Saturday, March 05, 2022

Saucony Guide 15 Multi Tester Review: Light, High Stacked, Smooth Flowing, Friendly Support for All!

Article by Sam Winebaum, Allison Valliere, and Joost de Raeymaeker

Saucony Guide 15 ($140)

The Guide is Saucony’s lighter weight stability shoe. And we can for sure say lighter weight as it drops 1 oz / 28g from its predecessor, all while increasing its stack height 2.5mm front and back to a max cushion grade 35mm heel / 27mm forefoot of now softer and lighter PWRRUN. 

It also gets more sculpted midsole side wall geometries, a development to be shared by other 2022 Saucony we have tested such as the Kinvara 13 and an effective one in terms of flow and transitions. 

Except for slight differences in rubber coverage (more rubber in the Guide on the medial side) and the inclusion of a new Hollow-Tech plastic stability element, it appears identical to the Ride 15 in upper, midsole and outsole (RTR Review).


With the Guide 15, the single density PWRRUN foam midsole becomes slightly softer according to Saucony and the new Hollow-Tech TPU medial support element is much more skeletal, taking on a curved shape and is no longer that somewhat nasty feeling vertical plate of prior versions.

Spoiler alert it is a fantastic unobtrusive approach to stability which this more neutral shoe focused runner has really enjoyed as it not only supports but its front edge seems to roll the midfoot forward towards transition very effectively. 

The thin pliable and not particularly soft engineered mesh upper is “all business” and includes a fairly rigid and substantial blue webbing “ A” strap tied into the lacing and down to the midsole. 

The outsole has 2 densities of rubber. The rear lateral and medial side all the way to the end of the midfoot are very firm rubber (contributing to the support) while the front is moderately softer.


Saucony offers other stability or near stability shoes but one can say the Guide 15 is a more flexible alternative to the higher stack rigid rocker Shift and to the similar stack also rigid rocker value Axon. It is also a far lighter non posted and single density foam alternative to the Omni. Please read on to see how it runs!


Pros:


Sam/Allison/Joost: Stable daily training ride

Sam/Allison/Joost: Smooth and decently agile: noticed roll forward to toe off (off plastic piece’s curve) with a long flex and lots of response.

Sam/Allison/Joost: No compromises performance oriented very supportive upper. Wide sizing available

Sam/Allison: Light max cushion grade support shoe with no ride smoothness compromises (even for neutral fans) 

Sam/Allison: Highly protective and decently responsive with deep, moderately firm, dense cushion.

Sam:Clearly present medial support that is not in the way of transitions off midfoot


Cons:

Sam/Allison/Joost: Overall could be a touch softer and bouncier yet.

Sam: Medial heel outsole rubber a touch overdone overly thick.

Sam/Joost: Upper is all about support and lockdown. Don’t come looking for “plush” and super roomy here.

Joost: Medial support presence too obvious


Allison’s Women’s Colorway

Stats

Official Weight: men's 9.5 oz  / 269g (US9)  /  women's 8.2oz / 235g (US8)

Guide 14  weighed 10.5 oz / 298g (US men’s 9)

  Samples: men’s  9.38 oz  /  266g (US8.5), 285g / 10.05 oz (US 9.5)

Stack Height: men’s 35 mm heel / 27 mm forefoot

Stack height increases over Guide 14 which was at 32.5 mm / 24.5mm, 8mm drop

Available April 2022. $140 


Tester Profiles

Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is 64 with a 2018 3:40 Boston qualifier. 2022 will be Sam’s 50th year of running. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range training 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 164 lbs if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s.

Allison is a 5th generation Coloradan who is passionate about the outdoors and has been hiking, backpacking, skiing, snowshoeing and running in the mountains since she was young.  She has completed all but 5 of the Colorado 14ers (a dozen or so in winter), has many hundreds of year round ascents of 14ers, 13ers and other peaks in Colorado and the West.  Her almost daily routine involves runs/power hikes in the foothills above Boulder, or 4-5 mile flatter runs at 8-10 minute mile pace if schedule necessitates.  But what really keeps her on her toes is working as a labor and delivery nurse and taking care of her 9 year old twin daughters who are also growing to share her love for the outdoors.

