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Best Saucony Running Shoes (August 2024)
Saucony's shoe boxes once had the phrase "sock a knee" printed on them, which represents the correct pronunciation of the company's name.
The Saucony brand logo represents the Saucony Creek's constant flow, and the boulders lining its creek bed. The company is a popular racing shoe producer, making track spikes and cross country racing flats.
It's not always easy for runners to choose the best Saucony running shoe for them. Here is Saucony’s lineup, with our selection of the best shoes for different runners and usage.
Our favorite Saucony running shoes of 2024
Saucony Guide 17
Best Supportive Trainer
Saucony Triumph 22
Best Max Cushioned
Saucony Endorphin Speed 4
Best Lightweight Trainer
Saucony Peregrine 14
Best for Trail Running
Saucony Endorphin Elite
Best for Racing
Table of content
An overview of Saucony technology
While looking into Saucony running shoes, you’ll bump into a series of materials and technologies with bold but unclear sounding names. Here are the most important ones for you to know:
SpeedRoll
A forefoot rocker which effortlessly propels you forward to enhance your stride.
S-Curve Carbon-Fibre Plate
Designed to facilitate a more efficient energy transfer from heel strike to toe-off, giving a spring effect to every step.
FORMFIT XT-900
Rubber for durability and traction, and gripping the road to keep you moving forward.
PWRRUNPB
An elite-level technology best known for its responsiveness, meaning it quickly returns energy to the runner with each footstrike. PWRRUN PB is composed of tiny pellets rather than a single block.
PWRRUN HG
This is the latest premium foam from Saucony, and one of the most responsive out there.
Best Daily Trainer
In short
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.Pros
- Increased energy return from new PWWRUN+ foam
- No more midsole squeak
- Durable outsole
- Good stability
- Softer ride
Cons
- Big weight increase
- Slappy outsole
Who should buy it
If you’ve tried the Saucony Triumph and you found it too soft and unstable, the Ride 17 is a great alternative. If you want a no frills trainer similar to the Pegasus or Ghost but with a more lively ride, the Ride 17 is a good option.
Who should not buy it
If you’re looking for a lightweight trainer for mostly speed work, the Ride 17 is not your shoe.
Main Specs
Rating breakdown
Team review
Read full reviewBest Supportive Trainer
In short
The Saucony Guide 17’s are a pillowy soft max cushioned supportive shoe. It's a very stable shoe that can be used for an everyday trainer. I personally don't care for the color combinations or how they look but thoroughly enjoy how they feel on.Pros
- Breathable and lightweight
- Center Path Technology helps guide you forward
- High stack height helps to absorb impact
Cons
- The colors and look are not trendy but don't affect the way it runs
Who should buy it
This shoe is for the runner who is looking for a smooth and gentle ride. It’s great for long distances.
Who should not buy it
This shoe is not for the runner who likes to be connected with the ground. It has a dense built-up midsole that doesn’t make it a top pick for a shoe I would race or PR in.
Main Specs
Rating breakdown
Team review
Read full reviewBest Max Cushioned
In short
The Saucony Triumph 22 is a good max-cushioned trainer which is best suited to slow, easy runs. It has a wide base which provides a very stable ride and thick, durable rubber on its outsole. Version 22 has a new PEBA midsole but it feels plusher and slower than previous versions making it less versatile.Pros
- Excellent stability due to wider base
- Comfortable upper with no hotspots
- Plusher ride than its predecessor
- Very tough, durable outsole
Cons
- Not as energetic as the other PWRRUN PB models
- Heavier than the Triumph 21
- Warm upper
Who should buy it
If you like the Saucony Ride 17 but you crave a softer, more cushioned ride, the Triumph 22 is your shoe.
If you found the Triumph 21 too firm and unstable, the Triumph 22 is definitely worth a try.
Who should not buy it
If you want a really versatile trainer that can also handle uptempo paces, the Triumph 22 is not for you.
If you have feet which are sensitive to heat, the Triumph 22 is not the shoe for you because it has a very warm upper.
Main Specs
Rating breakdown
Team review
Read full reviewBest Lightweight Trainer
In short
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.Pros
- Excellent traction
- More stability
- Faster ride
- Better agility
Cons
- Still a very different ride to the Endo Pro
- Colour bleeds onto the laces
- Less cushioning
Who should buy it
If you prefer your speed trainers to have a flexible ride which makes you work harder, the Endorphin Speed 4 is a good option for you. It has enough cushioning for long distances and it has decent stability.
Who should not buy it
If you want a similar ride to the Endorphin Pro 4, the Speed 4 is not the shoe for you. It has a much more flexible midsole which results in less propulsion.
Main Specs
Rating breakdown
Team review
Read full reviewBest for Trail Running
In short
The Peregrine 14 is the most recent update on a classic all around trail shoe. Subtle updates have improved fit and durability while keeping its light and nimble qualities firmly in place. The Peregrine 14 remains an excellent choice for many runners from trail newbies to the salty dirt-bagger looking for a classic all-around shoe to experience the freedom of the trails.Pros
- Wider toe box is more accommodating than the 13
- Improved overlays have increased durability
- Highly versatile
- Superb value
Cons
- Not a great road to trail option
- Limited energy return
Who should buy it
Trail runners seeking a reliable trail shoe that provides excellent protection, grip, comfort, and is nimble underfoot that also offers exceptional value.
Who should not buy it
Ultra runners who value maximal comfort under foot for training or racing
Main Specs
Rating breakdown
Team review
Read full reviewBest for Racing
In short
The Saucony Endorphin Elite is a brand new, top of the range marathon racer with a super aggressive toe-spring and a propulsive ride. It’s an S-tier racer which can compete with the fastest marathon shoes on the market. The Endorphin Elite uses Saucony’s new PWRRUN HG foam which has a slightly firmer feel than PWRRUN PB. It has a firmer but more stable ride than the Endorphin Pro 3 however its main weakness is its low outsole durability.Pros
- More accommodating fit than the Endorphin Pro 3
- Super aggressive toe-spring
- High level of stability
- Breathable upper
Cons
- Firmer ride than the Endorphin Pro 3
- Low outsole durability
- Very high price
Who should buy it
If you’re looking for a cushioned, marathon super shoe with an aggressive toe-spring which provides a forward-tipping sensation, the Endorphin Elite is your shoe. If you find the Endorphin Pro 3 too soft, the Endorphin Elite has a firmer, more stable ride.
Who should not buy it
If you’re looking for a durable racer that you can use for training, the Endorphin Elite is not your shoe. It is one of the least durable super shoes on the market. It’s also a stiff, maximalist racer so if you like flexible racers with a high ground feel level, it’s also not your shoe.
Main Specs
Rating breakdown
Team review
Read full reviewQuick Questions you might have
In my opinion, Saucony in 2024 has a lot of great running shoes in their lineup. From the Ride to the Endorphins, from the Guide to the Kinvara - there are a lot of shoes that we feel comfortable recommending to our readers.
"Sock-a-knee"