If you have used the ASICS Gel Hyper Speed series of racing flats, you will be in for a surprise with the latest avatar of ASICS Hyper Speed.  In the past, it has been a lightweight shoe with a low heel drop and just enough cushioning. New Hyper Speed while maintains the good parts, it is a very different shoe. 

At the higher end of the running shoe market, shoes have completely changed over the last 4 years - high stack heights, rocker bottoms, and lightweight foams. However, at the lower end of the market, things haven’t. Asics Hyper Speed takes a fresh perspective at the lower end of the market segment.  

### What makes up Hyper Speed?

<LightBox src="/images/hyperspeed-rocker.jpg" caption="Hyper Speed's Rocker Geometry" alt="" ></LightBox>

Hyper Speed has a rocker midsole design, with a high stack height and high toe spring. 

__Geometry:__  Hyper Speed is a rocker-bottom shoe. Rocker-bottom shoes are popularized by Hoka One One, and now have become mainstream. Rockers help runners to transition from landing to toe-off smoothly, and are supposed to help better running economy.  As can be seen in the picture, rockers have a high toe spring angle and an exaggerated heel spring. Asics says Hyper Speed’s geometry was inspired by its Guidesole design. Guidesole is used by Asics, for their other rocker shoes such as Meta Ride, Glide Ride, and Evo Ride.

__MidSole:__ Midsole is made of spEVA (a blend of EVA and rubber). Blending rubber with EVA supposed to make the shoe more bouncier. The midsole has a relatively high stack height (30mm) for a shoe in this category. High stack height also helps with running economy. The shoe has an 8mm drop from heel to toe.

__Upper:__ Upper is a mesh structure and is made of very lightweight and breathable material, to help the runs to be more comfortable. 

<ShoeCard shoeCode="004004008M"></ShoeCard>


### Why buy Hyper Speed?

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My training mileage has increased recently with longer runs and faster workouts. I am on the lookout for a new shoe that can handle the volume and intensity. Another criteria I have is the price. Hyper Speed matched my needs perfectly. 

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Recently I started my speed training in preparation for the upcoming season of races. Asics Gel DS Trainer that I use reached its end of life. I am on the lookout for a shoe that is light weight, and good for speed training. Hyper Speed seemed to fit the bill perfectly. A rocker bottom design, high toe spring, high stack height, and extremely lightweight shoe for under 5000 rupees I thought is a steal. 


<div class="row">
    <div class="col-6 col-md-3 px-1">
        <LightBox src="/images/hs-forefoot.jpg" caption="Breathable and Roomy" alt="" ></LightBox>
    </div>
    <div class="col-6 col-md-3 px-1">
        <LightBox src="/images/hs-heel.jpg" caption="Good Heel Support" alt="" ></LightBox>
    </div>
    <div class="col-6 col-md-3 px-1">
        <LightBox src="/images/hs-outsole.jpg" caption="Grip works for tarred roads" alt="" ></LightBox>
    </div>
    <div class="col-6 col-md-3 px-1">
        <LightBox src="/images/hs-cushion.jpg" caption="Bouncy cushioning" alt="" ></LightBox>
    </div>
</div>


### Running in Hyper Speed

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I have run more than 50 KM so far.  Used them for Tempo runs, intervals, fartlek, and hill workouts. It is great for faster workouts such as tempos and fartlek runs. It is much lighter compared to shoes I used in this range, which definitely helps me in speed. The cushioning is bouncy to give an extra push from the ground. The cushioning keeps the foot firm while running, also provides stability, and is very comfortable. 

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I have run about 90 KM in these shoes for easy runs, recovery runs, interval runs, and tempo runs. The shoes handled all of them well.  

+ __Easy Runs__ are very comfortable in these shoes. It provides decent cushioning, good for easy and recovery runs.
+ __Interval Runs__ are when geometry and aggressive toe spring really come into effect. The transition from mid-foot to forefoot is extremely smooth when taking off. The geometry encourages forefoot strike. Here is the foot strike as observed when running in Asics Gel DS Trainer (mid-foot strike) and Asics Hyper Speed (fore-foot strike). (courtesy: [runmechanics.in](https://runmechanics.in)). 

