The Best Saucony Running Shoes

Michael Charboneau
·8 min read


"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below."

Saucony’s rise to fame in the world running community began way back in 1898 in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. The brand is named for—and its logo is derived from—nearby Saucony Creek, but the company moved its headquarters to Lexington, Massachusetts, after athletic footwear maker Hyde Athletic bought it. It’s now among the many shoe brands owned by Wolverine Worldwide.

Best Saucony Running Shoes

Innovative Running Brand

Saucony is one of the original running shoe makers, but it first gained wide appeal with runners in the ’80s and ’90s with innovative shoes like the Jazz, DXN, Shadow, and Grid. The Jazz garnered a following for its lightweight design, and it introduced a popular new technology, the MaxiTrac lugged outsole. In 1983, Saucony collaborated with New York City Marathon winner Rod Dixon to create the DXN, a high-performance model that was based on the Jazz but offered a lighter mesh upper and a bit more cushioning.

Later that decade, Saucony released the Shadow, which introduced EVA foam into the sole and TPU heel cups—technology that wouldn’t catch on across the category for years. Saucony continued to innovate in the ’90s. It released the Grid, which featured the company’s first curved last and the new namesake Grid midsole that offered more support and cushioning than previous models. You can still purchase modern versions of these classic shoes through the brand’s Originals line.

Saucony Tech Today

In the fall of 2019, Saucony debuted its Pwrrun+ cushioning in the Triumph 17. This TPU-based bead foam (Adidas Boost has similar chemistry) is 28 percent lighter than the brand’s previous EVA-based Everun foam. In our testing, we found Pwrrun+ much bouncier, more durable, more flexible, and more consistent across temperatures than standard EVA. The foam’s newest and lightest iteration is Pwrrun PB, which uses compressed Pebax beads in an internal lattice structure for a propulsive, springy ride.

How We Tested and Evaluated

To recommend the shoes below, we pored over Saucony’s deep lineup and newest releases, consulted feedback from our team of 350 wear-testers, and spoke with the brand’s designers. We also analyze data from the RW Shoe Lab, where we’ve run a gamut of mechanical tests. That includes checking (and re-checking) the energy return of Pwrrun foam, measuring the changes in midsole softness among several iterations of the Kinvara, and gauging the flexibility of TPU outsole rubbers and support frames. We also use our own running experience and knowledge of the market to parse out these nine best Saucony shoes.

—MAXIMUM CUSHIONING—

Triumph 19

Weight: 10.2 oz (M), 9.1 oz (W)
Drop: 8 mm

The Triumph is Saucony’s ultra-plush offering. It achieves its soft underfoot feel thanks to a generous layer of Pwrrun+ cushioning in the midsole topped by another cushioning layer. Saucony designed the Formfit upper to closely wrap the foot for a snug fit, and the new mono-mesh material is engineered for optimal breathability and reduced weight. A carbon rubber outsole rounds out the shoe and offers good durability and traction. Overall, it’s a great trainer for runners who like a pillowy sensation under their feet.
Shop Men’s Shop Women’s Full Review

—PREMIUM RACING SHOE—

Endorphin Pro 2

Weight: 7.5 oz (M), 6.3 oz (W)
Drop: 8 mm

The Endorphin Pro began as a prototype shoe that helped Saucony pro runner Jared Ward nab sixth place at the New York City Marathon in 2018—making him the fastest American athlete in the race that year. Later, Molly Seidel wore a pair of Pros to capture second place in the 2020 Olympic Trials Marathon. The Endorphin Pro 2 is the newer version of Saucony’s elite go-fast model. The combination of Pebax-based Pwrrun PB foam and a carbon fiber plate creates a cushioned, propulsive ride. Then there’s SpeedRoll tech, which combines a cambered sole profile, an 8mm drop, and a dense, firm foam in the forefoot to help you roll forward in your stride and get maximum power at toe-off. Put simply, this is the shoe you want for busting out a PR.
Shop Men’s Shop Women’s Full Review

—BEST FOR UPTEMPOS—

Endorphin Speed 2

Weight: 7.9 oz (M), 7 oz (W)
Drop: 8 mm

The Endorphin Speed is the mid-tier training shoe that complements Saucony’s Endorphin Pro racer. Don’t let the Speed’s lower price tag fool you: This is a highly capable shoe that excels at speedwork and distance runs, too. It features the same responsive Pwrrun PB cushioning as the Pro, but instead of a carbon-fiber plate, the Speed gets a nylon midsole plate that adds a snappy feel while increasing flexibility. The SpeedRoll design promotes smooth transitions, and the Formfit upper creates a snug, breathable fit. Comfortable and fast, the shoe is a great racing pick for everyday runners, and it’s versatile enough to handle just about any workout regimen, no matter the distance involved.
Shop Men’s Shop Women’s

