Editor’s note, October 16, 2026: The Saucony Endorphin Speed 6 is out now—but you can still get the Endorphin Speed 5, which is 25% off. Sizes and colors are limited. While Saucony is well-regarded in runners’ circles, it’s still gaining traction in the non-runner space.
I personally know because a couple of friends at a local festival asked, “Nice shoes—are those Nikes?” But as Brooks has taken the dad shoe mantle from New Balance, and Hoka continues to float between lifestyle and running footwear, I’d like to think only the real ones know what Saucony is—and how it’s pronounced (“sock-a-knee”). The origin story of Saucony actually began a couple of towns away from RW HQ. The brand’s name was inspired by Saucony Creek (or Sacony Creek, according to U.S.
Geological Survey data) in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. Beginning in 1898, the brand eventually merged with A.R. Hyde and Sons, the company behind PF Flyers 70 years later.
In 1977, we gave Saucony two places in our top 10. The brand has its share of shoes in this year’s Shoe Awards—and the rest is running history. Sure, Brooks Ghost is our go-to recommendation for new runners, but have you tried the Saucony Ride?
It’s a shoe just as cushioned that delivers bouncy energy return and a smidge more room in the toe area. Surely you’ve seen the slime-green Endorphin Elite in the hot pink mass of Nike Alphaflys at past races. Below is a list to help you get acquainted with this brand’s shoes, and if you’re already in the know, you can also look here for the hottest releases our team has tested.
Most of the shoes listed here have been tested by RW staff and our team of 300-plus local wear-testers who log at least 100 miles in every pair of shoes they test. I also based some picks on my own testing and product research—including interviews with the Saucony development team and reading through shoe forums. The shoes listed here are monitored based on inventory and relevance, as well.
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