<LightBox src="/images/hyperspeed-footstrike.jpg" caption="Hyper Speed promotes Forefoot strike (click to zoom)" alt="" ></LightBox>

+ __Tempo Runs__ can really take advantage of the bounce offered. But don’t expect too much bounce like that offered by foams like PEBA or e-TPU.  spEVA midsole cushioning is very firm and works very well as a daily trainer for shorter runs under 15k.  Longer runs beyond 15k, one can feel the fatigue.  

Rocker design, aggressive toe spring, and excessive heel spring can be uncomfortable and may need getting used to for heel strikers.  



**Fit and Comfort**

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Having a wider foot, and a bunion problem, I was worried about the fit. But it wasn't a problem. The flexible upper gives a good amount of space for movement inside the shoe. The forefoot is roomy and yet secure while running. I've felt the impact on the knees is much lower. I got used to the shoes’ feel after just a half an hour of running. The mesh upper feels light and loose because of the breathable material. Lacing is good, and it is easy to wear shoes as well. The only problem I faced was that the tongue of the shoe is a little uncomfortable. Tongue crumples and can chafe if you are not wearing good socks. 

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It is true to size and fits the same as other Asics shoes that I have used. The mesh upper has rough edges and is not the best. The sock liner is surprisingly thin and attaches itself to the midsole with glue. The heel of the shoe is very well padded and locks perfectly, which is very important for those faster interval runs.

**Stability**

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The shoes are light but at the same time are very good with stability. When I add a lot of
Mileage in a week, the runs towards the end of the week were on fatigued legs. Stability is important to avoid injuries. These shoes feel very stable for faster runs even on fatigued legs. 

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While the stack height is big, the wider base keeps the shoe stable enough for shorter runs.  Stability is better compared to other neutral racing flats.  Here is a comparative graph between Reebok Run Fast 2 and Asics Hyper Speed.  Pronation angle averaged at 12 degrees for Run Fast 2, while Hyper Speed is quite stable at about 10.5 degrees.  (courtesy: [runmechanics.in](https://runmechanics.in)) 

<LightBox src="/images/hyperspeed-stability.jpg" caption="Stability is good enough (click to zoom)" alt="" ></LightBox>

**Aesthetics**

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The darker colourway that I have is simple and looks very neat. The trademark Asics tiger makes it look fast and classy.  The shoes are easy to clean and dry very fast. The sole of the shoe does not pick up stones or leaves.

### Review Summary
<ReviewSummaryCard shoeCode="004004008M"></ReviewSummaryCard>

<ProsCard
  title="PROS"
  pros={[
    "Breathable, roomy, and comfortable to wear",
    "Rocker bottom is great for faster runs like tempos and intervals",
    "Firm cushioning protects well from shock",
    "Excellent value for Money",
  ]}
/>

<ConsCard
  title="CONS"
  cons={[
    "The tongue of the shoe is slightly uncomfortable",
    "Road grip is not the best in its class",
    "Not so comfortable for distance beyond 15K",
  ]}
/>

<InfoCard title="RECOMMENDATION">
<p>Highly recommended as a daily trainer for speed workouts, and short distance races up to 10k.</p>
<p>For those looking to use rocker-bottom racers or looking to transition to midfoot strike, Hyper Speed is an excellent transitionary shoe.</p> 
<p>Under 5000 rupees it is the best in its class.</p> 
</InfoCard>

Multi-tester review of ASICS Hyper Speed (Men & Women editions): A lightweight, and fast rocker shoe in the budget. Works well for speed workouts, short to medium-distance training runs, and races under 10K.

ASCIS Hyper Speed Review


The second iteration of the Saucony Endorphin Pro was launched just a month back and kudos to [Saucony India](https://www.sauconyindia.com/) [@sauconyindia](https://www.instagram.com/sauconyindia/) for bringing it to India in such a short time. 

