Saucony Hurricane 26 review

After testing the Saucony Hurricane 26 in the lab, we found that it's:

• A top-tier stability shoe for runners who want a softer, bouncier ride.
• Ideal for tech-focused pronators who love to try out new foams.
• A great pick for marathoners looking for a stable shoe built for long runs.
• A safe choice for runners who upgrade their Hurricane every 1 or 2 years.

The massive size of the Saucony Hurricane 26 can be a problem for runners who dislike bulky, oversized shoes. For a more streamlined stability shoe that feels less imposing, check out the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 or the Nike Structure Plus.

We also think the Hurricane 26's high price may deter some runners. If your budget is tighter, the ASICS GT 1000 15 is a more affordable option.

The Saucony Hurricane 26 is an excellent long-run shoe, and its impressive shock absorption is a big reason why. In the lab, we measured 145 SA in the heel and an amazing 132 SA in the forefoot, both comfortably above the current lab average.

If we had to pick just one brand that has been doing a fantastic job with foams over the last two years, Saucony would be a strong contender. For us, incrediRUN was already impressive in the Endorphin Elite 3, and now incrediLUX (A-TPU) expands the family, bringing that fantastic bounce to a daily training shoe.

We found 67.2% energy return in the heel and an astonishing 76.2% in the forefoot. So, why the difference? This shoe uses a dual-foam setup with some PWRRUN in the heel, which improves stability. Still, getting close to 70% is almost unheard of for a stability shoe, while the forefoot pushes toward 80%, entering elite-level super shoe territory.

The temptation to keep adding more and more stack height is real in the current era of running shoes, but we think Saucony made the right call by keeping the Hurricane 26 below the 40-mm threshold.

We grabbed our calipers and took our first measurement: 38.3 mm. In our opinion, it's the perfect height for this shoe, landing right in the sweet spot.

The forefoot measures 32.4 mm, taking full advantage of the Hurricane series' moderate drop to provide notably more foam underfoot than a standard daily trainer.

Here's the drop. At 5.9 mm, the Saucony Hurricane 26 comes extremely close to the brand's stated 6 mm.

This is the familiar configuration for the Hurricane series, so it's no surprise at all. The ride feels consistent with previous versions, and after 26 editions, it's clear that Saucony has found a formula that works.

The new incrediLUX midsole feels fast, bouncy, and comfortable. Saucony played it safe by giving this A-TPU foam a near-average softness rather than going ultra-plush like it did with IncrediRUN.

We think that's a very wise decision for a training shoe, and we fully support it. At 33.8 AC, it's the kind of foam that feels modern and just slightly soft without ever becoming wobbly. If the LUX in incrediLUX stands for luxury, we think it certainly deserves the name!

There's also a secondary layer of PWRRUN foam that cradles the incrediLUX, mainly around the heel. It's smaller than in previous versions, but it's certainly needed to provide the extra support this shoe requires.

If you're a regular RunRepeat reader, you shouldn't be surprised to find a rockered running shoe here.

The Hurricane 26 uses a curved midsole that helps smooth the heel-to-toe transition and compensate a bit for heel strikers given the lower drop compared to other daily trainers. This can be particularly helpful for runners who experience discomfort from limited big-toe mobility, such as those with hallux rigidus.

To help you figure out whether the Hurricane 26 fits your feet, we took our usual batch of three measurements of the shoe's interior.

For the first one, we recorded 95.3 mm, which is very close to the average. This lines up well with the Hurricane series' usual fit, which sits comfortably away from both extremes.

The toebox has a classic shape, and we confirmed that with another near-average measurement of 72.2 mm.

That said, it's worth noting that Saucony offers the Hurricane 26 in wide sizing, although only in select markets and limited colorways.

The comfortable upper never created any pressure around our toes, which is a good sign for runners looking to take on long runs in this shoe.

However, there's nothing like a measurement to reveal the true amount of space. At 27.4 mm, the toebox provides plenty of room for the toes to move freely, while also allowing for good airflow inside the shoe.

The Hurricane 26 takes a big step forward in traction, and our testing confirmed it. We recorded a 0.69 CoF, a clear improvement over the 0.49 of the Hurricane 24 and the 0.54 of the Hurricane 25.

