Saucony Fastwitch 8

My first thought when I got these shoes is that they are not for running slow; they are for speed. It should be illegal to go slow with these shoes on.

I came across Fastwich when I was looking for something that could offer some stability while also being lightweight for races across short distances. I wanted something that was good enough to be used on the track. This would mean I would not need to buy a pair of spikes for only a couple of track events each year.

Well, I found what I wanted.

Size

At first, they feel quite tight, and you may think you need to buy half a size larger; don’t do that! As you run on these shoes, they become like a second skin and will eventually fit perfectly (unless your foot is shaped strangely).

I panicked and went for half a size larger. I am now really regretting that decision. Now that I have broken these shoes in, I wear two pairs of socks when I am running in them.

So, if you are interested in these shoes, bear this in mind when choosing the size. I have read other reviews that say the same thing; so it appears to be a common issue.

These shoes are very lightweight. Out of curiosity, I weighed them. The UK 7.5 size (EU 42) is only 172 grams, which makes them one of the lightest running shoes I have ever owned.

Usage

In terms of usage, I think that these shoes are suitable for any running event, from 800 m to half marathons. They may be a bit too light for road marathons unless you have a perfect gait without traumatic impacts on the ground.

If you plan to wear them for track events, I found them to be a very good alternative to spikes with the benefit of gentle support. So, unless you are an elite athlete, I think you can use them during races or fast training sessions on track.

In terms of road racing, you should be aware that the stack under your foot is thin (only 14 mm); as such, if you are a heavy runner, I advise you not to wear them on race day because of the risk of injuries.

Off the track, I think they are a very good shoe for any distance between 5k and half a marathon. For the full marathon distance, I think that their suitability will vary from individual to individual.

An elite or a light runner can run a marathon in these shoes; however, if you are not particularly fast or heavy, I would try wearing them while participating in some tempo running on the road before deciding whether they are suitable for marathon distances.

Also, with shoes of this type, as the distance increases, the hardness of the surface plays an important role because the impacts on a softer surface are more readily absorbed than those on a surface like dry and old asphalt.

I think they are ideal for 5 km and 10 km road races. I would not use them for everyday training unless I were doing a speed workout.

Design

When it comes to the design, I do not really like black; however, at the moment, this is the only color that is available in the UK for men. I would have preferred yellow or a brighter color.

When it comes to female shoes, there is much more choice. In addition to the black, yellow and coral versions are available, which are not bad at all - I like them.

Durability

I think that you should not be concerned about durability with these type of shoes because you are not going to use them every day unless you train exclusively on the track.

I would use my judgment to determine when to replace them, because some parts of the stack may deteriorate before the shoe starts to exhibit any visible sign in the upper or in the sole.

Undoubtedly, you are going to need to replace this shoe before you see any major deterioration of the outer sole because, in the last couple of years, Saucony have developed their shoes to be more durable than other sole material. As such, if you see signs of deterioration, it means you have run way too much on that shoe.

I think they could last around 600 km, but I would not be surprised if you wanted to dispose of them before that mark.

What I like

• Lightweight
• Gentle stability

What I dislike

• Tricky to choose the right size

Conclusion

If like me, you are looking for a (very) lightweight shoe that offers some degree of stability, you should definitely go for these.

Also, unless you are an elite, you may find them suitable for track too; obviously not for a 100-meter race, but distances of 800 m and further, they do their job well.

They are ideal for 5 km and 10 km races but whether you choose to wear them for distances above half marathons is a personal decision.

A no-frills racer with minimalist tendencies that retains an impressive amount of support and stability features.

The shoe will keep your foot secure step after step into short and middle distance races. A lightweight keeper for the days you really want to go fast!

Pros

• Impressively lightweight
• Minimal approach to support
• Great forefoot flexibility
• Breathable, stretchable upper
• Great all-around execution

Cons

• White shoe shows dirt easily
• Not for suitable long runs without experience
• Too much stack height
• Lack of protection in upper
• Getting used to stability elements took some practice

Outsole

A carefully calculated application of PWRTRAC rubber combines with a vertical carve out in the back part of the shoe. Nice taper rises up to the front of the toes to allow for a powerful and precise toe-off.

Small, arrow-shaped lugs give a superb grip during forward motion. Great design that should last for many miles, though don’t mistake design for a longer lasting trainer type.

Midsole

A Saucony Super Lite blend of EVA stacks up with the outsole to 18mm in the heel and 14mm in the front, providing a 4mm drop.

The volume of cushioning compared to the shoe’s 6.5oz weight is truly remarkable, made possible by three holes (yes, you read right) in the front part of the midsole and a carefully designed groove between the two sections of outsole rubber in the heel. This cuts out a lot of weight and should not be a problem if you stick to the road and flat trails.

In any case, there is a thin, highly flexible insole that sits on top of the sole stitching and a what looks like a thin layer of super durable mesh.

The insole is so light it almost blew away with the wind when I was taking that picture. Just avoid sharp rocks and big pieces of glass and you should be fine. Alternatively, you could ditch this insole and put in custom orthotics, but it will add a couple of ounces.

Also included is Saucony’s GRID technology, offering extra stability and cushioning in the heel. Paired with a heel cup, shaped collar and soft sockliner in the upper, you get a notable amount of support with not much bulk or weight. The most solid part of the shoe by far.

Speaking of solid, there are some dual density areas of the sole that limit the otherwise flexible nature of the foam.

