Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 vs Hoka Rincon 3: Versatile shoes for daily training to race day

The Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 and the Hoka Rincon 3 are both shoes that can be used for training miles all the way up to race day. However, the design and features of both shoes mean they have a number of pros and cons for specific types of runners.

Tom talks through the pros and cons of each shoe and explains when he prefers to use each in his training.

JUMP STRAIGHT IN:
00:00​​​​ - Intro
00:28 - Stats
00:48 - Design
01:55 - How’s The Fit?
02:55 - The Run Test
10:32 - Verdict

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[jamiexavier]

Thanks for this review Tom I got a pair of each of these shoes for Christmas - clocked up 50 km so far in the Rincon 3 - great shoe so far. Haven't christened the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 yet but after watching this am chomping at the bit to take it for a run. I was using the Hoka Clifton 7 prior to getting these shoes and I found that a great daily trainer - was sad to let them go!

[donnybrooklads]

I have these both and love them. I use the Rincon 3 for training up to 15km runs after that you do "feel" the road more. The Rincon's are amazingly fast for interval training and shorter PBs. The Speed 2 I use for longer PB's and longer training runs. After my 30+ km runs my feet and legs the next day hardly hurt.

[Bodhished]

Great vs mate! I have the Rincon 2 and Speed 2. Rincon is a great daily, also very easy runs suits Rincon. Speed 2 is faster, better for long runs.

[midpackrunner]

Having been used to getting 400-600km out of most of my road shoes, I’ve been suitably impressed to have just retired my first pair of Speed 1s at 900km. Not until I got a second pair though. I use them for almost all types of runs and easily my fav shoe. Only weakness for me is the slippy outsole on wet or greasy tarmac.

[Feanaro]

I don’t do many miles, so I use the Speed 1 for workouts and races, and the Ride 14 for slower/longer runs.

[charlietwotimes]

Love the Rincon 3, still using it after a couple of years. Just bought the Pro 2 on clearance so I can retire the Hoka..

[GG-pryo]

Rincon 3 love Everyone is asking about it when I run at the local YMCA (USA). The Rincon actually has a bigger toebox than any other shoe I have used.

[ibrahimalharbi]

My favourite shoes for 2021-2022 :
Nike turbo 2 - 10 k
Hoka rincon 3 - Long easy runs
NB fuelcell rebel - 5k
Brooks ghost - Recovery

[NeillyVille]

Endorphin Speed all day. I have nearly 500km on my Speed 1 and it gets better every run.

[timtrenholm]

Need The Run Testers to increase their frequency of use in the Rincon v3, so we can get a multiple 400+ KM long term reviews. ;)
Hopefully it can hold up as well as the Mach4 has, mine are now at 417KM and still feel great. I still have buyers remorse from the Rincon V1 that effectively died at 250KM. Before that...I was in love with the Rincon V1.

[i.p]

Great review. I run in the Rincon 3 but the top feels flimsy and unstructured.. The midsole feels amazing. The only HOKA that I feel has good quality upper with super soft midsole is the Rocket X.

[kaiserbacote]

For me, if Rincon 3 would have a carbon plate, it could be and elite racing shoe

[zachflores]

Anyone else have issues with hot spots and blisters on the Rincon 3? I have both the original rincons and the 2a, but the 3s just didn’t fit right

[junglisttt]

Only do workouts in my speeds. Which they are awesome for. But they are way to narrow in the toebox for me to enjoy as a daily trainer.

[htmonaro]

You want value for money, I have 2 pair of Endorphin Speed 1, one pair has over 820km on them and yes I still run in them for my easy runs. The other pair has over 300km and I use them for my tempo days. I did race in the first pair last year, including a virtual road 50k, but they're a bit softer these days. I have a wider foot and for my first pair I went up a half size, but the second pair I did not. I tried a pair of Rincon 1 on and they wouldn't fit, even in a half size up. My local running shoe store does sell Hoka, but won't sell the Rincon, they say because it is too fragile. The main reason for the cheaper price is the use of EVA, which has been around since the 1980s.

[Karlm]

Are we in the UK getting a bad deal with the speed 2 $160 dollars in US is more like £120 UK pounds, which is a good price for the speed £155 is way overpriced.

[normanzielke]

A more objective comparison would be Carbon X2 vs Speed 2.

[giovanbattistafichera]

I'd pick the Saucony Endorphin Speed any day. Much more durable and solid than the Hoka as a fast trainer. The Rincon honestly feel like you're wearing styrofoam under your feet and they flatten out prematurely. I used the v2 last year. Got about 300km out of them before they started feeling just "meh". Not to mention that narrow toebox. They make shoes for people whose feet are narrow and shaped like an arrow XD

[CoolBeansConnor]

When can we get ourselves some run testers merch? 😏

[i.p]

Regarding the New Balance TC. Is it more stable then the Rebel V2.. Love the Rebel V2... TC costs now nearly as much as the RC V2... Which for long runs at slower speeds?