Saucony vs New Balance: Which One Should You Choose?

Saucony vs New Balance: When it comes to choosing the perfect running shoes, two brands often top the list: Saucony and New Balance.

Both have earned a reputation for delivering high-quality, performance-driven footwear that can make all the difference in a runner’s performance and overall comfort.

But, with so many similarities between the two, it can be tough to decide which one is right for you.

Saucony vs New Balance: A Quick Overview

Similarities:

• Both Saucony and New Balance are well-established running shoe brands with a long history of producing high-quality shoes.
• Both brands offer a wide range of shoe models catering to different running styles, preferences, and foot types.
• Both brands are known for their commitment to innovation, technology, and performance.

Differences:

Saucony:

• Known for their more substantial and supportive shoes, often preferred by runners with high arches or plantar fasciitis.
• Feature a more substantial heel-to-toe offset (around 8-10mm) for a more cushioned ride.
• Often preferred by runners who need more support and stability.
• Popular models include the Freedom ISO, Guide, and Triumph.

New Balance:

• Known for their more minimalist and lightweight shoes, often preferred by runners with neutral foot pronation.
• Feature a lower heel-to-toe offset (around 4-6mm) for a more natural stride.
• Often preferred by runners who need less support and more flexibility.
• Popular models include the Fresh Foam, 574, and 860.

Ultimate Decision:

• If you’re a runner who needs more support and stability, Saucony might be the better choice.
• If you’re a runner who prefers a more minimalist and lightweight ride, New Balance might be the better choice.

Cushioning and Comfort: Which Brand Offers Better Comfort?

Cushioning

• Saucony:
  • Known for their generous cushioning, especially in the midsole and forefoot.
  • Feature a more substantial heel-to-toe offset (around 8-10mm) for a more cushioned ride.
  • Use a variety of cushioning technologies, including PWRTRAC, EVERUN, and PWRRUN.
  • Provide a softer and more comfortable ride, especially for runners who need more support.
• New Balance:
  • Offer a more balanced cushioning, with a focus on responsiveness and flexibility.
  • Feature a lower heel-to-toe offset (around 4-6mm) for a more natural stride.
  • Use technologies like Fresh Foam, Revlite, and ABZORB for a smooth and comfortable ride.
  • Provide a more subtle and responsive cushioning, suitable for runners who prefer a more natural feel.

Comfort

• Saucony:
  • Known for their comfortable and breathable upper materials, such as ISOFIT and FORMFIT.
  • Feature a more substantial and supportive heel counter for a secure fit.
  • Offer a more relaxed and comfortable fit, especially for runners with wider feet.
• New Balance:
  • Offer a more snug and secure fit, especially in the heel and midfoot.
  • Feature a more minimalist and lightweight upper design, with a focus on flexibility and breathability.
  • Provide a more adaptive and comfortable fit, suitable for runners with narrower feet.

Ultimate Decision

• If you prioritize a softer and more cushioned ride, Saucony might be the better choice.
• If you prefer a more balanced and responsive cushioning, New Balance might be the better choice.
• Consider your personal running style, foot type, and preferences when choosing between Saucony and New Balance.

Support and Stability: Which Shoe Reigns Supreme?

Support

• Saucony:
  • Known for their supportive shoes, especially for runners with high arches or plantar fasciitis.
  • Feature a more substantial and supportive heel counter for a secure fit.
  • Offer a range of support features, including medial posts, stability bridges, and supportive upper materials.
  • Provide a more substantial and supportive ride, especially for runners who need more support.
• New Balance:
  • Offer a more balanced support, with a focus on flexibility and adaptability.
  • Feature a more minimalist and lightweight upper design, with a focus on breathability and flexibility.
  • Provide a more subtle and adaptive support, suitable for runners with neutral foot pronation.

Stability

• Saucony:
  • Known for their stability features, such as medial posts and stability bridges.
  • Feature a more substantial and supportive midfoot and heel design for added stability.
  • Offer a range of stability features, including Guide Rails and PWRTRAC, to help correct overpronation.
  • Provide a more stable and supportive ride, especially for runners who need more stability.
• New Balance:
  • Offer a more subtle and adaptive stability, with a focus on flexibility and responsiveness.
  • Feature a more minimalist and lightweight midfoot and heel design for a more natural stride.
  • Provide a more subtle and adaptive stability, suitable for runners with neutral foot pronation.

Ultimate Decision

• If you need more support and stability, Saucony might be the better choice.
• If you prefer a more balanced and adaptive support, New Balance might be the better choice.
• Consider your personal running style, foot type, and preferences when choosing between Saucony and New Balance.

