually but performs the same over time). Lighter, bouncier, less stable than the Sky/Edge Tokyo. Built for one thing: light, fast, bouncy. Megan put 100 miles in and loved it more each run. Thomas: maybe more than half-marathon distance needs the stability of the Sky/Edge.
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#3 carbon racer. Incredibly light, very dynamic foam. Set a women's world marathon best at Valencia, but John Korir DNF'd Chicago in it — very specific shoe for specific runners.
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EDDBUD's #1 shoe of 2025. Minimal outsole, angel-wing upper, super-squashy bouncy midsole with tons of impact protection. Paid ~£220 on discount and the joy was worth every penny.
In their words: "pure running Nirvana" · "a real blast to run" · "an upper like an angel's wings"
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , soft_plush feel , high energy return , neutral stability .
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A firmer, snappier lightweight versatile trainer with a prominent forefoot rocker and PEBA-based midsole, designed to roll the runner efficiently off the forefoot.
In their words: "firmer, snappier feel" · "really roll you off the front end" · "very noticeable forefoot rocker"
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No-brainer winner over the Endorphin Pro 5 — the Pro 5 foam isn't great, heavier, doesn't have race-day dynamic feel. Elite 2 foam is bouncy, spongy, fun — Thomas's favorite from last year. Can be squirly under foot but very fun.
In their words: "I love this shoe for long runs" · "foam is bouncy, spongy" · "really fun and bouncy"
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#3 long-run pick (not used as a race shoe). Mushy — great compression but slow decompression. Ideal for 20-mile steady with marathon-effort miles.
In their words: "a little bit too mushy" · "great compression, but not enough decompression" · "an expensive way to do a long run"
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#6. Swap the stretchy socky laces for serrated and it'd crack #5.
Ride:Soft, fun, resilient foam that retains properties over time (unusually good midsole durability for this class). Good grip, low weight (lighter than upcoming Endorphin Pro 5). Futuristic look.
In their words: "Soft and fun" · "looks like it's come from the future" · "really resilient foam"
Who should buy which
Use cases the reviewers above actually call out — one bullet per distinct take, attributed. Where reviewers converge (e.g. "5K to half marathon" appearing across multiple takes) the agreement is a stronger buying signal than any single voice.
Consider the ASICS Metaspeed Ray if
- Stronger runners racing 5K to 10K on smooth even surfaces — EDDBUD
- Pure racing nirvana — EDDBUD
- 5K and 10K racing at full effort — The Run Testers
- Marathon to 5K racing for runners who like a soft, fast-rebounding underfoot feel — slight tilt toward forefoot/midfoot strikers who prefer the Metaspeed Sky character. — Kofuzi
- Runners who want a completely transparent race-day shoe that reveals their true fitness without being embellished — for 5K through marathon distances. — EDDBUD
- Marathon racing and marathon-pace workouts for runners who like a soft, forgiving underfoot feel and want a lighter alternative to the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2. — Believe in the Run
Consider the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 if
- Fast racing on flat, even courses for runners with stable mechanics who can handle a soft bouncy ride — The Run Testers
- Half and full marathon racing and long training runs for neutral mid/forefoot strikers, especially heavier runners wanting max cushion without max weight — EDDBUD
- Marathon and half marathon racers who want to lock into rhythm with a predictable, rockered ride. — Doctors of Running
- Marathon and half-marathon racing for neutral lighter runners who want maximum cushioning and impact protection — EDDBUD
- Runners who love soft, bouncy carbon racers for distances from 5K up to marathon on good, flat surfaces. — The Run Testers
- Runners with stable mechanics and narrower feet who want the softest possible shoe for longer distance workouts and races — Doctors of Running
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the ASICS Metaspeed Ray and the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2?
The ASICS Metaspeed Ray is a race shoe and the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 is a race shoe. By the numbers, the ASICS Metaspeed Ray weighs 130g, has a 43mm heel stack and a 5mm drop, while the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 weighs 201g, has a 40mm heel stack and an 8mm drop. MSRP is $300 for the ASICS Metaspeed Ray and $275 for the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2.
Should I buy the ASICS Metaspeed Ray or the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2?
EDDBUD on the ASICS Metaspeed Ray: Stronger runners racing 5K to 10K on smooth even surfaces. The Run Testers on the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2: Fast racing on flat, even courses for runners with stable mechanics who can handle a soft bouncy ride.
Per EDDBUD, The Run Testers.
Has anyone reviewed both the ASICS Metaspeed Ray and the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2?
Yes — EDDBUD and Believe in the Run directly compared the ASICS Metaspeed Ray and the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 in their reviews.
Per EDDBUD, Believe in the Run.
Which is lighter, the ASICS Metaspeed Ray or the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2?
The ASICS Metaspeed Ray is lighter, at 130g versus 201g (men's 9) — about 71g less.
Which is more cushioned, the ASICS Metaspeed Ray or the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2?
Measured by stack height, the ASICS Metaspeed Ray has more underfoot foam — 43mm at the heel versus 40mm.