Saucony Guide 18 running shoes

The Saucony Guide 18 running shoe is a moderately stable everyday running shoe with a very comfortable upper and good cushioning. Moderately stable, which means it doesn’t have an aggressive solution to support the foot. You don’t feel the stability when you first put the shoe on, but the benefits of stability become apparent during running. All this also means that it’s not just for pronating runners, neutral runners can use it for their easier runs or even their longer runs. Because it is moderately stable, if you pronate a lot, the Guide 18 may not be the best option for you, but it will definitely be better than a neutral or too soft shoe.

Saucony Guide 18 upper

The upper of the Saucony Guide 18 running shoe has changed the most from the previous version, but it’s still a very comfortable double mesh upper. It fits true to size, is medium wide, but is also available in wide and extra wide. Despite the double mesh upper, the shoe is breathable. The tongue is padded, fixed on both sides and fits the foot well. The heel collar is stiff, as you would expect from a stable running shoe, but the upper part of the heel collar is softer so as not to irritate the Achilles tendon. The midsole sits high on the upper to support and maintain a vertical foot position, as if you had a half tube around your foot. The upper is designed for comfort and support, so it is more cushioned and heavier than average.

Saucony Guide 18 midsolet

The Saucony Guide 18 Running Shoe Midsole is made of a foam called PWRRUN, which is a little stiffer compared to Saucony’s midsole foams. It’s not too hard, but it’s not too soft either. This midsole helps to provide good stability and also increases shock absorption. The midsole is 35mm thick at the heel and 29mm high at the forefoot, so it has a drop of 6mm, which is low for a stable running shoe (most stable running shoes tend to have a higher drop). Midfoot stability is provided by CenterPath technology, which consists of 3 elements: higher sidewalls that curve over the upper, an asymmetric sole design, and a wider midsole. CenterPath technology is designed to help keep the foot perpendicular (straight), which means it doesn’t tilt the foot outward to counteract pronation, but rather tries to keep the foot straight. This means that the Guide 18 is not aggressively stable. The comfort and softness of the midsole is enhanced by a thick PWRRUN+ foam sockliner.

Saucony Guide 18 outsole

The outsole of the Saucony Guide 18 running shoe is made of a carbonized rubber compound called XT-900. This rubber compound is harder than average, making it very abrasion resistant and durable. The outsole only covers the midsole in the most stressed areas, which is not a common solution for an everyday running shoe, let alone a stable running shoe. In most stable running shoes, the outsole is also used to provide additional stiffness and stability, mainly on the inside of the arch. This is not the case with the Guide 18, which is good news in terms of reducing the weight of the shoe, but not so good in terms of traction. The Guide 18’s grip is average, partly due to the harder (but more durable) rubber compound and partly due to the small amount of outsole.

Saucony Guide 18 vs Guide 17, what has changed from the previous version

The Saucony Guide 18 running shoe hasn’t changed much from its predecessor. The Guide 17 was a big change from the Guide 16, so it’s no surprise that the Guide 18 hasn’t changed much. The outsole is the same and the midsole hasn’t changed. The uppers have changed a lot. The mesh upper is softer and has better breathability. The upper is more padded and comfortable.

Who are the Mizuno Saucony Guide 18 running shoes for and what kind of running? Summary

The Saucony Guide 18 is a stable running shoe for everyday running. The upper is very comfortable with high cushioning that keeps the foot stable. The midsole is not too soft and wide, so it has good stability, but not too aggressive stability. Mostly suitable for lower intensity running, even longer runs. The outsole has good abrasion resistance and medium traction. If you’re looking for a moderately stable running shoe, either because you pronate slightly or because you’re looking for a supportive shoe for your longer runs, the Saucony Guide 18 might be a good choice.