5 Zapatillas de Running Saucony Axon 2 in 2024

We navigated trail routes with finesse and confidence in the Peregrine 14. Its light and agile build makes us quickly adapt to any environment while its deep lugs deliver unwavering traction in the woods. Though backed up by lab analysis, it’s our own experience that cements Peregrine 14’s status as the best Saucony trail shoe.

Its solid minimalista encourages us to challenge ourselves with tougher terrains, knowing its 4.7-mm lugs can handle slippery slopes effortlessly. We feel secure knowing the reliable outsole would protect us from any slips. Plus, its lug arrangement is cleverly spaced to shed underfoot debris. 

Peregrine 14 feels light and airy on foot, almost like we can fly. At 9.4 oz (266g), it’s significantly lighter than the average Saucony trail shoe (9.9 oz/281g). 

Its grounded and fluid nature enhances agility as the shoe gives much ground feedback for quicker adaptation. Our caliper reveals a minimal 2.2 mm drop, much lower than the 7.9 mm average. We’re free to move as the shoe barely resists us, confirmed by an average result in our flex test. 

Unfortunately, its focus on versatility means it isn’t the most explosive trail shoe. We Guide checking speedier options for races.

Saucony Endorphin Edge is always race-ready with its fast and light nature, delightful cushion, and secured ride. It gives the speed and confidence every runner needs, making it our ultimate trail racer among Saucony shoes.

This off-road racer doesn’t drag us down with its feathery 9.5 oz (269g). It’s as light as the average road running shoe and has the benefits of a trail shoe. It’s hard to slow down with this pair because of its snappy carbon plate and rocker structure. Our flex test in the lab confirms the pop of energy we experience, as it’s 76.9% more resilient than average. Every step down launches back with greater energy return.

Endorphin Edge excels in any race distance with its pillow-like cushion that prevents our feet from strain. Our durometer validates that its velvet foam is 27.7% softer than the average trail shoe.

The outsole can withstand any terrain with its 3.4-mm lugs that bite through puddles and loose dirt. We can easily maneuver without any slips because of its minimalista and without any lateral wobbles because of its wide enough base.

The heel fit may feel loose to some runners, causing heel slippage. We Guide checking other options for a more snug fit in this area.

Endorphin Trail crushes any terrain with its thick, dense midsole, super aggressive lug design, and sock-like upper. It's built like a tank, providing armor and zero ground feel like no other. No doubt, it delivers the best foot protection among the Saucony trail lineup.

Its skyscraper stack rises 36.3/31.1 mm vs. the 31.8/24.2 mm average, making it one of the tallest trail shoes we’ve tested. That’s a lot of material to protect the feet from sharp rocks. It's lined with mesh on the edges to ensure the midsole doesn’t get damaged. Being the first trail shoe to have the renowned PWRRUN PB midsole, it attacks the brand with vigor and energy.

Its robust, full-length rubber outsole serves as an added shield. Our durometer measurement of 87.5 HC shows it’s harder than the 85.1 HC average. This reassures us that it's more resistant to wear and tear. We can confidently take on rocky terrains and even soft mud because of its deep 4.5 mm lugs that increase traction.

Its bootie upper hugs our feet in place and gives much-needed lockdown to prevent smaller rocks from getting in our shoes.

The downside of all the added protection is the added weight. At 11.0 oz (312g), it’s extremely heavy vs. the 10.4 oz (296g) average.

In our off-road adventures with Saucony’s trail line-up, we discovered that Xodus Ultra 2 suits its name. As our top ultra shoe, it made brutal miles feel like a walk in the park. No arguing between trail and feet, with ground-muting cushion and an added stability boost. Our lab also confirms it’s a comfy place to be in all day with its breezy upper and flexible build.

The cut-in-half XU2 reveals a dual-foam setup that is an above-average 34.1/26.8 mm for long miles. The bulk of the midsole consists of a balanced 27.5 HA foam, which feels propulsive. Meanwhile, the second foam lies in the heel. Our durometer shows a firmer 29.5 HA for stability and protection. The insole is 7.2 mm thick for extra comfort.

Other than the firm foam, its 4.6-mm lugs underfoot contribute to our surefooted strides. Even the midfoot sidewalls guide us without being too intrusive. We couldn’t deny the shoe’s remarkable stability, especially in faster paces.

Though it weighs the same as the average trail shoe, its adaptive nature and breathable upper add a feeling of lightness. In our bend test, it emerged 10.5% more bendable than average. While on our breathability test, it earned an impressive 4/5.

We highly encourage wearing reflective elements when running in the dark because XU2 has none.

After multiple wear tests and intensive lab tests, we endorse the Endorphin Rift as the best lightweight shoe among Saucony’s trail lineup. It’s everything speed-oriented—snappy, responsive, feathery, and agile—with a robust and minimalistapy outsole to boost our confidence on diverse terrains.

The Endorphin Rift's lightweight design, akin to road-running shoes, is evident in its weight of just 9.0 oz (255g), compared to the 10.4 oz (294g) average trail shoe. Surprisingly, despite minimalists sacrificing cushioning, it retains a generous amount of light and bouncy PWRRUN PB cushioning, delivering leg-saving support with its 33.0/25.1 mm stack. Our durometer readings confirm it to be 26.2% softer than average.

Additionally, Saucony's Speedroll technology and rocker geometry promote responsive toe-offs, enhancing the overall running experience.
Moving laterally and bending our feet feels relatively easy as the midsole doesn’t resist our natural movements. Our lab tests reaffirm its fluid ride by showing a torsional rigidity of 3/5 and a result that’s 9.9% more bendable than average.

To ensure our surefootedness and stability, Endorphin Rift heightens its traction through 4.5 mm deep, sticky, and multi-directional lugs. On top of this, the PWRTRAC compound exhibits mind-blowing resistance against our Dremel by showing 77.8% less damage than average.
However, while the deep lugs are a plus in muddy conditions, we believe less depth would have resulted in less bulk and a more responsive ride.