#### "If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it!"

The Endorphin Pro 2 is pretty much similar to the first edition and I’m glad that they didn’t tinker much with the shoe.  The first edition received raving reviews as a genuine contender to Nike’s Vaporfly and Alphafly. So it’s no surprise that Saucony has stuck closely to their winning formula. 

All the big-ticket items - their SPEEDROLL technology, ultralight PWRRUNPB midsole foam, carbon-plate, return, with only a few minor adaptations to the upper of the shoe. 

The Endorphin line-up is Saucony’s performance series that uses the SPEEDROLL technology. According to their website, "Speedroll tech is an advanced footwear geometry that gives you an effortless, always-forward feel"! In simple language, it is a rocker design that always gives the runner a forward lean and makes the transition (for heel or midfoot strikers) to forefoot more efficient. 

PWRRRUNPB uses PEBAX, which is a lightweight, high-performance thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) that is known for its flexibility and energy return and is used by other super shoes for Nike (Zoom X Foam), Reebok (Floatride Plus Foam). Decathlon Kalenji Kiprun ultralight racer also has a PEBAX midsole.  PEBAX is often said to be better than e-TPU or gas infused EVA foams.

<ShoeCard shoeCode="006001002M"></ShoeCard>

At 213 gms these aren’t the lightest shoes I’ve used (Brooks Hyperion Tempo - 205 gms), but I can definitely live with an extra 10gms for a carbon plate.

The Formfit upper is quite snug in the forefoot, but a little loose at the heel, but this is not a deal-breaker. The Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 on the other hand comes with a heel counter, which gives a very good fit, and at 225 gms, it's just barely 10gms heavier!

Perhaps the biggest change, then, is a visual one – the race-flag colourway makes the Endorphin Pro 2 stand out from the crowd. However, we still don’t have that colourway available in India as yet and what I have is a bright orange one. 

#### Fast, Faster, Fastest…

Within the Endorphin line-up, the Endorphin Pro 2 is their lightest and fastest race day shoe. I would recommend them only for sub 5:00 min/km pace tempo runs and Races. One review mentioned that these were best used for a sub 7:00 min/mile pace! Now Speed is a very relative term and what is fast for me is slow for someone and vice versa. 

There are a lot of reports online which mention that carbon plates mess with our natural gait and I would partially tend to agree with these. This is one of the reasons why most runners use them for race days and speed work. The aggressive ride would be quite uncomfortable at easy speeds (which is relative). And for people looking out for a slightly more versatile shoe, the Endorphin Speed 2 should fit the bill. 

<div class="row">
    <div class="col-6 col-md-3 px-1">
        <LightBox src="/images/ep2front.png" caption="Roomy toe box" alt="" ></LightBox>
    </div>
    <div class="col-6 col-md-3 px-1">
        <LightBox src="/images/ep2rear.png" caption="Heel is a bit loose" alt="" ></LightBox>
    </div>
    <div class="col-6 col-md-3 px-1">
        <LightBox src="/images/ep2bottom.png" caption="Grip is great for tarred roads" alt="" ></LightBox>
    </div>
    <div class="col-6 col-md-3 px-1">
        <LightBox src="/images/ep2top.png" caption="Comfortable upper" alt="" ></LightBox>
    </div>
</div>

#### Ride Experience

As of now, I've done three workouts totalling about 26.2miles (40+ km) on these. The runs have been a mix of intervals (3:30 - 4:00  min/km), and threshold/tempo runs (4:30 - 5:00 min/km). 

The aggressive ride of the shoe, both because of the carbon plate and their speed roll, makes it a little easier to run fast. But please note, it does not make one run fast. I can pick up these paces with a normal shoe as well, but the Endorphin Pro 2 makes my running a little more efficient. And this is also the reason why it's tough to run slow on these because the geometry of the shoe does not support slow easy runs. And in all these runs I've ended up doing all my cool down at a 5:00 pace (which is not very ideal). So I've just restricted them for runs at specific paces. 

