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Thursday, May 26, 2022

Saucony Tempus Review

 


Saucony Tempus Review: Stability Meets Modern Performance
By Chief Editor Matthew Klein, Senior Contributors David Salas and Nathan Brown, and Contributor Andrea Myers

The Saucony Tempus is a performance trainer that challenges what it means to be a "stability" shoe. It is unique in that it provides a new generation experience utilizing PWRRUN PB foam seen in their racing shoes in combination with guidance from their normal PWRRUN midsole. The firmer PWRRUN acts as a means of guidance by creating a cradle in the heel with extended firmer skis to provide 360 degree guidance. All this is combined with a bit of build up of firmer PWRRUN under the medial arch of the foot where a traditional post would be. The unique geometry, weight, and responsiveness give a very exciting addition to the stability category.

Price: $159.95 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 8.9 oz, 254 g (men's size 9), 7.9 oz, 224 g  (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 36.5mm (heel), 28.5mm (forefoot)
Drop: 8 mm
Classification: Stability Performance Trainer




RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY

Matt: The Saucony Tempus is a performance stability trainer for those wanting a shoe with a newer age foam that provides plenty of guidance. A dual-density midsole integrates PWRRUN PB and PWRRUN, creating medial and lateral guidance frames of PWRRUN along the length of the shoe. This creates guidance without an aggressive post throughout the length of the shoe, providing stability at the heel, midfoot and forefoot. Coming in at 8.9 ounces, the Tempus has plenty of underfoot cushioning to be a lighter daily trainer for those used to shoes like the Saucony Hurricane, but has the PWRRUN PB to handle uptempo miles and marathon road racing for those who need a little more guidance. 

David: The Saucony Tempus is a performance trainer that addresses those with stability needs. The shoe does not use traditional posting. Rather it uses the normal PWRRUN foam seen in most Saucony trainers to create a chassis that wraps around the heel and extends through the forefoot to provide guidance from heel to toe-off. The weight and presence of PWRRUN PB create a fun and responsive ride. The shoe in some ways is similar to a non-plated Endorphin Speed with some stability mechanisms. 

Nathan: The Saucony Tempus is a shoe that seems inspired by the Endorphin line. It merges new foam technology and performance with structure and geometry that suits those who like some support underfoot. The design of this shoe allows it to suit a variety of runners and is able to perform at a wide range of paces. This feels like the shoe that Matt has been begging for for years. The combination of PWRRUN PB with a 360 frame of PWRRUN gives the support category a shoe that can really perform. This is a shoe that will truly provide the guidance those who prefer "stability shoes" need as well as functioning as a "stable neutral" shoe for those typically leaning toward neutral shoes.

Andrea:
The Saucony Tempus is an exciting addition to the emerging "stable neutral" category of shoes. With a wide platform, rockered sole, and PWRRUN frame, the Tempus centers and guides the foot without relying on traditional posting. These features result in a smooth and stable ride at a wide range of paces. The PWRRUN PB cushioning provides enough bounce for easy days and enough responsiveness for strides and intervals. 





FIT

Matt: The Saucony Tempus fits me true to size, if just a hair short, in my normal US men's size 10. The width is normal to slightly snug in the heel, normal in the midfoot, slightly wide in the forefoot and slightly tapered in the toebox. Every time I put this shoe on, it feels slightly short. However, that goes away as soon as I start running. I have never had any blisters even after +30 mile runs (yes, I ran multiple 50Ks in this shoe). The tongue is gusseted and locked down by the laces. The mesh is on the lighter side of moderate with additional cushioning in the rearfoot/heel collar. There is a heel counter that is stiffer. I did not have any issues with it, but those that are sensitive to counters should approach with caution. It is more rounded than others and seems to fit to my calcaneus (heel) shape well. The forefoot a slightly wider fit that is reinforced by small overlays. The toebox does taper, but opens up with more miles. The upper is breathable with vents at the forefoot. I never had any heat issues despite running in 80-90 degree weather. There are some seams in the inner liner, so I would use socks with this shoe. Overall, the Saucony Tempus has a fit that is a unique blend of a trainer and performance trainer, with snugness in the right places and a little extra room where you need it. 

