Reddit's Honest Take on Saucony Running Shoes (2026 Community Consensus)
Saucony gets talked about a lot on Reddit. Like, a lot. Whether itâs r/running, r/runningshoegeeks, or the occasional r/BuyItForLife thread, the brand comes up in nearly every shoe recommendation thread. But what does Reddit actually think about Saucony? Not the marketing copy. Not the influencer reviews. The real, unfiltered takes from people who log 40+ miles a week and have opinions about midsole foam.
I spent way too many hours reading through hundreds of Reddit threads to figure out where the community actually lands on Sauconyâs lineup. Hereâs what I found.
How We Aggregated This
I read through posts and comments across r/running, r/runningshoegeeks, r/Marathon_Training, and r/AdvancedRunning from the past 12 months. I focused on threads where people gave detailed opinions after actually running in the shoes, not just first impressions or box-opening reactions. I looked for patterns: which models get recommended the most, which ones get returned, which ones people defend like their firstborn. The quotes here are paraphrased from common sentiments, not direct lifts from specific users. The goal is to capture the consensus, not call out individuals.
Redditâs Saucony Consensus Table
| Model | Reddit Sentiment | Common Praise | Common Complaint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Endorphin Speed 4 | Cult classic | Versatile, fun ride, great for workouts and races | Upper could be more breathable |
| Endorphin Pro 4 | Solid carbon racer | Fast, responsive, improved over Pro 3 | Not worth the price gap vs Speed 4 |
| Ride 18 | Reliable workhorse | Consistent, durable, good value | Boring to some runners |
| Triumph 22 | Polarizing | Plush, comfortable for long runs | Heavy, feels sluggish at pace |
| Kinvara 14 | Niche favorite | Lightweight, great ground feel | Outsole wears fast |
| Tempus | Underappreciated | Subtle stability, doesnât feel like a stability shoe | Limited colorways, hard to find |
What Reddit Loves About Saucony
The Endorphin Speed Is Basically Redditâs Favorite Shoe
If you search for âbest running shoeâ on any running subreddit, the Endorphin Speed 4 shows up in almost every thread. Itâs not even close. People recommend it for tempo runs, long runs, races, daily training, basically everything except maybe easy recovery days. The PWRRUN PB foam gets praised for being bouncy without feeling unstable, and the nylon plate gives just enough structure without the harshness of a carbon plate.
One common sentiment youâll see repeated:
A recurring comment on Reddit: âIâve bought 4 pairs of Speed 3s and 2 pairs of Speed 4s. Itâs the one shoe I keep coming back to. Iâve tried everything else and nothing does as many things well.â
The Speed 4 specifically gets love for fixing the upper fit issues that some people had with the Speed 3. The toe box is slightly roomier, and the lockdown is better. But itâs not perfect, and Iâll get to the complaints later.
Value for Money
This is a big one. Reddit runners love pointing out that Saucony offers competitive pricing, especially when you factor in sales. The Ride 18 at $140 gets compared favorably to the Nike Pegasus 42 at $140, with most people saying the Saucony holds up better over time. And when Saucony goes on sale (which happens frequently), the value proposition gets even better.
As one runner put it on r/running: âGot my Ride 18s for $95 on sale. At that price, itâs the best daily trainer you can buy. Fight me.â
Durability That Gets Mentioned Repeatedly
Saucony shoes get praised for lasting longer than competitors. The outsole rubber on the Ride and Triumph lines gets specific compliments, with people reporting 400 to 500 miles before needing a replacement. Thatâs solid. The Endorphin Speedâs outsole is more controversial (more on that below), but the daily trainers consistently get durability praise.
The Brand Doesnât Overcomplicate Things
Multiple Reddit threads mention that Sauconyâs lineup is easier to understand than Nikeâs or ASICSâs. Youâve got your daily trainer (Ride), your cushioned cruiser (Triumph), your speed shoe (Endorphin Speed), your racer (Endorphin Pro), your lightweight option (Kinvara), and your stability shoe (Tempus). Thatâs it. No confusing sub-versions or regional exclusives.
What Reddit Complains About
Sizing Inconsistency Across Models
This is probably the biggest complaint. The Endorphin Speed fits differently than the Ride, which fits differently than the Triumph. People regularly recommend trying on multiple sizes before buying, and some runners have given up on certain models because they couldnât get the fit right.
Common sentiment on the subreddit: âIâm a 10.5 in the Speed, an 11 in the Ride, and a 10 in the Kinvara. Make it make sense, Saucony.â
The Triumph 22 gets the most sizing complaints. Some people say it runs short, others say it runs narrow. The consensus is to order from a place with a good return policy.