Joost is a Belgian in his 50s living in Luanda, Angola, Africa, where he faces the heat, humidity and general chaos to run anything between 60-100 miles per week. He’s on a mission to win in his age group in the 6 marathon majors and has completed half of his project, with a 2:26:10 PB in Berlin in 2019 at 51. He ran in primary school, but then thought it would be a lot cooler to be a guitar player in a hard rock band, only picking up running again in 2012, gradually improving his results.



First Impressions, Fit, and Upper

A strikingly bright optic yellow with mostly black highlights, a few red hits and a for sure noticed bright blue lace up lock down blue strap the Guide projects competence for its task. In a nod to its unobtrusive presence on the run, the plastic Hollow Tech medial support plastic curved element is a light gray barely noticed against the white outsole

The fit is true to size, very secure and supportive back to front but not plush or particularly soft as the mesh while thin and pliable is dense in weave. 



The tongue is not the thin single layer or barely a bit more type, is side moderately padded and quite dense, no lace bite and given the rest of the upper's hold no need to over tighten for me.   It includes a triangular logo pull tab similar to the new Kinvara 13's. It joins very well with the moderately padded heel collars, mesh gusset, blue straps, and the mesh and overlays to really lock down the foot to the platform.

We have a vertical toe bumper (a pliable plastic it seems) that is for sure more than just the front weave of the upper. Further back overlays give the front structure and lockdown. Pardon the dirt as I had to jump into a drainage with water to avoid a car.


The upper is for sure comfortable, decently roomy and effective but not the roomiest in feel anyway due to the overall construction. It should be very adequately breathable. Wides are available.

Allison: I really like the look of the “Cool Mint” colorway, as it is very classy and subtle.  I do not typically require a stability shoe, but I appreciate that the Hollow Tech medial support curve blends in and is not obtrusively obvious, either in appearance nor on the run.  The upper is very modern, secure and breathable, with a comfortable and secure fit.  Fit is true to size and very secure, with adequate room in the toe box for splay and swelling, but not overly roomy.  Heel hold is very good, as is midfoot fit/security with very good lacing.


Joost: Like Sam, I got the bright yellow version with red and blue details, called the Acid/Blue Raz colorway in the official documentation. After many versions of the Ride, this is the first Guide I test, and actually also my first stability shoe marketed as such. Fit is secure and true to size for me, but not overly spacious in the front, so wide footed folk like me might want to go for the wide version if they want to take it on long runs. I never felt any discomfort, though.


There’s some give in the forefoot upon standing and walking, but the heel is quite firm overall, especially on the medial side due to the Hollow Tech support. At just over 10 oz for my men’s 9.5, it’s definitely not the lightest of shoes.


Heel hold is good, with no achilles’ irritation at all. The base of the heel has a piece of plastic reinforcement on either side to further help with stability. While being secure, the upper is still breathable enough for hot weather. 

The blue straps holding down the midfoot serve their purpose well, besides also looking kind of cool.



Midsole

The midsole is a single density of PWRRUN, a EVA/TPU foam which is said by Saucony to be softer and lighter. And for sure overall the Guide 15 is lighter than the 14 coming in a full ounce less on the scale.


The midsole feel is a bit softer and with more rebound than prior PWRRUN but is still a dense and relatively firm foam. No bouncy bouncy here but a very very consistent deep protective midsole with very little shock transmitted. The forefoot is notable for its balance of deep cushion, stability, and some flex. The foam feel reminds me somewhat of Diadora’s DD Anima in the Equipe Atomo or a liviiler flavor of ASICS “regular” Flytefoam.


As a support model so as to control some of our naturally occurring pronation and guide the stride… I said guide and yes we are talking about the Guide here and the new curved Hollow-Tech does exactly that. 

There is no sensation as in the Guide 13 or 14 of a rigid plastic side wall directing the foot collapse sharply away or of a firm medial post blocking the foot from any "motion" to the inside.


The sensation is that the rear of the shoe is all of a piece, moderately soft in feel and solid in its landing without harsh over control or over firmness. I note that the combination of the new midsole beveling and the forward facing curve down of the plastic support element actually leads to a nice rolling sensation towards the forefoot, in sharp contrast to the Guide 13 abrupt wall down the side of the mid foot or Nike’s Infinity firm top rails where with both I struggle to transition as more of a heel striker at slower paces. And the contrast between front and back is less abrupt than say ASICS Kayano or GT-2000 10 where the firmer rear is followed by a soft thinner and more flexible front. Everything far more of a piece in feel here than I have ever experienced in a support type shoe.


