We Tested Saucony's Newest Running Shoes. Our Favorite Might Surprise You

The brand makes some of the best-fitting running shoes on the market, perfect for rocky trail runs or smooth road races.

Apr 26, 2025 - 16:07
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We Tested Saucony's Newest Running Shoes. Our Favorite Might Surprise You

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Saucony has been producing iconic athletic shoes for over a century, and these days it stands among the top names in running. With a reputation for using quality materials, soft cushioning, and speedy designs, it’s hard to go wrong with any of its current models. That being said, certain Saucony shoes are better suited for specific situations.

After careful testing, we deemed the new Kinvara Pro best overall because it’s an all-around running powerhouse. It does pretty much everything well, and most runners will probably be thrilled by its comfort and performance. But Saucony has many other excellent options depending on your needs, so here are our picks for the best Saucony running shoes of 2025. 

If you're looking to add more running shoes to your rotation, check out our lists of the best trail running shoes, best marathon shoes, and best running shoes for high arches. 

Related: We Tested All the Latest New Balance Running Shoes. These Are the Best

Best Saucony Running Shoes at a Glance

Best Saucony Running Shoes

Best Overall Saucony Running Shoe: Kinvara Pro

Kinvara Pro is the best overall Saucony running shoe.

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  • Weight: 9.5 ounces
  • Heel-Toe Drop: 8mm
  • Price: $135

Kinvara Pro is a new line from Saucony, taking the more stripped-down yet still excellent Kinvara and ramping up the tech factor. Don’t let the moniker “pro” dissuade you. It isn’t for professionals. It's for anyone seeking a workhorse of a shoe that's comfortable, fast, and versatile enough for any style of running. 

I’m a big fan of the lockdown fit, especially in the heel, which is secure yet comfortable. The midsole is nicely padded yet responsive, and Speedroll tech practically does the running for you. It's an excellent pick for a daily trainer, but its also light enough for racing and versatile enough for cross-training.

ProsCons

Exceptional comfort

Availability issues for some colors and sizes

Smooth transitions

Thick cushion yet good ground feel

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Best Saucony Running Shoe for Daily Training: Guide 18

Saucony Guide 18 is the best running shoe for daily training.

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  • Weight: 9.6 ounces
  • Heel-Toe Drop: 6mm
  • Price: $140

The latest Guide continues a tradition of quality that’s hard to argue against. It’s not the flashiest shoe in the Saucony stable in terms of features, but that’s part of what makes it such a good daily trainer. 

Guide is reliably comfortable, surefooted, and durable, and doubles as a good walking or cross-training shoe. It’s more flexible than previous editions. It's breathable, too, a nice characteristic in a daily trainer, as it prevents the buildup of odor. It lacks some of the bounciness that we typically like from Saucony, but it still delivers good transitions. The Guide 18 is a shoe that you’ll be perfectly happy to run in day after day.

ProsCons

Good stability

Limited bounce

Versatile for walking or cross training

Very breathable

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Best Saucony Marathon Running Shoe: Endorphin Elite 2

When it comes to racing shoes, it's hard to beat Saucony Endorphin Elite 2.

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  • Weight: 7 ounces
  • Heel-Toe Drop: 8mm
  • Price: $275

Endorphin Elite 2 nails everything I look for in a solid racing shoe. It delivers excellent energy return and smooth transitions. The cushioning is outstanding and makes it more than comfortable enough to go the distance, and the lockdown feels secure every step of the way. 

It’s hard to find shoes that are this stacked and this lightweight. It’s also a surprisingly good option for wider feet, which is unusual for Saucony, as the brand tends to run a bit narrow. Runners who aren’t used to high stacks and lots of bounce may find them a bit unstable, but beyond that, it’s hard to find fault with these speedy super shoes.

ProsCons

Plenty of forward propulsion

Somewhat unstable

Good for wide feet

Exceptionally lightweight

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Best Saucony Max Cushion Running Shoe: Hurricane 24

If you need extra padding, reach for Saucony Hurricane 24.

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  • Weight: 11.2 ounces
  • Heel-Toe Drop: 6mm
  • Price: $160

Hurricane 24 is actually my personal favorite in the Saucony lineup, but max cushion shoes aren’t for everyone. If you're looking for the utmost shock absorption, it absolutely devours impact with excellent energy return. 