This gives the shoe excellent grip on wet surfaces and makes it a much more confidence-inspiring option when the weather turns ugly.

The outsole features very generous coverage considering the shoe's huge size and surprisingly reasonable weight. However, there was really no way around it, as many runners who need stability tend to wear out their shoes quickly, so Saucony had to cover all the bases here.

One thing that changes from the v25 is the stiffness, as this update scored higher in our test at 17.2N, probably to compensate for the softer feel of the IncrediLUX midsole.

It's nothing out of this world and certainly doesn't feel like you're running in a plated shoe, but don't expect a flexible ride because this shoe is far from that.

The Saucony Hurricane 26 weighs 9.6 oz (272g).

While that may seem heavy compared with some of the latest releases, considering its massive build, we were actually surprised by how low the weight is. Moreover, it's a minor improvement over its predecessor, which is always a welcome upgrade.

Breathability isn't a problem for the Hurricane 26, as it does a good job of keeping the foot dry during runs. Our testing machine allows us to quantify how effectively sweat moves away from the foot and through the upper, and the 79 BR score is a very solid result.

During the same test, we also measure how much moisture escapes from the shoe into the air. In this case, 56% of the moisture was released, which is also a very good result for such a comfortable, densely constructed upper.

Saucony uses here their CenterPath design: a broad platform, elevated sidewalls, and a dual-density PWRRUN frame. The PWRRUN frame provides the guidance while the softer incrediLUX layer handles cushioning.

The Saucony Hurricane 26 features moderate torsional rigidity, scoring 14.7 Nm in our test.

To be honest, we expected a higher result given its massive build, so we're pleased with this outcome. It strikes a good balance between support and comfort.

The heel counter isn't particularly stiff, scoring just 3/5 in our assessment. In fact, stability shoes often use stiffer designs, so this more forgiving construction may work well for runners with Haglund's who still need lateral support.

At the time of this review, the Saucony Hurricane 26 is the widest shoe we've measured in the lab, measuring 129.8 mm and overtaking the Saucony Hurricane 24. Every other running shoe we've tested has had a narrower forefoot.

Therefore, you really need to be comfortable with a shoe that feels huge underfoot. It's not so much the height that creates this sensation, but the incredible width.

The forefoot is very broad, but the heel is unlike anything we've seen to date. In fact, we triple-checked this measurement because it felt surreal to find a running shoe with a heel this wide.

To put it into context, 112.3 mm is exactly the same width as the Nike Pegasus 42, but in this case, that's the Hurricane's heel width and the Pegasus' forefoot width!

At 3/5, the toebox durability is very satisfactory, especially considering how comfort-focused the upper is.

The heel padding impressed us even more, earning a perfect 5/5 for durability. That's fantastic news for runners who want their shoes to hold up for the long haul!

The durability hat-trick is complete, with just 0.6 mm of wear in our final Dremel test. This shoe ain't cheap, but it should last longer than most.

At 3.1 mm, the outsole thickness sits right around the average, providing a solid amount of rubber underfoot.

It's yet another example of how impressed we are by this shoe's weight, and it seems like incrediLUX really does work miracles.

As usual with Saucony, the insole is slightly thicker than what we see from most brands. We measured 5.6 mm here.

The insole is removable and can be swapped for a different one, and even most custom orthotics should fit comfortably here.

The Hurricane 26 features reflective elements, although we have to admit they're far from impressive.

Saucony developed a simple lacing system that also includes an extra eyelet for alternative techniques, such as the famous runner's knot. However, the laces may be a bit too short for this if you have high-volume feet, although swapping them out is an easy fix.

At 7.7 mm, the tongue padding hits a sweet spot for us. There's no need for extra foam to provide proper comfort, and this keeps the Hurricane 26 from adding unnecessary weight up top.

The tongue is flawlessly executed, with a perforated fabric panel seamlessly connecting it to the upper.

The Hurricane 26 comes without a heel tab, but Saucony has put more effort than usual into this area, adding small details and reinforcements, along with the MAX CUSHION wording to make it clear what this shoe is all about.

The Hurricane 26 isn't cheap, but that's to be expected given its premium positioning among stability trainers. Considering the impressive foam technology it brings and the fact that it costs the same as the Hurricane 25, we think it's a fair price... although it's certainly not for every wallet!