Saucony Guide 18 Review – Not Much Has Changed

Fit / Tech

PWRRUN foam

The cushioning in the Guide 18 remains the same as the 17, with PWRRUN foam at 35mm deep in height in the heel with a drop of 6mm to the 29mm deep forefoot.

PWRRUN PB

A PWRRUN PB sock liner adds a little more cushioning directly under the foot for step in comfort.

Design

For a few years, many Saucony models were sat at an 8mm drop. Now it appears more and more of them are shifting towards a 6mm drop. To be honest, I don’t notice the difference at all and the effect of any drop is often more attributed to the softness of the cushioning in the heel.

A straighter last on the medial side of the shoe creates the brand’s new CenterPath technology. This geometry contributes to the overall shape of the midsole with a broader base, higher sidewalls and an asymmetric profile. It removes the need for a medial post and makes the shoe a little lighter and more natural to run in.

The flared geometry of the midsole creates a wider platform and adds stability. The foot sits deeper within the midsole cushioning in a similar manner to other shoes featuring ‘Guide rail’ type support systems.

The upper is where the changes have taken place. At first glance, the engineered mesh construction looks almost identical, it’s only really on the medial side of the shoe, where overlays bonded to the upper add more support and a little extra control.

Performance

From the initial step into the shoes, it feels exactly the same familiar fit as the previous model.

Even when wearing a 17 on one foot and an 18 on the other it is near impossible to tell them apart. If you tighten the laces fully, the new design of the 18 on the medial side of the upper pulls up against the arch a little more securely, but to be totally honest this feeling may be due in part because you can see the different construction.

For those new to the Guide, it feels stable and this comes from the geometry as well as the deep sidewalls of the midsole. This feature isn’t called out, but the foot sits a little lower ‘within’ the overall cushioning and it certainly makes your feet feel like they are held securely within the overall stack of cushioning. It feels good and it’s natural and even before your first run, you feel confident in the stability of the shoe.

Check Out My 6 Best Saucony Running Shoes Here

Guide 17 vs Guide 18

Having now worn the Guide 17 and this new model, the Guide 18, I was able to transition from the old to the new without any issues.

The cushioning, stability and ride of the shoe are unchanged from the Guide 17 and it’s a smooth stable ride that handles pronation as well as any other shoe on the market.

Comparisons

There are several competitor brand models offering similar support and cushioning to the Guide 18. The Mizuno Inspire 21 and the New Balance Fresh Foam 860v15 are just two.

Mizuno Inspire 21

The Mizuno Inspire 21 is the brand’s latest update to its own popular supportive daily trainer. With Mizuno Enerzy foam to provide the cushioning and its Wave technology taking care of control, the shoe is a versatile daily trainer that works well at controlling pronation and providing general support for all-day use.

Whilst Mizuno doesn’t make any specific claims to the efficacy of the shoe in treating the condition, I have personally found that people suffering from Plantar Fasciitis have repeatedly chosen the Inspire when seeking suitable footwear.

This is purely anecdotal, but over the last 5 years, I’d say 90% of customers visiting my running store have found the Mizuno Inspire to be the most comfortable shoe if they have had Plantar Fasciitis. I haven’t experienced the condition myself, but I think that the structure of the arch within the Mizuno Inspire tends to provide excellent support. This, combined with the shoe’s 12mm drop, helps relieve pressure on the tendon.

New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15

The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15 is the latest offering from New Balance in the supportive daily trainer category.

Again, like the Guide 18, the New Balance 860v15 is a great, versatile daily trainer. It also shares with the Guide 18 the development of control without the need for a medial post.
The 860 uses twin layers of Fresh Foam X cushioning to help reduce pronation. A slightly firmer density of foam has a deeper stack on the medial side of the shoe, while a softer layer mirrors this stack on the lateral side.

Splicing these two layers of foam together creates a dynamic method of control; should the foot pronate more; it will roll onto more of the firm foam and the motion be reduced.

In terms of control, the New Balance is equally as effective as the Saucony.

With the Saucony, New Balance and Mizuno options, it again will come down to personal preference with regard to fit and feel as to which you chose. When it comes to daily training, there isn’t a wrong answer in this selection.

My Verdict

The Saucony Guide 18 once again proves to be a good update over the previous model. While the updates are negligible (apart from a small price reduction for UK customers) it’s good to see a good shoe largely untouched. Why spoil a good thing?

The control works well and the shoe feels stable, relatively plush and nicely balanced.

Being an update, albeit minor, the good news is that you may be able to find a deal on the previous model!