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Even here at SELF (where we test sneakers all year, every year), it’s tough for us to find the best Saucony running shoes—there are just so many high-quality styles to choose from. There are snappy pairs for speed, supportive options with tons of cushioning, and workhorses that hold up to everyday training.
They’re also a go-to brand for seasoned runners, beginners, and experts alike. “Saucony’s reputation amongst podiatrists is excellent,” Elizabeth Daughtry, DPM, FACFAS, a podiatrist based in North Carolina, tells SELF. “They produce shoes with good stability, cushioning, and arch support.” She also notes that most of the brand’s sneakers have a wide toe box, which makes them an especially good pick for people with wide feet or bunions. Even better, “they’ve been endorsed by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) via their seal of acceptance as a brand that offers shoes that demonstrate and promote good foot health,” she says.
If you’re new to Saucony—or can’t decide which pair you should try next—you’ve come to the right place. After considering tester feedback from past SELF Sneaker Awards, expert guidance, and SELF staffer recommendations, we’ve narrowed this list down to the very best shoes the brand has to offer.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: Saucony Ride 18, $140
- Best for Stability: Saucony Guide 18, $140
- Best for Race Day: Saucony Endorphin Elite 2, $275
- Best for Trails: Saucony Peregrine 15, $140
- Best for Treadmills: Saucony Kinvara 15, $120
- Best for Speed Training: Saucony Endorphin Speed 4, $170
- Best for Style: Saucony Pro Grid Omni 9, $150
These sneaks will get you excited to lace up and hit the road (or trail, or treadmill).
Best Overall: Saucony Ride 18
We’ve been fans of the Saucony Ride daily trainer since 2018, and it’s only gotten better with time. The current model, the Ride 18, is lighter (but more durable) than previous iterations and has a comfier ride, thanks to a highly breathable mesh upper and more padding around the ankle. It also has a balanced feel underfoot, with shock-absorbing foam through the midsole that still feels bouncy. In other words, it’s built to help you log your everyday miles without losing your rhythm.
(For those looking for a bargain on the best, Dr. Daughtry likes the Ride 16, which is slightly older, but has a similarly soft landing and responsiveness. It’s still on sale, often at a discount, in limited sizes and colors.)
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium and wide | Weight: 8 ounces | Heel-to-toe drop: 8 millimeters
Best for Stability: Saucony Guide 18
If you overpronate (meaning your feet and ankles roll in when you walk or run), a stability shoe can help keep your lower body in alignment—and spare you from arch and knee pain later on. The Guide is a top choice for Dr. Daughtry (and it also just so happens to be this writer’s go-to sneak at the moment).
It has a wide base and structured sides, which help my feet feel locked in and steady with every step. It also has plenty of padding, though it’s firmer than other, more marshmallowy max cushion shoes I’ve tried.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium, wide, and extra wide | Weight: 8.60 ounces | Heel-to-toe drop: 6 millimeters
Best for Race Day: Saucony Endorphin Elite 2
If you’re willing to spend a little more in exchange for a boost in speed, SELF’s associate social media manager Katie Gunderman says the ultra-springy Endorphin Elite 2 is worth the investment. Designed with races in mind, it has loads of foam and a full-length carbon plate to keep you moving with plenty of momentum. It’s also impressively lightweight, so you don’t have to worry about foot fatigue midway through the course.
Sizes: US 5 to 15.5 | Widths: Medium | Weight: 6.40 ounces | Heel-to-toe drop: 8 millimeters
Best for Trails: Saucony Peregrine 15
Taking on some tough terrain? For off-road efforts with sharp turns, hills, and underfoot hazards like rocks and mud, the Peregrine trail running shoe is up to the challenge. Its 5-millimeter lugs help you grip the ground, while its rock guard protects the bottoms of your feet from hard impact.
“The Peregrine is my first choice when I’m running on a more technical trail that needs something a little more aggressive,” Heather Hart, ACSM-certified exercise physiologist, running coach and owner of Hart Strength and Endurance, previously told SELF. “[It] can absolutely withstand a beating on the trail!”
