Saucony Axon

Review Score
80%
πŸ… Highly Rated
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Martin Williams
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Saucony Axon: Review

β€œA versatile and budget-friendly running shoe with a focus on cushioning and responsiveness.”

Overview


The Saucony Axon is a running shoe designed for comfort and versatility. This shoe stands out for its PWRRUN midsole, offering a balance of cushioning and responsiveness, making it suitable for a variety of runs.

Key Features:

  • Cushioning: The PWRRUN midsole provides a soft yet responsive ride, suitable for long distances and faster paces.
  • Upper: A breathable engineered mesh upper ensures a comfortable fit and good ventilation.
  • Outsole: Durable carbon rubber outsole offers excellent traction and longevity.
  • Price: Positioned as a budget-friendly option, it delivers high performance without a high price tag.

The Saucony Axon is an ideal choice for runners who prioritize cushioning and a responsive ride for their daily training. Its durable outsole offers longevity, making it suitable for both road and light trail use. Part of the Saucony Axon family, it continues the brand's commitment to quality and affordability within the Saucony product lineup.

With an average review score of 80%, it's rated just below the median rating of similar running shoes. Based on our monitoring of prices across the internet, it's currently in the cheapest 20% of running shoes today.

Verdict

The consensus on the Saucony Axon


The Saucony Axon has been well-received for its impressive cushioning and responsive ride, making it a strong contender in the budget-friendly running shoe category. Its PWRRUN midsole is praised for providing a comfortable yet lively experience, suitable for a variety of running workouts. While the shoe is generally well-liked for its value and performance, some runners have noted that the upper can feel warm during hot runs and that traction on wet surfaces may be less reliable. Overall, the Saucony Axon is recommended for runners seeking a high-quality, versatile shoe at an accessible price point.

Updates to Saucony Axon


The Saucony Axon 3 maintains the core features that made its predecessor, the Saucony Axon 2, a success, with key updates to enhance performance. The most notable improvement is the outsole, which now features a carbon rubber material for better grip and durability. This change addresses the traction issues noted in the Axon 2, making the latest model a more reliable option for runners.

Comparable Shoes


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The Brooks Launch 8 is a comparable shoe in terms of price and intended use for daily training. However, the Saucony Axon offers more cushioning and a more responsive ride, making it a better choice for runners who prioritize comfort and energy return.

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When compared to the New Balance FuelCell Propel v3, the Saucony Axon stands out for its durability and traction. While both shoes offer a cushioned ride, the Axon's outsole updates provide a more secure grip on various surfaces.

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The adidas SL20.2 is often compared with the Saucony Axon. The Axon's PWRRUN midsole gives it an edge in terms of cushioning, making it a more comfortable option for longer runs.

5 Saucony Axon Pros & Cons


3 Pros

The Saucony Axon offers a cushioned and responsive ride, suitable for various running workouts.
The updated carbon rubber outsole provides improved traction and durability.
The shoe is praised for its breathable and comfortable engineered mesh upper.

2 Cons

The upper may feel warm during hot runs, affecting breathability.
Traction on wet surfaces may be less reliable, although improvements have been made.

In Depth


Upper

The Saucony Axon's upper is crafted from an engineered mesh that offers a breathable and comfortable fit. This design ensures that the feet remain cool and dry, especially during longer runs. The upper is also praised for its accommodating fit, which is suitable for a wide range of foot shapes.

Midsole

The midsole of the Saucony Axon features the brand's PWRRUN foam, which strikes a balance between softness and responsiveness. This cushioning system is designed to provide a comfortable ride without sacrificing the energy return needed for a more dynamic running experience.

Outsole

A durable carbon rubber outsole gives the Saucony Axon excellent traction and longevity. This update from the previous model has addressed concerns about grip on wet surfaces, making the Axon 3 a more reliable choice for various weather conditions.

Size/fit

The Saucony Axon is true to size, offering a snug fit that accommodates most foot shapes comfortably. The toe box is roomy enough to allow for natural toe splay, enhancing the overall fit and feel of the shoe.

Comfort

Comfort is a standout feature of the Saucony Axon, with its cushioned midsole and breathable upper contributing to a pleasant running experience. The shoe's design ensures that comfort is maintained throughout runs of any distance.

Cushioning

Runners have consistently noted the generous cushioning of the Saucony Axon, which is provided by the PWRRUN midsole. This feature is particularly appreciated for its ability to absorb impact and provide a plush underfoot feel.

Breathability

The engineered mesh upper of the Saucony Axon allows for excellent breathability, keeping the feet cool and dry. This is especially beneficial during runs in warmer weather, where ventilation is crucial.

Stability

While the Saucony Axon is a neutral running shoe, it offers a degree of stability that is appreciated by runners. The design of the midsole and outsole work together to provide a stable platform for a variety of running conditions.

