June 1, 2023

The Best Saucony Running Shoes for Fall 2023 Training

Saucony excels at producing durable, comfortable and high-performing road running shoes for everyone from casual weekday warriors to elites. Here, we dive into the Saucony lineup, explaining the purpose of each shoe, key features and where it fits into your rotation.

Yowana Wamala

The Best Saucony Running Shoes for Fall 2023 Training

When you make a claim that you're "The Original Running Brand," you better come with some heat for the street to back it up. Saucony has done just that over the past few years, introducing multiple new model lines, innovating the super foam game and cranking out annual iterations of tried-and-true classics. In this article, we'll dive into the Saucony lineup, explaining the purpose of each shoe, key features and where it fits into your rotation.

The Best Saucony Road Running Shoes in 2023

Founded in 1898, Saucony is a Boston-based running brand that produces performance running shoes and apparel, as well as lifestyle clothing and kids shoes (our family is a repeat purchaser of the Jazz Lite 2.0 for our little ones—highly recommend). Saucony's core strength is producing durable, comfortable and high-performing road running shoes for everyone from casual weekday warriors to elites like Parker Stinson and Jared Ward. They also have a growing trail running lineup that's gaining popularity in that world.

First, let's get into their bread and butter, the road running selection.

Here are all of Saucony's road running shoes on offer this year, listed from lowest to highest price.

1. Saucony Axon 3 ($100)

Saucony's Axon 3 is building a reputation as the best budget daily trainer on the market. Coming in at a $100 pricepoint, it undercuts mainstream daily trainers like the Nike Pegasus 40 ($130), Adidas SL ($120), Saucony's own Ride 16 ($140) and others by anywhere from $20 to $50. Built on a stack of PWRRUN cushioning that's more supportive than it is soft, this shoe is best for budget-minded beginners who won't be going more than a few miles on their runs. If you're looking to pick up a new shoe for marathon training or plan to run more than two or three times per week, we recommend looking to one of the other options in Saucony's lineup like the Ride or the Shift that will be more comfortable going the distance.

Saucony Axon 3 Cheatsheet

Main use case: Budget daily trainer
Price: $100
Key features: Speedroll (rocker to propel you forward)
Drop: 4mm
Forefoot stack: 31mm
Heel stack: 35mm
Weight: 8.5 oz
Foam: PWRRUN (EVA)

2. Saucony Kinvara 14 ($120)

The Saucony Kinvara series is a long-running line of no-frills speed shoes that's now in its 14th iteration. The latest version continues the tradition of embodying simplicity: it has the brand's standard EVA foam, PWWRUN, a low 4mm drop and comes in at $120, which is affordable for running shoes these days. Believe it or not, earlier versions of the Kinvara used to be worn as marathon racers before the advent of carbon-plated super shoes with Peba. Today, this shoe best slots into your lineup as a tempo shoe, 5k racer or occasional daily trainer. With the proliferation of high-stack max-cushioned shoes, the Kinvara will be a welcomed change of pace for those who sometimes appreciate feeling the ground when they run.

Saucony Kinvara 14 Cheatsheet

Main use case: Fast daily training shoe or stripped-down racer
Price: $120
Key features: Lightweight, low stack, no plate
Drop: 4mm
Forefoot stack: 27mm
Heel stack: 31mm
Weight: 7.0 oz
Foam: PWRRUN (EVA)

3. Saucony Ride 16 ($140)

The Ride 16 is Saucony's staple daily trainer shoe. It's built to handle the bulk of your miles, whether you're just starting out or you're a 120-mile-a-week marathon junkie. As such, the Ride is a jack of all trades (but master of none) that can do a little bit of everything. It's designed to be comfortable enough for you to take out on a two hour long and nimble enough for the occasional speedwork session. It's most at home in those middle-distance (3 to 7 miles) aerobic base-building miles, so you may want to invest in specialized speed day and long run shoes if you plan to take on a structured training program.

