Saucony Axon 3 Review: An Affordable Daily Trainer That Punches Above Its Price

Introduction

The Saucony Axon 3 sets out to answer a simple question: how much shoe can you get for around £105 in the UK or $100 in the US? Quite a lot, as it turns out. With a 4mm drop (35mm at the heel, 31mm at the forefoot), a UK size 8 weighing 246g (8.7oz), an engineered mesh upper, and PWRRUN cushioning in the midsole, it shares key ingredients with pricier stable shoes like the Saucony Guide 16. After just under 50km of testing, the verdict is refreshingly simple: not a single bad run.

Who the Saucony Axon 3 Is For

Fit is where the Axon 3 quietly wins people over. In a UK size 8, the fit has been spot on, with good space in the toe box, solid midfoot lockdown from the laces, and a tongue and heel collar that are not heavily padded but sit comfortably without shifting around on runs. Most runners should be fine going true to size, though runners with very wide feet may want to try before buying.

This is a shoe for anyone who wants one pair to cover most of their week: easy runs, longer efforts, and the occasional quicker session, without stretching the budget. It competes directly with affordable daily trainers like the Nike Winflo, Puma Velocity Nitro 2, Reebok Floatride Energy 5, and Decathlon Kiprun KS900 Light.

Main Strengths

The midsole uses the same PWRRUN foam as the Saucony Guide 16, but it feels less firm in the Axon 3, with a pleasant bit of bounce and a gentle rocker that smooths out the running motion. That combination makes faster running surprisingly enjoyable for a shoe at this price.

Versatility is the standout trait. Up-tempo runs are where it excelled most, but easing off the pace never became hard work. Even when tired on longer runs, the firmness never turned uncomfortable, and it held up well over distance. It is not so heavy that a bit of speed work is out of the question either.

Grip and durability also impress. The outsole carries more rubber than its predecessor, particularly over the forefoot and heel, and it handled one genuinely treacherous rainy run on pavement without issue. Lighter trails are well within its comfort zone too, and there has been no noticeable wear so far.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The most obvious trade-off is looks. The Axon 3 is not the most stylish shoe in Saucony’s lineup, and if aesthetics matter to you, the Puma Velocity Nitro 2 probably wins that comparison. It is also worth noting that the ride firms up slightly when you really ease off, though it never becomes uncomfortable. Runners who prefer a soft, sink-in feel may find the Puma more forgiving at easy paces, as you sink a little deeper into its midsole.

Buying Advice

At its original price the Axon 3 was already competitive, but it can now be found for less than £100 in the UK, which makes it an even easier recommendation. Against the Velocity Nitro 2, both shoes prove versatile, but the Saucony holds its own on pure performance even if the Puma edges it on looks.

If your priority is a capable daily trainer that can handle shorter and longer distances while still giving you scope to pick up the pace, this ticks the key boxes without demanding a big spend.

Conclusion

The Saucony Axon 3 is a very good, versatile daily trainer at a very good price. It is firm but never harsh, bouncy enough to enjoy, not too heavy for quicker work, and backed by an outsole that grips reliably in wet conditions. Add in a fit that should work true to size for most runners and the fact that not one run over nearly 50km disappointed, and this is one of the most sensible affordable running shoe purchases you can make.