The platform is so wide and stable that some reviewers refer to it as a stability shoe. The toe box is spacious, and the upper is soft and as comfy as can be. The whole package feels almost luxuriously high quality with top notch durability. The only drawback is the somewhat high weight, but that’s difficult to avoid with max cushion shoes. If you’re looking for padding, these things are like having bouncy pillows on your feet.

ProsCons

Superior cushioning

Somewhat heavy

Exceptional stability

Premium materials

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Related: I've Tried Hundreds of Running Shoes. These Are the Best From On Running

Best Saucony Trail Running Shoe: Peregrine 15

For all trail running, Saucony Peregrine 15 is the go-to shoe.

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  • Weight: 9.7 ounces
  • Heel-Toe Drop: 4mm
  • Price: $140

Coming from a brand known for its maximalist designs, Peregrine 15 is surprisingly straightforward. That no-frills approach proves a winner. 

Its traction is outstanding, great for groomed or technical trails that are firm, soft, or slick. The weight is decently low for a trail runner, making it an excellent daily trail trainer and even a good pick for racing. The cushioning is modest, which results in improved ground feel, and the lockdown is secure. I was also so impressed by the versatility that I ended up wearing my pair for hiking and even walking on pavement. 

Not only is the Peregrine 15 Saucony’s best trail shoe, but it’s one of the best trail options out there.

ProsCons

Exceedingly surefooted

Somewhat firm

Top tier durability

Surprisingly versatile

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Best Budget Saucony Running Shoe: Ride 18

  • Weight: 9.5 ounces
  • Heel-Toe Drop: 8mm
  • Price: $140

Ride 18 is priced at $140 along with a few other lines at the low end of Saucony’s price spectrum. While that isn’t exactly cheap, I think its high versatility, comfort, and build quality make it a smart budget buy. 

It’s a shoe you’ll enjoy running in thanks to its secure fit, springy step, and comfortable interior. But it’s also one of the brand’s most versatile shoes, making it a good choice for everyday walking or cross-training. The traction isn’t the best, especially on wet roads, but the stability is above average thanks to the inclusion of one of Saucony’s more modest stacks. Considering its all-around quality and value, it’s a hard shoe to nitpick.

ProsCons

Excellent versatility

Limited traction

Comfy interior

Decently bouncy

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How We Chose the Best Saucony Running Shoes

There are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for the best Saucony running shoes.

Cushioning

Besides its somewhat confusing to pronounce name (it’s “sock-a-knee” if you were wondering), Saucony is probably best known for its PWRRUN foam, which delivers an outstanding fusion of cushioning and responsiveness. 

But for some people, there can be too much of a good thing. The brand’s taller stacks can feel somewhat wobbly to the uninitiated. When browsing Saucony, consider how tall a stack you really need. If you want piles of marshmallowy padding, the brand has you covered, but it also has several modestly cushioned shoes that may better suit certain runners.

Fit

While the brand does have its roomier models—I’m looking at you, my beloved Hurricane 24—Saucony is known its narrower designs. While most runners won't notice at all, those with wider feet may find some lines too snug and should therefore look to those I’ve noted for more expansive accommodation.

Versatility

Saucony shoes vary widely when it comes to versatility. As mentioned above, some lines are great for running but also work well for walking, cross-training, or hiking. Others, however, are designed with a pretty specific purpose in mind. You’re not going to be using the Endorphin Elite 2 for anything but marathon running, for example, and it’s probably too much shoe for daily training even. So, if you’re looking for a more versatile shoe, make sure you buy one that is appropriately capable.

Why You Should Trust Me

I’ve been running for roughly 30 years, during which I’ve run under all conditions using apparel of every variety. This firsthand experience has been essential to my work reviewing shoes for leading publications like Men’s Journal, Men’s Fitness, and Runner’s World

For this list, I tested all of Saucony’s most popular lines, including the newest releases, putting them through their paces under a range of running conditions. Thanks to a combination of this extensive testing and experience, you can be confident that these are truly the best Saucony running shoes of 2025.

Related: Best Hoka Running Shoes of 2025 for Comfortable Marathon Training