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We break down the top Saucony running shoes right now
From racing to tempo to slow days to trails, we got you covered
Any questions? Drop it in the comments. Otherwise, let’s get you educated.
Here’s a fun fact for ya: Did you know that Saucony hasn’t always been a Boston-based company? Nope, it’s actually named for the Saucony Creek in little old Kutztown, Pennsylvania. It started there all the way back in 1898, so you could say that Saucony has been around the block a time or two. Our history with the brand doesn’t go back quite that far, but we’ve run in enough Endorphins and Kinvaras to play favorites. Here are the best Saucony running shoes you can buy right now.
Obviously, no single Saucony shoe is perfect for every run (though the Endorphin Speed comes pretty close), so we’ll try to cover the full range. We’ve laced up Saucony running shoes for everything from recovery runs to race days and even taken them for life off-roads. Whether you want a reliable daily trainer or a mud-ready monster, there’s a good chance we’ve got you covered.
Our picks always come from our own experiences here at Believe in the Run. After all, we get a lot of shoes in for testing, and we like to let our feet do the talking. While we don’t always love every shoe that arrives, it doesn’t mean that you won’t. We try to weigh thoughts from our running friends and the community in general. All of our picks should be available for you to buy right now, too.
PWRRUN: Tried-and-true EVA
PWRRUN Plus: TPU-based beads
PWRRUN PB: PEBA beads
PWRRUN HG: PEBA beads, but better
Saucony’s newest and most responsive foam to-date. Gives killer energy return + unmatched cushioning. Featured in the Endorphin Elite 2.
Tacky, trail-ready rubber used on the outsoles of the Peregrine, Xodus Ultra, and Endorphin Rift
Saucony’s rocker midsole technology, featured on all of the Endorphin models
Saucony’s three-layered midsole setup that adapts and conforms to your foot
Road-ready rubber that offers great grip without aggressive lugs, found on the Endorphin Pro 4 and Ride 17
Race day up to marathon distance
7 oz. (199 g) for a US M9,
6.2 oz. (176 g) for a US W7.5
39.5 in the heel, 31.5 in the forefoot (8 mm drop)
The ante has absolutely been upped with the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2. At its core is Saucony’s latest super foam called incrediRun, a co-polyester elastomer, aka a form of TPEE. This foam is kind of like if you were making s’mores in reverse: it goes from gooey soft and squishy to the touch, but when put under foot it re-takes its marshmallow-like bounce, turning super springy and responsive. It’s really not quite like anything else on the market
Weighing in at just 7 oz (199 g) for a US men’s size 9, the Elite 2 maintains a stack height of 39.5 mm in the heel and 31.5 mm in the forefoot, adhering to an 8 mm drop. This update also showcases some structural changes to the upper, including a lightweight TPE yarn construction, complemented by a flat knit tongue and stretchy laces, ensuring a snug yet breathable fit. Beneath, the Endorphin Elite 2 tapped Saucony’s trail lineup to incorporate a PWRTRAC outsole— which offers good grip when trying to maintain speed. The shoe also features a slotted carbon fiber plate and aggressive Speedroll rocker geometry enhances propulsion, which makes each stride feel effortless.
Priced at $275, the Endorphin Elite 2 is a solid option for race day that’s suited for many runners at all levels, though maybe not those that need stability or have wide feet. It has a truly unique blend of softness and responsiveness that caters to a wide range of paces, from the sub 3 hour to the 5+ hour marathoner.
$225
Tackling the marathon
8.5 oz. (241 g) for a US M10.5,
6.6 oz. (187 g.) for a US W7.5
40 mm in heel, 32 in forefoot (8 mm drop)
Alright, so the Endorphin Elite is still the cream of the crop, the icing on top, the whatever, but the Endorphin Pro 4 might be the best Saucony racing shoe for most people and the best for your bank account, too. It feels like a pivot back toward the original Endorphin Pro, yet packs enough new tech to keep up with the big boys. So, what makes it better than its ultra-premium sibling? Well, the Endorphin Pro 4 is all about excitement. It keeps the slightly wider platform of the Endorphin Pro 3 but adds more of the bounce and snap that we felt in the first versions.
