Our verdict
The Guide 15 from Saucony is a lightweight stability shoe that's perfect for easy training runs on the road. With the support it provides, it delivers a surefooted ride for people with flat feet and overpronation. Even more, it lets go of the stability conventions of the past being a light and non-taxing on the foot. It's firm, but just enough to keep the foot steady and supported.
Pros
- Unintrusive stability
- Protective cushion
- Rolls smoothly
- Lighter than other Saucony Guides
- Snug and secure foot wrap
- Breezy for summer
- Recycled materials in the upper
Cons
- Lacks bounce
- Too much rubber outsole in the heel
Who should buy the Saucony Guide 15
Get the Saucony Guide 15 if you're in search of the following:
- a stability running shoe that's well-cushioned and supportive for daily runs of any distance
- a shoe with unobtrusive arch support that can also cater to neutral runners (a "new age stability shoe")
- a lighter-than-average stability running shoe
Who should NOT buy it
If you're looking for a stability shoe that would be a softer and more bouncy alternative to the Saucony Guide 15, try Saucony Hurricane 23. And if you don't mind another brand, consider Brooks Launch GTS 9, a supportive speedster.
Saucony Guide 15 vs. 14:
"Like a whole new experience," "pushes a design forward in every way" — This is what testers have to say about the changes made to Guide 15. With its comfort-first approach, the shoe features the following updates:
- more stack (increased by 2.5mm in the rear and forefoot) for a more protective and cushy ride
- a softer sensation because of the plusher PWRRUN foam
- better stability due to the more sculpted sidewalls and deeper underfoot contouring
- less weight (1.2 oz / 34 g lighter) because of the Hollow-Tech stability element that keeps the foot centered without added bulk
- smoother transitions, thanks to the more rockered design
- a more flexible forefoot for unrestrained motions
Surefooted steps ahead
Keeping the foot centered, the sidewalls of the Saucony Guide 15 now extend higher up. On top of this, the midsole foam perfects the blend of both softness and rigidity; you don't have to worry about your foot sinking in.
Unlike past versions of the Saucony Guide, the fifteenth edition offers a more forgiving ride, according to the experts. It's a touch firm, but never harsh.
Measuring the foam softness with our durometer, the Guide 15 turns out to be softer than average by 30%. However, the shoe features a firmer component under the foot arch for stability. Some runners also noted that the overly thick outsole rubber makes the ride firmer with its noticeably denser-than-average characteristic (7% firmer).
The added stack also creates a more protected run. It mutes out all the impact during each landing.
The stack height in the heel, measured together with the insole, is 31.6 mm which puts the shoe into the max-cushioned range. The insole itself is a generous 6.2 mm, which is far above the average 4.7 for most insoles.
You can hardy tell that it is a stability shoe
All runners are in awe with Saucony's new approach to stability shoes. The Guide 15 features a Hollow-Tech medial post that is only visible under close inspection.
This stability element is not overbearing at all and even neutral runners can enjoy it.
Delivering easy strides
Because of the shoe's rockered shape, the reviewers were able to enjoy seamless rolls from heel to toe. They agree that it makes the ride easy, efficient, and helps to pick up the pace quicker.
The Guide 15 also has a fine balance between flexibility and stiffness which also helps to make toe-offs a little bit snappier.
Saucony Guide 15 needs more life
It's neither bouncy nor energetic. Despite Saucony's attempts to make it a softer and bouncier shoe, it's still on the firmer end and lacks that bounce. On the bright side, testers think that it's "more alive" than the Guide 14.
Anything but clunky
On foot and on paper, the Saucony Guide 15 feels light. Especially in contrast to the Saucony Guides of yesteryears, a great number of runners agree that this is way lighter.
At 9.3 oz (263 g) per shoe, it is unbelievably light for a stability shoe with a stack height of 30 mm and more. The average weight for this kind of shoes is 10.8 oz (306 g).
Better fit, less waste
The Guide's new mesh upper is not only made with recycled materials; it also offers a more dialed-in fit. From the heel to the midfoot, the foothold is snug; there are NO reports of slips. Runners even claim that they don't have to cinch the laces down or do a lace lock to feel secure in the Guide 15.
The fully gusseted tongue also does its fair share of holding the foot securely in place, preventing any shifting or sliding.
The tongue is well-padded to protect the instep from any potential lace bites. It is 4.4 mm thick.
Some of the reviewers find the inner mesh so incredibly comfortable that they could wear the shoe without socks. No issues with hot spots or rubbing.
As for the toebox, many find it "adequately roomy" for splaying toes and foot swelling.
We measured the forefoot width at 95.3 mm which is a couple of millimeters narrower than the average of road running shoes (97.6 mm). It is just right for normal-to-narrow feet but might be snug for a wide footer. Luckily, the Guide 15 is available in a wide option.
Perfect for warms days on the road
Apart from keeping the foot locked in, the upper also lets in the air for a breathable feel during summer runs. You can literally see the shoe's ventilation in action with the help of our smoke machine test. Breathable shoes let the smoke pass much faster.
Guide 15 offers lasting durability
Those who have clocked a considerable mileage in the Saucony Guide 15 (at least 35 miles) are very positive about the shoe's long-term durability:
- "expect this shoe to last for an above-average number of miles"
- "I anticipate them to last 200-300 miles"
Checking the firmness of the outsole rubber, we found that it is also of above-average density: 87.0 HC over 81.2 HC. This is also a contributing factor in the shoe's life expectancy.