—MOST AFFORDABLE—

Kinvara 13

Weight: 7.2 oz (M), 6.2 oz (W)
Drop: 4 mm

The Kinvara is a great training shoe for runners who like to push the pace, and Saucony has been leaning into the shoe’s speedy reputation in recent iterations. The 13th version continues the trend. The shoe’s Pwrrun cushioning creates a firm base for toe-offs, and a redesigned midsole shape encourages a smooth stride. The upper is completely new and made from a single layer of mesh for improved airflow and a glove-like fit. On the bottom, Saucony’s XT-900 carbon rubber outsole should hold up well through high mileage.
Shop Men’s Shop Women’s

—BEST FOR MILD OVERPRONATORS—

Guide 15

Weight: 9.5 oz (M), 8.3 oz (W)
Drop: 8 mm

The Guide is similar to Saucony’s Ride, but it’s tuned to offer a bit more stability. Like the previous version, it uses a Pwrrun midsole, but the cushioning in the 15th iteration has been tweaked for a softer, more forgiving feel. (Fair warning, it still feels firmer than the plush Hurricane.) Inside the midsole, a new, lightweight “Hollow Tech” guidance frame helps counter overpronation and support your feet, and a new midsole shape promotes a smooth stride (and helps you pick up the pace). “It’s the Guide’s rocker-like sole and flexible midfoot that urge you to power through, encouraging fast turnover,” RW Test Editor Amanda Furrer says.
Shop Men’s Shop Women’s

—MOST VERSATILE—

Freedom 4

Weight: 7.5 oz (M), 6.5 oz (W)
Drop: 4 mm

In its fourth version, the Freedom has morphed into a do-it-all shoe capable of taking on everything from running workouts to gym sessions. Its revamped midsole features race-ready Pwrrun PB cushioning for a responsive and lightweight feel, and Saucony widened the sole slightly to provide more stability for lateral movements. The Formfit upper offers a comfortable wrap around the foot, and its engineered mesh will keep you cool when you crank up the intensity.
Shop Men’s Shop Women’s

—BEST TRAIL RUNNING SHOE—

Peregrine 12

Weight: 9.7 oz (M), 8.3 oz (W)
Drop: 4 mm

Although the Peregrine excels at going fast and powering through mud, it’s a very well-rounded trail shoe (and one of the best of 2022). “It’s just as suited for newbies’ first footprints on a muddy trail as it is for shielding vert-chasers’ toes on rock-strewn singletrack,” RW Test Editor Morgan Petruny says. The biggest change: It’s over an ounce lighter than the previous version. A new, pared-down upper offers dependable protection with less weight, and the bouncy Pwrrun+ foam has been moved to the sockliner only. The midsole utilizes regular Pwrrun foam, but a new, more flexible rock plate creates a smooth ride, and the burly lugged outsole delivers dependable grip across terrain types.
Shop Men’s Shop Women’s

—BEST DAILY TRAINER—

Ride 15

Weight: 8.8 oz (M), 7.8 oz (W)
Drop: 8 mm

Saucony promises “more foam, less weight” in the newest version of the Ride, the brand’s workhorse training shoe. It still utilizes an EVA-based Pwrrun midsole, but Saucony tweaked the chemistry to make the material lighter and softer, and it’s paired with a Pwrrun+ sockliner for a plusher feel. The redesigned sole now offers more flexibility in the forefoot, it features a new shape for a smoother stride, and the footbed sits deeper in the shoe, which helps cradle your foot for a supportive, snug fit.
Shop Men’s Shop Women’s

—MOST CUSHIONED STABILITY—

Hurricane 23

Weight: 11.4 oz (M), 9.8 oz (W)
Drop: 8 mm

An ideal trainer for runners who need more support, the Hurricane delivers as a stability shoe that doesn’t feel overly stiff and uncomfortable. Like its predecessor, the 23rd version has a generously cushioned Pwrrun+ midsole—for a plush feel without sacrificing responsiveness—and an embedded “support frame” (otherwise known as a medial post) that counters overpronation as you run. Although the Hurricane isn’t especially lightweight, its slightly rockered platform helps keep transitions smooth and quick during long training runs when you want to protect your legs.
Shop Men’s Shop Women’s

You Might Also Like