David: The Saucony Tempus fits true to size in my normal Men's 9.5. The width throughout is normal in the heel and midfoot, with a slightly wide forefoot and toe box. The length of the shoe is dialed in well. There is a little bit of volume in the forefoot but nothing overly spacious to where it can create problems. The tongue is lightly padded with a lateral and medial strap in the lacing system to provide better lockdown. Overall the shoe does have a slight performance feel throughout with a snug sensation and hold in the heel and midfoot from the wrap. There is a heel counter present that helps with keeping the structure and integrity of the shoe pretty well. The counter is padded well and did not provide any irritation when running. The mesh material is very comfortable throughout and leans more towards the trainer type of feeling, but still lightweight and breathable enough to cater towards some performance. There are very minimal overlays that seem to provide some external support to the upper. Overall I think the upper is done really well, but could have a slight reduction in forefoot volume vertically. Otherwise I am really happy with it. 

Nathan: The Tempus follows much of a typical Saucony fit, including a narrow heel and midfoot. However, compared to even other trainers like the Ride 15 (or 14 for those who haven't ran in the 15) or Kinvara it is a bit more wide in the forefoot and toe box. That said, compared to other brands in models such as the New Balance Vongo v5 or 1080 v12, it is a bit more snug. Overall it fit true to size in my men's size 9 and sat between a traditional trainer fit and performance feel. The mesh is ventilated well in the heel, but also is purposefully structured in the midfoot to lock down the foot really well. The tongue is padded, but when lacing down really tight I would get very mild irritation to the top of the foot. That said, the gusset in combination with the lacing straps that spans to the platform really secure the foot well even if not lacing as tight as I usually do for workouts. There is a rigid internal heel counter, but it is padded well and combined with a solid lock-down did not lead to any irritation. The Tempus has slightly slack performance fit, and at the same time is very comfortable.

Andrea: The Tempus fits me true to size in my usual women's 9.5. I found the overall fit to be similar to the Kinvara 13. The toebox is on the wider side and allows for mild toe splay, which I always appreciate. There is a rigid external heel counter that wraps around the calcaneus on both sides and a lightly padded internal heel collar, which I found extremely comfortable and non-intrusive. The breathable mesh upper is accommodative without being stretchy, and I had no issues with rubbing or calluses on my big toe. The lightly padded tongue conforms well to the top of the foot and stays in place extremely well thanks to partial gusseting and a lace loop. One set of the lace eyelets connect to an overlay that connects to the external heel counter, which improves the overall fit and lockdown of the upper. The contoured midsole allows the foot to sit deeper in the shoe, which results in improved fit and comfort. Overall, I found the Tempus to be an extremely comfortable, well-fitting shoe and one of the best fitting Saucony's I have tested.



PERFORMANCE

Matt: The Saucony Tempus is a performance stability trainer. A full-length PWRRUN PB foam encapsulated by a PWRRUN EVA frame makes for a softer, protective and bouncier ride underfoot. The 8.9 oz/7.9 oz weight is on the lighter side, but there is still plenty of cushioning to make this a daily training shoe for many people that also what the versatility to hit uptempo/marathon pace efforts.

There is a large amount of stack height underfoot, which combined with the inherent guidance makes this shoe excellent for longer miles. I have used this shoe for two +30 mile runs (thanks to my wife doing Ultramarathons) and it did great. The Tempus excels particularly at uptempo efforts. It is a little heavy and large for intervals, but it will work for that purpose for those coming from heavier stability shoes. I have noticed that the Tempus can feel like a trainer during the warm ups. Once you put enough force into the foam during workouts, it gives back more and feels lighter. For this reason, the Tempus will likely do well as a duel trainer/racer for those who want more stability in a lighter non-plated PEBA shoe for marathon racing.

There is an 8mm drop that is typical for Saucony and that is exactly how it feels. The Tempus does not have a plate in it, but does have an inherently stiff forefoot. There is enough of a forefoot rocker that the transition up front is smooth despite that. The heel is well beveled for a Saucony shoe. It is more centered, but the PWRRUN PB compresses enough that it doesn't bother me.

