Details
Brand
Saucony
Breathability
7.9/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Stability
Key Features
• 8mm offset allows for even distribution of cushioning between heel and forefoot• EVERUN cushioning is lively and responsive, giving strong takeoffs and smooth landings• TRI-FLEX both increases flexibility and traction while dispersing the force over the surface area• Midfoot structure offers hold and support• Good for mild to moderate over-pronation• Available in bright, vibrant colors
Upper
The upper has used fewer stitched components compared to the previous editions, replacing stitched patterns with no-sew patterns, which help eliminate heat and blisters. The Guide 10 uses mesh with ventilated areas on the sides and top, and layers of FLEXFILM covering the rest. It has an adequate toe box height, although some buyers report that it can be a bit narrow, a secure fit around the midfoot, and a secure plush heel grip. The tongue is padded to insulate against lacing pressure, but the lack of sleeve creates a mild tongue slide, although the fit is still good. The heel and tongue lining use a soft RunDry fabric that reduces moisture and sweat for a cool, dry run.
Midsole
The midsole uses a solid piece of SSL EVA foam. The crashpad from the previous version was removed, so there is a deeper groove and the foot feels more centered. Some harder foam is integrated into the inner midsole. The removable insole is a thin layer of EVERUN under thick EVA foam. The new midsole design improves transition and provides support, responsiveness, and flexibility.
Outsole
The outsole design is the Chevron-lugged forefoot. The forefoot is made of a soft rubber, while the heel and midfoot use the harder IBR+ rubber for improved traction. The TRI-FLEX grooves help with flexibility and traction with optimal ground contact. There is also XT-900 carbon rubber on the heel and tip of the forefoot to increase durability, protecting against wear and tear. The design of the outsole provides support, balance, smooth transitions, and grip.
Breathability
Ventilation allows air to circulate around the shoe to keep moisture out and feet dry. The meshing in the sides and top of the upper part of the shoe allow for a steady flow of air which allow for breathability and comfort. Compared to the previous model, the mesh is slightly bigger and has more holes throughout the upper. The breathable meshing, the new form-fitting design, along with the reduction of stitched patterns and elimination of sewing, prevent blisters and overheating.
Comfort
Saucony’s Guide 10 uses an EVERUN topsole for continuous cushioning throughout the run. The heel and tongue are padded for comfort. The Guide 10 is comfortable enough for a marathon and some buyers have stated that it takes little to no time to break in. The forefoot fit can be snug, which can either be comfortable or it could mean to order a wide shoe or a half size larger. Depending on the runner, the cushioning materials can either be considered comfortable or limiting to the range of motion.
Style
The Saucony Guide 10 offers both men and women a choice of three different color schemes. For men, it comes in blue/black/red, citron/black or grey/black/blue. For women, it comes in teal/navy/pink, silver/berry or light blue/blue. The colors are unique, vibrant, bright and bold, which are great for runners who like those sort of color schemes, but some women didn’t like their color options and would have preferred something that wasn’t bright or pastel.
Durability
The Saucony Guide 10 is a good daily trainer, able to be used on treadmills, roads, tracks, and light trails. It can be used for anything from a daily run to a marathon. The EVERUN topsole and the IBR+ rubber and XT-900 carbon rubber on the outsole are extremely durable, but the EVA foam is susceptible to losing its cushioning properties over time and the softer rubber outsole could wear thin as the miles go on. The estimated lifespan for both this edition and the previous one is 350 miles.
Protection
Saucony’s Guide 10 offers a variety of protections. It is constructed for stability and offers support for a normal (mid) to low arch. It designed for runners with over-pronation in mind, preventing the inner rolling of the foot which can cause discomfort or injury. The Guide series is a popular choice among runners with weak knees or plantar fasciitis. The responsive EVERUN allows for strong takeoffs and smooth landings. Guide 10’s stability control and cushioning help runners with imbalances.
Responsiveness
The Guide 10’s EVERUN topsole creates strong takeoffs, smooth landings, and enhances energy return throughout the run. The TRI-FLEX outsole provides optimal flexibility and greater ground contact. The plush cushioning creates a nice bounce off the ground. The 8mm offset distributes the cushioning evenly between the heel and the forefoot, resulting in a strong, responsive shoe and a balanced and comfortable run.
