Details
Brand
Saucony
Heel To Toe Drop
8 mm
Breathability
8/10
Latest Version
Saucony Breakthru 3
Terrain
Road
Type
Lightweight
Key Features
• 8 mm Drop Offset• Power Grid Midsole• Lightweight Construction• Dual use of rubber material technology: XT-900 and IBR+• FlexFilm Upper• Neutral arch support
Upper
Most of the upgrades have been done on the upper. It consists of Flex Flim technology which provides a comfortable glove-like fit. There are fewer overlays, giving the shoe a cleaner and smoother appearance. The overlays are also thinner than before. The mesh on the upper is more flexible and allows for added breathability. In general, the upper has been built using fewer materials in order to reduce weight while not sacrificing any essential functions for this part of the shoe.
Midsole
The stack height on the Breakthru 2 is 23 mm on the heel and 15 mm on the forefoot. The midsole is very similar to that of the Saucony Ride 8. Both midsoles feature Power Grid technology which absorbs shock and provides a light amount of cushion. You can expect a firm and responsive ride with this type of midsole.
Outsole
The outsole on this particular version is loaded with rubber, adding to the fact that this shoe was designed with durability in mind. Other trainers like the Kinvara and Nike Lunar Tempo are constructed with thinner outsoles. For the Breakthru 2, there are 2 types of rubber material, IBR+, and XT-900. XT-900 rubber is located in high usage areas and it’s the stronger material of the two. Its purpose is mainly to add durability but it also delivers some traction. IBR+ material is constructed from softer compounds. This portion of the shoe is lighter in weight and enhances the cushioning aspects of the midsole.
Breathability
The upgrades on the upper and the use of fewer overlays have not had any effect on the shoe’s breathing capabilities. The mesh material contains minuscule perforations that are widely scattered throughout the top of the shoe, reaching past the midpoint. They are tiny but there are a lot of them and they allow for a constant and steady stream of air to penetrate the inside, thereby allowing your feet to stay dry, cool, and comfortable. And as an added bonus, the Breakthru 2 features a run dry collar which helps to wick moisture away.
Comfort
Some shoe manufacturers love to spoil their runners with gluttonous amounts of comfort. This usually applies to shoes which focus on support and stability and feature loads of plush cushioning. The Breakthru 2 is NOT that shoe. So you can’t expect the same level cushioning that you would receive on a more traditional type of shoe. On the other hand, you will get comfort through other areas like breathability and weight reduction. We can always think of a lightweight shoe as being inherently more comfortable than a heavier one for the obvious reason that it just feels better to drag around less weight on your feet.
Style
The Breaktru 2 is available in 3 color combinations for both men and women. Combinations include colors like blue/cotton/orange for the men and twilight/oxygen/citron for the women. Despite slim pickings for color combos, the shoe has good structural appeal and looks a lot better than the first version. Part of the improvement has to do with the upgraded upper which features smoother overlays that add a cleaner look as a whole. The first version didn’t stand out much as a lightweight racer and looked more like a traditional running shoe. This one looks more like a racer through its sleek and modern aesthetics. In fact, we’re willing to say that the 2nd version of the Breakthru looks even better than the third version which still has the racer look but took on a more boxy appearance.
Durability
Durability is a mixed bag. The outsole gives you outstanding durability through the use of specialized rubber that’s strong and tough. Whereas on the upper, the overlays prove to be flimsy and break down far too soon. Fortunately, the Breakthru 3 does away with Flex Flim and replaces the upper with engineered mesh that proves to be more durable.
Protection
Just like comfort, the Breakthru 2 only offers the bare essentials when it comes to protection. Most of it is through the outsole’s heavy coating of rubber that creates a thick barrier between your foot and the ground. And in conjunction with the midsole, you get a double layer of padding to remind you that you’re not running with a minimalist/barefoot type shoe. In addition, the Breakthru 2 has reflective features that match perfectly with the shoe’s bright color styles that make them perfect for nighttime runs.