Durability-wise, the Saucony Tempus has been a tank. I have 215 miles on my first pair and have finally worn through the outsole at my normal spot (which usually only takes 50-70 miles). The remainder of the outsole, midsole and upper have remained in perfect shape. Those wanting a shoe that can handle high mileage with high durability will definitely find it in the Saucony Tempus.

David:
The performance of the Tempus is rather versatile. The shoe provides a rocker geometry, but not one so sharp that it feels you are falling off the front of it. The transitions from heel to toe feel very balanced and intentional. The full length PWRRUN PB midsole provides a soft and responsive ride to the shoe throughout each transition. The lack of the plate allows for a little bit of flexibility in the shoe up front, though a decent amount of rigidity is still maintained from the outsole and the PWRRUN guidance frame. The shoe uses a chassis of PWRRUN midsole that has a larger slab in the medial aspect of the shoe for some support but also wraps around the heel and extends along the medial and lateral aspect of the foot all the way through the forefoot. The result is a nice guided feel to the shoe without having too much rigidity or forced pressure. The shoe responds to the runner's natural stride pattern. This is certainly a new way of thinking about stability, but more on that later. The shoe can certainly run both fast and slow. I have had great success using this shoe for long runs or long uptempo efforts as it provides good responsiveness with just a little bit of guidance as you need it for the latter miles. This is certainly a performance trainer that can do a little bit of everything. Though I use it mainly for long runs I will use it for some easy days if I am feeling really beat up and want something lightweight on foot with just a tad bit of guidance to help. This is like a more training-esque Endorphin Speed with some guidance components. 

Nathan: If the Saucony Tempus were in the same category of shoes as other performance trainers like the Endorphin Speed, Rebel v2, or ASICS Magic Speed, you might not find anything that makes it stand apart from those types of shoes. At the same time, it certainly performs at a level close enough to include the Tempus in that conversation, which says something. What makes it stick out is that it's a shoe with a lot of structure and falls into the "stability" sphere that also can pick up the pace. I have over 50 miles in my pair and have done everything from easy recovery runs to long runs to 1k repeats. My favorite uses for this shoe are long runs and tempo efforts (particularly on tired legs). This is a higher stacked, non-plated shoe with a robust amount of PWRRUN PB and rocker geometry. Despite no plate, the firmer EVA rim does provide some stiffness that helps the runner utilize the rocker geometry, which rolls really nicely from heel to toe. The PWRRUN PB provides a high level of rebound feel, particularly when picking up the pace. More on this in the next section, but compared to the Endorphin Speed there is a wider base and the EVA rim which does extend into the midfoot on the inside of the foot. The extension on the medial side is not intrusive and only slightly noticeable at slower paces, and really disappears with tempo work. Those who are sensitive to wide-based shoes with lateral and medial flare in the heel may also have issues with this model.

Andrea: I was surprised by the performance of the Tempus. My first run in it was an easy run, and I wasn't sure if it would be responsive enough for strides or intervals. I was pleasantly surprised that the Tempus is able to pick up the pace nicely and becomes more responsive at faster speeds. I used it primarily for strides, but it could also work well for marathon or half marathon pace intervals. I think the forefoot rocker and PWRRUN PB are key the Tempus' versatility. At easy paces, the shoe gently guides motion and is a welcome relief for tired legs. At faster paces, the shoe becomes more responsive and the rocker helps with turnover. I never felt like the shoe was forcing me to run in a particular way, rather it was supporting me in my preferred gait pattern. The shoe feels like its stated 8mm drop and does feel most similar to a non-plated Endorphin Speed, although the Speed feels a little softer at all paces than the Tempus. Saucony has made a great do-it-all trainer that can be used for easy days, long runs, and intervals.

From a durability perspective, I have noted visible breakdown of the PWRRUN at the lateral midfoot. There are now shallow grooves in the midsole, which correspond to where I make initial contact. I have 50 miles on the shoes and I have never seen breakdown like this in any other shoes, even when I have worn out the outsole. This does make me concerned for the longevity of the midsole. Fortunately, the outsole shows minimal wear and I have not noted a change in the cushioning or ride of the shoe. I will continue running in the Tempus and write an update after putting some more miles on them.


