7 Best Saucony Trail Running Shoes in 2023
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Why trust us
Whether running at your local park or competing for your first ultra, trail running offers an awesome break from the monotony of the flat, paved roads.
Of course, when if you’re planning to conquer the rugged paths and technical terrain, you need to have a dependable trail running shoe that provides grippy traction and protection against sharp rocks. One of the most reliable brands out there we don’t hesitate to recommend is Saucony.
HEAD on to check our highly-rated Saucony trail running shoes below, or browse through our comprehensive reviews on each model based on our meticulous lab analysis and in-field wear tests done by our dedicated team of shoe experts and editors.
How we test trail running shoes
To make our fantastic selections, we’ve put in many hours poring over Saucony’s impressive lineup of trail running shoes. Together with our team of wear-testers and shoe lab technicians, we‘ve tested and analyzed 30+ models on this list. Our entire approach involves:
- Investing our own money to buy all the Saucony trail running shoes to ensure we’re 100% transparent and unbiased.
- Performing mechanical tests inside the RunRepeat lab, which includes cutting the shoes into pieces and analyzing over 30 parameters, from flexibility, outsole traction, and durability, to the softness of the midsole and waterproofing, etc.
- Wear-testing each model in various trail running conditions logging at least 30-40 miles.
- Gathering more useful data from other experts and regular trail runners who have tried Saucony’s trail running shoes.
For the final step of our process, we go to the CoreScore system that calculates all comparable data above and assigns each model its overall rating, which ranges from 0-to 100. We then pick our top selections for specific categories.
Best Saucony trail running shoes overall
Saucony Xodus Ultra
87
Great!
What makes it the best?
The Xodus Ultra from Saucony is a trail running shoe for ultra distances. It lets go of the beefy and burly signature of the past Xodus, shedding off a significant amount of weight. It can go fast and far with its responsive and uber-comfy ride. And if you want a shoe that has protection written all over it, the Saucony Xodus Ultra will crush through both well-groomed and rugged terrains like they're nothing.
Pros
- Protective cushion
- Responsive ride
- Extremely comfy for ultras
- Grippy on mud and loose ground
- Breathable
- Lighter than the Xodus 11
- Stable platform
- Wide-feet friendly
Cons
- Midfoot is too roomy
- Lace change needed for good lockdown
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$74
Designer Shoe Warehouse
Free shipping
$80
Running Warehouse
Free shipping & returns
$100
Shoe Mall
Free shipping
$105
Road Runner Sports
Free shipping
$112
Zappos
Free shipping & returns
$150
Best Saucony trail running shoes with wide toebox
Saucony Endorphin Trail
78
Decent!
What makes it the best?
Aggressive!!! That’s the first impression that many runners had about the Endorphin Trail. With the shoe's meaty, deep lugs, and thick, dense midsole, it flies down any terrain you can throw at it. It’s a bit of a tank, but its PB midsole is springy, and its rockered design lets you efficiently coast gentler terrain between the hard stuff. Lace these up and head into your next trail battle with confidence!
Pros
- Amazing grip
- Sock-like fit
- True to size
- Aggressive
- Peppy midsole
- Rock protection
Cons
- Heavy
- Not breathable
- Poor draining
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$61
Zappos
Running Warehouse
REI
Saucony trail running shoes with best cushioning
Saucony Peregrine 13
89
Great!
What makes it the best?
As one of the longest-running trail series, it’s safe to say the Peregrine is among the first shoes runners think about when going offroad. It can handle nearly anything you throw at it thanks to its tried-and-true comfort, agility, and traction. But what truly puts the v13 above its predecessors is its thicker slab of midsole foam—making it even more capable for easy days, long slow miles, and the occasional race through punishing terrains.
