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

Saucony-Guide-15-best-use

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 the 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

Saucony-Guide-15-whats-new

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.

Fact check

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.

Fact check

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Fact check

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).

Saucony-Guide-15-weight

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.

Saucony-Guide-15-tongue.JPG

Fact check

The tongue is well-padded to protect the instep from any potential lace bites. It is 4.4 mm thick.

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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 toe box, many find it "adequately roomy" for splaying toes and foot swelling.

Fact check

We measured the forefoot width at 95.3 mm which is near the average of running shoes (98.7 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 Wide.

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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.

Guied 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"
Fact check

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.

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  Saucony Guide 15 Average
Whole shoe
Weight (g) 263 275
Drop (mm) 7.1 8.9
Flexibility of the shoe (N) 24.5 30.2
Flexibility of the shoe (Freezer 20 min) (N) 33.8 40.0
Flexibility of the shoe (% of change) 38.0 32.9
Longitudinal flexibility (1-5 scale, 5 being the stiffest) 3 3.4
Torsional flexibility (1-5 scale, 5 being the stiffest) 3 3.6
Upper
Thickness - Tongue (mm) 4.4 6.1
Width Upper - Forefoot (mm) 95.3 98.7
Width Upper - Heel (mm) 74.6 76.4
Lace Stretch (1-5 scale, 5 being the most stretchy) 4 2.6
Flexibility of the heel counter (1-5 scale, 5 being the stiffest) 4 3.1
Tongue: gusset type both sides (fully-gusseted) -
Heel: pull tab finger loop -
Midsole
Width Midsole - Forefoot (mm) 117.0 111.9
Width Midsole - Heel (mm) 87.6 89.0
Stack - Forefoot with insole (mm) 24.5 24.1
Stack - Heel with insole (mm) 31.6 32.8
Durometer Midsole Heel (Room temperature) (HA) 21.0 29.8
Outsole
Outsole thickness (Heel) (mm) 1.8 3.6
Lugs Depth (mm) - 3.4
Durometer Outsole Heel (Room temperature) (HC) 87.0 81.2
Insole
Insole Heel Thickness (mm) 6.2 4.7
Insole: removable yes -

Facts / Specs

Terrain: Road
Weight: Men 9.5oz / Women 8.3oz
Drop: 8mm
Arch support: Stability
Update: Saucony Guide 16
Forefoot height: 27mm
Heel height: 35mm

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Author
Jens Jakob Andersen
Jens Jakob Andersen

Jens Jakob is a fan of short distances with a 5K PR at 15:58 minutes. Based on 35 million race results, he's among the fastest 0.2% runners. Jens Jakob previously owned a running store, when he was also a competitive runner. His work is regularly featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, BBC and the likes as well as peer-reviewed journals. Finally, he has been a guest on +30 podcasts on running.