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Nike vs Saucony Running Shoes: Comparing Top Models

Last Updated on by Amanda Brooks
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For this episode of which running shoe is right for you we are pitting two of the biggest names in the shoe world against each other: Nike vs Saucony Running Shoes. While many of you are just looking for the Alphafly vs Endorphin elite comparison, we’re going to break it all down.

saucony vs nike

Both brands have things people love and things people dislike.

One of the things they share is that both tend to run a bit more narrow than other brands.

Right now, Nike is having a moment with their super shoes, but Saucony is riding high with their daily trainers. Let’s take a look at comparable models, fit and features to find your next shoe.

When it comes to these two brands, I think it’s key to know that both have continued to change an adapt. So if you’ve tried one previously without luck, you might need to be willing to test a new model.

Main Differences Saucony vs Nike

Nike and Saucony have a similar range of shoes, but a very different fit and feel. A lot of the difference comes down to the types of foam they are using and the depth of the Endorphin line that Saucony has started to really push.

I break down the differences in more detail below, but here’s a quick overview:

Saucony Running Shoes

  • Often noted as fitting a more narrow foot, with a smaller toebox
  • Wide range of heel drops from traditional 12mm to lower 4mm
  • Well known for the casual shoes as well as their running shoes
  • Focus is on lighter shoes that provide maximum comfort
  • Has an ongoing Fit Tester program to continually update shoes

Nike Running Shoes

  • More narrow fit, especially in the heel and midsole
  • Tend to run smaller in width and length than many other brands
  • A larger focus on newest and trendiest technology to “improve running economy”
  • Known across a wide variety of sports and highly visible in competition
  • Has a large brand loyal following

For many years I was not a fan of Nike, but about 7 years ago I discovered a Nike shoe that has become one of my go-to shoes. Then I started testing their carbon plate shoes and really wondered if anyone could catch up. On the flipside, Saucony has some of the shoes that I have loved for over a decade…so it’s a tough choice!

I’ve worn both brands and will add some personal thoughts, along with comparable models from each brand at the end.

How do you say Saucony?

Since I used to get this question a ton wearing my Kinvaras, let me help you out.

Sock-a-knee.

It’s actually named after a creek in Pennsylvania and their logo is to represent the flow of water! They really love places for shoe names. I got to visit the actual towns of Kinvara and Kilkenny in Ireland, just a few of their shoe names.

Saucony vs Nike Running Shoe Feature Comparison

Both brands have been around for a very long time and are leaders in running shoe design. They both offer various technologies to aid with comfort, support, stability, and cushion.

They differ in both fit and technology.

Here is a breakdown of each shoe based on the components buyers need to consider when purchasing a running shoe.

It’s gonna get a little TECHY…so you can just skip on down to the specific model comparison if you want, but personally if I’m shelling out $150 for shoes, I kinda want to know why.

Durability 

The lifespan of shoes from both companies is fairly comparable. Though I kind of dislike that they give a 200 mile range, that’s massive. Assume that for heavier runners shoes breakdown faster and those running on the treadmill may get more life.

  • Saucony states their shoes last around 400 miles, which is pretty average. The new Endorphin pro with the carbon fiber plate is more like a racing shoe and therefore only expected to last around 200 miles.
  • Nike’s Vapor Fly is only going to give you about 200 miles, but most shoes are in the 300-500 mile range

Determining when to replace running shoes, of course, all depends on your gait, weight, and whether you run mostly on trail or road.

Breathability

This is a section I used to include, but honestly every single brand has made sure their shoes are breathable. They’re just coming at it from sligthly different technology or fabric.

So the higher end shoe is going to be even thinner on the upper than your daily trainer, but they’re both equal here.

Fit

Nike running shoes are often reported to run small.

Saucony shoes are often reported to run narrow, but not short in lengthy like you sometimes find with Nike.

NEITHER brand is good for a wider foot, unless you are buying a wide model. They do have some wide models, but the average shoe is going to be a little slimmer fit. Which also means they do not have a large toe box like an Altra Running shoe.

running shoe guide | new balance vs asicsThis is an older, yet still very USEFUL graphic from the Huffington Post.

I forget we may not all know the lingo when talking about different components of the shoe and why they matter.

Cushioning

Saucony has transitioned most of their shoes to PWRRUN technology, which they promote as a better than the standard EVA foam used by most brands.

  • PWRRUN+ midsole cushioning provides more flexibility, durability, and springiness in a foam that’s 25% lighter
  • Again and again their focus comes back to lighter, flexible for more power in your take off and more energy return

Nike started putting air in their shoes back in 1977 to improve cushioning.