Allison:  I agree with Sam on many points here, as the midsole feels a touch on the firm side, but deeply protected. Though not at all overly firm or harsh, the Guide 15 provides excellent rebound dampening, leaving my legs feeling fresh even after running on concrete paths.  While not a speedy shoe, I find the midsole to be adequately responsive, aided by the lighter feel of the shoe.  

As Sam describes so well, I really appreciate how well the Hollow Tech support element supportively guides and supports the landing, providing a nice and smooth rolling sensation.  This to me is the most remarkable aspect of this shoe, how well this Guide system works without the exaggerated penalty of weight and clunkiness as I have found in other models.  The benefits are clearly felt without being noticeably obvious.


Joost: I can confirm most of what’s been said by Sam and Allison. The midsole feels firm without ever being harsh. 

The presence of the medial support is definitely felt, without it being too unnatural. The shock absorption and impact dampening characteristics of the midsole are also excellent. The Guide will probably save your legs from too much impact and vibration on your daily grind.


Outsole

Plenty of well arrayed durable outsole in the Guide 15 with no rubber and its weight wasted where it is not needed. The rear rubber is very firm and extends to the beginning of the forefoot on the medial side for some support. For support it is also thicker at the medial heel than elsewhere with the thick portion just below the end of the rear curve of the midsole support curve. I think this portion of the rubber is too thick and firm  for my tastes and while I am sure the thickness contributes to the pronation control working with the curved plastic I wish it was a touch thinner and more forgiving there.

Allison:  Sam sums up the outsole well and there are no real surprises here.  I find that the rubber integrates well with the midsole and the thickness/durometer complements the stability components very well.  Traction is good as expected for road use and very light dirt path use.

Joost: More flexible rubber up front and thicker and harder rubber at the back to add to stability and pronation control in the heel. 

The rubber there renders the heel a bit too firm for my taste, but I imagine if you’re a heavier runner and heel striker, it might actually feel just right. Traction is great and wear is unnoticeable so far. 


Ride

The ride here is not soft and bouncy or airy in feel. It is stable, on the firmer side but plenty forgiving given the big stack and now slightly softer than prior PWRRUN foam. The roll forward to the long flex with the plastic piece and 8mm drop `assisting '' is easy to find at all paces with decent stable response off the front.  Bottom line if you are looking for a smooth flowing “guided” and stable but not over prescribed all of a piece ride with no sharp edges of control the Guide delivers. 


Allison:  Sam nails it exact, the Guide 15 is exceptionally smooth, stable and predictable, reasonably responsive with a nice roll forward.


Joost: Being my first stability/control shoe, the Guide 15 feels quite different to what I usually wear, so bear with me, while I take you through the sensation of running in this shoe. My gait is as follows: my foot is usually quite inverted upon footstrike, hitting the pavement on the lateral ball/front of my foot. I then pronate very fast while my heel comes down and slightly after, before toe-off, which is quite aggressive (I wear through rubber in that area in a lot of shoes). After the only ever gait analysis I did at a marathon expo, the two people analyzing my gait had opposing opinions. One of them suggested I buy pronation control shoes, while the other told me I should run minimal or barefoot. I went mostly with the latter opinion.


To make a long story short, I can definitely feel the medial control element in the Guide 15. My foot feels like it’s halted before completing full pronation (which of course is what it’s made for), forcing it to move forward sooner than I’m used to. The general feeling is a foot that moves more in a straight line than usual. It feels unnatural to me, and I’m unable to run at anything other than recovery and easy paces with the Guide. My impression is that the shoe is probably better suited to heel strikers with more severe pronation than mine, but again, this is probably implied.



Conclusions and Recommendations


Allison:  I find the Guide 15 to be an excellent choice for a well cushioned daily trainer for those who are looking for extra stability without the added weight, bulk or klunkiness often associated with traditional stability shoes.  The ride is very comfortable and smooth and while the upper is not the most soft or plush, I find it to be very comfortable and supportive.  Despite being a stability shoe, I think the Guide 15 will also cross over well for those who do not necessarily need the added stability, but are simply looking for a solid, well cushioned, firm but not harsh, reliable and secure daily trainer.

