Details
Brand
Saucony
Heel To Toe Drop
8mm
Breathability
6.9/10
Latest Version
Excursion TR10
Terrain
Trail
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Saucony Excursion TR8• Neutral level of support• Heel GRID• Sock liner provides comfort• XT-600 carbon rubber outsole• IMEVA cushioning• 8 mm drop• Multi-directional, large lugs• Quick-drying mesh upper is also breathable
Upper
The upper of this shoe is made of knit mesh and synthetic overlays, making it strong, durable, and protective. The inner shoe is lined with plush material for a great next to foot feeling throughout. The upper also comes in optional Gore-tex material, wicking away moisture and keeping the shoe water-resistant while still maintaining breathability. The durable mesh upper and synthetic overlays give a snug feeling when laced using a traditional lacing system.
Midsole
The midsole is substantially cushioned with injection molded EVA material and has an 18 mm stack height. The midsole cushioning runs the full length of the shoe, providing every part of your foot with comfort and support. Grid technology, found in the heel, helps protect your foot from the consequences of impact and overuse injuries.
Outsole
The outsole features XT-600 rubber material in the center of the outsole, with a harder, more durable rubber lining the outer edges. Instead of only the triangular lugs, this is the first version where they used the large multidirectional lugs. The grip is exceptional on most surfaces. The combination of the 2 types of rubber, as well as the design, make for great traction on a variety of surfaces. The outsole is also very durable, showing little wear after several miles on road and trail.
Breathability
The Saucony Excursion TR8 is very breathable thanks to the lightweight mesh upper. The mesh is combined with a synthetic overlay which increases the durability of the shoe while maintaining a breezy feeling. The Gore-tex version is slightly less breathable and is better suited for colder, wetter conditions.
Comfort
This is a comfortable shoe. Many runners have compared the feeling of walking on clouds. The different features in the midsole work together to offer impact protection for any stride. The springiness of the IMEVA material gives the shoe an excellent ride for longer training distances. This is a neutral shoe but still offers considerable support and lots of comfort for any foot strike. The plush inner lining also gives the shoe a great next to foot feeling.
Style
This shoe comes in 3 color variations for men and 2 color variations for women. I personally love the grey/coal/mint color. The color combination is neutral enough that it can be worn as an everyday shoe, but the coral and mint add a fun accent. As with most heavily cushioned shoe, some people might find it a little bulky.
Durability
The mesh upper combined with the synthetic overlays makes for a very durable shoe. The outsole with the 2 different types of rubber ensures that you can tread any surface, trail or road, and still have the grip you need. The Gore-tex version is slightly more durable, with the mesh being a slightly heavier material.
Protection
The thick rubber outsole offers excellent protection from anything the trail throws at you. The midsole cushions and protects toes on longer training runs. The plush neck and collar prevent material from getting into the shoe from the top or sides. The lace area is well cushioned to protect the top of the foot.
Support
The Saucony Excursion TR8 is classified as a neutral running shoe, it borders on being a “light stability” shoe and offers excellent support from heel to toe no matter what it is being used for. It is great for anyone with high arches, over-pronation or supination because of the additional support. If you need more support, this shoe also comes with a removable insert so that you can replace the insole with something more supportive or custom made. The laces also help to cinch down the foot evenly through the shoe.
Terrain
This shoe is great for any terrain, except for those that are extremely muddy. This can be attributed to the large lug size and sticky grip of the outsole’s rubber. Even though the lugs are large, the design makes it a great road-to-trail shoe. This shoe also comes in Gore-tex, which is water resistant and helpful in wet conditions or tall grass.
Price
As with other shoes from this series, this is a very well priced shoe, especially when you consider how versatile and durable it is. The original market price was around $100 USD but it can now be found on some sites for as little as $50 USD for the women’s shoe and $70 USD for the men’s. This is a reasonably priced shoe that you can log many comfortable miles in.
Drop
The heel to toe offset is 8mm which is perfect for neutral runners looking for a little extra stability. There is extra cushioning in the heel for runners with a tendency to land heel first but at the same time, the shoe does not feel overly bulky in the heel. This is perfect for a variety of foot striking patterns and it provides a neutral range of motion while not requiring an excessive amount of foot strength. This would also be an ideal shoe for anyone looking to transition from a stability shoe to a more neutral shoe. The overall support that this drop provides also makes it a comfortable walking or hiking shoe.
Stability
The lacing system which cinches the synthetic overlay around the foot locks the foot in and distributes support and stability throughout. The 8mm heel to toe offset is perfect for someone looking for a stable ride from heel to toe. The stack height is proportionate to the size of the shoe so that you are never too far off the ground, even with the cushioning.
Flexibility
The plentiful IMEVA cushion, along with the stability features of this shoe, makes for a somewhat rigid shoe construction, which does add to the support of the shoe. It is perfect for gnarly trails or spending hours on end on your feet. This is a great shoe for long comfortable training runs.
Traction
The sticky rubber sole combined with the traditional rubber and multidirectional lugs offer excellent traction for most terrains, both dry or wet. The XT-600 compresses slightly more than traditional rubber sole material and is better at sticking to a variety of surfaces. This varied traction makes this an excellent shoe for a variety of purposes such as fast packing or hiking as well as running.
Bottom Line
Whether you are looking for a running shoe, a hiking shoe or an everyday shoe, the Excursion TR8 has many great features to consider. The support and comfort work well for a long day on your feet or covering several miles of varied terrain. The neutral colors and the Gore-tex version add to the overall versatility of the shoe, providing a variation for almost anyone. Best of all, with all of the features it provides, this shoe is priced very reasonably, making it ideal for any budget!