Durability

The use of high-quality materials in the Saucony Axon's construction, particularly the carbon rubber outsole, contributes to the shoe's durability. Runners can expect this shoe to withstand many miles of running without significant wear.

Grip

The updated outsole of the Saucony Axon provides a strong grip on a variety of surfaces. This improvement has been well-received by runners who value security and confidence in their footwear, regardless of the terrain.

Who should buy the Saucony Axon?


The Saucony Axon is well-suited for runners seeking a daily training shoe that offers both cushioning and responsiveness. It's an excellent choice for those who appreciate a shoe that can handle a variety of workouts, from long runs to speed sessions. The Axon's budget-friendly price also makes it accessible to runners who don't want to compromise on quality but are mindful of cost.

Who should not buy the Saucony Axon?


Runners who require a shoe with specific stability features for overpronation may need to look elsewhere, as the Saucony Axon is designed with a neutral support type. Additionally, those who frequently run in very wet conditions might prefer a shoe with more specialized traction for slippery surfaces.

Saucony Axon: What's it good for?


The Saucony Axon is particularly good for road running, offering a comfortable and responsive ride that can accommodate both long, slow distances and faster-paced workouts. Its durable construction also makes it suitable for light trail use, providing versatility for runners who enjoy a variety of terrains.

4 Saucony Axon FAQs


Is the Saucony Axon suitable for long-distance running?

Yes, the Saucony Axon is suitable for long-distance running, thanks to its cushioned PWRRUN midsole and durable outsole that provide comfort and support over extended miles.

Can the Saucony Axon be used for speed training?

The Saucony Axon can be used for speed training due to its responsive midsole and speed-driven toe design, which help facilitate faster transitions and propel the runner forward.

How does the Saucony Axon perform in wet conditions?

The Saucony Axon has been updated with a carbon rubber outsole that improves grip, making it perform better in wet conditions than previous models, although some runners may still prefer a shoe with more specialized traction for very slippery surfaces.

What type of support does the Saucony Axon offer?

The Saucony Axon offers neutral support, making it suitable for runners with neutral pronation who do not require additional stability features.

Saucony Axon alternatives

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Released
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Expert Review Score
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productAthletes
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Martin Williams
Weight
Weight
M: 264 g
W: 232 g
M: 241 g
W: 213 g
M: 286 g
W: 255 g
275 g
M: 281 g
W: 238 g
M: 235 g
W: 204 g
Forefoot
Forefoot
31 mm
31 mm
32 mm
34 mm
27 mm
30 mm
Heel to toe drop
Heel to toe drop
4 mm
4 mm
6 mm
6 mm
8 mm
8 mm
Heel
Heel
35 mm
35 mm
38 mm
40 mm
35 mm
38 mm
Usages
Usages
Daily runningSpeed training
Daily runningSpeed trainingDaily runningRacingSpeed trainingDaily runningDaily runningSpeed training
Brand
Brand
Saucony
SauconyBrooksNew BalanceSauconySaucony
Strike Type
Strike Type
Fore/Midfoot strike
Fore/Midfoot strikeFore/Midfoot strikeHeel strikeFore/Midfoot strikeHeel strikeFore/Midfoot strikeHeel strikeFore/Midfoot strikeHeel strike
Shoe Type
Shoe Type
BreathableComfortableLow dropMaximalist
BreathableComfortableLightweightMaximalistBreathableComfortableMaximalistComfortableMaximalistComfortableMaximalistBreathableComfortableLightweightMaximalist
Breathable
Breathable
Orthotic friendly
Orthotic friendly
Removable insole
Removable insole
Carbon plate
Carbon plate
Techs
Techs
New Balance FuelCell
Environmental Characteristics
Environmental Characteristics
Sustainable
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Saucony Axon: what the experts say (2 reviews)

Saucony Axon: 3 Expert video reviews

Saucony Axon characteristics and specifications

Specificationsvs Average
Released
Apr 2021
Measurements
Weight
M: 264 g
W: 232 g
Heel to toe drop
4 mm
Heel
35 mm
Forefoot
31 mm

Evolution of the Saucony Axon product family

Pro athletes using Saucony Axon

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AuthorTom Green
Tom is the founder of geerly. Based in West London, he found his passion for running in his mid-30s. He’s best at longer distances, and is a regular at the London Marathon, where he's edging closer to sub-2.40. He started geerly because he found it frustrating when shopping for running shoes spending ages trying to find the best deal in his size, and wading through verbose, waffling reviews clearly designed to appeal to search engines rather than be helpful to users. For geerly he's passionate about writing reviews that get straight to the point, and helping runners find the right gear at the best price.
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March 22, 2024 at 9:55 AM
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πŸ“Š Stats | Powered by geerly.com πŸ‘Ÿ πŸ•’ Official time: 00:22:45 | Course PB 🚨 🏁 Overall position: 35/549 🚹 Gender position: 21/299 🎯 Age grade: 61%