Allison’s Score 9.55/10

Ride: 9.5 (50%) Fit: 10 (30%) Value: 9 (15%) Style: 9 (5%)


Sam: The Guide 15 has a near ideal combination of light enough weight, smooth flexible flow, deep protective cushion and effective yet unobtrusive support for the stability shoe focused fan’s daily training at all paces except fast tempo and workouts where the Kinvara 13 or Endorphin Speed come into play. But that is not all, as the neutral focused runner seeking a touch more stability will find a great ride here too. That is if you don’t head over to the essentially the same but for the plastic element and different rubber array at midfoot Ride 15.


If you are looking for a plush upper this is not the place. Highly supportive performance oriented it does its job very well but could be softened a touch in the upper mesh department. In the same vein the rear medial rubber at the heel could be softened or thinned but as with the upper these are minor negatives. 


The Guide 15 significantly improves on its predecessors in all respects as a light stability shoe while broadening its appeal to more neutral runners. It is lighter, somewhat softer, more cushioned and more effectively engineered to provide support while keeping the shoe’s ride smooth and comfortable. My ride score would have been higher if I was a more habitual support shoe runner needing support features. It is a solid value at $140 as it should prove durable and versatile.

Sam’s Score 9.21 /10 

Ride: 9.2 (50%) Fit: 9.2 (30%) Value: 9.3 (15%) Style: 9 (5%)


Joost: A great supportive upper, coupled with a firm but not harsh forefoot and a firmer heel with pronation control. The Guide 15 will last many miles and take you through your daily grind with confidence. If you need all this in a shoe, the Guide 15 will serve you well, specially at this price point.

Joost’s Score 9.00/10

Ride: 8.5 (50%) Fit: 9.5 (30%) Value: 9.5 (15%) Style: 9.5 (5%)


Comparisons

Index to all RTR reviews: HERE


Saucony Guide 13 (RTR Review)

Sam: My last Guide with the contrast between the midsole and the quite rigid medial side wall plate was too much for me and certainly in comparison to the much smoother flow and feel of the 15 and its ounce lighter weight.  


Saucony Ride 15 (RTR Review)

Nils Scharff reviews the Ride 15. It is about 0.8 oz lighter on the same platform with no plastic support element and a bit less medial support outsole rubber. Nils who has some minor pronation issues calls it very stable nonetheless.


Saucony Endorphin Shift 2 (RTR Review)

Almost 1 oz heavier the 4mm drop Shift has considerably more stack height at 39/35 so 4mm more at the heel and 8mm more at the forefoot. It shares PWRRUN foam (a touch firmer) with the Guide. It has a rigid rocker profile with a final distinct Speed Roll toe off rocker whereas the Guide has a long flex and 8mm drop. Both are stability oriented in geometry and construction. I prefer the Guide for more general daily training due to its flex and somewhat more agile ride and the Shift for long runs at moderately fast paces. 


Saucony Kinvara 13 (RTR Review)

Sam: Often called out as a light stability trainer/racer the 4mm drop Kinvara 13 has vertical sidewalls on the medial side for a touch of support. It has a lower stack height at 28.5 mm heel  / 24.5 mm and is considerably lighter at about 7.3 oz. It appears to share the same slightly softer PWRRUN foam compound with the Guide. It has less medial support than prior heavier denser Kinvara and should be now considered more of a neutral type shoe. This said it can serve as a faster days complement to the Guide.

Joost (M9.5 in both): The Kinvara in versions 12 and 13 is one of my favorite shoes of all time. Running in them feels natural to me. Not too soft, very flexible and great ground feel. If you need stability for your daily grind and want a more natural shoe for your faster days, get both and you’re done for not much more than the price of a single top of the line super shoe.


Endorphin Speed 2 (RTR Review)

Sam: Of course the super popular fast and fun Endo Speed needs to be in these comparisons. Lighter by 1.5 oz due to its PWRRUN PB midsole and somewhat more minimal outsole rubber and sitting on a narrower platform, the Speed actually has the same stack height as the Guide 15. It has a nylon propulsion plate and a more rigid platform. It can for sure serve as a racer and faster days companion to the Guide but is not as stable.


ASICS GEL-Kayano 28 (RTR Review)

Sam: Considerably heavier, 1.2 oz heavier at 10.76 oz / 305g with 2mm less stack at the heel and 4mm less at the forefoot the Kayano is more complex in construction and ride feel. Kayano 28 has more of a contrast in front and rear feel than the Guide with softer, bouncier, more flexible and thinner feeling Flytefoam Blast up front and a combination of comparably soft Flytefoam at the rear and with an underfoot Trusstic plate and firmer layer of foam on the side wall.  I prefer the elegant ride simplicity and consistency of the Guide with the Kayano having an equally supportive more comfortable but heavier upper. 