 

STABILITY

Matt: The Saucony Tempus is a stability shoe, but not in a biased way. It would be better to classify it as a high-level guidance shoe. There is no posting, instead PWRRUN (EVA) and PWRRUN PB (PEBA) are combined. The PWRRUN foam acts as a frame around the softer PWRRUN PB, creating full-length internal walls along medial and lateral sides. This provides a firmer foam that resists lateral motion and facilitates forward motion at the heel, midfoot and forefoot. There are additional sidewalls in the medial heel/midfoot and lateral midfoot. The heel counter extends forward a solid amount on both the medial and lateral sides. The sole/base of the shoe is inherently wide. Unlike most shoes, the midfoot is actually filled in, contributing to a solid and stable midfoot transition. There is so much that creates guidance in the Tempus that it is certainly a max stability shoe. However, because almost everything is done on both sides of the shoe, it is unbiased and facilitates forward moment rather than force you in a specific frontal plane motion. Those with higher stability needs will do well in this shoe if they are looking for a lighter or uptempo option and those wanting guidance with a PEBA foam will be right at home here.

David: The Saucony Tempus is indeed a stability shoe. The shoe is different from previous stability shoes in that it does not use traditional posting to create rigidity or preserve movement. The shoe uses their normal EVA blend of PWRRUN to create a chassis and guidance frame for the soft and responsive PWRRUN PB peba midsole. The PWRRUN frame does a great job of being both supportive and compliant to the runners individual needs. Being a normal foam the shoe does comply to how the runner loads it. Because it is still firmer than the surrounding midsole though it does provide a sense of support and guidance as you follow the path of least resistance forward. The chassis is noticeable but also disappears as you run. This is a shoe that I think both people with neutral mechanics and those needing stability will appreciate as it is "dynamically stable". The platform underfoot is also a little bit wider with nearly a full-contact outsole providing plenty of cross sectional area and decent traction. The upper locks down well and keeps the foot grounded on the platform well. The shoe does well in a pretty decent variety of conditions. Overall, a fun design.

Nathan: I'm one of those few people who couldn't fully get on board with the Endorphin Speed. This isn't because it isn't "fun" or doesn't perform really well. It was because of the instability in the heel, and I couldn't go more than 7-8 miles in that shoe without having issues afterwards. Does this point out that I may need to work on some extrinsic foot control/strengthening? Of course. However, the Tempus comes in and creates an option that may not be quite as fast feeling as the Endorphin Speed, but is one that provides the structure many people enjoy in a package that can really move. The wide base of support, EVA cradle with "skis" that extend all the way through the forefoot, and "medial post" that is built into the frame provide structure that put this from the moderate stability category all the way to stable neutral. As someone typically sensitive to posts, I had no issues in this shoe, and the structure and guidance really was desirable for longer runs and workouts when on tired legs. At daily mileage pace and recovery paces, I could feel the medial arch build up, but it was not irritable. At faster paces, that sensation completely disappeared. The other piece about the 360 EVA frame is that it does provide guidance for people in "both" directions. There aren't many shoes that provide some guidance for those who travel outward/laterally, but this certainly is an option to check out, particularly because the methods for pronation control aren't too aggressive. Finally, the skis that extend to the forefoot provide some additional forefoot guidance for toe off. All of these methods are present and can help, but none are so extreme that they are deal breakers if you don't need structure in a certain area (i.e. if you enjoy some lateral support but don't typically need medial support). This shoe provides a high level of guidance without really forcing the foot a particular direction, with some additional medial guidance for those who need it.

Andrea: We write a lot about stable neutral shoes here at DOR. The Tempus is an excellent example of this category, with several features that contribute to stability without relying on posting. The outsole is wide throughout the length of the shoe, which contributes to stability, regardless of where a person makes initial contact. The PWRRUN cradle helps to stabilize the foot inside of the shoe, preventing foot translation. The guidelines in the exposed midsole may also help to keep the foot centered from initial contact to push off. The external heel counter also helps the center the heel without restricting motion or heel position. The balanced medial and lateral sole flare at the rearfoot and forefoot also contribute to a balanced ride that does not force motion in one direction or the other. The forefoot rocker promotes push off but does not feel artificial like some earlier forefoot rockers found in many Asics shoes. I am really impressed with how well Saucony did in creating a neutral stability shoe that is comfortable and performs at a variety of paces.



