Running is one of the most challenging and intensive sports, but it is a sport that everyone is capable of doing. This is what makes the running shoe market so popular. Literally, everyone can run.
It does not matter how slow you are in the beginning or if you can only run for 15 seconds at a time, with persistence you can achieve your running goals.
Since running is gaining popularity, there is a wide range of different types of running shoes and styles that are perfect for every runner.
Knowing what to look for and how to find the best Saucony running shoes can not only help you to increase your performance but will also improve your confidence as you try to gain your strength.
Today there are so many running shoes on the market that you might not know where to begin when looking.
Saucony is a leader in the running shoe industry and their attention to details and dedication to high-quality running shoes has helped them soar to the top of the game.
By looking at their best running shoes, you will have a great choice for your next pair without fear of spending money on a pair of running shoes that you do not love.
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5 Quick Shoe Buying Mistakes to Avoid
There are some simple shoe buying mistakes that you can easily avoid.
#1 – Never buy a shoe because you like how it looks.
#2 – Do not be afraid to shop around and look for discounts or sales.
#3 – Do not purchase shoes that are the wrong size, always get fitted (even if you end up buying online after being fitted in the store).
#4 – Never assume what size you wear.
#5 – Shop for and buy shoes at the same time of day when you plan on wearing them. (Your feet can swell and might be sized differently in the morning and at night!)
Saucony Running Shoes
There are actually over 100 men’s styles and over 100 women’s styles of running shoes that Saucony currently produces and sells on their website.
This does not include all of the styles that were previous seasons or years that you can find at retailers.
There are so many choices that even looking at them can lead you to feel overwhelmed and possibly not knowing where to begin.
We are going to outline the best Saucony running shoes for you and the different types of running activities while offering you a pair for men and a pair for women.
Saucony — About the Company
Saucony began in 1898 as the Saucony Shoe Manufacturing Company in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. The company was founded just two years after the first ever Olympic marathon was run.
It didn’t take long for the popularity of their running shoes to catch on and by 1910, they were actually producing 800 pairs of shoes a day.
Many serious athletes started running in the early to mid-1900s. There were no high-performance running shoes on the market.
In fact, people were running in leather spikes and barefoot. Saucony made it their mission to develop a running shoe that would meet the needs of these serious runners.
During the 1980s and 1990s brought about new innovative running shoe designs.
The new shoes that were produced during this time gave way to new technologies and materials like lightweight mesh which allowed for better levels of performance.
In addition to the mesh upper, the shoes had a nice level of additional cushioning to make them more comfortable.
The more modern versions of these shoes have continued to use the most innovative design technologies and the newest materials that are available.
Saucony has continued to be dedicated to this goal of making the best quality running shoes on the market today.
This has given them authority over running shoes and has led numerous athletes to use their shoes for their own running pursuits.
How does Saucony compare to other big brands?
A Look at the Top Running Shoes by Category
Trying to make a guide to the best Saucony running shoes was a challenge because there are so many shoes out there.
Every pair of Saucony running shoes that I have owned have been great shoes that I owned for years and loved wearing.
However, I determined that the best way to share these shoes with you was to share them categorically so that you could find the shoes that you need with ease and know which pair we recommended for how you would be running.
Best for Beginner Runners on a Budget
Jazz Original
The Jazz Original pays homage to one of the company’s oldest shoes. This shoe is not the standard or typically running shoe that you would think of.
In fact, some might not consider these shoes to be running shoes.
However, there are many reasons that these are the perfect versatile choice for runners who are just beginning and dealing with a very limited budget.
These tennis shoes are going to be able to be used for multiple purposes making them a great choice for someone who wants shoes that they can use when they are not running too.
- Jazz Original for Men
The Jazz Original for men comes in eight stylish color combinations.
It comes in whole and half sizes from 7 to 12 and in whole sizes from 13 to 15. The shoes come in medium width.
They have a nice retro style that is currently trending and are just $60 so they are affordable for anyone who needs a new pair of tennis shoes that they can start running in.
- Jazz Original for Women
The Jazz Original for women is also $60 which is quite the steal for a good pair of tennis shoes.
In addition, the creative retro styling will make you feel like you are walking back in time.
The shoes come in whole and half sizes from 5 to 12 and in whole sizes 13 and 14 and feature a medium width.
There are fourteen different color combinations, so you can be sure that there is a little something for everyone.
Best for the Big Race Day
Kinvara
Racers who are looking for a great race day shoe are going to be so happy when they have the Kinvara on their feet.
This shoe is very light in weight and offers a stiffness that is perfect for those who are running at higher speeds.
These are not the shoe that you will want to wear on a daily basis as they are stiffer and not comfortable for those who are not running long distances.
