These are the comfiest running shoes I've ever worn

Everyone has their own preferred brand of running shoes. Some people swear by Asics, others are devout Nike fans, and still others are loyal Brooks enthusiasts. I’m not an avid runner—although I'm trying to get more into it—but when I go out for a jog, I’ve been wearing Hoka One Ones because I like the style and cushioning of their chunky, oversized midsoles.

When I talk to my runner friends, however, there’s one brand that comes up time and time again: Saucony. According to my circle, Saucony makes some of the most supportive, most cushioned, and most comfortable running shoes. Having never tried a pair before, I decided to do a little research to find the best of the best. Based on reviews, the much hyped Endorphin Speed is a top-seller, promising runners it’ll make them "run faster, not harder."

Curious to see if my friends are right in their Saucony worship, I bought a pair of the $160 shoes. Would they make me a Saucony believer?

What I like about the Saucony Endorphin Speed

Straight out of the box, the sneakers provided the one functional thing I like in my running shoes: snug support. I grabbed a pair in my normal size 11.5 and these shoes fit just right. They cradle my feet with plenty of wiggle room for the toes to splay to ensure a comfortable run. They’re also very bouncy, thanks to the shoe’s layered foam midsole. I’m a huge fan of how comfortable they feel, with no break-in period required.

I took the Endorphin Speeds out for a few runs at a local park and I’m happy to say they performed just as great as I’d hoped. On each of my runs, the thick foam sole cushioned the impact of my heel hitting the ground and offered superior shock absorption. The sole’s upward curve—which starts from the balls of the feet and arches up toward the toe box—gave me a nice glide with every step. I’ve previously run in the aforementioned Hoka One One Cliftons and Adidas Ultraboosts, but neither shoe propelled me forward with a springy step quite like these did.

Aside from the shoe’s substantial sole support, the breathable mesh upper is another one of its high points. The thin mesh is flexible and airy, so it’s fitted but not constricting. It hugged my foot like a sock, with perforation that permitted a breeze even behind its padded tongue. The shoe weighs just eight ounces—a little less than my Hokas—it's very lightweight and didn't weigh me down.

Lastly, the reflective plastic heel counter on the back of each shoe prevented my feet from slipping up with zero chafing that might lead to blisters. These shoes feel smartly engineered with comfort and ease in mind.

What I don’t like about the Saucony Endorphin Speed

Call me superficial, but I like running shoes that double as casual lifestyle sneakers, and these don’t fill the bill. I purchased a pair in a colorway called “Future Spring,” which is a pastel blue with orange accents and a lime green midsole. While I don’t mind the loudness of the sneakers on a run, outside of an active setting, they look too bright for my taste. These colors aren’t as casual as the ones you can get with an Adidas Ultraboost or Nike Zoom Fly 3.

What's more, walking in the Saucony shoes requires some mastery due to their stacked heels and upward curved sole. Although all that padding is great for running, it caused my feet to roll inward at the arch when walking.

Are Saucony Endorphin Speed shoes worth buying?

If you need a new pair of running shoes and you want to prioritize shock absorption and a springy ride, by all means, grab a pair of Endorphin Speeds. These are the bounciest, airiest shoes I’ve ever put on my feet, and running in them feels effortless. The thin mesh upper and stacked heels impressed me and gave me some of the most painless runs I’ve taken. At $160, they’re well worth the price of admission for comfort over the 300 to 500 miles you should be able to get out of a well-made pair of runners.

Get the Endorphin Speed from Saucony for $160