Brooks vs Saucony: Complete List of Comparison [2023]

Since Brooks and Saucony are one of the most popular running shoes in the market, we would like to compare Brooks vs Saucony side by side and guide you to a clear decision of Brooks or Saucony. We have worn both brands and the quality and the performance outputs of their running shoes are very similar.

To begin with, both Brooks and Saucony produce highly recognizable running shoes and they are mainly focused on the customer feedbacks to deliver comfier, lighter and faster running shoes. So, if you are asking Brooks or Saucony, you are in the right place! The following chart, we have put together will help you to understand their design intention better and help you to compare Brooks vs Saucony:

Related Article: Best Brooks Running Shoes – Buying Advice

So, here is your question. Which one is better? Is Brooks better than Saucony? Of course, we have a personal preference. But before claiming Brooks or Saucony, we strongly recommend reading to understand the main difference between them!

BROOKS VS Saucony RUNNING SHOES THE MAIN DIFFERENCES

There are large variety of running shoes produced by both Brooks and Saucony. Therefore, understanding the main difference will help you to choose correct running shoe. The key differences between Brooks and Saucony are the fit, midsole structure, cushioning technology and their approach to the stability:

KEY DIFFERENCES

Generally speaking, Saucony running shoes have snugger fit than the Brooks running shoes in the midfoot and heel. But, Brooks offers roomier toe-box.

Saucony uses PWRRUN technology in the midsole for a long time. It still works fine and gives a great cushioning. The midsole structure of Brooks is mainly from polyurethane and Brooks continuously developing this material to deliver better running shoes.

The cushioning technologies of both brands are completely different. Saucony is traditional, but Brooks implements more innovative technology. Brooks has developed different foam technologies (DNA Loft, DNA Amp etc.) and apply them depending on the running experience you prefer. Saucony uses its PWRRUN technology and its variants to obtain cushioning in the midsole.

The stability running shoes of Saucony use TPU Guidance Frame in the midsole. This is a classical medial post design which is outdated. On the other hand, Brooks removed the medial post design from its stability running shoes. They are implementing GuideRails technology to obtain stability models. Also, Brooks has stability models in each running shoe category. Glycerin GTS (cushion), Adrenaline GTS (cushion), Launch GTS (speed) and Levitate GTS (energy return) are some of Brooks stability running shoes in different running experience type. Since the main contributor of stability is the midsole design & material, you can check out Midsole Review section of this post for your running shoes stability related questions.

RUNNING EXPERIENCE TYPES – CATEGORIZATION

Both Brooks and Saucony offer their running shoes in four categories. But, their approach to the categorization is a bit different.

Saucony Running Experience Types:

• Daily Running – (Neutral and Stability)
• Speed Trainers
• Race Shoes
• Trail

Brooks Running Experience Types:

• Cushion
• Energize
• Speed
• Trail

KEY FEATURES: BROOKS VS Saucony RUNNING SHOES

Now, let’s focus on the in-depth comparison of Brooks vs Saucony starting from Upper & Fit, Midsole and Outsole construction:

UPPER AND FIT REVIEW

Speaking of fit, the Saucony shoes have snugger fit than Brooks. Especially, Brooks running shoes are wider in toe box. Therefore, Brooks recommends going up a half size compared to your normal shoe size.

For the online purchasing, we strongly encourage you to take a look at the Brooks’ Own Shoe Finder Tool in the Amozon.com. This tool will guide you very well for a clear decision making about the fit and running type experience.

The midfoot and heel of Saucony running shoes are tighter in general. Saucony presents FORMFIT which is a mono-mesh upper for enhanced breathability at a lighter weight. On the other hand, Brooks uses 3D Fit Print mesh structure in the upper. Both technologies are pretty much good in locking and conforming the foot shapes.

Brooks mainly focused on the flexibility and the weight reduction on the upper construction. The engineered mesh upper is stretchy (highly flexible), covers the feet well and it is durable. Nowadays, both Brooks and Saucony offers sock like fit models. The sock liners are perfectly comfortable and by the help of soft collars of Brooks, it is exceptionally plush. You can check out our in-depth Brooks Levitate review for a sock-like fit example.

Speaking of Breathability, the upper of the shoe is extremely important. In this case, Brooks offers two different type of design in their running shoes. The first one is the Engineered Mesh upper which is a woven material that is stretchy and structurally a little stiff. The second is the Fit Knit Upper which is extremely stretchy. You can check out our in-depth Brooks Revel review for Fit-Knit Upper. The Fit-Knit upper allows highly comfortable movement but feels loosen when downhill. Saucony offers Engineered Mesh upper as well in their products.

