Saucony Guide 18 Review
By Bach Pham and Matthew Klein
Saucony Guide 18Price: $139.95 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 9.6 oz, 272 g (men's size 9), 8.6 oz, 245 g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 35mm heel, 29mm forefoot
Drop: 6mm
Shoe Purpose: Mild Stability Trainer
Pros: Simple trainer with some versatility, Non-intrusive stability
Cons: EVA foam feels somewhat uninspiring
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The Saucony Guide series has long been the stability daily driver in the Saucony line-up in the same vein as the Saucony Ride for neutral runners. The shoe's main change for 2025 is an upper update which gives a little more room at the sacrifice of a tiny bit more weight. The Guide 18 provides a moderate level of cushioning in a slightly lighter package compared to other high stack stability trainers in the market. The shoe utilizes what Saucony calls Center Path technology to keep the runner... well, centered. The midsole remains the same from its last iteration with a large slab of PWRRUN underfoot. A PWRRUN+ sockliner adds a little extra comfort directly underfoot. The shoe is best for runners who want a stable trainer that is non-intrusive, modestly cushioned with no-frills.
SIMILAR SHOES: Hoka Arahi 7, ASICS GT-2000 13
PAST MODEL: Saucony Guide 17
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
Matt: The Saucony Guide fits me true to size in my normal men's US size 10. The fit is fairly normal width wise throughout the length of the shoe. The toe box isn't narrow but does taper a bit and is slightly lower in volume, making it feel a tiny bit short. This transitions into a normal Saucony forefoot that has a little pressure on my fifth toe but a normal width outside of that. This transitions into a normal to slightly snug midfoot. The tongue is normal in thickness with a strong gusseted that holds the foot secure. The volume is slightly lower in the midfoot with a slightly lower instep but the stretching gusset does offset this. The heel is normal to slightly snug in width with a well padded heel collar and a stiff but rounded heel counter. There is plenty of heel padding that I did not notice the counter but those with sensitive heels should still approach with caution. Given the normal to slightly snug fit with a good tongue gusset, the security is quite good. I have not had to lace lock the shoe and have actually had to be careful to not tie the laces to tight given the lower midfoot volume. The inner liner of the upper is also quite comfortable except for the toe guard, which has caused me some abrasion, so I would wear socks with this shoe.
Bach: The Saucony Guide 18 fits well front-to-back in my regular size 9.5 mens. Like the 17, it fits comfortably throughout and I felt like I had enough room in the toebox and midfoot to both feel locked down well and comfortable. The overall room is fairly standard-fitting. The midfoot is slightly snug which helped with security, but I didn't feel too snug as the material is also forgiving thanks to some stretch in the material. The Guide 18 removes a loop at front of the lacing that made the 17 a little more snug at the point where the forefoot transitions into the midfoot, opening a tiny bit extra room in the 18. Wide foot runners should continue to look for a wide fit though. The shoe does come in larger sizes up to 16 in men's and 12 for women.
The heel counter is partially rigid, becoming flexible in the top half. I felt very secure with no slippage. The tongue is improved in this version from the Guide 17. It was a touch short in the past version which left a little less room to do things like tie the shoe down easily or just in putting the shoe on. I never had to fight the tongue in the Guide 18 which isn't a huge deal, but it's nice to not have to deal with. The insole is also improved slightly in this version, staying better in place than in the past version which occasionally slipped. Finally, the upper in general is very breathable. Overall, I don't have much to report here as the fit is forgettable in a good way.
Typical Size: Men's US Size 9.5
Shoes that have fit Bach well:
Nike Pegasus 40, Saucony Guide 17, Mizuno Wave Inspire 19, Saucony
Endorphin Speed 3, Nike Structure 25
Shoes that have fit snug: Hoka Arahi 7, Asics Kayano 30, Puma Electrify Nitro, Brooks Hyperion, Hoka Clifton 9 GTX
Shoes that have fit large: Hoka Gaviota 5, Reebok Floatride Energy X
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: Yes
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: Yes
Is the Forefoot Flexible: Mildly
How Flexible is the Shoe: Not flexible
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Fine
Recommended for Haglunds: No
Recommended for Sockless: No
Durability Expectation: Average
PERFORMANCE
Matt: The Saucony Guide 18 is a highly rockered daily training shoe. The midsole features a full length of PWRRUN foam, which feels lighter but less responsive. It absorbs shock but is not bouncy or responsive. The geometry is highly rockered, so the ride feels more rolling than bouncy. This makes it great for easier runs over medium distances and recovery efforts but it lacks versatility into uptempo or faster efforts. It is best for consistent easier efforts where you just want to get miles in and zone out. The rearfoot features a decent bevel that faces slightly medial. There is lateral flare as part of a lateral crash pad, which initially creates a slightly clunky ride that breaks in to a smooth and centered ride when the crash pad breaks in. This moves into a stable and smooth midfoot. The forefoot features a slightly early rocker with mild flexibility. Those with toe mobility issues will not find a ride stiff enough to support them although the rest of the shoe is on the stiffer side. The traction is average and I have noted some slipping on wet road. The outsole is smooth enough with enough exposed midsole that I would keep this shoe on road or track and avoid an surfaces with debris or things that could poke through the sole. The durability has been fine as I got over 100 miles on version 17. I have noticed some early initial wear at the heel but this has not progressed over my 25 miles in version 18. With the EVA foam I would still expect this shoe to get an average number of miles.
