Craft Endurance 2 Review: A Lightweight, Responsive Tempo Shoe for Faster Training
GEAR & SHOE REVIEWS
There are shoes you test once and forget about… and then there are shoes you keep coming back to. The Craft Endurance 2 falls squarely into the second category for me. I reviewed this shoe months ago—before I posted consistently and before I really understood how to structure a proper shoe review—so this revisit feels long overdue. And now that I’ve put real miles into them, I have much more to say.
Before we get started: Craft did send me this pair for review, but no one is paying me, and every opinion here is entirely my own.
What This Shoe Is Designed For
The Endurance 2 is Craft’s road-running performance shoe. Although Craft is known for its trail lineup, this model is specifically built for pavement, speed, and efficiency. It’s best used for:
Tempo runs
Speed sessions
Workouts where you want to feel fast and efficient
It’s not cushioned enough for very long runs, but that’s not its intention.
Specs at a Glance
Stack height: 36 mm heel / 27 mm forefoot
Drop: 9 mm
Weight:
Men: 245 g / 8.6 oz
Women: 210 g / 7.4 oz
Current price: $144.99 (down from $175)
The weight is right where a tempo-oriented shoe should be—light, streamlined, and efficient.
Upper: Sleek, Breathable, and Surprisingly Sock-Like
The engineered mesh upper is extremely lightweight and breathable. One thing that stood out to me immediately is how smooth everything feels on the inside. The suede-like tongue lining and the attached gusseting eliminate seams and prevent any rubbing.
I run barefoot in shoes often, and this upper makes that possible. No hot spots, no irritation, and nothing that could trigger blisters. The heel pull tab is a small detail, but it makes slipping the shoe on very easy.
Midsole: Rocker + PX Foam for a Fast Ride
Craft uses its PX foam in the Endurance 2, and it delivers a responsive, snappy feel. The slight rocker geometry helps guide you forward, making the shoe feel efficient during fast running.
During tempo runs and intervals, I feel like I get a clean, propulsive toe-off. It doesn’t feel unstable or overly soft—just an efficient, fast midsole built for speed.
Outsole: Minimal but Impressively Durable
This part genuinely surprised me. I tend to wear down the lateral heel area quickly in most shoes, especially on speed days. With the Endurance 2, the wear is minimal despite several months of use.
Craft uses a small but strategically placed contact rubber insert for traction. Some runners online have reported traction issues on ice, but I didn’t experience problems even in rain.
Color Options
Craft continues to stand out when it comes to color design. The men’s versions include Blaze Sulfur, Laser Inferno, and Black/Ash White Sour. The women’s lineup includes Platinum Sour, Inferno Sour, Black, and the Ash White/Fuchsia colorway I own.
And yes—the proper pronunciation of “fuchsia” was Alexa-approved.
Price Drop: A Meaningful Difference
The drop from $175 to $144.99 significantly improves the value of this shoe. For a specialized tempo model, that price point makes it very competitive.
Comparison: Saucony Endorphin Speed 4
This is the obvious comparison. Both are lightweight performance trainers designed for similar workouts.
Saucony’s model is slightly lighter
Saucony has an 8 mm drop compared to Craft’s 9 mm
Both target speedwork and faster daily running
To me, the Craft Endurance 2 feels a bit more responsive underfoot, although I still love Saucony’s lineup and plan to review the Speed 4 separately.
First Impression and Why It Held Up
I first saw this shoe at a running expo. The color blocking caught my eye immediately, and when I picked it up, the weight told me everything: it looked and felt like the kind of tempo shoe I enjoy.
Months later, that first impression has held true.
How It Performs on the Run
I don’t magically run faster because of a shoe, but this one does help me feel faster during workouts. The rocker helps me roll forward, the foam adds pop, and the lightweight build makes turnover feel natural.
Durability: Better Than Expected
Running barefoot means I wash my shoes frequently, and the Endurance 2 handles that exceptionally well. I never put them in the dryer, but they clean up beautifully, maintain their structure, and still look nearly new.
The outsole and midsole durability have also exceeded expectations.
Pros
Excellent current price
Highly responsive and fast
Breathable, lightweight upper
Durable outsole and midsole
Attractive color options
Rocker geometry helps maintain speed
Cons
Not ideal beyond about 10 miles
Traction may be limited in icy conditions
Breathability may require thicker socks in cold climates
Final Verdict
The Craft Endurance 2 is a fast, responsive, durable tempo shoe that does exactly what it’s designed to do. If you want an affordable, reliable shoe for speedwork or tempo days, this is an excellent option.
It’s not meant for cold-weather traction or long, cushioned runs, but for anything fast, it delivers a clean, energetic ride that has earned a place in my regular rotation.