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium and wide | Weight: 8.60 ounces | Heel-to-toe drop: 4 millimeters
Best for Treadmills: Saucony Kinvara 15
If you do most of your running on a treadmill, consider wearing shoes that pair well with that surface, like the Kinvara 15. It’s lightweight and breathable (which prevents sweat from collecting in your socks and shoes) and moderately cushioned (you don’t need much more than that, thanks to the tread’s shock-absorbing deck).
“A lot of people feel slower on the treadmill, so having a shoe that’s a little lighter and a little snappier can be nice,” certified running coach Amanda Brooks previously told SELF, adding that the Kinvara easily fits the bill. Plus, its lower foam stack is a nice change of pace—especailly if you like to feel in touch with the ground beneath you.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium and wide | Weight: 6.20 ounces | Heel-to-toe drop: 4 millimeters
Best for Speed Training: Saucony Endorphin Speed 4
It’s right there in the name: The Endorphin Speed is made to help you pick up the pace. Its zippy ride comes from the shoe’s rocker shape, which makes your steps smoother and swifter, as well as its inner nylon plate (SELF has previously reported that nylon plates add the same propulsive feel as carbon fiber plates, but are more flexible and durable—win-win).
“I literally feel faster in these shoes, and it shows in my pace,” Jules Simon, a NASM-certified personal trainer, RRCA-certified run coach, and marathoner, previously told SELF.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Weight: 7.20 ounces | Heel-to-toe drop: 8 millimeters
Best for Style: Saucony Pro Grid Omni 9
It’s a far cry from the performance-driven runners above, but Saucony’s delightfully dad-like Pro Grid Omni still deserves a shoutout. It’s a great casual sneaker for days you aren’t pounding the pavement—like when strolling around the neighborhood, meeting friends for coffee, or tackling errands is on the agenda. Multiple SELF staffers have a pair and say they’re perfect for when you need cute, functional footwear.
Make sure to browse all the different options of the Pro Grid Omni. In addition to the Classic model featured here, there are several limited-edition colorways and spins on the standard style to consider (my favorite at the moment is the Secure).
Sizes: US 5 to 15.5 | Widths: Medium | Weight: N/A | Heel-to-toe drop: N/A
Frequently asked questions about Saucony
What makes Saucony running shoes special?
Dr. Daughtry points to two Saucony-specific technologies that are key difference-makers when comparing the brand with other big names on the market.
First, there’s PWRRUN, the brand’s original blend of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam. “It offers a ‘just right’ feeling by being firm enough to support but soft enough to cushion, which reduces joint stress without overloading the foot muscles,” Dr. Daughtry says. There are now specialized versions of the foam for different running needs in addition to the OG (PWRRUN+ for training and long distances; PWRRUN HG for races; PWRRUN HG + PB for speed).
Second, there’s the brand’s SPEEDROLL technology, which mainly appears in its speed and race shoes. Dr. Daughtry explains that it creates the sensation of continuous momentum using two design elements: “elevated cushioning and a stiff forefoot, which results in an instantly responsive ride and assists with running faster, not harder.”
These innovations make Saucony a great option for runners looking to train hard or anyone who’s interested in adding more steps to their day.
Who should try Saucony before other running brands?
As we mentioned earlier, Saucony shoes tend to have a wider toe box, which is great for people with wide feet or bunions. It also works if your foot is narrow at the heel, but wide at the forefoot—shoes with standard wide sizing might feel too loose for you, even though your toes usually need more room to spread.
Fit preferences aside, there isn’t anyone who shouldn’t try Saucony—it’s a solid brand for runners, walkers, and everyone in between.
Related:
- The Best Hoka Shoes, According to Podiatrists
- The Best New Balance Shoes That Runners and Podiatrists Keep Recommending
- The Best Asics Running Shoes That Experts and Editors Swear By
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