Among the myriad of brands in the running shoe market, Saucony been known for excellence and innovation, earning the trust of athletes and enthusiasts worldwide. In fact, I’ve been running in many of their shoes for over a decade! Today we look at their current line up of running shoes.

Best Saucony Running Shoes

In this comprehensive gear tester’s guide, we’ll delve deep into the world of Saucony running shoes, exploring the brand’s rich history, cutting-edge technologies, and the top-performing models for every runner’s needs.

As an avid running expert and gear enthusiast, I have put these shoes through their paces, testing them across various terrains, distances, and conditions to bring you an unbiased and insightful review.

Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner aiming for a new personal best, an overpronator seeking stability and support, or an adventure-seeking trail runner, Saucony has a shoe tailored just for you. But choosing the perfect pair is no simple feat, as individual preferences and biomechanics play a crucial role in the decision-making process.

Let’s checkout their top-performing models for neutral runners, those needing overpronation support, specialized trail running options, and how to ensure the perfect fit for your feet.

7 Best Saucony Running Shoes

All right, the Endorphin line is getting all the hype right now. And they are awesome, I’m going to tell you more about them below. But they just aren’t the ONLY thing that Saucony is doing really well.

They have other shoes that have stood the test of time and continue to be favorites of mine and many other runners.

Let’s dive into the list of the best Saucony running shoes!

Best Saucony Long Run Shoe: Saucony Triumph 22

I’ve used the last few models of the Triumph for MANY training miles and definitely recommend.

The Saucony Triumph is known for its plush cushioning, which you can absolutely feel more than in the Saucony Ride. This provides a soft and comfortable ride for runners who prioritize cushioning and impact absorption. That being said, I still found the shoe to feel really stable on runs up to 16 miles (I wasn’t marathon training so didn’t go farther).

This is the shoe I would probably recommend for most distance runners as a go to trainer from Saucony.

Triumph 22 Review

Whether you’re heading out for a 5k or your 20-mile long run, this shoe provides the comfort and support you need, especially on the days when your legs are feeling it a bit more than usual.

Best Saucony Lightweight Daily Trainer: Saucony Kinvara 15

This has been one of my go to shoe models for nearly a decade. That being said, the Kinvara has changed over that time. It’s now a slightly more cushioned shoe with a bit more stack height (because everything seems to be increasing in stack height).

That being said, I still love it.

It’s my easy pick for what shoe I want to put miles on during vacation because I can use it for speed or easy runs.

Saucony Kinvara 15 Stack Height

The Saucony Kinvara 15  is a winning option for runners who are looking for a lightweight and responsive shoe that provides enough cushioning and support for up to the half marathon. Now, I have actually worn the Kinvara in a marathon, but with what’s on the market now it wouldn’t be my go to.

The shoe’s upper is made from a breathable mesh material that allows for maximum airflow and helps to keep feet cool and dry. This one has a bootie style fit, meaning that the tongue is attached. I LOVE this because it means it’s not going to be moving all over while I run.

Best Saucony Stability Shoe: Saucony Guide 18

The Saucony Guide is a stability running shoe that is designed for runners who need more support and guidance. It features a medial post, which is a firmer foam that helps to prevent overpronation and provides stability.

That being said, it’s not HUGELY structured. Compared to older stability shoes, this isn’t going to be super firm or provide massive support. It’s just providing a little bit of extra for those who find their arches dropping or have flat feet.

This shoe actually feels MORE cushioned than the Ride. Which makes sense because in the newest model, they intentionally increased the cushion.

Not sure whether to pick the Saucony Ride or Guide…you know we got you covered.

Saucony Guide 18 Review

The upper of the Saucony Guide is made of breathable mesh material that offers flexibility and a secure fit.  Moving slightly away from past posts to provide stability is their new Hollow Tech medial support. The TPU medial support element placed in rear of the midsole provides support without the rigid and firm feeling of a medial post, seen in most shoes.

  • Weight: 9.6 oz Men’s, 8.6 oz Women’s
  • Heel Drop: 6 mm
  • 13 Colors for Women’s, 12 for Men’s
  • Available in wide and extra wide
  • Available on Saucony.com for $140

Best Saucony Max Cushion: Saucony Hurricane 24

It has been a few years since Saucony released a model of the Hurricane and they aren’t messing around with max cushion in this stability shoe. The good news is you don’t sink into the shoe once you start running. Not everyone needs or wants a max cushioned running shoe, but I can’t lie…they feel so darn good underfoot it’s hard not to fall in love.

The Saucony Hurricane is going to have a wider base providing more ground contact and you will even see higher sidewalls helping to secure your foot in place. As you take each step, you’ll feel the slight rocker which will help with that roll through from heel to toe.

Hurricane 24 Cushion

This shoe is ideal for runners and walkers needing stability (pronation control), on easy runs, long walks, or as a good option for standing all day.

Best Saucony Carbon Plate: Saucony Endorphin Elite 2

 

While it moves away from the firm, snappy ride of its predecessor, theSaucony Endorphin Elite 2 delivers bounce you feel in every stride, combining exceptional speed and comfort to make it a standout choice for your next race day.

Designed to help runners unlock their speed, the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 is a bouncy, high-performance supershoe built for half-marathon to marathon distances. Its standout feature is Saucony’s incrediRUN foam, which delivers insane energy return and next-level cushioning—exactly what you want on race day.

The re-engineered upper, made from ultra-light TPE yarn, works seamlessly with the flat-knit tongue to deliver a snug, sock-like fit that remains comfortably secure through every phase of your run.

It has an accommodating forefoot and midfoot with a slightly-snug toe box. If you’re planning to wear this shoe for a half marathon or marathon, I suggest bumping up a half-size as our feet tend to swell a bit during longer efforts.