Traction and Grip: Which Shoe Stack Up for Hiking?

Traction

• Saucony:
  • Feature a more aggressive tread pattern for improved traction on various surfaces.
  • Use a combination of lugs and grooves to provide grip on both dry and wet surfaces.
  • Offer a more substantial and durable outsole for improved traction and durability.
  • Provide a more confident and secure ride, especially on uneven or slippery surfaces.
• New Balance:
  • Feature a more subtle and adaptive tread pattern for improved grip on various surfaces.
  • Use a combination of lugs and flex grooves to provide flexibility and traction.
  • Offer a more lightweight and flexible outsole for improved responsiveness and grip.
  • Provide a more agile and adaptable ride, especially on smooth or dry surfaces.

Grip

• Saucony:
  • Feature a more substantial and aggressive grip pattern for improved traction on various surfaces.
  • Use a combination of rubber compounds and tread patterns to provide grip on both dry and wet surfaces.
  • Offer a more confident and secure grip, especially on uneven or slippery surfaces.
• New Balance:
  • Feature a more subtle and adaptive grip pattern for improved grip on various surfaces.
  • Use a combination of rubber compounds and tread patterns to provide flexibility and grip.
  • Offer a more agile and adaptable grip, especially on smooth or dry surfaces.

Ultimate Decision

• If you prioritize traction and grip on uneven or slippery surfaces, Saucony might be the better choice.
• If you prefer a more agile and adaptable grip on smooth or dry surfaces, New Balance might be the better choice.
• Consider your personal running style, foot type, and preferences when choosing between Saucony and New Balance.

Weight and Responsiveness: The Verdict Both The Shoes

Weight

• Saucony:
  • Generally heavier than New Balance shoes, with an average weight of 10-12 oz (280-340g) for men’s models.
  • Feature a more substantial and supportive design, which can add to the overall weight.
  • However, some Saucony models, like the Freedom ISO, are designed to be lighter and more flexible.
• New Balance:
  • Generally lighter than Saucony shoes, with an average weight of 8-10 oz (220-280g) for men’s models.
  • Feature a more minimalist and lightweight design, which helps to reduce weight.
  • Some New Balance models, like the Fresh Foam, are designed to be even lighter and more responsive.

Responsiveness

• Saucony:
  • Feature a more substantial and supportive midsole, which can affect responsiveness.
  • However, some Saucony models, like the Freedom ISO, are designed to be more flexible and responsive.
  • Use technologies like PWRTRAC and EVERUN to provide a more responsive ride.
• New Balance:
  • Feature a more minimalist and lightweight midsole, which helps to improve responsiveness.
  • Use technologies like Fresh Foam and Revlite to provide a more responsive and springy ride.
  • Designed to provide a more agile and adaptable ride, especially for runners who prefer a more natural stride.

Ultimate Decision

• If you prioritize a lighter and more responsive ride, New Balance might be the better choice.
• If you prefer a more substantial and supportive ride, Saucony might be the better choice.
• Consider your personal running style, foot type, and preferences when choosing between Saucony and New Balance.

Breathability and Ventilation: Keeping Your Feet Cool and Dry

Breathability

• Saucony:
  • Feature a more substantial and supportive upper material, which can affect breathability.
  • However, many Saucony models, like the Freedom ISO, feature breathable mesh panels for improved airflow.
  • Use technologies like ISOFIT and FORMFIT to provide a more comfortable and breathable fit.
• New Balance:
  • Feature a more minimalist and lightweight upper material, which helps to improve breathability.
  • Use mesh panels and perforations to provide excellent airflow and ventilation.
  • Designed to provide a more comfortable and breathable ride, especially for runners who prioritize ventilation.

Ventilation

• Saucony:
  • Feature ventilation systems, like the FlexFilm upper, to provide airflow and breathability.
  • Use perforations and mesh panels to provide ventilation and cooling.
  • Designed to provide a more comfortable and breathable ride, especially for runners who prioritize ventilation.
• New Balance:
  • Feature a more extensive ventilation system, with larger mesh panels and perforations.
  • Use technologies like Fresh Foam and Revlite to provide a more breathable and responsive ride.
  • Designed to provide excellent ventilation and cooling, especially for runners who prioritize breathability.

Ultimate Decision

• If you prioritize breathability and ventilation, New Balance might be the better choice.
• If you prefer a more substantial and supportive ride, Saucony might be the better choice.
• Consider your personal running style, foot type, and preferences when choosing between Saucony and New Balance.

Durability and Longevity: Which Shoe Will Last Longer?

