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
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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EDDBUD sees the Metaspeed Ray as a very niche, extremely light but unstable option whose modest price premium over the Sky/Edge makes it interesting, though its specialist nature means it sits unsold on shelves.
Ride:Extremely light but very unstable; uses only FF Leap which feels a little different to the Sky/Edge; niche shoe priced only slightly above Sky/Edge models
In their words: "extremely light, but also very unstable" · "quite a few pairs of these sat on shelves"
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Kofuzi's preferred ASICS racing shoe — a super-lightweight racer built entirely from FF Blast with a teardrop 3/4 forefoot plate; squishy and potentially unstable for heel strikers but very exciting and the lightest in the lineup.
In their words: "very squishy, very lightweight, but also pops back really quickly" · "the one that I prefer out of these two shoes" · "very exciting and a super lightweight racing shoe"
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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.
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , soft_plush feel , high energy return , neutral stability .
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EDDBUD calls the Endorphin Elite 2 one of the standout carbon racers for its compression and return, describing it as soft, forgiving, and surprisingly durable.
In their words: "mega forgiving" · "sheer amount of compression and return" · "surprisingly durable"
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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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The reviewer's chosen shoe for the Comrades Marathon — roomy, natural, disappearing fit with a balanced midsole that is poppy and propulsive yet protective enough for slower ultra miles, offering more agility and sprightliness than bulkier alternatives.
In their words: "lively, fun, free-flowing shoe" · "poppy, propulsive" · "disappears on my foot"
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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"
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
- 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
- Neutral-mechanics runners racing 10k to half marathon (some can manage marathon); track-spike weight feel with World-Athletics-legal stack — Doctors of Running
- Runners who want a very fun, fast, super-light racer for 5K–half marathon, with potential for marathon use if you can handle the softness. — The Run Testers
- 5K and 10K racing at full effort — The Run Testers
Consider the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 if
- Fast racing up to half-marathon for runners who can tolerate the narrow toe box — FORDY RUNS
- Half and full marathon racers who want maximum forgiveness underfoot. — EDDBUD
- Road ultra runners wanting a plateless shoe with natural freedom, bounce and protection that works across the full spectrum of road ultra paces. — The Run Testers
- Runners who love soft, bouncy carbon racers for distances from 5K up to marathon on good, flat surfaces. — The Run Testers
- Fast racing on straight urban marathon courses (Chicago, Berlin, NYC) for runners chasing PBs with good form control — The Run Testers
- Marathon and half marathon racers who want to lock into rhythm with a predictable, rockered ride. — 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?
Kofuzi on the ASICS Metaspeed Ray: 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. FORDY RUNS on the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2: Fast racing up to half-marathon for runners who can tolerate the narrow toe box.
Per Kofuzi, FORDY RUNS.
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.