Bach: With stability shoes in 2024 becoming more and more premium thanks to upgraded foams in almost every model across the board, the PWRRUN that I didn't mind in Version 17 suddenly felt a little dated in Version 18. On flat surfaces, it is perfectly serviceable, but as I spent a lot of time doing elevation in my neighborhood I felt a bit of a craving for a more responsive sole to help tackle the hills. The shoe felt a little plodding on ascents. What I did find to still be true is that the shoe is just light enough that it can handle some uptempo work for short distances, particularly strides. Stability users could probably handle using this shoe for some workouts if they are used to the heavier footwear. The midsole runs comfortably firm, with a little bit of direct softness underfoot thanks to the PWRRUN+ sockliner. It's nowhere as soft as a shoe like the PWRRUN+-packed Hurricane 24, but for most recreational runners the Guide 18 will feel more than fine from a comfort level for easy runs and medium-distanced efforts. For my personal preferences, I felt like I wanted a little more shoe for long runs.
The Guide 18 in general transitions pretty well front-to-back. There is a very mild rocker that helps make the ride feel fairly fluid. It is easy to set-it-and-forget-it in the Guide 18, even though it is a a bit unfun underfoot.
The outsole traction has been fairly okay. I didn't have any issues slipping on wet roads and slick leaves. I am very polite to my outsoles so wear is often hard to see for me and I have no wear after 20 miles thus far. The shoe features a XT-900 carbon rubber that has held up well. My pair of Saucony Guide 17s held up fine after 70+ miles with no issues and I expect this to be as durable.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
Matt: The Saucony Guide 18 is listed as a moderate stability shoe but functions as a mild stability/moderate guidance shoe. There is no post in this shoe but the guidance methods are achieved through the wider base, midfoot/heel sidewalls, internal geometry that keeps you center and a solid rocker that keeps you moving forward. There is a significant amount of sole flare in the heel both medially and laterally. The midfoot features mild sole flare medially and the medial midfoot being filled in provides a little extra resistance to inward motion. The sidewalls keep a centered ride as they extend up quite high and make the shoe look taller than it is. The midfoot medial sole fill in and midfoot sidewall do create some mild medial arch pressure but not enough to be noticeable on the run. The forefoot is also on the wider side with mild sole flare but is more neutral outside of the nice rocker. The stability overall feels gently guiding rather than more aggressive like the Hurricane and Tempus (we have not tried the recent versions of the Omni). It feels like the Guide series has almost filled the place of the Mirage as a slightly lighter mild stability shoe, so those that want that should definitely check this shoe out.
Bach: Though listed as a stability model, I found the stability to be on the mild side in the Saucony Guide 18. The shoe has a unique structure that asks the runner to be as centered as possible. The Guide has a very wide base and a rocker profile that propels you forward. The forefoot has generous sole flaring, particularly on the lateral side for those who have lateral stability needs. I didn't feel any particular medial support in the shoe, just the characteristics above providing a holistically stable ride rather than a specific type of medial or lateral stability. There is a subtle hint of medial pressure in the arch, but it's mostly forgettable - certainly not like the Tempus 2 which is more prominent on first step-in.
I had to cut a tremendous amount of mileage in 2024 for personal reasons, so I am far less fit than previous years and tend to crave more medial stability as a result. I sort of felt hard to distinguish the stability underfoot in this year's testing of the Guide 18. It felt stable enough on the run, but compared to the prominence of medial support in the Brooks Beast GTS 24, New Balance 860 v14, or Saucony Hurricane 24, I definitely felt like I was missing some medial stability underfoot here. If you are just looking for some mild stability to help keep you focused and confident, this is a great model and one I think a lot of runners could get on with. If you are someone who tends to do well in something like a medial post shoe or a more aggressive stability shoe, you may find that this won't take you where you want to be.
 |
| Guide 17 left, Guide 18 right |
Comparing the Guide 18 to the Hurricane 24, Tempus 2, and Omni 22: Which to Choose?
By Bach Pham
Saucony has four fairly distinct stability shoes in their line-up, all of which have their strengths and weaknesses. Let's take a look at each model briefly and their uses.
Guide 17/18: The middle of the road shoe in terms of stack, weight, and midsole. It is versatile for most runner's basic needs in one shoe, while coming in at $140. It suits both medial and lateral stability needs. The midsole is a bit bland, but gets the job done. The shoe feels best for daily runs and medium distance efforts.
Omni 22: We didn't officially review the Omni at Doctors of Running, but this is basically a gram for gram recreation of the Saucony Guide 16 with a hollow tech post on the medial side. Those who do like that older form of medial stability and enjoyed past versions of the Guide should check out the Omni. As a bonus it also comes in at $140. Similar to the Guide, this model is best for daily runs to medium distance efforts. Those who need medial stability may like it more than the Guide for longer efforts thanks to the more prominent support.