ASICS GT-2000 10 (RTR Review)

As with the Kayano 28 the GT comes in heavier than the Guide but not as much as it comes in at about 0.6 oz more or just over 10 oz. Somewhat lower stack than the Guide, but at the same 8mm drop, it combines a top layer of very bouncy Propel that extends to the forefoot where things are far thinner than the Guide and softer. The support elements come from quite firm Flytefoam at the heel backed up on the medial side by a firmer sidewall co-molded layer with no plastic Trusstic mid foot support plate as Kayano has.  As with the Guide, the support elements are not that noticed but again as with Kayano the contrast between very flexible soft and thin front and more robust supportive rear is not as pleasing as the more consistent feeling deeper cushion front to back of the Guide. Unlike the Kayano or Guide the GT 2000 is not enough shoe for me, especially up front for extensive daily training.  As with the Kayano ASICS gets the edge here for upper comfort with the engineered knit upper but it is heavier and less breathable than the Guide’s. 

 

Brooks Glycerin GTS 20 (RTR Review soon)

The 10mm drop similar heel stack Glycerin clearly has superior foam with a big broad single density slab of more energetic, liviler yet not overly soft supercritical DNA Loft v3. It’s support elements are the Guide Rails of raised foam on both sides, the wide platform and its outsole. It has a similar long flex. 

Considerably heavier than Guide at 10.9 oz the Glycerin runs lighter than its weight with a superb midsole feel and flex for long slow and recovery runs. It’s plush upper while super comfortable, even for this neutral runner is not quite as up to the task of holding the foot to the platform as Guide 15’s more secure and lockdown fit given its roomy fit of soft more stretchy mesh, no gusset and no straps as the Guide has.  I am not sure I can recommend the Glycerin GTS as a “support” shoe but would recommend it for neutral runners.  Put the Guide upper not

the Glycerin and Wow!


Brooks Glycerin 20 (non-GTS)

Joost: I really enjoy the Glycerin. It has the softer, livelier foam of the 2. The knit upper in my version hugs my feet very well and creates a quite luxurious feel, although the shoe is quite heavy. My vote goes to the Glycerin.


Brook Launch GTS 9 (RTR Review)

Sam: Lighter at 8.68 oz / 246 g on a narrower firmer platform, the Launch GTS as with the Glycerin gets its support from its top of midsole Guide Rails. It is a quicker more agile feeling shoe but a less substantial one than the Guide 15 and as such is not quite enough shoe to be a daily trainer for me. 


Diadora Equipe Atomo (RTR Review)

Sam: Very similar in ride and fit, the Atomo is not a support shoe per say but its broad on the ground platform gets it there for me. The foam feels are similar. More rocker based than flex based as the Guide is, the Atomo is higher stacked and almost an ounce lighter. The Made in Italy Atomo is premium in fit and ride and premium priced at $195 vs. $140 for the Guide which tilts the scales towards the Guide.


Joost (M9.5 in both): I agree with Sam. The Atomo is a secure fitting shoe that runs stable, but with a more rockered ride to it. As Sam, for the money, I’d go with the Guide, but the looks and style of that Atomo…


The Saucony Glide 15 is available now  including at 
Saucony HERE and at our other partners below

Tested samples were provided at no charge for review purposes. RoadTrail Run has affiliate partnerships and may earn commission on products purchased through affiliate links in this article. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content. The opinions herein are entirely the authors'

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4 comments:

Anonymous said...

so what is the difference between Ride 15?

Karl said...

Is the insole of Guide 15 made of the PWRRUN+ material as in the Ride 15?

Anonymous said...

So, I have been wearing Guides forever... going from the 13 to the 14 really gave me leg/knee pain for the first time ever! So, I stopped running in the 14 and went back to the 13, but of course they don't make them anymore. So... do you think the 15 is closer to the 13 or 14? I also tried OnRunning Cloudswift and wow, terrible pain in my feet/arches. Had to stop with those too. Thanks for any advice. Love the Guides, but wondering whats the closest other Saucony shoe I could try if not the 15. Thank you!

Sam Winebaum said...

Hi Karl,
Yes insole is PWRRUN+
Sam, Editor
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