Another thing that I observed is that the shoe is stable at higher speeds and not so much at slower paces. This could be because of two reasons


1. The carbon plate gives the runner a good push forward and the aggressive speed roll keeps us darting forward. 
2. At slower paces, the bounce in the shoes is quite high and the carbon plate gives it a trampoline effect. 

The more I run in them, the more I feel better at controlling them. This could be because I'm technically breaking into the shoe or it could be more of a mental adjustment (like getting used to riding a superbike).

One more observation here is that the shoe feels the same throughout the run, even those harder final kilometers. 

#### Why bother buying the Endorphin PRO 2 then?

**The Feel**

The ride is brilliant and second to none. It has to be experienced! The PWRRUN PB foam is really soft and the carbon plate compliments it well. The foam doesn’t bottom out and at the same time, the plate gives a good forward push. Even with a stack height of 35.5mm in the heel and 27.5mm in the forefoot, the shoe is extremely stable and the forward roll makes running very efficient. The cushioning is good throughout the midsole and the forefoot is also well-cushioned. 

The road grip on dry tar surfaces is fantastic, but I would be a little more cautious with wet surfaces. 

**Unit Economics**

The Endorphin Pro 2 is priced at Rs.17990/- and Saucony India has been giving a 10% discount through their influencers which brings the price down to Rs.16190/-, which is pretty much equal to the price in USD ($200).

The other options in this category like Nike Vaporfly Next% 2 (Rs.19695), Nike Alphafly (Rs.22795), Brooks Hyperion Elite 2 (Rs.22999), Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 2 (Rs.21999), and Asics Metaspeed sky (Rs.21999) are priced at approximately (25 - 38)%  over the Endorphin Pro 2!

This is where Unit economics kicks in. A typical running shoe lasts about 700 miles post which could be used as a gym / casual shoe. However, racing shoes with carbon plates have a large stack height, which makes them pretty uncomfortable for regular gym use or even casual walking. So the life of the shoe is pretty much the miles you can run in them, which is probably around (250 - 300)miles. 

Based on the reports I’ve read, Endorphin Pro 2 can last around 400 miles (640 km). But even if it gives me a few more km over other race shoes, at a 25 - 38% price benefit I’m still spending much less per KM!

#### Shoe Rotation

Running shoes are quite expensive and it is imperative that we find the right balance in our shoe rotation. Else your shoe will just end up as one amongst others on the shoe rack. So here is how I use these shoes and the following is my current shoe rotation.

1. Endorphin Pro 2 - For speed work (Intervals - Threshold - Tempo runs and Time Trial/Racing). 
2. Brooks Hyperion Tempo: For Tempo - Easy runs
3. Nike Infinity React 1: For Easy - Recovery Runs.

### Review Summary
<ReviewSummaryCard shoeCode="006001002M"></ReviewSummaryCard>

<ProsCard
  title="PROS"
  pros={[
    "Stable Ride",
    "Efficient running (Speedroll)",
    "Fantastic Breathable upper",
    "Durability",
  ]}
/>

<ConsCard
  title="CONS"
  cons={[
    "Not the Lightest in its category",
    "Average foot lockdown",
    "Average traction",
  ]}
/>

<InfoCard title="RECOMMENDATION">
To conclude, the Endorphin PRO 2 is a fantastic race shoe and I think it’s definitely a bang for one's buck.  It is not perfect and has its share of misses, but then its Pros outweigh the Cons. I would definitely recommend them.
</InfoCard>




26.2 mile Run review of the Saucony’s Endorphin Pro 2 super shoe:  How it rides, what kind of runs it works best, how it stacks up against the first edition, and the unit economics compared to other super-shoes in the market.

