Saucony focuses on one thing, and they do it right – running shoes.
When people hear about Brooks, New Balance, Mizuno, and other newer popular brands such as Hoka and Altra they surely know that Saucony is another one of the big brands as well. And one of the oldest with history dating back to 1898.
We’ve analyzed and listened to runners to compile what some of the best Saucony running shoes are for your convenience. Below we’ve reviewed some of their top products which are suitable for beginners and professionals alike.
Best Saucony Running Shoes Compared and Reviewed
Best Value
Saucony Versafoam Cohesion Tr 14
Best Stability
Saucony Guide 14
Best Cushioning
Saucony Triumph 19
Best Road Shoes
Saucony Kinvara 12
Best For Trails
Saucony Peregrine 11 ST
1. Saucony Versafoam Cohesion Tr 14
Key Features
- VERSAFOAM cushioning technology
- GRID technology
- Durable rubber outsole with added traction
- Drop: 12mm
- Weight: 10.9oz
Reasons to buy
- Genuine sizing
- Great flexibility
- Excellent stability
Reasons to avoid
- Upper is not very protective
The Saucony Versafoam Cohesion Tr 14 is guaranteed to be one of the best Saucony running shoes due to its run essentials, durability and comfortability. Regarded as one of the best running shoes for short trail races, this pair is also good for speed work on flat surfaces and regular training.
It features supportive rubber overlays for comfortability at a reasonable price. Features also include a 12mm heel drop, a mesh upper, a midsole made with VERSAFOAM and a rubber outsole. Runners can purchase a pair with different color variations and sizes available for both men and women.
The Saucony Versafoam Cohesion Tr 14 has a good mixture between flexibility and structure. It has great stability. The upper features a tear-proof breathable mesh with breathing holes to improve ventilation. The Cohesion Tr 14 also has a padded tongue and collar that cushions the top part of the feet. Combining all the features of the upper helps keep the feet secured and holds the feet in place during the run.
However, some runners have claimed that the upper easily gets wet with splashes of water and exposure to moisture. The sizing of the shoe is also great and many runners have claimed the pair are best used for moderate, technical and rocky trails.
The midsole features a comfortable and supportive cushioning system with Versafoam that aids with absorbing shock when running. Some runners have commended its ability to provide them well-cushioned steps and the durability of the midsole. A sock liner is also inserted above the primary cushioning unit for soft underfoot. The cushioning is just right so that you are comfortable walking on trails.
The outsole for the Versafoam Cohesion Tr 14 is made with rubber that mainly shields the midsole from impact abrasions on any surface. The rubber also offers excellent traction and features lugs that provide average grip on trails and rocky areas. Lastly, this product also features a Heel Grid system and Versafoam technology for stable cushioning.
2. Saucony Guide 14
Key Features
- Stability running shoes
- Weight Men: 10.5oz
- Offset: 8mm
- Supportive tensioned medial upper
Reasons to buy
- Reformulated PWWRN foam
- Comfortable upper
- Adequate foam with firm cushioning
Reasons to avoid
- Heel slipping
- Stiff
- Laces untie easily
- Heavy
The Guide 14 has lace into 360 degrees of flawless stability which is reformulated with PWRRUN foam for more responsiveness and softer cushioning. With its clean improvement of comfort, its streamlined style makes for a distraction-free fit. This product features a mesh upper, a lace-up footwear closure, a PWRRUN midsole, and a Tri-Flex Crystal rubber outsole. Runners can get a pair of Guide 14 with different color combinations and sizes that are available for men and women.
The Guide 14 has quality stability that gets the job done with a standout upper and average underfoot experience. With such affordable pricing, it has a surprisingly comfortable upper that hugs and supports the foot mile after mile. The upper of the Guide 14 shines for its protectiveness on your foot. It has an adequate foam, firm cushion yet is not springy in the slightest. The upper unit features a fully gusseted tongue that offers a complete lockdown of the wearer’s feet.
Some runners have noted that the Guide 14 is not the most breathable pair of running shoes they have tried, although it also does not suffocate the feet. The level of breathability in these shoes is just average. Another thing that runners have noticed is that the shoes are not as light and hoped that they would be remodelled as a lighter pair.
Even though Guide 14 lacks a propulsive feel and ends with an overall flat and heavy ride, it is very stable. It received high marks for being a solid shoe in the brand’s stability lineup. The midsole is made from PWRRUN EVA foam combined with a soft ankle collar that provides the comfy feel of the running shoes.
However, the soft midsole still does not make up for the stiffness of the shoes. The outsole on the other hand has a 4mm thick blown rubber that offers a fine grip on concrete and asphalt. Despite the flexibility of the sole, the ride is more blocky than smooth. The rubber improves the grip on the terrain and increases the shoe’s ability to rack up high mileage.