However, if you are a distance runner and you are running over ten miles per day, you might find that you enjoy wearing the Kinvara anytime.
- Kinvara for Men
The Kinvara for men costs just $110 which is one of the more affordable prices for a good pair of race day running shoes.
It features nine different color options from the whimsical and fun to the standard.
The shoe comes in medium width and is available in sizes 7 to 13 in whole and half sizes and whole sizes 14 and 15.
- Kinvara for Women
The women’s version of the Kinvara is like the men’s in that it costs $110.
It only comes in five different color combinations which can be disappointing as women are generally more interested in aesthetics than men and men have nearly double the number of colors available.
The shoe comes in whole and half sizes from 5 to 12 and in medium width.
Best for Runners Who Want Extra Traction (Perfect for Misty and Wet Climates!)
***Best for Leisurely Paced High Mile Runs
Freedom Iso 2
The Freedom Iso 2 is a great shoe choice for those runners who like to take the casual Saturday run or Sunday morning stroll.
These are a great comfortable shoe with the ability to help you run without having feet that are sore or tired.
These shoes are actually one of the company’s best sellers and with good reason.
One of the things that makes these so great is that they use a new technology called the ISOKNIT as a part of the upper shoe material.
This special style of knit upper allows for the foot to be able to more easily breathe.
It has very good traction too which is important for those runners who are not always running.
- Freedom Iso 2 for Men
The Freedom Iso 2 for men comes in eight colors. The shoe is available in medium width and is offered in whole and half sizes from 7 to 13.
However, it is also offered in whole sizes 14 and 15. With such expansive sizing nearly everyone will be able to find their size in this shoe.
These shoes cost $160.
- Freedom Iso 2 for Women
The Freedom Iso 2 for women comes in an impressive seven colors. This means that you are going to be able to find a pair that you love.
The shoes come in medium with and whole and half sizes between 5 and 12. This is truly a shoe that any woman who runs is going to love.
The retail price of these shoes is $160.
Best for Those Who Need Extra Cushion and Support
Guide ISO 2
The Guide ISO 2 is made for those who want additional support, but do not want too much support.
This is for those runners who are looking for the perfect pair of shoes that they might even feel does not exist.
It is supposed to help guide the runner’s feet into place as they run with its innovative design and fit.
This makes it a great choice for those who want to ensure that they are able to have the best of all worlds with their new running shoes.
- Guide ISO 2 for Men
The Guide ISO 2 for men has a number of things that you are going to fall in love with. One of these is that you can get both regular and wide width options.
This works out well for those who have wider feet that cannot traditionally find a good pair of running shoes.
There are five colors with a few that are not the neutrals that you might be accustomed to if you have wide feet.
The shoes cost $120 and are available in both whole and half sizes from 7 to 13 and in whole sizes from 14 to 16.
- Guide ISO 2 for Women
Guide ISO 2 for women is another shoe that you will love.
Women who have wide feet will rejoice that they can find a comfortable running shoe that is not just made with their regular width friends in mind.
The shoe comes in five colors and is available in whole and half sizes from 5 to 12. It costs $120.
Best for Correcting Overpronation
Those who have overpronation known how debilitating this problem can be when you are trying to run.
It can cause you to trip or fall more often than other runners and can cause you to develop sores or other problems from running.
Thankfully, Saucony looked at this problem and conceived a shoe that would help to correct the issue.
Omni Iso
The Omni Iso is a special shoe in that it was designed to help correct overpronation in runners.
This shoe offers a new level of stability that runners who have foot problems will find comforting. You will literally feel more stable on your feet in the Omni Iso.
These shoes feature the special IsoFit natural which actually conforms to your foot to ensure that you have a very stable fitting shoe.
These shoes also have enough stretch that they can be good for people who have a wider foot.
- Omni Iso for Men
The Omni Iso for men features both regular and wide width options.
There are only two color choices, but it is available in whole and half sizes from 7 to 13 and whole sizes 14 and 15.
This is a high quality running shoe that is going to be supportive enough to ensure that you stay stable on your feet. The shoe costs $130.
- Omni Iso for Women
The Omni Iso for women is a shoe that is going to be comfortable and is available for $130.
Like the men’s version, this shoe offers both regular and wide widths.
It comes in two colors and in whole and half sizes from 5 to 12.
Best for Road Running
Koa TR
The Koa TR is a shoe that is known for its ability to help you to continue to enjoy your running when you are road running
Many runners experience a number of difficulties with road running and are sore and do not feel the same after running.
Thankfully the Koa TR really offers you the chance to get a great shoe that is perfect for road running.
This shoe is known as a hybrid shoe because not only does it work for road running, but it can also be used for running on light trails or off-road.