“Nike Air technology consists of pressurized air inside a tough yet flexible bag and provides more spring without compromising the structure.”

And since the 90’s they’ve been recycling waste material from production in to new shoes. They continue to look at this sustainability in developing new shoes.

Currently the React Foam is their big winner. It’s truly a great soft and light cushion.Nike air technology | Nike vs New Balance

Stability

Nike does say their stability shoes are slightly wider and also designed with a curve that will help with heel to toe transitions.

Saucony has also been transitioning to less aggressive stability tools, ensuring the shoe is not over correcting or doing the work for you.

They utilize a medial post (which is a device within the midsole that is firmer) to help provide control and a TPU heel plate which again makes the rides slightly firmer and adds control. Thanks to the cushioning, you don’t so much notice the stiffness and reap the benefits.

As you may know, I’m not a huge fan of stability shoes for most runners. I am not finding a big difference in brands, they are all focused on preventing that foot roll and often feel more rigid, even with a decent cushion.

Affordability

Saucony prices range between $100 to $170, while Nike start at a slightly higher price at $120 to $180.

The most popular models for both brands are priced toward the higher range. Carbon fiber shoes and often trail shoes will go beyond those rates, like the Alphafly which is over $250.

You’ll notice that every brand offers a range and this is indeed due to a difference in technology and where they sell the shoe. They know that the big box store can sell the shoe with less in it, while the local running store needs to be best for dedicated runners.

Nike Vs Saucony Running Shoe Models

Now that you know more about each brand, let’s look at their top models in each of the main categories. There’s no winner declared here because all are great shoes, it’s just about which one is best for your foot.

Did you notice I even said the brands in reverse order this time…seriously no favorites, I have run in both brands many different times over the years.

Quick note, I absolutely encourage you to checkout Nike’s return policy! It makes it much easier to test out a shoe and return if it doesn’t feel right.

Stability Running Shoe

Oddly from both brands this is one of the most affordable running shoes at under $100. As a reminder these shoes tend to be a little stiffer, so if you like the price know they may not feel as amazing on long runs.

👉React Air Zoom Winflow

Another shoe utilizing their great react cushion and the wrap around feel of the flyknit upper.

It has a slightly higher arch and more room in the toebox than most Nike running shoes.

This is what they call a stability neutral shoe, which is probably more in line with what I’d recommend. It’s not a firm and will not be over correcting your foot strike. It has guiderails as most stability shoes do, but without losing the softness.

Nike Winflow review

I couldn’t finish the stability shoe section without mentioning the newer style that Nike has started promoting. The Nike Invincible!

I recently tested version 3 and I’ve honestly never found a stability shoe with so much bounce. It’s definitely benefiting from using the same foam as the Vaporfly racing shoes.

While the shoe is still narrow, per normal Nike, it has a much wider base and therefore offers a lot of stability with that cushion. Plus an outsole with grip for going from road to trail.

  • Weight: 10 oz women’s, 9.9 oz men’s
  • Heel drop: 10mm
  • 2 colors available
  • Not available in wide
  •  Check it out on Nike.com for $100

👉Saucony Guide

In this model, Saucony not only paid attention to the support below, but uses the upper for additional stability. It wraps around your foot, helping you feel more secure in the shoe,.

And as noted their stability is there, but without being aggressive so you aren’t feeling it…it’s just working. Plus, the ride still feels cushioned which was something that many traditional stability shoes lacked. That’s my kind of shoe.

Checkout my comparison of the Saucony Ride vs Guide – two of their most popular shoes that are often confused for each other because of the similarities in fit and feel.

Saucony Guide 18 Review

The upper of the Saucony Guide is made of breathable mesh material that offers flexibility and a secure fit.  Moving slightly away from past posts to provide stability is their new Hollow Tech medial support. The TPU medial support element placed in rear of the midsole provides support without the rigid and firm feeling of a medial post, seen in most shoes.

Neutral Running Shoe

👉Nike Pegasus 41

A lot has been said about the Vaporfly 3%, but they aren’t the shoe I’d recommend for most runners. While carbon fiber is exciting, the price point is higher and all that cushion decreases stability significantly which could lead to injury.

The Pegasus uses the Nike React foam midsoles that are not only lightweight but also springy and durable.  Rather than feeling bouncy, this is just a nice amount of cushion that allows you to still get a quick rebound off the ground. The breathable mesh upper provides a great neutral fit that will be good for many runners.

The Pegasus also features a wider toe box for more room while its curved collars help reduce irritation to the Achilles tendons. I definitely understand why this shoe has made it to model 41 and is so extremely popular.Nike Pegasus Stack height

👉Saucony Ride or Saucony Kinvara

These two are the most popular neutral running shoes from Saucony. Both have been around for many years and continued to improve.