THOUGHTS AS A DPT / FOOTWEAR SCIENCE

While moderate level stability shoes have continued to stick around, a majority of the lighter weight stability shoes often used for racing and uptempo efforts have disappeared. The Saucony Tempus is a dramatically different shoe in that it brings a maximal level of stability in a lightweight package featuring a PEBA midsole foam. This gives it the unique ability to function as both a trainer and uptempo shoe. Those runners who may not be able to handle some of the unstable and aggressive super shoes out there may finally have a marathon shoe that will get them to the finish line without weighing them down. Until this shoe, most faster stability shoes were disappearing. The Saucony Fastwitch is being discontinued. The DS Trainer series is no more and there does not appear to be an update to the New Balance 1500 series. Unlike the previously mentioned shoes, the Tempus is a lighter max stack height super foamed shoe that is the first of its kind. Hopefully, it is the beginning of many.

The most significant thing about the Saucony Tempus is the use of full length EVA frames on both sides for guidance. Dual-density midsoles are not new, but the use of a traditional EVA foam combined with a superfoam like PEBA is. A few other recent releases have done this (Saucony Xodus Ultra, Topo Specter, etc) but not in a way that creates max stability. The best part is that it provides a high level of unbiased guidance. Having both the frames and all the other stability methods on both side of the feet help facilitate forward motion without pushing someone excessively in one direction. This creates a shoe that will work for a much larger variety of people. It follows Dr. Benno Nigg's concept of the "Preferred Movement Pathway", which suggests that each individual moves in a unique way (Nigg et al., 2015). With such a unique movement pattern, it is important that a shoe help facilitate that movement pattern forward, rather than attempting to force any particular motion in the opposite direction (Nigg et al., 2017). While posts do work for some people, they often created biased rides that can cause problems for others. We have discussed the concept extensively and the Saucony Tempus is a great example of the application of this concept. Several of our testers who are normally sensitive to stability methods had no issue using this shoe. Meanwhile, I, who generally needs some stability, found plenty to use in multiple ultramarathon distance runs. Creating shoes that work for large numbers of people is challenging. In regards to stability, the idea of guidance over rigid stability seems to work for a much larger variety of individuals. Guiding the foot forward rather than forcing it seems to be a great idea, as the latter appears to work in a small specific population. Regardless, I am excited to see stability evolving and continuing to move forward. Its definition is changing, but supporting runners through their efforts remains consistent.

References


Nigg, B. M., Baltich, J., Hoerzer, S., & Enders, H. (2015). Running shoes and running injuries: mythbusting and a proposal for two new paradigms:‘preferred movement path’and ‘comfort filter’. 
British journal of sports medicine49(20), 1290-1294.

Nigg, B. M., Vienneau, J., Smith, A. C., Trudeau, M. B., Mohr, M., & Nigg, S. R. (2017). The preferred movement path paradigm: influence of running shoes on joint movement. 
Med Sci Sports Exerc49(8), 1641-1648.


RECOMMENDATIONS

Matt: The Tempus has been my "go-to" training shoe since I first received it. It integrates stability extremely well without being obtrusive. The PWRRUN PB is fun to run in and is balanced well with the PWRRUN foam. This is one of the more durable shoes I have tested, with my first pair having over 200 miles and still going strong. I can't actually remember the last time a shoe has lasted me that long. This shoe absolutely shines for me over longer distances and is something I would consider for a road ultramarathon personally. This shoe sits exactly in an area that has been missing for a few years: a lighter weight/performance stability shoe. This is somewhat of an evolution of the Saucony Hurricane, but also meant to be able to handle uptempo miles for those that want them in a stability shoe. I think it actually blends these well and will work for both groups looking for that. My first request is to not taper the toebox so quick. The forefoot fits well, but the quick taper is noticeable until I start running. My second request is that there be a lighter version of this. I would be ecstatic to see a true stability super shoe. The higher relative weight and more trainer like feel will make this shoe widely accessible to a large variety of people. I just want to see some lightweight stability racing shoes. 