It is a shoe that can move between different environments with ease and happens to be the best choice that you can find today for that purpose.
- Koa TR for Men
The Koa TR that is designed for men with the idea that many enjoy running between two different types of surfaces.
These shoes are a high-quality pair of shoes that really run well both on asphalt and off of paved surfaces.
Men can choose between two colors and find medium width sizes that come in whole and half sizes between 7 and 13 and whole size 14. The shoe retails for $110.
- Koa TR for Women
The women’s Koa TR is also available for $110 and also comes in two different color choices.
This is a great choice of shoe for women who like to run from their home to the trails and back again without needing to stop to switch their shoes.
These shoes offer a wide variety of benefits to runners and are available in a medium width. They offer whole and half sizes from 5 to 12.
Best for Mud and Trail Running
Xodus Iso 3
The Xodus Iso 3 was first introduced more than ten years ago. This shoe is perfect for running in the mud or on trails.
It has features that hold up to off-road running better than other shoes on the market. It was literally made with trail and mud runs in mind.
One of these features is that the sole is very thin making it easier for you to feel the terrain that you are running on.
This helps you to feel the movement of the trails and mud so that you can ensure that you can keep running safely.
The shoe features the special Everun foam that is seen throughout the entire footbed of the shoe.
Xodus Iso 3 for Men
The Xodus Iso 3 for men is a comfortable alternative to other mud and trail running shoes.
It is currently available in three different colors and comes in sizes ranging from 7 to 14. The shoe features some half sizes, a medium width, and costs $150.
Xodus Iso 3 for Women
The Xodus Iso 3 for women is like the Xodus Iso 3 for men in features.
It also costs $150; comes in sizes 5-12 with half sizes, medium width, and three colors to choose from.
Pros and Cons of Saucony Running Shoes
Pros
- Saucony running shoes are developed with running in mind.
- There is a wide range of options for running shoes that will meet any lifestyle and be perfect for any type of running.
- Saucony seems to pay attention to current fashion trends and releases shoes that are in the most popular colors each season.
- The shoes are known for being a cult favorite and once you own one pair, you will likely always own Saucony running shoes.
- Some shoes come in a wide variety of different colors and sometimes even fun color combinations.
Cons
- Most of these shoes are expensive and might not be in the budget for all runners.
- Not all shoes come in a wide or narrow width, some only come in medium widths.
- Not all shoes have half sizes available in all sizes.
- Most shoes have few color choices with little room for personality or personalization.
Other Saucony Models to Consider
Questions and Answers About Running Shoes
The following are some of the common questions that we have heard or even asked ourselves about finding the perfect pair of running shoes.
Question: How do you know when you are purchasing the right pair of running shoes?
Answer: Your shoes will fit well and will be comfortable for long distances. There will be no pinching or rubbing and your feel will never feel restricted or tight.
In addition, you want to ensure that the soles of the shoes are made for the type of surface that you will be running on.
For instance, track runners want spikes, those running on wet or slippery pavement need shoes with better traction, individuals who run on trails need traction that will get them through the mud.
Question: How much padding should your running shoe have?
The level of padding is not as important as the type of padding that you have. You want shoes that feature padding where you need it most so that you can have a run that is easy on your body. The padding in a shoe does a number of things besides just offering the wearer comfort.
In fact, the padding can help to protect the joints from the impact of running on different hard surfaces or even help to keep the runner comfortable while they test out new types of running. Padding is super important and those with certain foot problems might find that they need more padding than those who do not share these problems. Likewise, runners who are running on trails and uneven surfaces will want thinner padding so that they can feel the ground that they are running on.
What is the first step in finding the perfect pair of running shoes?
Make sure that you know the type of running that you will be doing. Think about the weather, type of paths or trails that you will be on, how long your runs will be, and how often you will be running. Once you know the type of surface that you will be running on, you will find that you have better ability and control over picking the right pairs that are going to work the best for you.
How do I know that I am buying the right size of running shoes?
The best way to be sure that you are buying the right size of running shoes is to be fitted in a Saucony store or an authorized Saucony retailer. This is very important. If a shoe is too small and you are running, the shoe will pinch into your foot. This will not only be uncomfortable at the time, but it can lead to a number of long term problems including issues that have to do with the way that your foot is when you are standing flat and barefoot.
In addition, you can have a number of toe problems when wearing shoes that are too small. However, it is just as important to ensure that you are not wearing shoes that are too big. This is because shoes that are bigger are going to slide and can cause friction sores and other types of problems like blisters. In addition, shoes that are too big can cause you to have issues with ankle support and could even lead to a twisted or broken ankle.
Tips to Buy the Perfect Pair of Running Shoes
Finally, you need to understand about running shoes is exactly how each part of the shoe works and what its intended purpose is.