Hurricane 24: The premium cushioned stability trainer in the Saucony line-up, it is also a very reinvented model compared to year's past. The refresh is similar to the Tempus using a firmer frame of midsole around the shoe for stability while supplying a big, soft core of PWRRUN PB - their super foam - in the center for cushioning. The shoe does have more medial stability than the Guide, but also provides a fairly balanced ride throughout. The shoe is best for easy runs of any distance. It comes in at $160.
Tempus 2: The Tempus is the brand's performance stability shoe, using the frame discussed in the Hurricane. It features 2mm less stack in the forefoot than the Hurricane, and there is a bit more road feel as a result. It just feels more aggressive on foot than the other shoes in the lineup, and is best for uptempo, long efforts. This could be a racing shoe for stability users. I personally feel like I could only take this up to a half marathon at best as a less experienced runner, but those who like more ground feel for long efforts may be able to take it all the way up to the marathon. The Tempus also comes in at $160.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Matt: As the Saucony Guide 18 is almost exactly the same as the 17, my feedback remains similar. However, after a year of processing the Guide 17 with almost 200 miles on my pair, I would prefer an upgrade in the foam to PWRRUN+. The current market is looker for more exciting rides and the combination of the centered ride and a bouncier foam would give runners with stability needs more uptempo options. The Hurricane would still be different as the PWRRUN PB would provide a much softer ride. The Tempus would still be different as it may still be lighter and faster, but that shoe needs an upgrade to be as light as it should anyway. Overall, there needs to be a bigger push to get stability shoes to be exciting and not boring (as many have been for years), so a PWRRUN+ update seems appropriate now. I think the softer and more responsive foam would also open up more options for unique guidance/stability as the Guide 18 has fallen into the light stability range and needs to make a decision about where it will stand exactly on the stability spectrum.
Bach: Quite simply, the Guide 18 could use a PWRRUN+ treatment seen in its counterpart, the Ride 18. I think with the comfort that the PWRRUN+ foam has proven to provide in other models, you could also reduce the stack a little bit to keep the shoe nimble while getting that comfort. It would still differ from the Tempus which is significantly lighter and more apt for faster while not being as premium as the Hurricane. Saucony seems to have been able to keep the Ride 18 at its $140 price point, and I hope that addition here would still maintain that price point and further distinguish it from its peers in the line-up.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
Matt: The Saucony Guide 18 is a mild stability daily trainer for those who want a centered ride that doesn't push you in either direction. The fit is best for those with normal to narrow width feet as the volume is slightly lower. The rocker and PWRRUN midsole makes for a fairly relaxed ride that works best for easier efforts over moderate distances. The Guide series sits as a simple trainer that is a great option for the entry level runners. Version 18 is not different enough to warrant an upgrade from version 17 but when that version is no longer in stock, the transition to this new one will be easy. Those who crave more stability should look to the Hurricane, Omni or Tempus series but for those who just want a simple shoe that keeps them centered, the Guide 18 may be an excellent option.
Bach: The Saucony Guide 18 is a mild stability trainer for those who want either medial or lateral support underfoot that doesn't feel too prominent. The trainer can handle most recreational runners needs no problem while more experienced runners may like it for its simplicity. Runners seeking the most comfortable, softest ride in the stability category won't find it here, but the 18 remains a good recommendation for a no-frills trainer. I would still recommend those who like the 17 to keep stocking up and being patient before upgrading as the changes aren't tremendous. There's some great deals out there now for the 17. Runners who do tend to do well in a higher medial stability level shoe though should consider moving over to the Hurricane if they want to stay in the Saucony line.
GRADES
Matt
Fit: A- (Slightly stretchy mesh with good security that fits normal to snug throughout)
Performance: B/B+ (Taller ride with rocker that provides a rolling, relaxed ride best for easy efforts)
Stability: A- [Moderate Guidance] (Centered ride throughout with sidewalls, filled in midfoot, rockered ride and internal geometry)
Value: B+/A- (Simple shoe but still cheaper than most stability options)
Personal: B (This is a solid shoe but there are so many other options that are more responsive. It is a great option for those that want a simple shoe that isn't flashy, but adds the to stereotype that stabilty shoes are often boring)
Overall Design: B+/A-
Bach
Fit: A- (A slight improvement on last year's already solid fit)
Performance: B (Nothing remarkable, but comfortable and has some versatility. Midsole slightly dated)
Stability: B+ (For those looking for a mild stability ride, this will fit the bill, but high stability need users may need to look elsewhere)
Value: A- (On the lower end of today's stability footwear)
Personal: B (Sometimes a grade doesn't reflect how much I like or dislike the shoe, but I found the Guide 18 to be perfectly solid at its job without being flashy. It just doesn't standout tremendously, but I would still recommend it to those looking for a well-priced driver)
Overall Design: B+
SHOP | SUPPORT DORSaucony Guide 18Price: $139.95 at Running Warehouse
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Find all Shoe Reviews at Doctors of Running here.
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