What’s the difference in the Ride vs Kinvara?

  • Cushioning is thinner on the Kinvara making it often more suitable for half marathon and under
  • Kinvara is often seen as your tempo run or race shoe, the Ride your everyday training

The Ride is focused on cushioning and support, while the Kinvara is designed for a more natural and lightweight feel.

Saucony Ride

The Saucony Ride is a versatile neutral running shoe that provides a smooth ride for runners. It is designed for runners who want a neutral shoe with moderate cushioning, a responsive ride, and a comfortable fit.Saucony Ride 18 FitIt’s not flashy, it doesn’t have huge selling points, it’s just a trainer that feels pretty nice and will last! 

While it’s not a stability shoe, we’ve always found the Ride to have some elements which inherently make it feel more stable.

You could certainly do some speed work in this shoe, but it’s probably not what we’d reach for on those days. It doesn’t feel fast, but you aren’t held back by mounds of cushion either. Again, it reminds us of what ALL running shoes used to feel like, but with nicer cushion.

Saucony Kinvara

This has been one of my go to shoe’s for many years. The newest model is starting to feel like a departure from what I loved in 2010, but it’s still a shoe that I’ll continue to wear.

The stack height has increased to add more cushion and stability to the run, but as you can see they are holding on to that lightweight and low drop. It’s hard to find low heel to toe drop shoes, so this is a big time winner.

Saucony Kinvara 15 Stack Height

Cushioned Running Shoe

👉Vomero 18 

For 2025, Nike is moving to a new system of naming and creating shoes. You’ll see that for the everyday runner there is now the Structure for stability, the Vomero for that max cushion feed and Pegasus for the responsive ride. Within each of these, over the year you’re going to see Premium, Plus and Icon model of the shoe.

The 18 has been described as a combination of the Vomero 17 and the InfinityRN. As noted, they are streamlining to their 3 main shoe lines (plus the racing, trail and track line ups), so the InfinityRN will be phased out.

The Nike Vomero 18 is a max cushioned trainer for the middle of the pack and back to truly enjoy your easy days and long runs. While it looks like a beast of a shoe, it never feels heavy or clunky underfoot. I’ve run everything from an easy 3 to a longer 12 miles and enjoyed it. I would happily take it out for 20 when those days return.

👉Saucony Triumph 23

The Saucony Triumph is known for its plush cushioning, which you can absolutely feel more than in the Saucony Ride.  The foam combo makes it durable. The lower stack is more comfortable for so many and now they lighter weight is an added bonus on those long run days.

It’s a shoe that the middle and back of the pack can happily wear on half marathon and marathon race days!

While it’s by no means a speed shoe, the foam used does help with energy return compared to other big plush cushioned running shoes.

Saucony Triumph 23 Overview

Whether you’re heading out for a 5k or your 20-mile long run, this shoe provides the comfort and support you need, especially on the days when your legs are feeling it a bit more than usual.

Carbon Fiber Plate Shoes

Are they cool new technology, yes. Do they last as long as your other shoes nope.

I’ve run in both shoes and found they are a pretty great match up. The bounciness of the foam is there, the shoe does return energy and help roll you forward. Neither created any hot spots on the foot and you will find a equal number of fans for both shoes.

That being said if I were forced to pick, I would probably race in the Alphafly. Though the Endorphin Elite feels a bit more stable and I think might be more comfortable for a lot of runners.

👉Nike Alphafly 3

The shoe was designed to build on the success of the Nike Vaporfly and take things to the next level. Consider this the shoe you’d want for half marathon and marathon running because it’s much more stable, but still has a lot of bounce.

The Nike Alphafly features a number of updates and improvements over the Nike Vaporfly, including a thicker midsole and an additional carbon fiber plate. The shoe also features Nike’s latest foam technology, Nike ZoomX, which is designed to provide even greater cushioning and energy return than the ZoomX foam used in the Nike Vaporfly.

Nike Alphafly 3 Review
  • Weight: 7.8 oz men’s, 5.8 oz women’s (weight is debated and different on a ton of sites, which is odd)
  • Heel drop: 8mm
  • 2 colors currently
  • Not available in wide
  • Find it here on Nike.com for $285, so you can enjoy their 30 day trial policy!
  • Checkout my complete Nike Alphafly 3 review here >>

👉Saucony Endorphin Elite

Designed to help runners unlock their speed, the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 is a bouncy, high-performance supershoe built for half-marathon to marathon distances. Its standout feature is Saucony’s incrediRUN foam, which delivers insane energy return and next-level cushioning—exactly what you want on race day.

