Our team tests 120+ running shoes for at least 50 miles. These are the best Saucony running shoes.
Updated: November 29th, 2023
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The just right amount of soft responsive cushioning and accommodating upper make it a solid single shoe choice for the neutral runner. Read full review
The Guide 16 is an exceptional everyday stability workhorse. The addition of PWRRUN and a new upper made a good stability trainer a great one. Read full review
The Cohesion 16 removes any frills and delivers possibly the best running shoe for the price of any brand. Read full review
Larry Lam
Runner with decades of experience
Founded in Pennsylvania in 1898 and relocated to Cambridge, MA in the 1960s, Saucony is one of the oldest running shoes brands.
Over the past couple of years, Saucony revamped most of their shoe designs thanks to two main innovations: the FORMFIT upper construction and from this year the PWRRUN PB sole material.
Saucony classifies their shoes in a very traditional way based on Pronation support, Road vs Trail and Racing/Track shoes.
Within each of these categories live different shoes for different runners. We are going to break the line down to make it easy to understand, and don't forget to keep reading for an overview of Saucony’s main technologies.
Saucony Neutral Daily Trainers
Some of Saucony's neutral running shoes have become incredibly successful staples in the running word. They are amongst Saucony's most popular and best selling shoes.
Shoes in this collection are characterised by not having a medial wedge or similar support feature.
“The Saucony Ride 17 is a superb neutral daily trainer which excels in versatility. While it still doesn’t have much flair, it has excellent stability and durability, and it represents great value. Version 17 has a more modern ride than version 16 due to its upgraded PWRRUN+ midsole. It has noticeably more energy return but it comes in at a much heavier weight. ”
“The Saucony Triumph 21 is a daily trainer that can log all the miles you want to throw at it. This shoe is designed to take a pounding and make you feel comfortable the whole time, and it hits the mark.”
“The Saucony Kinvara 14 is an agile, versatile trainer which has a really well-balanced ride. It’s designed for speedwork but it can handle easy paces equally well thanks to its stability. Its lack of outsole rubber gives it a super smooth ride. Version 14 has been updated with a lighter, more breathable upper, a thicker midsole and a PWWRUN+ insole. It has a softer ride with more cushioning depth than previous Kinvaras and it also weighs less than its predecessor. ”
“The Saucony Axon 3 is the perfect case of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" for shoes. The Axon 2 was nearly perfect and, for the Axon 3, Saucony didn't change the good parts; they only improved the outsole. ”
“The Saucony Freedom 4 is a flexible tempo trainer with a firm ride, best suited to short distances. It can also be used as a gym or casual shoe because of how comfortable it is. Version 4 has been updated with a more comfortable upper, a firmer PWRRUN PB midsole and it loses the crystal rubber for a firmer rubber on its outsole. ”
Recommended for
If price isn't an issue and you're looking for a stable trainer for short runs that can double up as a comfortable gym shoe, the Freedom 4 is for you.
“The Kinvara Pro is an exciting new, stiff speed trainer with a carbon plate. It performs well at a variety of paces due to its stable ride and its snappy forefoot. It’s a great training companion for the Endorphin Pro and Elite if you want a similar ride at a cheaper price point. While it doesn’t have as much bounce or energy return as other speed trainers, it still has a fast, propulsive ride. ”
“The Saucony Cohesion 16 is a very basic, introductory level running shoe that seems to fit the budget-conscious runner who is looking for a very basic shoe. Beginner runners could use this as they are trying out this running thing while experienced runners could use this as an easy day, low mileage run (3-5 miles). ”
In 2020, Saucony introduced a completely new range of shoes, the Endorphin series. Consisting of the Pro, Speed and Shift, the Endorphin series is a complete running shoe rotation meant for preparing, training and racing long-distances.
They all have SPEEDROLL technology to create a forward-rolling feel while the Speed and Pro have PWRRUN PB foam for a bouncy running experience.
“The Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 is a good racer which is best suited to marathon racing. It has a soft, stable ride and a very stiff carbon plate but it isn't in the top tier of racers due to its midsole foams and geometry. Version 4 has a softer ride and a less aggressive forefoot rocker so it doesn't have as much oomph but it has more long-distance comfort. ”
“The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 is a flexible, plated trainer which is best suited to uptempo runs. It doesn’t offer as much speed assistance as other plated trainers but it has a natural ride with excellent traction. Version 4 feels faster than version 3 due to its firmer ride. It has a higher level of ground feel and a more streamlined design. ”
“The Saucony Endorphin Shift 2 is a stiff, maximum stack, max-cushioned trainer which excels at easy, long-distance runs but can also handle faster runs thanks to its effortless, forward-rolling midsole. Version 2 is only a minor update with a new, more breathable upper and a snugger fit. ”
Recommended for
If you're looking for a training companion to the Endorphin Pro 2 and you find the Endorphin Speed 2 too unstable or not snappy enough, the Endorphin Shift 2 is a great choice for a daily trainer.
