The RW Takeaway: Saucony’s Guide 14 lends stability in a soft and responsive trainer.
- Even softer Pwrrun midsole
- TPU medial post provides stability
- New streamlined exterior
Price: $130
Type: Road
Weight: 10.5 oz. (M), 9.4 oz. (W)
Drop: 8mm
Comfort comes down to the minute details with the Guide. I take a small pleasure in tying the thick laces, which are lushly soft. Loop-de-looping that final knot is the precursor to a plush ride. But it puts on a good game face, too.
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With its fourteenth iteration, Saucony’s cushy stability shoe has gotten a makeover. The spruced-up upper looks fast and race-ready. In fact, you may think you’re seeing double when you put the Guide and Kinvara 12 side by side; the same 3D-print overlays adorn the engineered mesh, which shares the same colour scheme as well.
While you could race in the Guide, you could also relish the coziness of its interior and cushioned platform on daily miles when you’re trying to cool down by sweating it out. It’s the shoe to wear when you don’t want to check your pace and just get lost in the run.
LAKOTA GAMBILL
Supportive Medial Post
As the stability version to Saucony’s Ride, the Guide has a lightweight TPU medial post and sturdy heel counter to lend support. Testers were satisfied with the shoe’s stability tech. One—RW photographer Lakota Gambil, who has a history of tendonitis injuries—even had a revelatory moment during testing.
“I realized that my pain wasn’t due to the shoe or surface I was on, it was mostly due to my own running style,” she said. “The cushioning in combination with the medial guidance frame bounced me back.”
LAKOTA GAMBILL
Even Softer Midsole
That cushioning derives from Saucony’s proprietary Pwrrun midsole, which has Pwrrun+ layered on top. The latter is composed of a lighter foam that promotes a springier step while absorbing impact with each footstrike. “It’s a shoe meant for long distances because it doesn’t give in or give up,” said a tester. The brand reformulated Pwrrun, making the foam even softer and more responsive.
Tester Feedback
Scott H., tester since 2012
Arch: Flat | Gait: Overpronator | Footstrike: Heel
“The Guide is a great support sneaker without feeling too bulky. This model feels like it has a little more cushioning than prior models. It is a solid choice for runners that want support, but not so much that is feels limiting. A great shoe, especially for longer moderately paced runs.”
