Saucony, an American classic since 1898, isn’t just another name in the running world; it’s a legacy. While they craft shoes for a spectrum of athletic endeavors, it’s their running game that truly stands out and captures hearts.
Saucony is known for using high-quality materials and innovative technologies to design performance-oriented running shoes for track-and-field, daily training, long-distance racing, trail running, and more.
At Marathon Sports, we’re always on the chase for excellence. So, we laced up to put Saucony’s latest to the test. Curious about the best of Saucony in 2026? Here are the top seven standouts our team swears by after rigorous months of testing.
The Best Saucony Running Shoes for 2026
- Best for Daily Training: Saucony Ride 19
- Best for Cushioning: Saucony Triumph 24
- Best for Long Runs: Saucony Endorphin Speed 5
- Best for Speed Days: Saucony Endorphin Pro 5
- Best Stability Shoes: Saucony Guide 19
- Best for Racing: Saucony Endorphin Elite 3
- Best for Trail Running: Saucony Peregrine 16
Best for Daily Training: Saucony Ride 19
The Ride 19 is a true daily driver. It’s not the most exciting Saucony shoe, but it is the most reliable all-around.
The midsole is the highlight this time. Saucony updated it with a supercritical PWRRUN+ foam, which feels much softer and springier than the previous iteraitions. We’re big fans of it for long runs. The cushioning is consistent, and your legs don’t feel beat up afterward, which is kind of the whole job of a daily trainer.
On the upper, you’ll find soft, breathable engineered mesh with plenty of padding around the heel and tongue. All the protection without added bulk.
It also has a slightly roomier toe box than you might expect from the look, which is great for longer miles.
Where it really earns that “daily trainer” label is how adaptable it is. The Ride can handle jogging, long-distance, HIIT, or whatever else you throw at it.
Best Cushioned Running Shoe: Saucony Triumph 24
The Saucony Triumph is a highly-cushioned running shoe designed to remain soft and comfortable on long-distance runs. However, our reviewers praised the Triumph 24 for its comfort on lay days, too.
The new IncrediLUX midsole foam absorbs shock and propels you forward on take-offs with a surprising amount of energy return. The rocker-like geometry also creates smooth transitions from heel to toe.
It’s a remarkably comfortable and lightweight running shoe with high-performance attributes to help runners move faster. Additional upgrades in the latest version include a redesigned mesh upper that helps your feet stay cool and the XT-900 outsole that adds traction and assists with more fluid movement.
Our reviewers claimed it fits better than all previous versions, with a snug fit designed to adapt to your foot shape. With so much soft cushioning underfoot and plenty of upgraded features, it’s one of the best running shoes for long distances on our list.
Best for Long Runs: Saucony Endorphin Speed 5
Many running enthusiasts favor the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 for long distances. Built to help you go the distance for any race, it offers more technologies to improve comfort and durability when you want to enhance your performance.
One of the most impressive features of this shoe is the PWWRUN PB foam midsole. It works with the nylon plate sandwiched between the midsole and outsole to deliver a responsive ride. The nylon plate features a winged design that allows for exceptional flexibility while maintaining stability. Plush cushioning offers incredible comfort and absorbs shock for smoother steps.
Another stellar feature of the Endorphin Speed 5 is SPEEDROLL technology. It propels feet forward so you can maximize speed effortlessly.
From moderate training runs to the high speeds of race day, the Endorphin Speed 5 does it all. It’s an energetic shoe that helps you train effectively and push past the finish line with ease on race day.
Best for Speed Days: Saucony Endorphin Pro 5
While it may not feel as wild as some of the newer super shoes, the Endorphin Pro 5 is one of the fastest shoes in the Saucony line.
Underfoot, you’ll find a familiar setup: PWRRUN HG on top, PWRRUN PB underneath, with a carbon plate sandwiched in between. It’s firm-ish, snappy, and efficient. You don’t have to put in a ton of effort once you’re locked into a fast pace.
The geometry helps here. The Speedroll shape wants to tip you forward, especially once you’re up to speed.
What many of our reviewers love is how controlled it feels. Some race shoes go overboard with the energy return or are too soft and unstable. This is the opposite. It’s very predictable, even on longer runs.
The upper is one of the better parts of the shoe. It’s nowhere near translucent like it sussed to be, but still light and breathable.
The only major downside is that it’s heavier than other raceday options.