Shoes in this collection are characterised by having a medial wedge or support feature and are designed to prevent over pronation. Some of these supportive trainers have mild support features while others have maximum support features.
“The Saucony Guide 16 is truly an everyday stability trainer. This edition comes with small tweaks to the big changes they made last year. Its classic approach delivers a comfortable and stable ride every time. ”
Provides great balance of responsiveness and support.
Comfortable fit.
“The Saucony Tempus is a fresh breath of air into the stability game that eloquently balances support and speed. With a modest support profile, you can not only dial into a comfortable pace, but also use it to translate into faster efforts. ”
Jon Ober
Serial Marathoner and Stability Running Shoe Expert
“The Saucony Omni 20 is a moderate stability trainer built for miles. It provides a stable and comfortable ride every time making them worthy of becoming your daily trainer. ”
Recommended for
I would recommend the Saucony Omni Iso 2 to a runner who needs a moderate stability trainer built to take them all the way through training to their next big race.
“The Saucony Hurricane 22 hits the sweet spot where soft cushion meets moderate stability, providing a smooth and supported yet slightly heavy and warm ride. The plush stability plus durable sole unit make this shoe worth the higher price tag.”
Recommended for
Wear this shoe for recovery and long runs. Runners who do well in a med-heavy shoe will enjoy Hurricane's smooth ride for faster-paced efforts as well.
EVERUN cushioning makes it very comfortable at each step
“The Saucony Redeemer ISO 2 is so close to be a great stability/motion control running shoe for runners with flat feet (or particularly unstable gait) but a very heavy and warm upper and an issue with heel slippage ruined the fun for me.”
Recommended for
Flat footed runners and runners looking for a lot of stability.
Saucony makes one of the most popular trail running shoes: the Peregrine - but the other models in the lineup are not to be ignored and they all feature better grip and added durability to conquer all types of terrains and conditions.
“The Saucony Peregrine 12 is a fast trail shoe with decent traction, protection, and cushioning to be versatile on diverse trail conditions. They are built for speed and offer excellent protection but are not ideal for longer efforts. ”
“The Saucony Xodus 10 is a maximal trail running shoe designed to provide the highest level of protection on the most difficult terrain. Completely overhauled from previous versions, the Xodus 10 is much lighter and more comfortable than before. ”
Recommended for
The Saucony Xodus 10 is recommended for trail runners looking for a versatile running shoe which offers maximum protection and cushioning. The Xodus 10 is designed for neutral runners who cover a variety of different terrains in their training and looking for a shoe that can handle all of this and...
ISOFIT is the relatively new upper construction that Saucony places on all their higher-end models.
It is such a drastic change according to Saucony that once a model gets the “ISO” treatment, the numbering starts from 1. For example after the Triumph 12, there is the Triumph ISO and after that one the ISO 2.
What is ISOFIT?
(image from Saucony.com)
It’s an ultra-soft inner sleeve made of stretchable air mesh, that morphs to the foot for a sock-like feel with a floating support cage around it that cradles the foot.
There’s a little more to it. The inner mesh sleeve is actually made of 4 different kind of meshes, on the midfoot, midfoot sides, toebox, tongue…
The external support cage is where the 4 eyelets are and locks the foot securely to the shoes. The cage extends over the heel, leaving a window open.
ISOFIT is quite a substantial change to Saucony’s previous models and it commended a $20 to $30 price increase, depending on the model.
FlexFILM
FlexFILM is what Saucony calls their new overlay tech. Instead of sewing plastic pieces to the upper to provide support and structure, the overlays are now melded to the upper in order to both save weight and reduce possiblities for irritation and blisters.
Powergrid and Powergrid+
Powergrid+ is the evolution of Powergrid, which in turn is the evolution of the original Progrid technology.
In a nutshell, the “grid” system is a perforated layer between the insole of the shoe and the midsole that acts as a net. Landing your foot over a net design helps spread the shock of the impact on a wider surface.
Powergrid evolved on the Progrid system by utilizing a lighter material.
Powergrid+ differs from Powergrid in the way that instead of being a separate layer on top of the midsole, now the midsole itself incorporates the holes that create the grid system.
EVERUN
EVERUN is the newest Saucony technology and it’s slowly but surely being incorporated in all new premium Saucony running shoes.
As you can see from the image above, EVERUN is an additional layer of cushioning material that lives close to the foot, providing a more immediate cushioning. According to Saucony it provides an 83% energy return and it does not break down with usage.
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