By Paul Freary
For many years the Saucony Hurricane was the brand’s top-of-the-range support category daily training shoe. Saucony took a few years off recently with the shoe after the 23rd version and returns now with this reimagined model which brings the line bang up to date with an interesting rethink on support.
With the re-introduction of the Hurricane with the Hurricane 24, Saucony aims to bring a new level of cushioning and ride to the support and control section of the market and make every run experience exceptional cushioning.
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Fit / Tech
Saucony are usually very consistent with the fit of their shoes and the Hurricane 24 is no different. It fits true to size in length and wide and the engineered mesh upper has a nice degree of stretch to it so small variations in your foot shape are accommodated very well.
PWRRUNPB
PWRRUN PB is the brand’s ‘fast’ and responsive foam cushioning material and is used to make up the majority of the midsole in this model.
Previously used in the Endorphin Pro 3 as well as the massively popular Endorphin Speed 4, PWRRUN PB is light and gives a soft and springy feel under the foot.
In the Hurricane 24, PWRRUN PB makes up around 80% of the midsole stack of 38mm, so there’s no shortage of cushioning!
PWRRUN
Making up the remainder of the cushioning and adding stability to the shoe, PWRRUN is a slightly firmer midsole foam. Found in the brand’s models such as the Guide 17, PWRRUN foam still has good cushioning properties and proves to be a very durable material.
Centrepath Tech
The new Centrepath Tech is Saucony’s new method of adding stability to a shoe without the need for traditional medial posts.
Used in both the Guide 17 and Hurricane 24, Centrepath Tech combines a broader base and higher sidewalls of the midsole to provide support and control.
The Hurricane 24 has a broad footprint throughout the length of the shoe as well as a straighter rearfoot on the medial side. These features provide a very stable platform.
Although the shoe looks incredibly high stacked, it is in fact ‘only’ 38mm in the heel of the shoe. The illusion of an even higher stack comes from the higher sidewalls. The foot sits within these sidewalls and similar to the support provided by Guiderails in Brooks GTS models, the foot sits centrally within the shoe and remains more stable.
Stats
Saucony | Hurricane 24 |
|---|---|
Best for | Plush comfort, daily training, support and cushioning |
Support | Stability |
Cushion | Maximum cushioning |
Stack Height | 38mm forefoot/ 32mm heel |
Drop | 6mm |
Weight | Men 302g (10.6oz) Women 279g (9.8oz) |
Suggested Retail Price | £165 / $160 |
Fit | True to size |
Rating | 9/ 10 |
Performance
The Saucony Hurricane 24 is a very plush shoe that feels welcoming from the moment you pull it on. I have been waiting eagerly to try this shoe since seeing it at a launch event almost a year ago.
In the past twelve months, I’ve been wearing several Saucony models for both daily easy miles and faster speedwork sessions. I’ve enjoyed both the Ride and Triumph as well as what has become one of my favourite shoes, the Kinvara Pro. So when I saw the specs of the new Hurricane, I was intrigued to try a shoe that promised to be both stable and have a soft, responsive ride.
The Hurricane 24 didn’t disappoint from the very first run. I first noticed how light it actually felt. The ‘on paper’ weight of over 300g tends to point towards a heavy shoe, but it’s certainly not the case. Despite the large stack, the shoe fits the foot well, so as is usually the case, the weight seems to disappear around the foot.
Saucony Hurricane 24
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Putting in the Miles
Departing from my usual routine of an easy shake-out run in a new pair of shoes, my first venture out in these was a ‘long and easy’ Sunday run. Having run a fast tempo 5k the previous day, this long run was at around 7 minutes 30 seconds per mile. My aim was a two-hour effort and I’d decided on an out-and-back route along rolling roads, nothing too steep.
Probably the best thing to say about the shoe is that I really didn’t notice it on my feet at all. The fit was great from the outset and the shoe settled into my stride perfectly.
The cushioning has a soft and responsive feel. Not quite as soft as the latest Triumph 22, but soft enough to remain very comfortable for this 2-hour run.
Stability is also excellent. The combination of PWRRUN foams blend together well and Saucony have found a way in which to provide support via shoe geometry very well.
The upper of the shoe is standard engineered mesh, but it’s light and breathable and I had no issues wearing the shoes straight from the box for my two-hour run.
There’s neat padding around the ankle collar and Achilles area, which again provides a good fit.
Comparisons
Comparisons in this category are a little tricky. The shoe is a blend of performance and support and it is placed at a ‘just above’ average price point.
The Saucony Hurricane 24 does use a premium ‘supershoe’ foam in the PWRRUN PB material, so I’ve tried to select shoes that offer similar levels of cushioning and support.
Brooks Glycerin GTS 21
The first shoe that came to mind was the Brooks Glycerin GTS 21. The Brooks is a similar price and similar weight, features their premium foam, DNA Loft v3, a Nitrogen-injected material and offers plush cushioning and control.
It’s really difficult to choose between these two models for me and the most obvious point of difference is the drop. In the Glycerin GTS 21, we have a 10mm heel drop, while in the Hurricane 24, it is just 6mm. It does feel different and feels obvious, but the preference will be totally personal.
I think the Brooks feels a little firmer for the first few runs and takes around 30 to 40 miles to soften up, whereas the Saucony feels softer from the word go.
I also think that, although the weight difference is marginal, with the Saucony actually being a few grams heavier, the Brooks feels the heavier of the two on the foot.
The Brooks Glycerin GTS 21 is perhaps the closest competitor to the Saucony Hurricane 24.
HOKA Gaviota 5
Another high-stack shoe offering support is the HOKA Gaviota 5.
The Gaviota is a similar price to the Hurricane 24, just a fraction heavier but also has a 6mm drop in the heel.
Support in the HOKA comes from their H-frame technology and this, like the Saucony’s Centrepath Tech does a good job of providing natural feeling control. The downside for the HOKA for me is that it’s still using EVA foam for its cushioning, so feels distinctly lacking when standing side by side with the Hurricane.
ASICS Gel Kayano 31
The ASICS Kayano 31 would be their competitor to the Hurricane. Again, this model has a similar weight and level of support to the Saucony but like the Brooks, it has a 10mm drop.
The ASICS is a little more expensive and is a very well-established model, so it has legions of loyal fans. It offers a similarly plush ride to the Hurricane, but I’d say not quite as responsive.
If choosing between the ASICS and the Saucony, I’d most probably plump with the Saucony. It’s a little cheaper, a little lighter and a light more fun to run in. The ASICS is a good shoe, but as a totally revised model, I’d say the Hurricane 24 is worth trying.
My Verdict
For those seeking a shoe capable of daily miles that offers good levels of control whilst still providing a lively running experience, the Saucony Hurricane 24 is a great choice.
I’ve already seen the shoe performing very well under gait analysis conditions providing excellent levels of control for over-pronators, so I’ve no reservations about recommending it.
The Saucony Hurricane 24 is a good example of the revival of a model maximising the benefits of the latest technology. The shoe is essentially a new model taking elements of top-end performance models with stability shoes to create a daily trainer that’s fun, stable and engaging to run in.
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