Upper Durability on Some Models
While the outsoles get praised, some of the uppers donât hold up as well. The Endorphin Speed 4âs upper has been called out for showing wear earlier than expected, especially around the toe box. Itâs not a dealbreaker for most people, but it comes up enough to mention.
The Triumph 22 Is Heavy
The Triumph is Sauconyâs max cushion shoe, and it delivers on comfort. But at 11.2 oz for menâs size 10, itâs noticeably heavier than competitors like the ASICS Gel Nimbus 27 or the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14. Reddit runners who care about weight tend to skip it.
A frequent take on r/RunningShoeGeeks: âThe Triumph is like running on a cloud, if that cloud weighed a pound and a half per foot.â
Colorways Could Be Better
This is a minor complaint, but it shows up regularly. Sauconyâs color options are often described as âsafeâ or âboringâ compared to what Nike and HOKA offer. The Kinvara 14 and Tempus get the most colorway criticism, with limited options that sell out quickly.
The Endorphin Speed Cult Following
The Endorphin Speed deserves its own section because the Reddit love for this shoe goes beyond normal recommendations. People donât just like this shoe. They evangelize it.
Hereâs what makes it special according to Reddit:
Itâs the Swiss Army knife of running shoes. You can do tempo runs in it. You can race in it. You can do long runs in it. You can even use it for daily training if you donât mind a slightly firmer ride. Most shoes try to be good at one thing. The Speed tries to be good at everything, and according to Reddit, it mostly succeeds.
The nylon plate is the sweet spot. Carbon plates are too aggressive for daily training. No plate feels too soft for workouts. The Speedâs nylon plate gives you a pop without beating up your legs. Multiple Reddit threads describe it as âwhat a carbon plate should feel like for non-elite runners.â
It makes you want to run faster. This comes up constantly. The shoe has a natural forward roll that encourages you to pick up the pace. Itâs not aggressive like a carbon racer, but it nudges you. People describe it as âmotivatingâ and âfun to run in.â
The price is right. At $160, itâs cheaper than most carbon-plated racers and does 80% of what they do. When it goes on sale for $110 to $120, it becomes almost irresponsible not to buy it.
The downside? Some people find the Speed 4 slightly less exciting than the Speed 3. The updates were incremental, and a few Reddit runners feel like Saucony played it safe. But even those people admit itâs still one of the best running shoes you can buy.
Redditâs Verdict on Saucony as a Brand
The overall Reddit sentiment toward Saucony is overwhelmingly positive, but with caveats. People trust the brand. They recommend it to beginners and experienced runners alike. The shoes are well-made, reasonably priced, and perform well across the board.
But Saucony isnât exciting to everyone. Some Reddit runners describe the brand as âthe Toyota of running shoesâ meaning reliable, practical, and unsexy. If you want cutting-edge foam technology or head-turning designs, Nike and HOKA get more attention. If you want a shoe that just works and keeps working, Saucony is the move.
Typical runner feedback: âSaucony is what I recommend to people who ask me what running shoes to buy. Nike is what I recommend to people who want to look like runners.â
That quote captures the Reddit sentiment pretty well. Saucony earns respect through performance, not hype.
FAQ
Is Saucony a good running shoe brand?
Yes. Reddit consistently ranks Saucony as one of the top 3 running shoe brands alongside ASICS and Brooks. The shoes are durable, well-priced, and cover every type of runner from beginners to marathoners. The Endorphin Speed 4 in particular is one of the most recommended shoes on r/running.
Which Saucony shoe is best for daily training?
The Ride 18 is Redditâs go-to daily trainer from Saucony. Itâs comfortable, durable, and works for easy runs and moderate efforts. If you want more cushion, the Triumph 22 is the max-cushion option, though itâs heavier. Check out our ASICS Novablast 5 vs Saucony Ride 18 comparison for more details.
Is the Endorphin Speed 4 worth the money?
According to Reddit, absolutely. At $160 retail (and often on sale for less), itâs one of the best value propositions in running. It handles tempo runs, long runs, and even races. The nylon plate gives you speed without the harshness of carbon. Our best carbon plate racing shoes guide covers how it compares to plated racers.
How does Saucony compare to ASICS?
This is one of the most common questions on Reddit. ASICS gets praised for cushioning and fit, while Saucony gets praised for versatility and value. Our ASICS Gel Nimbus vs Saucony Triumph comparison breaks down the max-cushion battle. For a broader look, see our Redditâs favorite running shoes roundup.
Whatâs the best Saucony shoe for beginners?
The Ride 18 for daily training or the Kinvara 14 if you want something lighter. Both are forgiving, comfortable, and donât require a break-in period. Our best daily training shoes 2026 guide has more beginner-friendly options across brands.