Durability

• Saucony:
  • Known for their durable and long-lasting shoes, with a focus on high-quality materials and construction.
  • Feature a more substantial and supportive design, which can add to the overall durability.
  • Use technologies like PWRTRAC and EVERUN to provide a more durable and responsive ride.
• New Balance:
  • Also known for their durable and long-lasting shoes, with a focus on high-quality materials and construction.
  • Feature a more minimalist and lightweight design, which can affect durability.
  • Use technologies like Fresh Foam and Revlite to provide a more durable and responsive ride.

Longevity

• Saucony:
  • Generally, Saucony shoes are known to last longer, with an average lifespan of 300-400 miles.
  • Feature a more substantial and supportive design, which can add to the overall longevity.
  • Use high-quality materials and construction to ensure a longer lifespan.
• New Balance:
  • Generally, New Balance shoes are known to last around 200-300 miles.
  • Feature a more minimalist and lightweight design, which can affect longevity.
  • Use high-quality materials and construction to ensure a longer lifespan, but may not last as long as Saucony shoes.

Ultimate Decision

• If you prioritize durability and longevity, Saucony might be the better choice.
• If you prefer a more minimalist and lightweight design, New Balance might be the better choice.
• Consider your personal running style, foot type, and preferences when choosing between Saucony and New Balance.

Style and Aesthetics: Which Shoe Looks and Feels Better?

Style

• Saucony:
  • Known for their bold and vibrant color schemes, with a focus on bright and eye-catching designs.
  • Feature a more substantial and supportive design, which can affect the overall style.
  • Offer a wide range of styles, from sleek and modern to bold and statement-making.
• New Balance:
  • Known for their more understated and classic color schemes, with a focus on neutral and earthy tones.
  • Feature a more minimalist and lightweight design, which can affect the overall style.
  • Offer a wide range of styles, from classic and traditional to modern and trendy.

Aesthetics

• Saucony:
  • Feature a more aggressive and angular design, with a focus on bold lines and shapes.
  • Use high-quality materials and construction to ensure a premium look and feel.
  • Offer a wide range of color options and styles to suit different tastes and preferences.
• New Balance:
  • Feature a more streamlined and sleek design, with a focus on clean lines and minimalism.
  • Use high-quality materials and construction to ensure a premium look and feel.
  • Offer a wide range of color options and styles to suit different tastes and preferences.

Ultimate Decision

• If you prioritize bold and vibrant styles, Saucony might be the better choice.
• If you prefer more understated and classic styles, New Balance might be the better choice.
• Consider your personal style, preferences, and running goals when choosing between Saucony and New Balance.

The Final Step: Which Shoe Reigns Supreme in Our Head-to-Head Comparison?

Saucony

• Strengths:
  • More substantial and supportive design
  • Better suited for runners with high arches or plantar fasciitis
  • More aggressive and angular design
  • Better for runners who need more support and stability
• Weaknesses:
  • Heavier and less breathable than New Balance
  • Less flexible and adaptable than New Balance
  • May not be suitable for runners with neutral foot pronation

New Balance

• Strengths:
  • Lighter and more breathable than Saucony
  • More flexible and adaptable than Saucony
  • Better suited for runners with neutral foot pronation
  • More minimalist and lightweight design
• Weaknesses:
  • Less supportive and stable than Saucony
  • May not be suitable for runners with high arches or plantar fasciitis
  • Less aggressive and angular design

Ultimate Decision

• If you prioritize support and stability, Saucony might be the better choice.
• If you prioritize flexibility and adaptability, New Balance might be the better choice.
• Consider your personal running style, foot type, and preferences when choosing between Saucony and New Balance.

FAQs

Q: Which brand is better for runners with high arches?
A: Saucony is generally better for runners with high arches or plantar fasciitis due to their more substantial and supportive design.

Q: Which brand is better for runners with neutral foot pronation?
A: New Balance is generally better for runners with neutral foot pronation due to their more flexible and adaptable design.

Q: Which brand is better for runners who need more support and stability?
A: Saucony is generally better for runners who need more support and stability due to their more substantial and supportive design.

Q: Which brand is better for runners who prioritize flexibility and adaptability?
A: New Balance is generally better for runners who prioritize flexibility and adaptability due to their more minimalist and lightweight design.

Q: Which brand is better for runners who prioritize style and aesthetics?
A: Both brands offer a wide range of styles and aesthetics, so it ultimately depends on personal preference.

Q: Which brand is better for runners who prioritize durability and longevity?
A: Saucony is generally better for runners who prioritize durability and longevity due to their more substantial and supportive design.

Q: Which brand is better for runners who prioritize breathability and ventilation?
A: New Balance is generally better for runners who prioritize breathability and ventilation due to their more minimalist and lightweight design.