6 Best Saucony Walking Shoes in 2025

The Saucony Ride 19 keeps pushing the series deeper into maximalist territory, and in our view, that shift will divide runners. On our runs and in our lab tests, we were impressed by the strong energy return, the excellent upper, and the improved stability for heel strikers. However, we also felt that the added weight and increased stiffness dull the ride and remove some of the natural, fun character the Ride line once had.

Light and loose, here’s a chill kick for our daily walks and runs. Our lab tests prove Saucony Guide 18 seamlessly guides our strides without being intrusive, offering a reassuring hand when needed. It delivers all-day pleasure with its cushioned and flexible midsole, an unusual stability feature, offering the best arch support in the Saucony walking-running lineup.

While it’s not the lightest shoe out there, Guide 18 is remarkably light in the stability realm. At 9.8 oz (278g), it beats the 10.1 oz (286g) average of its counterparts. Offering a lighter sensation on the foot is the unresisting midsole which showed 8.9% higher flexibility than average in our bend test. These elements deliver an effortless and burden-free ride.

Guide 18 managed to impressively maintain a light build despite its above-average 36.0/27.7 mm stack. Our durometer reveals it’s a balanced 23.0 HA, offering leg protection and relieving the strain off our arches.

To enhance stability, Guide 18 has several reinforcing elements such as the midsole walls, heel flare, and vast landing base. Each stride feels secure as we have much room to find our footing. Our lab reveals the midsole measures 7.8/14.3 mm wider than the average forefoot and heel.

What we found lacking is the grip for wet surfaces. Those who often encounter puddles and rain should find a pair with better traction.

Our walks received a significant upgrade while sporting Saucony’s Triumph 23. Our lab assessment reveals it features the premium PWRRUN PB midsole, which our legs truly savored due to its responsive feel and leg-saving properties. In the realm of shock absorption, the Triumph 23 is beyond compare to the brand’s walking-running shoe lineup.

The plush and generous cushioning eliminates the harshness of each landing. Our caliper reveals a generous serving of cushioning, rising to a massive 42.3/32.3 mm. Testing the midsole, we found it offers a high shock absorption rate of 149 SA, 16.4% better than average. Its energy return also impressed us with a high 67.6% score. The whole package takes good care of us on prolonged on-foot travels because it feels less taxing on our muscles and joints.

Thankfully, its height doesn’t compromise support as the midsole sidewalls and vast width ensure our surefootedness. These stability features are very subtle, highlighting the shoe’s emphasis on comfort. Our caliper confirms the landing base is a very spacious 124.0/98.9 mm vs. the 114.3/90.8 mm average.

We think the shoe’s ventilation has room for improvement. Given its 3/5 breathability rating, we cannot recommend this pair during warmer seasons.

Laborious testing of Saucony walking shoes led us to the decision of surmounting Saucony Endorphin Shift 3 as the best for all-day wear. We found that it isn’t only perfect for day to night because of its unbelievable in-shoe feel but because of its versatility and stylishness. No pain, all gain - this is what this shoe is all about!

One of the many reasons why we didn’t mind being in Shift 3 for hours was its fantastic ventilation. The air smoothly circulates in and out of the shoe as clearly shown in our breathability test. We pumped smoke inside it and the upper easily coughed the smoke out, scoring 4/5 in breathability.

Whether we were touring or working, we didn’t feel like we were carrying weights down our legs with Shift 3. Our weighing scale displayed a 9.4 oz (266.0g) weight, which is only 1.9% lighter than average. This was surprising for us because it felt so much lighter than on paper.

We also loved the cushioning of Shift 3, which made it seem like we were stepping on pillows. We turned to our durometer and we discovered that the midsole is 22.0 HA soft, which is 10.6% softer than average. What sucked was that the shoe wasn’t that accommodating. Using our caliper, we learned that the widest part of the toebox measured 94.2 mm. This is 3.7 narrower than the average. So if you have bunions or generally have wide feet, we suggest skipping this pair.

Saucony Tempus 2 is a trailblazer in the stability scene. In our runs, it delivers speed, all-weather grip, and support in a lightweight package. Its guidance doesn’t disrupt our natural way of running, and it's built for fast paces. However, in the lab, it dominated our traction test among Saucony walking-running shoes.

The XT-900 outperforms many of the Tempus 2’s counterparts with its exceptional blend of grip and wear resistance. In our traction test, we recorded a friction coefficient of 0.63, making it 28.6% grippier than average. Moreover, it displayed impressive durability, with only a minimal 0.4 mm dent in our Dremel test.

Tempus 2 feels agile and responsive on foot, and our scales show it’s only 9.3 oz (264g). This figure is really light for a stability shoe. Moreover, the midsole itself offers strong energy return, with high scores of 69.9% in the heel and 72.2% in the forefoot.

We also discovered the PWRRUN frame in the lab, which is Tempus 2’s core support. It keeps our strides well-centered and prevents excessive lateral motions, proven by its 4/5 torsional rigidity score. Thankfully, it doesn’t sacrifice longitudinal versatility. Our bend test reveals it’s as flexible as the average, making it comfortable enough for slow runs or walks.

However, the Tempus 2 features a tapered fit, which may cause discomfort to wide or swollen feet. Runners who need more real estate up front should check other options.

In the Saucony walking-running category, the Hurricane 25 stood out with its undeniable energy return. It wanted us to keep going with its strong momentum, balanced by an impact-absorbing midsole, as lab tests confirm. Moreover, it features a quality rubber compound that offers the perfect blend of grip and durability.

During our wear tests, we enjoyed the PWRRUN PB foam’s bouncy nature. We could easily break out into a run if we wanted to. Testing for energy return, we recorded strong scores of 68.4% in the heel and 74.0% in the forefoot, figures exceeding the level of daily trainers.

With a thick 40.2/33.1 mm stack beneath our feet, it’s hard to feel the harshness of the ground. Not only that, the cushion itself reduces the effects of landings, proven by solid shock absorption scores of 151 SA in the heel and an astounding 140 SA in the forefoot.

The XT-900 outsole boosts our confidence with its underfoot protection and slip-resistance. Testing for traction, we recorded a high friction score of 0.54, indicating all-weather grip. In terms of wear resistance, it showed only a 0.9 mm dent, 18.2% less than the average. This result shows it’s a long-lasting shoe.

However, its poor ventilation didn’t feel so good in warm weather. Therefore, we can only recommend this pair during cooler seasons. Those looking for a year-round trainer should skip this shoe.