MIDSOLE REVIEW

The main difference between the midsole of Brooks and Saucony is the material and its construction. For instance, Brooks uses polyurethane insoles, whereas, Saucony has the PWRRUN in midsole. This is what makes the huge difference between these two brands.

Depending on the running experience you seek, Brooks offers different variants of DNA technology in the midsole. All of them are fine considering the purpose of use. As an example, the DNA AMP midsole returns up to 20% more energy in energize category running shoes (Levitate) compared to the its contenders on the market.

Saucony uses PWRRUN foam in the midsole, this creates great dampening. But considering the energy return, bouncy feeling and cushioning, it lags behind Brooks’ DNA foam technology.

About the Stability, Brooks implements its GuideRails Technology on their shoes. The GuideRails prevent pronation too far in one direction and excess ankle movement. It is less noticeable compared to the conventional stability elements. The GuideRails aligns your stride when it is needed.

The Saucony mindset considering the stability is completely different than Brooks. The Saucony establish the stability by implementing traditional medial post which is called TPU Guidance Frame which is a thermoplastic polyurethane (L shaped).

So, which one is more stable, Brooks or Saucony? If you do not have any excessive over-pronation, then we would recommend Brooks stability shoes (GTS versions). Brooks stability shoes do not interfere the natural movement of your stride and most widely used stability model of Brooks is the Adrenaline GTS line. For severe pronation, we recommend Brooks Men’s Beast (Women’s Counterpart is Ariel). In case of severe pronation, Saucony stability shoes are straight forward.

OUTSOLE REVIEW

Considering the outsole, both Brooks and Saucony have rubber based material on it. Saucony uses XT-900 rubber outsole with reinforced high abrasion zones. However, Brooks implements pure rubber on entire outsole.

Brooks removed the medial post and instead they implement dual arch pod to increase the stability. It still gives fairly enough stability but more importantly, it increases the forefoot flexibility.

Considering the traction, based on our hands on test, Brooks running shoes showed a better traction capability in comparison to Saucony running shoes.

Side by Side Brooks vs Saucony Product Comparison

The most popular Brooks Running Shoes are the Ghost, Glycerin and Adrenaline. The corresponding product lines of the Saucony are the Ride, Triumph and Guide. So, we would like to make a side by side comparison of these running shoes to help you make a clear decision on that.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 vs Saucony Guide 14

Usually, people are comparing Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 vs Saucony Guide 14 to find out which one will response better considering the stability.

It is so obvious that the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 is better than the Saucony Guide 14 in terms of stability. Brooks implements GuideRails technology on their stability shoes which offers a holistic approach. It does not interfere the natural movement of the foot, but corrects it. On the other hand, the Saucony Guide 14 uses TPU Guidance Frame which is a classic medial support. We found Saucony Guide 14 outdated considering their approach to stability. Therefore the winner of the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 vs Saucony Guide 14 is the Adrenaline GTS.

Related Article: Saucony Ride vs Guide

Brooks Ghost 14 vs Saucony Ride 14

We compared Brooks Ghost 14 vs Saucony Ride 14 to find out which one is a better daily trainer.

The Saucony Ride 14 is stiffer under foot compared to the Brooks Ghost 14. Both of them are comfortable enough but we expect some flexibility from a daily trainer. Therefore, we would pick the Brooks Ghost 14 over Saucony Ride 14.

Related Article: Saucony Ride vs Triumph

Brooks Glycerin 20 vs Saucony Triumph 19

If you are in between Brooks Glycerin 20 vs Saucony Triumph 19, you must be wondering which one is more comfortable and provides the plush feeling.

To begin with, both of them are highly comfortable and give plush feeling. However, we found DNA Loft technology of Brooks Glycerin 20 as the most comfortable midsole material in the market place. Therefore, we would pick the Brooks Glycerin over Saucony Triumph which uses PWRRUN+ foam for the cushioning.

BOTTOM-LINE FOR BROOKS VS Saucony:

We compared and tried to explain the differences between Brooks and Saucony. We learned the technology and the design points of each brand. Now, you can make a clear decision for Brooks or Saucony.

Although we rotate them too often and use them both, our personal preference is to go with Brooks Running Shoes instead of Saucony.

If you are addicted to Brooks running shoes and but wondering the Brooks vs Asics – check this out.

Also, We made an in-depth comparison for HOKA vs Brooks, and strongly encourage you to check it out before making a final decision.