Best Stability Shoes: Saucony Guide 19
The Saucony Guide 19 is an industry favorite among our reviewers with flat feet and those who overpronate. It’s one of the best stability running shoes on the market, with Saucony’s Center Path technology, utilizing a wider base, higher sidewalls, and an asymmetrical profile to help runners maintain a more natural and stable stride. In addition to helping prevent foot fatigue, pain, and injury, the technology helps keep wear and tear even.
The Saucony Guide 19 also features PWRRUN foam cushioning for a plush yet energetic ride. It’s a stability running shoe that doesn’t sacrifice comfort or speed for support.
Best for Racing: Saucony Endorphin Elite 3
The ultimate racing shoe in Saucony’s 2026 lineup is undeniably the Endorphin Elite 3. It’s also one of the most talked about running shoes this year.
The Endorphin Elite 3 is loaded with innovative technologies, including a full-length fluted and slotted carbon plate for maximum propulsion. The SPEEDROLL geometry is aggressive to keep runners on their toes and moving as fast and effortlessly as possible. It’s also an ultra-lightweight shoe that feels virtually weightless under the foot.
In addition to the SPEEDROLL geometry and carbon plate, speed comes from the new incrediRun superfoam, the most responsive of all Saucony foams. Our reviewers praised the Saucony Endorphin Elite 3 for its maximum comfort, unrivaled speed capabilities, and unique, open-air construction that allows maximum air circulation.
It’s safe to say a number of our team members fell in love with the Endorphin Elite 3 and are eager to put this aggressive running shoe to the test on race day. We see new PRs in the near future.
Best for Trail Running: Saucony Peregrine 16
If you enjoy running off-road, the Peregrine is your shoe. Period.
For starters, Saucony finally added a Vibram Megagrip outsole, which is pretty much the gold standard for grip, no matter what kind of surface you’re running on. Some serious talons here.
Underfoot, it’s still very much a Peregrine. PWRRUN foam, moderate cushion, and a lower, more connected ground feel than a lot of trail shoes. They added a little more foam this time, but it doesn’t take away from the control. If anything, it just takes the edge off longer runs.
Fit is still on the slimmer side through the midfoot, but there’s slightly more room up front than before. We wouldn’t peg it as a wide shoe, but it’s less restrictive than older Peregrines.
Even with the updates, which can often scare longtime fans of a shoe, the Peregrine is still very much a ride-or-die trail running shoe.
Our Review Process
At Marathon Sports, we lace up the running shoes we test and hit the streets, trails, or track. Our team members are avid runners who receive numerous shoes to test every year. The best way to find out how they feel and perform is to simply start running.
Our reviewers assess several factors when choosing the best running shoes, including fit, performance, durability, cushioning, and overall comfort.
In this review, we placed the shoes into the categories in which they performed best. Our mission is to help you find the best Saucony running shoes for you based on your preferences and running style.
Saucony Running Shoe Technologies
Saucony is a historic running shoe brand known for state-of-the-art running shoe technologies. We’ve outlined a few of the brand’s latest and greatest innovations to help you better understand our reviews.
- PWRRUN foam: An EVA-based foam for plush cushioning and responsiveness.
- PWRRUN+ foam: This TPU-based foam is even more energetic, durable, and flexible than traditional PWRRUN foam. It’s 28 percent lighter and 5 percent more impact-absorbent. You’ll find this in Saucony’s highly cushioned and more technical running shoes.
- PWRRUN PB foam: This Pebax-based foam is the lightest and fastest of Saucony’s foams. Known as a super foam, Saucony often combines it with a carbon fiber plate for extra propulsion.
- SPEEDROLL: SPEEDROLL refers to the shoe’s geometry, which creates a “rolling” effect for faster, smoother transitions from heel to toe.
- IncrediRun foam: This nitrogen-infused foam is engineered to be Saucony’s most responsive ever, delivering an ultra-soft yet springy ride with exceptional energy return.
These are just a few of the many innovations you’ll find in Saucony’s running shoe lineup for 2026. Others may include PWRTRAC outsole traction, FORMFIT footbed technology, and more.
Choosing the Right Saucony Running Shoes for You
The best running shoes for one person may not function well for another runner. That’s because athletes have varying foot shapes, gaits, running styles, and preferences. Our Marathon Sports experts know how to connect you with the best running shoes for your personal needs.
Stop by one of our locations to join our The Right Fit™ program. Our experts will assess numerous factors, like your pronation, gait, and foot shape, to suggest the right Saucony running shoes for you. We know which models perform best in various running disciplines, and it’s our goal to outfit you with the shoes that help you reach your full potential.
Shop our complete selection of Saucony running shoes and gear from all the industry’s top brands at one of our Marathon Sports stores or online today!