David: I actually really enjoy the Saucony Tempus. For someone with neural mechanics I appreciate the subtle guidance throughout and it really shines in latter miles for me. I think the volume in the forefoot could probably be lessened a tiny bit to just give a little bit more of a hug on the foot in that region. I also think the tongue could probably be padded just a tiny bit more as I did get a small amount of biting from locking the shoe down, especially when going for faster efforts. Otherwise the platform and geometry are well done. 

Nathan: There are a lot of things I like about this shoe, and for a daily trainer/performance trainer hybrid with some guidance features it really ticks a lot of boxes. Andrea mentioned this above, but I also have a crease of the PWRRUN frame in the same lateral portion of the shoe that she does. I think reinforcing that area through a slightly thicker rim, or wider rim, may help maintain the desired bending stiffness through that area. Another foam compound could be an option, but that would drastically change the guidance features of the shoe.

Andrea: The Tempus is one of the best fitting Saucony shoes I have tested, right up there with the Kinvara 13. I appreciate the slightly wider toe box and the accommodating design of the cradle, which lets the foot sit in the shoe without creating the big toe irritation I often get from sidewalls (particularly Hoka). My only concern is the visible breakdown of the PWRRUN PB at the lateral midfoot after only 50 miles. I have never seen wear like this in any other running shoes I have worn, so I am concerned that the durability of the Tempus could be limited. Otherwise, I love the fit and performance of the Tempus and hope that Saucony does not change much for v2.

WHO THIS SHOE IS FOR

Matt: The Saucony Tempus is a max stability performance trainer for those who want a lighter weight, PEBA foamed stability shoe or those who want a supportive long-distance, non-plated uptempo/racing shoe. The guidance will work for a variety of people with a variety of directional stability needs thanks to the parallel EVA frames on the full length of both sides of the shoe. The Tempus will make a great faster day shoe for those used to heavier stability shoes. It still has plenty of cushioning to act as a trainer on its own, but is responsive enough that it can easily handle marathon efforts. Those who have failed to find a superfoam racing shoe for marathon distances that is stable enough may finally find something that can help carry them the distance. The unique use of PEBA and EVA to create a dual-density, guided midsole challenges a great many things, including what a max stability shoe can be. 

David: The Saucony Tempus is a versatile shoe that could probably find itself on pretty much anyone's rotation. For me this is a lightweight performance trainer for long runs and long tempos, or easy days when I am feeling really beat up. For others this could be a lightweight trainer that provides a little bit of guidance if they need it and don't want a posted shoe. This could also be a long distance racing shoe for someone who needs a little more support or sensitive to plates. This is like a more training-esque Endorphin Speed with some guidance components. 

Nathan: The Saucony Tempus is a shoe that is going to work for a lot of runners. It can work as a workout, speed, and race day shoe (i.e. selective use) for those who typically need higher levels of stability. It can work for those with neutral mechanics who want some structure when their legs are beat up but still want to hit a workout. It can work for newer runners who want to try the newer generation foam but feel unstable when they try on something like the Endorphin Speed. It's a solid do-it-all shoe that fights to be placed both in a camp for runners who prefer both stable and neutral shoes. It is most comparable to the Endorphin Speed, but a bit more on the trainer end of things. 

Andrea: The Tempus will work for runners with neutral mechanics who appreciate some guidance in a daily trainer. It performs well on easy runs, long runs, or marathon/half marathon pace intervals. If I were traveling and could only bring one pair of running shoes, the Tempus would be an excellent choice. The Tempus is a versatile shoe that is a great value for the all-around performance that you get.


GRADING

Matt
Fit: A- (Snug in the heel, slightly wider in the forefoot with a mesh that gets out of the way when you want to focus on the. Solid structure, but toebox tapers a bit. )
Performance: 
A- (Excellent use of PEBA and EVA to create a balanced ride that is fun, responsive but not mushy. Best for easy runs, longer efforts and uptempo runs. Has versatility into marathon racing for many who need more stability but want a PEBA foamed shoe. )
Stability: A (Excellent use of multiple methods of guidance, including EVA frame/walls of that go the entire length of the sole. Filled in midfoot, wider last, sidewalls and more create inherent guidance that will work for a variety of people.)
DPT/Footwear Science: A (Excellent integration of all the new methods of stability without the new ones to create a new concept of what a performance max stability, super foam shoe can be.)
Personal: A (My go-to trainer/long-distance shoe. Performance fit with a sole that can handle easy, long, uptempo and some tempo efforts. Not an all out racing shoe for me, but it will be for many people. )
Overall: A-/A 