Mentioning striking, can we talk about the Phoenix Suns colorway? It’s absolutely stunning in a way that doesn’t feel like you’re just wearing an all-white shoe (sorry, Meg). Saucony pivoted back to a more traditional mesh tongue this time, too, with a featherweight knit in place of the large, circular holes on the Pro 3. All of this works together to keep the weight feather-light, as the Endorphin Pro 4 only gains a few grams to go with its additional foam.
Of course, we can’t talk about the Endorphin Pro 4 without showing some love for the midsole formula. Instead of a full bed of PWRRUN PB slapped around the plate, it combines a core of Saucony’s top-shelf PPWRRUN HG with a carrier shell of PB for the best of both worlds. The extra millimeter of stack also plays beautifully with the SpeedRoll rocker design to keep you rolling right on through your stride.
By the way, we still love any super shoe that comes in below $250, so props to Saucony for the $225 price point.
$170
Anything up to — and including — well, anything
8.2 oz. (233 g.) for a US M9,
7.2 oz. (206 g.) for a US W7.5
36 mm in heel, 28 in forefoot (8 mm drop)
It’s not a secret that we loved the original Saucony Endorphin Speed. It quickly became one of our favorite tempo trainers around, as well as a top-tier budget racer for just about any distance. We were content when Saucony didn’t change much for version two ’cause it meant another year of a great, affordable shoe. Now, the Endorphin Speed is even better in year four, and it’s almost hard to believe.
The secret to Saucony’s update is that the Endorphin Speed 4 is slightly more attuned for daily training than purely for tempo work. That means it’s now a true do-it-all shoe for long runs, fast runs, and still a solid racing pick for under $200. The Speed still has the wider platform from its predecessor, but it’s angled to be more aggressive, and the winged nylon plate is even more reliable in its second generation, and a slightly higher stack for just a bit more comfort as you tick off the miles. Don’t worry, Saucony hasn’t messed with the classic 8 mm drop, which is the sweet spot for most days.
Honestly, if you want one running shoe that you can take on a vacation, it’s still the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4. It has the right mix of cushion, roll, and pop to keep you smiling for a mountain’s worth of miles.
$160
Long runs or cruising miles
10.1 oz. (286 g) for a US M9,
8.8 oz. (250 g) for a US W7.5
37 mm in heel, 27 mm in forefoot (10 mm drop)
22 is the point in your 20s where you’re just starting to branch off and form your own identity, slightly changing up yourself in ways that you maybe you haven’t before. Not to equate the Saucony Triumph 22 to your average 22-year-old (but also to do exactly that), this latest iteration from Saucony is a nice upgrade that retains the core components that we know and love. The high point of its glow-up is the new PWRRUN PB foam midsole– a foam that has typically been reserved for Saucony’s premium race shoes like the Endorphin Speed 4 and Endorphin Pro 4.
Despite now being a bit more responsive underfoot, this version is definitely best suited for cruising miles. Meg pointed out that it’s strayed a bit from being a do-it-all shoe, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Also worth mentioning that if you have a narrower foot, you may not end up jiving with the Triumph 22’s wider midfoot base. Overall, the Saucony Triumph 22 remains a stable and reliable choice for chill miles.
Still sitting at $160, we’d say its pretty comparable to other options on the market like the New Balance 1080, the Hoka Clifton, and the Asics Nimbus. If you want something reliable with a bit of breathing room for wider feet, this should be on your list to check out.
$140
Daily training and long road runs
9.7 oz. (274 g) for a US M9,
8.2 oz. (232 g) for a US W8
37 mm in heel, 29 mm in forefoot (8 mm drop)
Saucony’s Ride series has long been the dependable staple of the running world—reliable, comfortable, and ready for the long haul. With the Ride 18, Saucony continues this legacy, introducing a handful of tweaks that may or may not really differentiate it from the previous version. Keeping the same PWRRUN+ midsole, the Saucony Ride 18 is honestly like a fraternal twin to the Ride 17: pretty similar but different enough.
Just like it did previously, the engineered mesh upper gives a breathable and secure fit to keep your feet cool and snug, mile after mile. Our only “complaint” (though really, we didn’t have much) was that the XT-900 outsole, while durable, may not give the best grip in wet conditions. Losing nearly an ounce of weight + the mildly annoying heel tab from the 17, the 18 did a nice job of staying consistent with what we had grown to love in the last model.