3. Saucony Triumph 19
Key Features
- Offset: 8mm
- Weight: 11.1oz
- Category: Neutral
- FORM FIT system provides a luxurious custom-like fit
- TRIFLEX design
Reasons to buy
- Durable
- Stable
- Reflective movement
- Bold mutant colors
- Good traction
Reasons to avoid
- Heavy
- Not versatile
- Expensive
- Lacks breathability
The Saucony Triumph 19 is a pair of daily running shoes that grips well on any type of surface. Runners who seek a pair of running shoes for their easy and recovery runs will find this pair a perfect choice for them. The Triumph 19 running shoes feature a mesh upper, lace-up footwear closure, a rubber outsole and a rubber outsole. Runners can get a pair of the Triumph 19 in bold mutant colours and sizes available for men and women.
As per the runners and reviewers who have tried this, they claimed that the Triumph 19 is soft but not versatile. The shoe is soft out of the box with no break-in required. Runners will feel a “nice combination of bounce and responsiveness” and a “decent pop” when picking up the pace. The upper is described to be super plush and the heel collar provides structural support.
The Triumph 19 also offers maximum security of the feet with no tongue sliding or heel slipping using the thick padded tongue and stretchy shoelaces. The midsole is cushioned with premium PRRUN+ foam for added responsiveness and high energy return. The shoe is said to be “soft without being mushy, responsive without being firm”. However it is not the fastest shoe out there, nor it’s super soft.
The Triumph 19 is a neutral shoe aimed at runners looking for a daily cruiser. Being a highly-cushioned trainer, this product is perfect for building up mileage. The outsole has redesigned blown-rubber for added durability and solid traction on almost any surface including wet ones.
Another great thing about this product is its reflective strips that help runners with their early morning and night runs. However, some reviewers have noted that the Triumph 19 is noticeably heavier than its predecessor. Although it offers great comfort, this pair of running shoes lack the versatility some runners look for at such a costly price.
4. Saucony Kinvara 12
Key Features
- Tech: EVA & E-TPU foam
- PWRRN+
- Lightweight comfort
- Versatile ride
- Weight: 7.5oz
Reasons to buy
- Versatile
- Great midsole bounce
- Low heel drop promotes natural running
- Durable
Reasons to avoid
- Firm midsole
- Not for heel strikers
- Not for cold days
- Non-durable outsole
The Kinvara 12 or the K12 is regarded as a pair of lightweight shoes for its nimbleness and cushions. These versatile running shoes are great for midfoot runners and forefoot strikers. It features a 4mm heel drop, an airy mesh upper, a lace-up closure, a midsole made from PWRRUN and a rubber outsole. Runners can avail a pair of the K12 in different color variants and sizes that are available for both men and women.
The K12 has luxurious features such as the stretchy lace and the gusseted tongue that has a soft suede feel while being worn and the tongue hugs your foot in place very well. Along with its lightweightness and versatility, many runners have also lauded its decent and affordable pricing.
The upper unit of the shoe features a breathable mesh that aids in the ventilation of the runners’ feet during their run. Some reviewers have also noted the fact that it has a lighter upper and a thinner tongue versus its predecessor. Testers have also proven that it offers a great fit to any foot’s shape, however, it might not be best to use in cold climates since it stiffens in low temperatures.
The midsole also has PWRRN foam just like the previous shoes above, providing the product with a better energy return when utilized. The inside has been inserted with a removable FormFit insole that adds to the stiffness and structure of the shoes. A reviewer from RunRepeat has noted that the K12 is not as responsive as expected, however, it still offers enough bounce for it to not be dull on the road.
One thing about the K12 that failed the expectations of many runners is the outsole. The outsole is made from carbon rubber but it does not fully cover the underside of the shoes. The EVA midsole foam is noticeably exposed and runners worry that it could be very prone to early wear on its soles.
On the other hand, the addition of more ground contact makes the transition from landing to take off even faster and it can make you perform better when running on road terrains because of its lightweight design.
5. Saucony Peregrine 11 ST
Key Features
- Tech: EVA & E-TPU foam
- PWRRN+
- Lightweight comfort
- Versatile ride
- Weight: 7.5oz
Reasons to buy
- Versatile
- Great midsole bounce
- Low heel drop promotes natural running
Reasons to avoid
- Firm midsole
- Not for heel strikers
- Not for cold days
- Non-durable outsole
For runners who usually run on muddy or wet terrains who seek an aggressive pair of running shoes, the Saucony Peregrine 11 ST will be the perfect buy for them. When the ground is soft, the Peregrine 11 ST gets hard to maximize its comfortability on the cushion.
It is indicated that this version of the Peregrine is for “soft terrain”, hence the ST, but the ride would make other guesses accurate too. This product features a low heel drop of 4mm, a 27mm heel height, a mesh upper, a midsole with premium cushioning, a lace-up footwear closure and a stiff rubber outsole. Runners can snatch a pair of the Peregrine 11 ST with tons of different color variations and sizes available for both men and women.