 

The shoe strikes a fine balance between comfort and performance, making it a frontrunner (sorry, not sorry for the pun) for those who crave a softer, more energetic ride.

Runner Up Best Race Day Shoe: Saucony Endorphin Pro 4

Designed for speed with the carbon fiber plate, this is also a race day shoe. It’s got the carbon plate for speed, the cushion for that energy return. You are going to find this shoe is even softer than the Elite and you feel the speedroll even more than in the elite.

It’s going to feel more like the daily trainers that you love with a padded heel collar. Where the Elite is trying to cut weight in every possible way. I reallllly enjoy running in this shoe and would absolutely use it up to the marathon distance.

Saucony Endorphin pro 4 review

Personally, I kind of wish they wouldn’t keep adding to the stack height. But that’s how you get that perfect combo of the s curve plate and the cushion.

Honorable Mention Race Day Shoe: Saucony Tempus 2

The is going to be a hit with our middle of the pack friends looking for the trifecta of speed, stability, and cushion

It’s a versatile stability training shoe that can be either a daily workhorse or fast race day option.

It’s also one of the few stability shoes to feature a superfoam, (PWRRUN PB) so the ride is remarkably cushioned. And the Tempus 2’s natural rocker shape helps propel you forward, particularly when you’re running harder efforts.

narrow running shoe ideas

Best Speed Work Shoe: Saucony Endorphin Speed

When you want to feel fast, but don’t want to spend on the pricey carbon plate shoe that won’t last as long…welcome to the Speed 3. It has an s-curve nylon plate instead, which won’t give you quite the same pop, but is going to give you that feeling of speed for $100 less.

Saucony Endorphin Speed

Again they’ve piled on the PWRRUN PB midsole for a big stack height. But the she remains incredibly light at 7.2 oz for the womens and sticks to that 8mm heel drop.

This is going to be a great option for those tempo runs and track workouts OR for race day when you don’t feel the need to spend even more.

  • Weight: 8.2 oz Men’s,  7.2 oz Women’s
  • Heel drop: 8mm
  • Available in 14 colors
  • Not available in Wide
  • Available at Saucony.com for $170

Honorable…ish Mention: Endorphin Shift

This feels like a cushioned slightly stabilizing shoe, good for everyday training. Admittedly I did not love the newest version which had a massive increase in stack height.

That’s why I didn’t break it out in the list as one of the best running shoes, but since it’s part of the super popular Endorphin line I felt like it had to be mentioned.

Saucony Endorphin shift 3 Review

Best Saucony Trail Running Shoe: Saucony Peregrine 15

This has been a trail running shoe that myself and other testers have loved for years. They had a few misses around model 10, but since then we’ve gotten back on track!

It’s slightly more narrow fit than some other brands, which works for some of us.

I always feel really confident in the traction of this show and I like the light guard just above the cushion to keep my toes from being wet in the grass or light snow.

Saucony Peregrine 15 Review

The Saucony Peregrine is a popular and versatile trail running shoe that has gained a strong reputation among trail runners and outdoor enthusiasts. Designed to handle a variety of terrains and conditions, the Peregrine combines responsiveness, durability, and traction to provide a reliable and enjoyable off-road running experience.

For me, I appreciate that it’s not one of the overbuilt trail shoes and the traction is fabulous. They have also taken some weight out of the updated models!

BONUS this is a lower stack height than so many of the current shoe trends and many prefer that on the trails to feel more stable.

Saucony’s Unique Technology

Each brand has a variety of technology that sets them apart and right now for Saucony it consists of a few key elements. You saw us mention a few different of these in the shoe descriptions above, so let’s take a look!

Saucony Speed Roll

A bit like the metarocker you’ve heard of. It uses elevated cushioning and a stiff forefoot, which creates a more responsive shoe to help move you forward.

PWRRUN

PWRRUN is a midsole cushioning material that offers a perfect balance between softness and responsiveness. It is engineered to provide a plush underfoot feel, ensuring a smooth and comfortable ride throughout your run. The lightweight nature of PWRRUN helps to reduce the overall shoe weight, which is beneficial for longer distances, speed workouts, and race days. This cushioning technology aims to attenuate impact forces, reducing the strain on your legs and feet, while also delivering a more energetic toe-off for a snappier and efficient stride.

PWRRUN+

Building on the foundation of PWRRUN, Saucony introduced PWRRUN+ as an enhanced version of their cushioning technology. PWRRUN+ takes cushioning to the next level by being even softer and more responsive, making it ideal for runners who prioritize maximum comfort without compromising on performance.

The additional responsiveness of PWRRUN+ ensures that each stride feels more lively and energized, contributing to an improved running experience. This technology is often featured in Saucony’s premium and high-performance running shoe models, catering to runners seeking an ultra-plush and bouncy feel during their runs.

More about Saucony

Like another well known running brand (New Balance), Saucony started it’s first factory in 1898 in Kutztown, Pennsylvania near the Saucony Creek. And by 1910 they were making running spikes…but few people were running or even looking for running shoes, so it wasn’t until the 1970’s that they started to grow.Saucony History

First they became known for their casual shoe with it’s cool style and then, the big time hit.

Runner’s World featured them in 1979 as a top 10 running shoe. By the 80’s they were making shoes with a non-slip sole which was a big innovation.

Then came 2009 and the Saucony Kinvara – this one shoe changed many things about their design and philosophy. It was the more natural running shoe (yes during the barefoot trend).  The new goal became how to strip shoes down, without sacrificing cushion and comfort.

Good performance, good health and good community are their guiding principles.  You may have seen their hashtag #runforgood – which is really about doing good, giving back and finding sustainable practices.

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