Support
The Guide 10 is a lightweight stability guidance trainer. This shoe is great for runners with over-pronation because the EVERUN topsole and arch support keep the runner’s foot in place. The midsole has a piece of EVA foam with a groove that provides support and makes the foot feel centered during a run. The upper provides support and a secure fit. Saucony categorizes the Guide 10 under “light stability” which both allows for a range of motion and provides the necessary support for runners with over-pronation. The support on this shoe makes it a good choice for different types of runners, but especially for light to moderate overpronators.
Terrain
The Guide 10 has a durable and robust construction. The sole has lugs, which means it is designed with outdoor use in mind. It can be used on roads, tracks, and light trails. The Guide 10 is not designed for icy or slippery surfaces. Many buyers have reported successful half-marathon and marathon runs. The Guide 10 can be used on rough or uneven surfaces but is designed more for light to moderate daily runs and distance runs.
Price
Saucony’s Guide 10 is the latest model and is the same price that the Guide 9 was when it first came out. The Guide 9 is now as low as half its introductory price, but by purchasing the Guide 10, runners will get the latest in Saucony technology: a livelier and more responsive EVERUN, a strong and seamless FLEXFILM, and a TRI-FLEX that better distributes force over the shoe’s surface area, giving the runner optimum flexibility and traction. The Guide is a mid-range shoe, meaning there are options for higher and lower prices if one wants to add or remove features.
Drop
A shoe’s drop is important because a lower drop can mean less cushioning and a lower ramp angle. Some runners prefer a higher or lower drop in their running shoes based on what feels more natural to them. Saucony 10 has a drop of 8mm. The heel stack height is 27mm and the forefoot stack height is 19mm. Having an 8mm offset means the cushioning is more evenly distributed between the heel and forefoot. This allows the body to stay balanced and comfortable during a run rather than having one part of the foot become sore due to lack of cushioning.
Stability
The Guide 10 has a stability construction type, which means that the Guide series is a popular shoe choice for runners looking for stability so they can have an improved and efficient running form. The midsole both centers the foot during movement and reduces outward bias, which helps prevent injury or discomfort and maintains good form. Compared to the previous version, the removal of the crash pad, the slightly firmer midsole and heel, and the change in the outsole’s rubber placement all improve overall stability.
Flexibility
The FLEXFILM and TRI-FLEX technologies provide the flexibility for this shoe. FLEXFILM is melded into the upper reducing the number of layers and giving a smooth, seamless, and flexible feel. TRI-FLEX gives flexibility on the outsole of the shoe, evenly dispersing the force over the shoe and allowing for greater ground contact and flexibility. The stability features make the shoe slightly less flexible, but the Guide 10 maintains a good balance between the two, making it flexible enough for movement during both short and long runs, but stable enough to maintain form in order to prevent injury.
Traction
The latest Saucony technologies give the Guide 10 great traction. The EVERUN topsole is very responsive, giving great energy return and cushioning throughout the run. TRI-FLEX disperses the force throughout the surface area of the shoe and provides flexibility and traction. The lugs allow the shoe to grip the terrain during outdoor runs such as on tracks or light trails. The traction on the Saucony 10 makes it ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.
Bottom Line
The Saucony Guide 10 has been optimized for different issues including stability, support, flexibility, traction, breathability, comfort, and pronation, while at the same time keeping it lightweight. Technologies such as EVERUN cushioning, FLEXFILM in the upper, engineered mesh in the upper, and TRI-FLEX in the outsole all help to achieve these goals. The Guide 10 is good for anything from a short daily run to a full marathon and can be used indoors or outdoors on treadmills, roads, tracks and light trails.;The design of the shoe allows for strong takeoffs, smooth landings, and great ground contact. Possible areas for improvement could be making the toe box wider giving a not-as-snug forefoot fit, making the shoe lighter, and offering a broader range of color/style choices for runners with different tastes, especially in the women’s shoe. Of course, the features optimized with current technology will most likely be improved upon in the next version as new technology becomes available. The Guide 10 gives a good balance of features that runners care about, and is sold at a fair price.