Saucony Ride 16 Cheatsheet

Main use case: Daily trainer
Price: $140
Key features: Versatility
Drop: 8mm
Forefoot stack: 27mm
Heel stack: 35mm
Weight: 8.8 oz
Foam: PWRRUN (EVA)

4. Saucony Guide 16 ($140)

The Guide is the Ride's more structured brother; it's designed for runners who need stability to support their stride, and it has extra elements to cradle the foot and keep it in place when running. Like the Ride, the Guide is a do-it-all workhorse that can handle a variety of daily training runs, prioritizing versatility and comfort over speed. It's not the most exciting stability shoe in the lineup, so if you're looking for something with a bit more pop, we recommend checking out the Tempus, listed below at number 10.

Saucony Guide 16 Cheatsheet

Main use case: Stability daily trainer
Price: $140
Key features: Versatility, support
Drop: 8mm
Forefoot stack: 27mm
Heel stack: 35mm
Weight: 8.8 oz
Foam: PWRRUN (EVA)

5. Saucony Omni 21 ($140)

The Saucony Onmi offers comfort and support for runners who need a serious stability shoe. If the other stability options in the Saucony road running lineup—Guide, Shift and Tempus—are Toyota Rav4 crossovers, the Omni is the real deal Hummer. It has built in support to counteract overpronation for runners whose feet roll too far inward when they stride. It also has a wide platform with ample rubber coverage for stable and planted landing. The Omni's upper is cushioned for comfort, and the midsole is made with PWWRUN and a moderate rocker for encouraging a nice forward roll. Due to the stability elements and ample cushioning, it's much heavier than some of the other stability options at 11.1oz, so you may want to consider the Guide (8.8 oz) or Tempus (8.9 oz) if weight is a factor for you.

Saucony Omni 21 Cheatsheet

Main use case: Stability daily trainer for serious overpronators
Price: $140
Key features: Versatility, support
Drop: 8mm
Forefoot stack: 26mm
Heel stack: 34mm
Weight: 11.1oz
Foam: PWRRUN (EVA)

6. Saucony Echelon 9 ($150)

Traditionally a shoe for walkers who needed extra support, the Echelon has transformed in this latest iteration to a solid running shoe for comfort-minded runners. The Echelon is designed to accommodate orthotics and is built with a straight, wide last (the last is the form around which the shoe is built, aka the mold), giving a roomier fit. The midsole here is PWRRUN, which provides a supportive and well-cushioned ride. Though these recent changes make it a viable option for running, most who are looking for comfort or support would be best serves by a daily trainer like the Triumph (comfort), Shift (support) or Omni (support). The Echelon is best for runners or walkers who will need to insert an orthotic into it.

Saucony Echelon 9 Cheatsheet

Main use case: Orthotic-compatible walking or light running
Price: $150
Key features: Low arch, wide fit, orthotic compatibility
Drop: 8mm
Forefoot stack: 35mm
Heel stack: 27mm
Weight: 10.3oz
Foam: PWRRUN (EVA)

7. Saucony Freedom Crossport ($150)

As the name indicates, the Freedom Crossport is a tweener option designed to serve as a cross between a gym shoe and a running shoe. The gym-going features include a wider, stable platform, full rubber coverage for extra grip on lateral movement, a low drop (4mm) for squatting and a high collar to lock in your ankle. The key running feature here is the inclusion of Saucony's PWRRUN PB foam in the midsole, a soft and bouncy PEBA foam that's also in the brand's faster options like the Endorphin Speed and Endorphin Pro. While there are better choices here for a dedicated everyday running shoe (Ride, Triumph, Speed), the Freedom Crossport is a good option for those days you plan to hit a few warm up miles on the treadmill before your lift or when your workout class has intermittent running intervals sprinkled throughout.

Saucony Freedom Crossport Cheatsheet

Main use case: Treadmill and lifting gym days, HIIT workouts
Price: $150
Key features: Low drop, flat platform, PEBA foam midsole
Drop: 4mm
Forefoot stack: 23mm
Heel stack: 27mm
Weight: 8.6 oz
Foam: PWRRUN PB (PEBA)

8. Saucony Sinister ($150)

In a world where max stacks and carbon fiber plates dominate the racing and uptempo shoe scene, Saucony rolled out the Sinister earlier this year to introduce something different to the mix. The sinister is a minimalist take on speed, a modern rendition of the classic racing flat. It's no frills, with a paperthen upper and lowkey layer of Saucony's PWWRUN PB super foam (24mm in the forefoot compared to 40mm for most racing shoes today). It comes in at 4.9 oz for the mens test size, 32% lighter than Saucony's top tier marathon racer, the Endorphin Elite. The Sinister is a lean and mean speed machine, best for track days and 5k or 10k races for extremely efficient runners. For longer efforts, most runners should look to the Endorphin series, namely the Speed, Pro or Elite.