The shoe strikes a fine balance between comfort and performance, making it a frontrunner (sorry, not sorry for the pun) for those who crave a softer, more energetic ride.

Trail Running Shoes

👉Nike Terra Kiger

Compared to many of the trail shoes I’ve run in this is a bit more minimal on the cushion side, and yet it’s a shoe I really like and have used for quite awhile.

While this shoe has a rockplate, I’d still relegate it to my mid-distance or faster trail style running, not my super big rock kind of days. I’m a big fan of the lower profile and the Epic react cushioning (see info below).

Nike Terra Kiger 10 Wear

Some noted that they didn’t like the feel of the shoe on hard packed trails, but I can’t say I minded. Again simply knowing upfront that this is trail running shoe that’s going to be moderately cushioned and responsive.

The grip felt good in most places, thoughthe lugs are not huge or varied on the forefoot, so for more technical terrain you might choose another option. I’ve heard it doesn’t grip well when wet, but I wasn’t on anything slick enough to find that as an issue.

👉Saucony Peregrine

This has been a trail running shoe that myself and other testers have loved for years. They had a few misses around model 10, but since then we’ve gotten back on track!

It’s slightly more narrow fit than some other brands, which works for some of us.

I always feel really confident in the traction of this show and I like the light guard just above the cushion to keep my toes from being wet in the grass or light snow.

Saucony Peregrine 15 Review

The Saucony Peregrine is a popular and versatile trail running shoe that has gained a strong reputation among trail runners and outdoor enthusiasts. Designed to handle a variety of terrains and conditions, the Peregrine combines responsiveness, durability, and traction to provide a reliable and enjoyable off-road running experience.

For me, I appreciate that it’s not one of the overbuilt trail shoes and the traction is fabulous. They have also taken some weight out of the updated models!

BONUS this is a lower stack height than so many of the current shoe trends and many prefer that on the trails to feel more stable.

More about Saucony

Like another well known running brand (New Balance), Saucony started it’s first factory in 1898. And by 1910 they were making running spikes…but few people were running or even looking for running shoes, so it wasn’t until the 1970’s that they started to grow.Saucony History

First they became known for their casual shoe with it’s cool style and then, the big time hit.

Runner’s World featured them in 1979 as a top 10 running shoe. By the 80’s they were making shoes with a non-slip sole which was a big innovation.

Then came 2009 and the Saucony Kinvara – this one shoe changed many things about their design and philosophy. It was the more natural running shoe (yes during the barefoot trend).  The new goal became how to strip shoes down, without sacrificing cushion and comfort.

Good performance, good health and good community are their guiding principles.  You may have seen their hashtag #runforgood – which is really about doing good, giving back and finding sustainable practices.

More About Nike Running

Is there anyone who doesn’t know the story of Nike yet?? The brand actually started in 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports and didn’t take on the name of Nike the Greek Goddess until 1971.

If you haven’t read Shoe Dog by Phil Knight, it’s a wonderful book that gives you so much insight to the building of a company and a brand.

I fully understand not everyone loves Nike due to many of the practices we’ve seen with their athletes. I’m just here to provide details about the gear, you make those judgements.Nike compared to other shoes

In 1972, the Nike Waffle Racer was handed out at the Olympics and things really started to take off. One of these original pairs of shoes recently sold for almost $500,000!

From there they have continued to inovate and consistently produce new models of shoes for a variety of sports.

Nike has also dominated the marketing game.

How to Choose Nike or Saucony?

Nike and Saucony are two extremely well known running shoe brands, but more important than brand is the fit of the shoe.

Your gait and feet will change over time and you may need to change shoes.

This is also why I recommend rotating through several pairs of shoes at once.

And remember, just because these are two of the most well known brands on the market, there are still plenty of other shoe brands to select from if neither Saucony nor Nike has the right shoe for you.

Keep in mind that shoe design can change, even with the same model, so always assess how the shoe fits every time you replace a pair.

For more help selecting the right shoe for you, don’t worry, I’ve got you:

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Amanda Brooks Avatar

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Amanda Brooks
I am a running coach with over a decade of experience helping thousands of runners to achieve their goals from running injury free to crossing that marathon finish line with a PR. I’ve run over 28,000 miles in my own running journey since 2002. Run To The Finish is my place to share that love and my deep dive in to researching all things running. I hold multiple run coaching certifications, as well as a personal training certification. But it’s my ongoing desire to learn and progress as a coach that has allowed me to help runners from their 20’s through their 70’s! More ways to connect with me:

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