Pros
- Cushioned and protective midsole
- Better for longer efforts than the v12
- A good trail racing option
- Great traction whether on ice, snow, gravel, and dirt
- Mud just falls off the outsole
- Comfy and airy upper
- Performance-oriented fit
- No heel slippage
- Smooth and natural-feeling ride
Cons
- Debris tends to get in
- Not as fast as other speedwork trail shoes
- Too-firm midsole
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Backcountry
Free shipping
$130
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$138
Zappos
Free shipping & returns
$140
Running Warehouse
Free shipping & returns
$140
Designer Shoe Warehouse
Free shipping
$140
REI
Free shipping
$140
Best Saucony trail running shoes for long distance
Saucony Endorphin Edge
84
Good!
What makes it the best?
The Endorphin Edge from Saucony is the brand's "sweet redemption," in the words of one runner, of the not-so-great Saucony Endorphin Trail. And others can't help but agree with this. It's everything super, they say. It has a carbon-fiber plate, it's max-cushioned, and it can go fast, fast, fast. Even better, it's ready for runs ranging from short to long distances.
Pros
- Fast as hell
- Comfort written all over it
- Super smooth ride
- Light AF
- Protection can't be more awesome
- Breathable under warm temps
- Toe box is ready for ultras
- Carbon plate is not harsh
- Grippy on wet, loose, and soft trails
- Also great for the roads
Cons
- Unstable at slow paces
- Loose heel
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Backcountry
Free shipping
$140
Zappos
Free shipping & returns
$200
Running Warehouse
Free shipping & returns
$200
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$200
REI
Free shipping
$200
Road Runner Sports
Free shipping
$200
Best Saucony trail supination running shoes
Saucony Ride 15 TR
85
Good!
What makes it the best?
Have the confidence to take on a little bit of everything with the Ride 15 TR. This hybrid trail runner from Saucony knows how to adapt to many different levels of terrain. With a snug fit, cushy midsole, and a responsive ride, runs from the treadmill to the outdoors are a piece of cake. Never again will your feet feel unsafe with this daily trainer’s superb grip and lockdown.
Pros
- Snug fit
- Well-cushioned
- Peppy ride
- Offers light to mid stability
- Keeps feet in place
- Grippy outsole
- Protective midsole
- Can also be a golf shoe
Cons
- Have to be careful over wet rocks and roots
- Lacks more colorful options
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$130
Zappos
Free shipping & returns
$140
Running Warehouse
Free shipping & returns
$140
Designer Shoe Warehouse
Free shipping
$140
Road Runner Sports
Free shipping
$140
Fleet Feet
Free shipping & returns
$140
Best value Saucony trail running shoes
Saucony Excursion TR 12
83
Good!
What makes it the best?
The Saucony Excursion TR 12 has impressed numerous consumers as evidenced by the positive comments outweighing the negative ones. Many users have mentioned buying a second pair because of how satisfied they were with the shoe’s performance and style, and have claimed that the Saucony Excursion TR 12 was a valuable purchase.
Pros
- Perfect fit
- Breathable
- Doesn't need a break-in
- Appealing design
- Affordable
- Roomy toe box
- Grips on uneven surfaces
Cons
- Not durable enough
- Insufficient grip indoor surfaces
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$45
Zappos
Running Warehouse
REI
Most popular Saucony trail running shoes
Saucony Canyon TR
88
Great!
What makes it the most popular?
Bridging the gap between road and trail shoes, the Canyon TR fails. It's too heavy for road running and lacks the traction that the trail demands. In short, "it's mediocre at best in each respective use." If you've tried the Nike Pegasus 37, the Saucony Canyon TR can very much be considered as its heftier version, only that it's tagged as a trail shoe.
Pros
- Secure fit
- Comfortable upper
- Reliable traction
- Ample cushioning
- Great for long distances
- Can be used both on roads and trails
- OK for mountain biking
- Great support
- Durable build
- Attractive design and colors
Cons
- Heavy
- Not for wet surfaces
- Average breathability
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$68
Moosejaw
Free shipping
$78
Zappos
Running Warehouse
Comparison of the 7 best Saucony trail running shoes
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