Saucony Endorphin Pro 2 Review

Solar Boost 3

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Ultraboost 5.0 DNA

Supernova

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SL20.2

Adizero Adios Pro 2

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Adizero SL

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Adizero Prime X

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AlphaFly Next% 

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AlphaFly Next% 2

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VaporFly Next% 

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Zoom Fly 3

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Women Orange ZOOM FLY 3 Running Shoes

Zoom Fly 3 Running Sports Shoes

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Zoom Fly 4

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Men Yellow Zoom Fly 4 Road Running Shoes

Men Grey ZOOM FLY 4 Running Shoes

Airzoom Vomero 14

Nike Women's WMNS Air Zoom Vomero 14 Running Shoes

Women Black AIR ZOOM VOMERO 14 Running Shoes

Nike Men AIR Zoom Vomero 12 Running Shoes

Airzoom Vomero 15

Women White AIR ZOOM VOMERO 15 Running Shoes

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Men Grey & Blue AIR ZOOM VOMERO 15 Running Shoes

Air Zoom Vomero 15 Running Shoes

Nike Men's Air Zoom Vomero 15 Running Shoe

Air Zoom Vomero 16

Air Zoom Vomero Running Shoes

Nike Vomero 16

Women Black Air Zoom Vomero 16 Running Shoes

Men Black Air Zoom Vomero 16 Running Shoes

Air Zoom Vomero 16 Running Shoes For Men  (White)

Flex RN 2020

Flex 2020 RN Textured Low-Top Lace-Up Shoes

Women Black Flex 2020 RN Running Shoe

Nike Men's Flex 2020 Rn Running Shoes

Free RN NN

Nike Free RN NN

Free RN 5.0

Nike Women's WMNS Free Rn 5.0 Running Shoes

Women Pink FREE RN 5.0 Running Shoes

Free Run 5 Running Shoes

Nike Men's Free Rn 5.0 Running Shoes

Nike Free Run 5.0

Air Zoom Pegasus 38

Women Pink AIR ZOOM PEGASUS 38 Running Shoes

Nike Pegasus 38

Nike Men's Air Zoom Pegasus 38 Running Shoe

Men Black AIR ZOOM PEGASUS 38 Running Shoes

Air Zoom Pegasus 38 Running Shoes

Air Zoom Pegasus 39

Women Black Air Zoom Pegasus 39  Road Running Shoes

Women Off White Air Zoom Pegasus 39  Road Running Shoes

Women Lavender Air Zoom Pegasus 39  Road Running Shoes

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39

Men Grey Air Zoom Pegasus 39  Road Running Shoes

Men Black AIR ZOOM PEGASUS 39 Road Running Shoes

Pegasus 40

Nike Pegasus 40

Pegasus 41

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Air Zoom Winflo 8

Nike Winflo 8

Zoom Winflo 8 PRM Lace-Up Running Shoes

Nike Women's WMNS Zoom Winflo 8 Running Shoe

Nike Men's Zoom Winflo 8 Running Shoe

Men White & Black ZOOM WINFLO 8 Running Shoes

React Infinity Run Flyknit

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Women Pink React Infinity Run Running Shoes

React Infinity Run Fk Prm Lace-Up Running Shoes

Nike React Infinity Run Flyknit 2

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React Infinity Run Flyknit 2

React Infinity 3

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Infinity RN 4

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Air Zoom Tempo Next%

Nike Air Zoom Tempo NEXT%

Air Zoom Tempo Next Lace-Up Running Shoes

ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit

Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit

ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 2

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Invincible 3

Nike Invincible 3

Rival Fly 3

Nike Air Zoom Rival Fly 3

Pegasus Turbo Next Nature

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Pegasus Turbo Next Nature SE

Nike Pegasus Turbo Next Nature SE

Quest 5

Nike Quest 5

GoRun Speed Elite 

MENS GO RUN SPEED ELITE

GOrun Ride 7

WOMENS GO RUN RIDE 7

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GOrun Razor 3

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Skechers Men's Go Run Razor 3 Shoes

GOrun Ride 8

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Reviews

ASCIS Hyper Speed Review

Saucony Endorphin Pro 2 Review