David
Fit: B+/A- (Overall really good fitting upper. Forefoot volume a little high and tongue could probably be padded a tad more to help with preventing biting from lockdown)
Performance: 
A- (Really versatile shoe in the performance training category. Very balanced underfoot and can go both fast and slow. It does become a lot of shoe at "fast fast" paces but can handle all long tempo efforts and slow easy efforts)
Stability: A (Great job with cross section area and outsole coverage, chassis of PWRRUN does great job of dynamic stability and guidance)
DPT/Footwear Science: A (A very innovative way to create stability and work on redefining the category)
Personal: A- (I like this shoe a lot for long runs and long uptempo efforts, a bit of a niche shoe in my rotation but great versatility)
Overall: A-/A (A solid performance trainer with good cushioning and stability elements, dynamic stability and guidance noticeable in a positive way. A solid addition to the stability category)

Nathan

Fit: A- (Just a bit of irritation when lacing down tight)
Performance: 
A- (Wonderfully balanced ride, wider base may be bothersome for some people, flex point in lateral cradle should be monitored over time)
Stability: A (Spans usability for runners of so many different stability needs)
DPT/Footwear Science: A (Finally a shoe that combines new foam tech with structure that make it approachable for so many different runners)
Personal: A- (Best for long runs, workouts when I'm tired, and daily mileage on tired legs. The guidance along the medial arch noticeable for me at daily paces, so I wouldn't use exclusively for myself)
Overall: A- 
  
Andrea
Fit: (one of the best fitting Saucony's I have tested, particularly due to the wider toe box and well fitting upper)
Performance: A 
(highly versatile shoe that can be used for a range of paces)
Stability: A (excellent example of the stable neutral category, provides dynamic stability without forcing or restricting motion)
DPT/Footwear Science: A (Saucony is setting the standard for the stable neutral category and demonstrating how to make a stable shoe without posting)
Personal: A (I really enjoyed testing this shoe at a variety of paces and will continue to run regularly in it)
Overall: (A versatile trainer that fits well, provides dynamic stability, and performs at a variety of paces)

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FURTHER READING

Saucony Ride 15 - The Ride 15 gets a huge update with a bigger stack that still manages its stable neutral identity
New Balance Fresh Foam X Tempo v2 - A freshly updated model that provides a low profile, versatile training option
Nike React Infinity Run Flyknit 3 - The latest update to the React Infinity dials in all the elements
Asics Noosa Tri 14 - The latest update to the coloful, ultra comfortable workout trainer
Reebok Nano X2 - The latest trainer out of the Nano series gets a great upper update

Find all Shoe Reviews at Doctors of Running here.

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Editor's Note: As always, the views presented on this website belong to myself or the selected few who contribute to these posts. This website should not and does not serve as a replacement for seeking medical care. If you are currently injured or concerned about an injury, please see your local running physical therapist. If you are in the Los Angeles area, I am currently taking clients for running evaluations.

***Disclaimer: These shoes were provided free of charge in exchange for a review.  We thank the people at Saucony for sending us a pair.  This in no way affected the honesty of this review. We systematically put each type of shoe through certain runs prior to review. For trainers and performance trainers, we take them on daily runs, workouts, recovery runs and a long run prior to review (often accumulating anywhere from 20-50 miles in the process). For racing flats we ensure that we have completed intervals, a tempo or steady state run as well as a warm-up and cool down in each pair prior to review. This systematic process is to ensure that we have experience with each shoe in a large variety of conditions to provide expansive and thorough reviews for the public and for companies. Our views are based on our extensive history in the footwear industry and years testing and developing footwear. If you are a footwear rep looking for footwear reviews or consultations on development, we are currently looking to partner with companies to assist, discuss and promote footwear models. Partnership will not affect the honesty of our reviews.

Please feel free to reach out, comment and ask questions!
Contact us at doctorsofrunning@gmail.com

NEXT: Flexible vs. Rigid Forefoots, with Kofuzi!
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