Responsiveness
Responsiveness refers to a shoe’s ability to absorb, capture, and release energy after each landing so that it results in a continuous cycle of energy reload. The Breakthru 2 utilizes Power Grid technology to perform this function through the use of lightweight EVA material. The combination of lighter material along with the firm construction of the midsole results in a power-packed cycle of energy return that delivers speed. This obviously is the shoe’s talent and one of the main reasons why you’d consider purchasing a pair of Breakthru 2s.
Support
Arch support is neutral and stability is minimal. Expect to do most of the balancing work yourself if you’re running with this shoe. There will not be much motion control or guidance to help you out with any running deficiencies. For that reason, this shoe need not apply for over or underpronators.
Terrain
The Breakthru 2 is a road and track shoe. And considering that they are light and easy to pack, they make a great pair of gym shoes as well. They are not waterproof or water resistant. And the large scattering of perforations on top clue us in that running in these under wet conditions is a bad idea, unless you enjoy having soggy feet. The thick rubber outsole could do well over some light trail but essentially these shoes are meant for flat and dry conditions.
Price
Since the Breakthru 3 is the latest addition to the Breakthru family, price on this particular model has been reduced. Price varies widely but stays below the $100 mark. It makes sense to shop around and look for a great deal on these, especially if you don’t require having the latest model. Upgrades to the third version of the Breakthru have been minimal so the Brekathru 2 still offers a lot of the same benefits as the third.
Drop
Stack height on the heel measures 23 mm and the height on the forefoot measures 15 mm. This results in an 8 mm drop measurement. The shoe’s drop offset is one of its key features that complement its status as a low stability neutral trainer. With lower drop offset, you get a more balanced distribution of cushioning that helps to keep a runner in greater natural balance.
Stability
The Breakthru 2 offers very little when it comes to stability. It has a neutral arch support and it’s meant for runners with neutral pronation. Anyone still working on their gait cycle would not gain much benefit from this shoe, unless your goal is to transition. In general, it’s better suited for runners who are accustomed to landing midfoot to forefoot.
Flexibility
Flexibility has been improved since the first release. The original version featured more overlays which got constrictive. Overlays on this version have been reduced and the mesh material is more relaxed and flexible.;In essence, the Breakthru 2 has been built with the idea of less is more: less material means more mobility. On the other hand, when we move down to the midsole, it’s a whole different story. While it’s true that the midsole was intended to be firm, it would have been preferable if it could match the level of flexibility on the top. Hopefully, Saucony can upgrade the midsole’s flexibility for any future releases of the Breakthru. If so, then we will be more enthusiastic about this shoe.
Traction
As mentioned earlier, there are two rubber technologies on the Breakthru 2: XT-900 and IBR+. Traction is mostly garnered through XT-900 components which are the toughest of the two types of rubber materials. They also provide the most durability and protection for the outsole. IBR+ provides some grip but its use is mostly to serve as an enhancement for the midsole’s delivery of cushion and responsiveness.
Bottom Line
It’s important to recognize that above all else, the Saucony Breakthru 2 is a specialty shoe. It doesn’t have one-size fits all approach that attempts to appease to the running masses. It doesn’t try to be the “perfect” shoe by offering every feature and component into a single piece of footwear because if it did then it would just result in another subpar running shoe that fails to stand out among the crowd.;The Breakthru 2 may not offer every feature and may be lacking in several areas such as cushioning, comfort, and flexibility. However, it was not designed for optimal comfort situations like an ultra marathon. That’s not to say it wouldn’t work well for a regular marathon but generally speaking, the Breakthru 2 is your best partner when it comes to shorter to mid-length races and for daily training that involves a lot of fast running. Its firm responsive midsole makes it an expert for delivering a powerful punch of energy to help you achieve your speed goals. And since it’s more of a specialized shoe, it doesn’t hurt add it to your collection as the “speedster” if you’re the serious runner that owns several pairs of shoes for different types of running.