Sitting pretty at $140, the Saucony Ride 18 is still a go-to for daily training sessions and long runs. At this price point, it manages to deliver a nice blend between reliability, durability, looks. While it’s a nice cop, there may not be enough differentiators to steer you away from snagging a discounted pair of the 17s. Up to you!
$160
Super-cushioned road miles
10.6 oz. (302 g) for a US M9,
9.8 oz. (279 g) for a US W7.5
38 mm in heel, 32 mm in forefoot (6 mm drop)
Diehard fans made quite the storm when Saucony tried to discontinue the Hurricane after 23 iterations. But if you complain enough, sometimes you’ll be heard. Saucony didn’t just cave to consumer demand; they made the Hurricane 24 a highlight of their stability lineup. Their tagline, “Insanely comfortable. Profoundly protective.” stood the test of time here. Ditching their old guiderail system for their Centerpath Technology, higher sidewalls, a wide platform, and rocker profile follow through keep you you on path (I mean, it is in the name…)
The Saucony Hurricane 24 also packs a strong 1-2 with its dual-density foams. With a full-length slab of soft and bouncy PWRRUN PB underfoot and a cradle of firm and responsive PWRRUN below that, our stability crew felt pretty solid when lacing this one up. Beware though, there could be a slight shower of sweat in the forecast with all 10.6oz (M9) of this bad boy.
Though maybe not quite what diehard lovers of the Hurricane line may have hoped for, it’s undeniable that the Saucony Hurricane 24 is still a worthy option for anyone needing a little bit of stability under foot.
$140
Smooth, stable road runs
9.6 oz. (272 g) for a US M9,
8.6 oz. (245 g) for a US W7.5
35 mm in heel, 29 mm in forefoot (6 mm drop)
We’ve all know what déjà vu is like, and that’s exactly how it feels to step into the Saucony Guide 18. We saw a massive redesign from the 16 to the 17, but honestly can’t really say the same here. Carrying over a lot of what we loved from the previous version, the Guide 18 remains a consistent and stable option for regular mileage.
Carrying over Saucony’s Center Path Technology and PWRRUN midsole, you’ll be rocking and rolling (literally, there’s a nice cushioned rocker in here) for miles on end. And for once, a shoe with a cushioned sockliner that we actually didn’t mind. While there’s a lot of good here, it’s worth noting that you may have a bit of slippage in the rain. Consider yourselves warned.
We can pretty much sum up the Saucony Guide 18 as: No Change. No Problem. If you were a fan of the previous version or just want to experience the Center Path hype, you can give them a spin for $140.
$160
Long-haul trail comfort
10.1 oz (286 g) for a US M9,
8.7 oz (247 g) for a US W7
36 mm in heel, 30 mm in forefoot (6 mm drop)
Not to be forgotten is the Saucony Xodus Ultra 3. It’s 2025, trail shoes deserve some love too. After reviving the Xodus line more than a year ago now, the Xodus Ultra 3 successfully carries on the family legacy, making itself known as a stable workhorse of the Saucony lineup. With this iteration, it’s definitely cemented itself as our favorite Saucony trail runner.
Keeping things consistent, Saucony didn’t do anything too out of the box with this update. Biggest change is the increase slight in stack, attributable to the midsole getting about 20% more PWRRUN PB underfoot this go around. We’re now sitting at 36mm, compared to ~33mm in the last. This foam core is still housed within a solid shell of PWRRUN, blending comfort without sacrificing durability. Now featuring a slightly broader outsole, this framing continues to give the Xodus Ultra 3 plenty of natural stability — you won’t be rocking back and forth on a soft foam with this one.
Our reviewers had applauded the Xodus Ultra 2 as a solid rebuild, with an upper that was a certified winner. It’s safe to say, we’re feeling the same about the Xodus Ultra 3. The internal midfoot brace does a killer job of keeping you locked in, even on unbalanced terrain. At only $150, the Saucony Xodus Ultra 3 is a formidable contender amongst trail options on the market.
$120
Road miles with a throwback stack
6.7 oz. (190 g) for a US M9,
6.0 oz. (170 g) for a US W8
29 mm in heel, 25 mm in forefoot (4 mm drop)
This kid has definitely been around the block. No witty jokes or one-liners coming to mind at the moment, we’ll put it simply by saying the Kinvara has been a favorite of ours for years now. I mean at this point, it’s basically synonymous with the Saucony brand. In a world full of stack, it’s refreshing to catch a break from the rush with the Kinvara 15.