The upper unit of the Peregrine 11 ST features an abrasion-resistant mesh upper with a quick lace system. The shoes are also fully masked with a mudguard to protect the feet from wetness against splatters on each step. It provides a great fit on the foot and is flexible enough to maximize the comfortability of the shoe.
The tongue also offers great security on the foot in that combat slippin on the run. In comparison with its Peregrine predecessor, the midsole for this product has been upgraded to a premium PWRRN+ cushioning that offers excellent energy return. However, runners have noted that it is noticeably heavier than its former version. The combined features of a wide platform and a low drop makes up a super comfortable ride with just enough firmness not to be harsh on the run.
The Peregrine 11 ST has a forefoot rock plate on its outsole made with PWRTRAC adding up to the excellent traction of the shoes. It also features an aggressive 6mm lugs design with wider spaces between them that helps the shoes’ traction on muddy trails. Many runners have claimed that wearing the Peregrine 11 ST provided them with the confidence to take on any type of terrain whether they would be ascending or descending a path.
How To Choose The Best Saucony Running Shoes
Saucony’s rise to fame in the world running community began way back in 1898 in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. It is one of the pioneers running shoemakers and it first gained wide appeal with runners in the 80’s and 90’s with innovative shoes like JAZZ, DXN, Shadow and Grin. Below are some things to look for when choosing the best pair of running shoes:
Weight
Runners like lightweight shoes for a smooth and responsive feel when running to improve performance. The weight of the shoe affects the runners’ experience, however, some runners choose heavy pairs of shoes on their run. The weight of the shoes depends solely on runners’ preferences but lightweight shoes are highly recommended for runners to maximize the comfortability and the stability of the shoes.
Light running shoes are recommended for runners who prefer speed and need a neutral feel on their run to improve their performance. Running shoes that have average weight are great for runners looking for versatility and a balance of support and speed on their runs. Lastly, heavy-weighted running shoes are great for runners that look for a max-cushioned pair of running shoes that could protect their joints every step of their runs.
Sizing
No runner likes to experience slipping off the shoes while running. Size is important when choosing the right pair of running shoes because a good fit is a key to a great running experience.
A good tip runners pass around when trying to find a running shoe with the best fit is to try on a new pair of shoes in the evening or maybe even after a workout due to the natural swelling of the feet.
Runners should also pick a pair that provides enough space between their toes and the tip of the shoes. A pair of running shoes might not be for them if it hinders them to wiggle their toes inside the shoes.
Cushioning
On this part, runners should want a good bounce and comfortability when running or walking down the trails. A pair of running shoes with maximum cushioning offers a plush feel with its thick padding inside. These running shoes are perfect for new runners due to their great impact absorption and level of comfortability.
For expert and experienced runners seeking a pair of running shoes for their tempo run, moderately cushioned running shoes can provide them both a fast and energetic feel. On the other hand, highly competitive runners should opt to choose a pair that has minimum cushioning to strengthen their feet on the run.
Traction
Traction is one of the most important parts when it comes to choosing a pair of shoes. The grip of the shoe is determined by the lug underneath. For runners who commonly take on rugged terrains such as dirt, mud and gravel, a pair of running shoes with lugged holes should suit their needs.
Running shoes with shallow lugs on the other hand have great traction on packed soil. Lastly, runners who run on soft soil and muddy trails should purchase a pair of running shoes that have thick, multidirectional lugs that have wide spaces between them.
Frequently Asked Questions
For runners who have more than one pair of shoes, they need to use it alternatively in the right weather or trails. Because it may result in more damage if you don’t clean it the right way. Some shoes are sensitive when it comes to cleaning as well as the upper and the rubber.
Firstly, to avoid wearing out the cushions, runners should only wear their running shoes for running alone. Runners should also create a cleaning routine for their running shoes to maintain quality and avoid weakening of the shoes through its stitching.
Lastly, runners should consider adding foam insoles into their shoes for extra comfort and imbalance correction.
Runners should consider injury risk when choosing a pair of running shoes, thus, finding a pair that offers premium comfort and great fit is a fundamental must. Experiencing little to huge discomfort while running can lead to damages on the feet of the runners.
Runners should be aware of how much cushioning is enough for them to be comfortable in their chosen pair. As mentioned above, there are different levels of cushioning for different pairs of running shoes.
The Saucony Triumph offer premium high cushioning for added comfort and springiness on the run. On the other hand, finding the pair of running shoes with the best fit would solely depend on the feel and preferences of the wearer.
Marko Rakic is a trail runner and fitness enthusiast from Sydney, Australia. He is the lead writer for The Ultimate Primate and believes the best way to live a happy life is through constantly challenging yourself.