Saucony Sinister Cheatsheet

Main use case: Track workouts and races 5k or shorter
Price: $150
Key features: Featherweight PEBA foam midsole
Drop: 4mm
Forefoot stack: 23mm
Heel stack: 27mm
Weight: 4.9 oz
Foam: PWRRUN PB (PEBA)

9. Saucony Endorphin Shift 3 ($150)

The Saucony Endorphin Shift 3 is the downtempo option in Saucony's speed-oriented Endorphin lineup. The Shift 3 has a tall bed of firm but responsive PWRRUN foam, a heel clip around the back for added stability and the trademark SPEEDROLL geometry. The Shift 3 can do a little but of everything, nicely blending max cushion with elements of speed and stability. It's particularly suited to bigger runners who can use more support, as the thick PWWRUN midsole responds well to a powerful stride. It's also lighter than conventional stability shoes (9.4oz vs 11.1 for the Omni), so it's a good option for runners who benefit from mild stability.

Saucony Endorphin Shift 3 Cheatsheet

Main use case: Daily training with mild stability
Price: $150
Key features: Rockered midsole, low drop, heel clip, light vs other stability shoes
Drop: 4mm
Forefoot stack: 35mm
Heel stack: 39mm
Weight: 9.4 oz
Foam: PWRRUN (EVA)

10. Saucony Tempus ($160)

The Saucony Tempus is a fresh take on the stability shoe. Instead of orthotics and plastic pieces to hold the foot in place, the Tempus uses a blend of midsole foams to create a stable platform. Sturdy EVA-based PWRRUN starts above the midsole to cradle the foot, while a full-length bed of bouncy and lightweight PEBA-based PWRUN PB provides a responsive platform below. The result is a shoe with a more exciting ride than most other stability-oriented shoes on the market. As such, the Tempus is a good option for overpronators looking for a speedier option.

Saucony Endorphin Shift 3 Cheatsheet

Main use case: Uptempo stability
Price: $160
Key features: First stability shoe with a super foam
Drop: 8mm
Forefoot stack: 28.5mm
Heel stack: 36.5mm
Weight: 8.9 oz
Foam: PWRRUN (EVA) + PWRRUN PB (PEBA)

11. Saucony Triumph 20 ($160)

The Saucony Triumph 20 is comfort personified. The shoe is Saucony's premier showcase of their PWRRUN+ foam, a beaded TPU that's similar to Adidas Boost—it's light, bouncy, durable and supremely squishy for a float-along sensation. The Triumph is best for slower daily miles and can handle the occasional pace pickup but isn't meant for full-blown workouts or racing; if you want a comfortable and bouncy shoe for those duties, look to the Endorphin Speed 3. The main drawback of the Triumph 20 is that it can be a bit wobbly in the heel due to the max stack combined , so it's not the best option for runners who need extra support and stability.

Note: The Saucony Triumph 21 is dropping soon, so these are on sale for $120—the 21 is only a change to the upper, so I would highly recommend buying a pair of the 20s if you can grab them.

Saucony Triumph 20 Cheatsheet

Main use case: Easy running and recovery miles
Price: $160
Key features: Comfortable, cushioned midsole
Drop: 10mm
Forefoot stack: 27mm
Heel stack: 37mm
Weight: 9.7 oz
Foam: PWRRUN+ (Beaded TPU)

12. Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 ($170)

The Endorphin Speed 3 is Saucony's top-tier do-it-all shoe in the lineup. It was built to handle the fast miles with its nylon plate, rockered midsole and bouncy PEBA-based PWRRUN PB super foam, but it also shines on everyday runs and even recovery days. This is because the foam is responsive and poppy enough to go fast, yet soft with a wide enough platform to be comfortable at slower paces. The Speed 3 is a great option for runners who want a fast daily trainer or a slightly softer workout shoe. The nylon plate in the midsole adds a touch of stability but not as much snap as a traditional carbon plate. The only area where the Speed 3 doesn't excel—ironically, given the name—is for faster runners on race day, who will benefit from a carbon plated option like the Endorphin Pro 3 or Endorphin Elite.

Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 Cheatsheet

Main use case: Fast daily training and workouts
Price: $170
Key features: Super foam with a winged nylon plate
Drop: 8mm
Forefoot stack: 28mm
Heel stack: 36mm
Weight: 8.1 oz
Foam: PWRRUN PB (PEBA)

13. Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 ($225)

The original Endorphin Pro was Saucony's answer to the Nike Vaporfly Next%, the shoe that made super foams and carbon plates the standard for marathon racing footwear. When it was first introduced, it was the only model on the market that could match or beat the performance benefits of the Nike.

With slight changes in this third version to improve the midsole formulation and fit of the upper, the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3's mission remains the same: to provide runners with a fast and comfortable marathon racing option. It's no longer the speediest shoe in Saucony's lineup since the introduction of the Endorphin Elite (more on that below), but it's the best raceday choice for most runners due to its on-foot comfort and familiar fit. The Pro 3 also excels at long runs where you want to pick up the pace and can be used for interval workouts and repetitions.

Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 Cheatsheet

Main use case: Race day for all types of runners
Price: $225
Key features: Super foam with a carbon plate
Drop: 8mm
Forefoot stack: 31.5mm
Heel stack: 39.5mm
Weight: 7.2 oz
Foam: PWRRUN PB (PEBA)

14. Saucony Endorphin Elite ($275)

The Endorphin Elite is designed for front-of-the-pack runners looking to shave minutes or seconds off their PR. If the Endorphin Pro's mission is fast and comfortable, the Endorphin Elite's is fast and aggressive. The Pro uses Saucony's PWRRUN PB foam, which can be soft and forgiving, even with the carbon plate sandwiched within, while the Elite combines a new foam compound, PWRRN HG, which is firmer but more responsive, with an aggressive forward rocker and slotted carbon plate for ultimate propulsion. The Elite is all business, and it makes no compromises on speed in the name of comfort. While the set up in the Elite can feel unorthodox on foot, it works; in lab tests, it's proven to deliver more efficiency than the Pro 3.

Saucony Endorphin Elite Cheatsheet

Main use case: Race day for experienced runners
Price: $275
Key features: Super foam with a carbon plate and aggressive rocker
Drop: 8mm
Forefoot stack: 31.5mm
Heel stack: 39.5mm
Weight: 7.2 oz
Foam: PWRRUN PB (PEBA)

FAQs on Saucony

Now that we've slogged through every running shoe in the Saucony lineup, here are some answers to common questions we've heard about the brand.

Are Saucony shoes any good?

Saucony's lineup is one of the best on the market—we run in Saucony shoes for many of our training miles and frequently recommend models like the Speed 3 to our family and friends. We've tested options throughout the range and find they perform better than peers in terms of comfort, durability and speed.

Where can I buy Saucony running shoes?

You can buy Saucony shoes directly from their website at saucony.com. Some Saucony models are available on Amazon, but they don't always have the most recent selection. We also recommend supporting your local running shop, which will likely carry Saucony's most popular shoes like the Endorphin Speed, Ride and Triumph. Pro tip: local running stores often stock shoes in boring, inoffensive colors like black and gray, but they can order the colorway you want from the manufacturer. That way, you can get the swag you want and support small business.

Are Saucony shoes good for walking?

Most shoes designed for daily running are also great for walking. If you're looking for a Saucony shoe to both walk and run in, we'd recommend the Shift, Triumph or Ride. High performance raceday shoes are the main type of running shoes that aren't great for walking, so we'd steer clear of the Endorphin Pro or Elite for this use case.

Where are Saucony shoes made? Are they made in China?

While Saucony is headquartered in Boston, most of their shoes are made offshore in Asia. The Speed 3 and Pro 3 are made in China, and the Triumph 20 is produced in Vietnam.