By understanding these and how to choose the right options for yourself, you can be assured that you will have a pair of running shoes that you want to wear until they are worn out.
One of the things that you need to know is everything that you can about the parts of the shoe to ensure that you are able to get a great comfortable fit and everything that you need to have a comfortable run.
The Shoe’s Upper
Every part of the shoe that is not the sole is considered to be the upper. This is the part of the shoe that is located up from the sole, hence the name upper.
Traditionally the uppers of shoes were made from a wide range of materials that were sewn and/or glued together.
Today there are some additional options like the knit uppers that are one piece and feature both support and stretch to accommodate each individual’s foot.
It is important when you are looking for a pair of running shoes that you find a shoe that has an upper that is closely shaped to the shape of your foot.
This is going to ensure that you have a natural comfort when putting your shoes on and that you have the ability to function with natural movement.
Just make sure that the shoe fits well too and that is not binding or pinching!
The Shoe’s Saddle
The shoe’s saddle is one of the least understood and most missed parts of the shoe when it comes to finding the right fit. The saddle is that part of the shoe that is around the arch area of your foot.
While the shoe laces help to ensure that your shoe does not slip off of your foot, the saddle is the area that you want to ensure is fitting properly against your foot.
If you have high or low arches, you must find a saddle that fits with that instead of one that is meant for the other type of foot. This is essential as the saddle prevents injury and helps to ensure that the shoe is properly secured to your foot.
The Heel Counter
The heel counter is a part of the shoe that most people do not know about. Until I was doing research for running shoes, I had never even heard of the heel counter personally.
This is such an important part of the shoe and I honestly had no idea that it had its own name.
When you purchase a pair of running shoes, you will notice that in the back of all of them that there is a part of the shoe that goes in between the layers of the shoe and feels almost like a plastic material.
This is the actual part of the shoe that is going to cradle and offer comfort to your heel. Now, it is very important that you choose shoes with a heel counter that cradles your heel.
This is going to help to ensure that you land correctly when jumping or running and is really going to work to prevent both heel and ankle injuries.
You want to be able to have a full range of motion, so if a heel counter is keeping you from that there could be some long term problems. Make sure that you do not settle for an ill-fitting heel counter.
The Toe Box
Like the heel counter, the toe box is essential to protect a part of your foot while also offering essential support when running.
The toe box is the part of the shoe that cradles the toes and it has to fit right or you can injure your toes and even potentially cause permanent foot damage.
The toe box is the little area at the front of your shoe that narrows and protects the toes. This is a feature that needs to fit perfectly.
Find a shoe that has a toe box that does not cause you to scrunch any of your toes or have any rubbing or pinching.
Your toes should not only be able to spread out in the shoe comfortably, but they should also be able to flex and move.
The Ankle Collar
Another important part of a running shoe is the ankle collar. The ankle collar plays one of the most important roles in your running shoe.
This is the part of the shoe that holds your ankle in place as you run by helping to hold the heel in your shoe.
There are a few different types of ankle collars. Some of these are heavily padded, others use a natural shape that is supposed to mimic the shape of your ankle.
Make sure that you are choosing a pair of running shoes that feature a comfortable ankle collar that is going to work well with your heel and ankle to ensure that you not only get the support that you need, but that you also get a nice comfortable fit for both long and short runs.
You can tell that you have the perfect choice when you find that no matter what you do in the shoes, your heel does not slip.
If the curve on the back of the ankle collar affects your tendon in the foot then you know that you need to choose something that is different.
The Outsole
The outsole is one of the first things that you probably already look at on your shoes.
Again, choosing an outsole is one of the things that you have been conditioned to do, so it is going to be more easily remembered.
Basically, you want to look at the outsole of the shoe and think about the surfaces that you will be running on.
Choose the outsole that is going to best work with the conditions for the areas where you wish to run. Also, be sure to choose an outsole that you are comfortable with.
If you choose something that is too thick or not thick enough, you will come to regret and likely will not want to wear your shoes for long.
Final Thoughts
Finding the best pair of Saucony running shoes requires you to first consider exactly how you will be running and where you are running.
You will want to think about the distances and what you want your shoes to offer you.
Once you know the type of run, you will be able to use his guide to find the perfect pair of Saucony running shoes. There is literally a Saucony running shoe for anyone.
I would highly recommend the shoe that is going to best fit your lifestyle as a runner. I personally run both in the gym and on the road.
I chose to have two pairs of Saucony running shoes to ensure that I always have what I am looking for.
However, I completely understand that not everyone can have two pairs of running shoes.
This means that you can always opt for one of the pairs that are great for multiple surfaces or conditions to ensure that you have a pair of shoes that is going to work best for you!