The medial post provides a lot of support if you are a serious pronator or tend to breakdown on longer runs. I find it to be excessive for a light racing shoe and hope they can find a way to cut it back.

Upper

I have to say this is my favorite part of the shoe and probably top five favorite uppers of all time. A soft, flexible and breathable air mesh is strategically covered with Saucony’s FLEXFILM.

The eyelets are a bit thicker than the mesh and pair well with the thin, flat laces. A tiny pillow of padding is on the tongue exactly where you are expected to tie your shoes, with the rest of a tongue just a simple mesh.

The fabric is remarkably breathable and stretches comfortably around your forefoot and toes at all times.

The only true seams are in the sockliner and collar in the back (as well as under the insole) and I never experienced any hotspots. Although I didn’t particularly care for the colors, I really appreciated the execution of the design and hope for more uppers like this from Saucony.

Uses

I tested these shoes on road, synthetic track, park trails and cinder track and had no issues with grip or stability on any of the surfaces. The stack height provided a balanced amount of comfort compared to its weight.

As I mentioned before, I would not recommend using these shoes on very uneven terrain because of the nature of the insoles, though they should hold up ok if your race has a short section of rough road or trail.

I went on a few runs in the rain and my feet did not get uncomfortably wet, although I actively avoided standing water (mostly because the shoes were white, though). Save these shoes for good weather days where you expect to be doing tempo runs or speedwork, as they don’t have a huge amount of cushion for longer runs when your form starts to break down.

I haven’t done a proper race in these yet but would consider them ideal for 5k to half-marathon distance. While I’m sure they would hold up for a full marathon, I personally feel that the design is a bit too aggressive when you plan to be on your feet for over two hours.

Rating

Saucony really nails the upper on this shoe. The midsole and outsole offer a great balance of cushion and flexibility.

However, the heel cup and medial post are a bit too much stability for an otherwise minimalist design. I would prefer less stack height, ditch/reduce the stability elements and add a bit more rubber underfoot to make the shoe last a little longer.

Comparison

I bought these after transitioning to minimalist and barefoot style shoes for days when I needed more support. The heel stack was particularly noticeable on the synthetic track when doing sprints and intervals, but I didn’t feel it bothered my gait and mechanics too much. However, when compared with the pair of Nike Free RN I owned in the past, I felt that the heel was much more stable and the drop much more gradual.

If you are looking for something more minimal, I’d check out the Merrell Vapor Glove 3, New Balance Minimus 10 v1 or the Vibram V-Run. If you want a bit more support and cushioning you might look at the Saucony Zealot ISO, Brooks Pureflow 7 or Nike Flex Fury 2. There are trail versions for some of the shoes mentioned if you prefer your runs unpaved.

Transition shoe to minimalist running?

One thing I will add here if you are considering to use this shoe as a transition to a minimalist shoe. I had previously tried out this theory with the Nike Free RN and did not have a great experience.

The heel is too high and does not force you to load your calves nearly enough. I personally found buying a Vibram shoe, rotating with the Merrell Trail Glove 4, and reducing my mileage worked to achieve the transition.

Final thoughts

These shoes really fit well into the small niche in my shoe rotation. I’m keeping the mileage on them low in case I decided to sign up for a road race and would definitely buy them again if needed or upgrade if a newer version comes out. The shoe is very affordable and offers great features and durability for its price point.

I was looking for a lightweight shoe that I could use in my triathlon races and came across the Saucony Fastwitch 8. With my current weight of 80 kg, I considered the shoes the most extreme racing shoes I can risk running without getting injured.

I ran already over 50 kilometers with them and find them quite nice as an additional pair of running shoes to swap. Please keep in mind they should not be your all day running shoes.

Being a neutral running shoe that came in at 183 grams, you should be quite sure of your foot muscles and should be an experienced runner already to use them safely.

Design

Design-wise, the Saucony is not an eyecatcher, but this is only a minor reason for me to buy a running shoe. The less colorful the shoes are, the more usable they are as sneaker at work occasionally.

Comfort

My first runs with the Saucony were pretty smooth, and I could not point out any specific issues with them. Choosing the same size, I wear with nearly every running shoe; I felt ok here as well. 

After some runs, I made the error of running barefoot for a 6-kilometer run. And that run was enough to get me some big blisters on the small toes. This is a setback for me as I intended them to use in triathlons where up to 10 kilometers I never wear socks.

It seems that the upper mesh is not soft enough or the toe box is too small for my foot. Therefore no more barefoot running for me using the Fastwitch 8.

Sole & durability

I used the shoes until now but only for running on tarmac, and I advise you to do that as well.

It definitely will not provide you with enough support. When running in trails, you will feel bigger stones penetrating the cushioning effect of the shoe. But when used on a tarmac, the shoes should be good for 400-500 kilometers depending on your weight.

Performance

Here is where the Saucony Fastwitch 8 has its big appearance. As I would not recommend somebody using the shoes for marathons, a 10k or half marathon personal best can be shattered with the Fastwitch 8.

With the small drop of 4 mm and the weight below 200 grams, I put the shoes to have the biggest impact for all buyers on the 10-kilometer tarmac races.

Pros

• Minimalistic shoe made for personal bests on short distances
• Lightweight
• True to size (no fitting needed before buying)
• Long evolution of this particular shoe

Cons

• Not usable barefoot for me (small toe box)
• A little bit too pricey 
• Only usable on a tarmac