What we’re trying to say is that sometimes sticking with the basics isn’t a bad thing. While this update wasn’t revolutionary, it also didn’t need to be. The important thing is that Saucony has stopped trying to make the Kinvara into something it’s not. After Kinvara diehards were upset with the added stack of the 14, Saucony quickly trimmed off ~2mm in this update to successfully appease the masses.
And let’s be real, in today’s stack-obsessed market it’s pretty uncommon to get everything you need out of a ~7oz shoe. Somehow though, the Saucony Kinvara 15 does it. With this iteration they’ve once again cooked up a solid shoe, blending the three key ingredients necessary to any Kinvara — it’s lightweight, has a pretty low and flexible stack, and gives a bit of ground feel.
$140
Any trail run you can dream up
9.7 oz. (277 g) for a US M9,
8.6 oz. (246 g) for a US W7
28 mm in heel, 24 mm in forefoot (4 mm drop)
If every road runner starts in a pair of Brooks, every trail runner starts in the Saucony Peregrine. Alright, maybe a slight exaggeration, but only a slight one. Our historic love affair with the line continues with the Saucony Peregrine 15, with no end in sight.
It’s not too often that we find ourselves gushing about an upper, but Saucony nailed it here. The mesh is breathable and durable even with the extensive overlays we see version after version. Underfoot, PWRRUN foam and Speedroll geometry are structured on the bottom by a single-piece Saucony PWRTRAC soleplate to keep you stable yet comfortable. Yet again, Saucony managed to pull these components together in perfect harmony–kinda like the Avatar, master of all four elements–to create a shoe at a time when the world needed it most.
While on paper nothing may seem particularly thrilling, we were impressed yet again by how Saucony managed to fine tune each element to produce an even stronger iteration of the Peregrine. And at only $140, it’s honestly hard to find something else that delivers this level of quality for the price point.
All of our recommendations come directly from our feet to your screen. We test countless running shoes here at Believe in the Run, and we let our reviews guide our decisions. However, we also consider other reviews and our BITR community, as not every runner has the same experiences. We also aim to stick with shoes that are currently available so you can give our recommendations a try.
Want to learn more about how our review process works? Check out this guide.
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Rachel is a full-time corporate weapon (marketing is serious work) who formerly ran at Texas A&M University. She still enjoys catching miles in her spare time and is always on the hunt for the best coffee in the area. You can find her scouring Spotify for the latest indie-pop hits, so don’t be shy about sending new artists her way!
More from Rachel
Most places report that regular PWRRUN is a EVA/TPU blend, rather than straight EVA.
What about the endorphin shift?
Solid shoe, just not sure it’s on the best list. Saucony across the board is very solid, so we just have to pick our favorites overall.
Thank you for this comprehensive guide to the best Saucony running shoes. As a long-time fan of Saucony shoes, I appreciate the detailed reviews and recommendations in this article. I recently tried the Saucony Kinvara 12 and was impressed with the lightweight design and responsive cushioning. It’s become my go-to shoe for speed work and tempo runs. I also appreciate how durable and well-made Saucony shoes are, making them a great investment for serious runners. Have you tried any other Saucony shoes that you would recommend for different types of runs or terrain? Thank you for sharing your expertise and helping runners like me find the right shoes for our needs!
Nice to see the Kinvara geting some love. It’s been slightly sidelined with the move to super shoes, but I keep comin gback to it as a lightweight shoe that I can run in all the time and not have to think about. The Endorphin Shift sometimes gets overlooked too, makes for a nice recovery shoe or daily trainer, just not as fun as the Speeds which I adore.
I’m really enjoying the Xodus Ultra at the moment. Also helping me get back on my feet is the Triumph 20. I’m finding them a great one/two punch for trail and roads. Tell Jarrett thanks for the support.
I’ve read some commentary suggesting that the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 is not a great shoe to race a marathon as contrasted with shorter distances. Do you have an opinion on that?
If you’re looking for a more budget racing shoe, the Endorphin Speed 3 can work that way, though the 4 will improve upon that.
I’ve been training in the Saucony Guides for the last decade because I need the bit of support the shoes has. What would be the best race day shoe for me if I need that little bit of support?
You should check out the Salomon S/Lab Pulsar that’s coming in May. That or the Hoka Rocket X 2.