Details
Brand
Saucony
Heel To Toe Drop
8mm
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
Excursion TR10
Terrain
Trail
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Saucony Excursion TR9• Heel GRID system absorbs shock• The outsole is made of XT-600 carbon rubber• IMEVA cushioning in the midsole is comfortable and supportive• Aggressive lugs provides excellent traction on technical surfaces• Mesh upper keeps feet cool and dry• Supports runners with high arches and those who supinate
Upper
The Excursion TR9’s upper primarily consists of a mesh material allowing for air to pass through the shoe. This allows the shoe to dry quickly. A soft lining pads the inside of the shoe and a durable overlay cinches the upper down to create a customizable feeling with the lacing system. The upper also includes a plush tongue and collar, adding to the overall comfort of the shoe when lacing up.
Midsole
The Excursion TR9’s midsole is moderately cushioned with IMEVA material. IMEVA is an injection molded EVA, which means that the EVA material is heated to a high temperature and then left to expand into a mold. When compared to other EVA midsoles, it is marginally lighter. (If you are looking for road shoe that uses this technology, check out the Saucony Cohesion). I was impressed by the overall ride of this shoe, the material offers a certain bounce that other materials do not offer and the material is relatively lightweight. There is plenty of cushion offering stability and comfort in every step. There is also extra cushion in the heel “grid” system to further protect against impact and injury for runners who have a tendency to heel strike.
Outsole
The Excursion TR9’s outsole offers a rugged design with large multi-directional lugs that provide traction on a variety of trails. The outsole of the shoe can take moderate use on roads with no noticeable wear. The XT-600 carbon rubber used on the outsole gives the shoe optimal traction, even in wet conditions.
Breathability
The mesh upper of the Excursion TR9 is very breathable. The inner lining is moisture wicking as well. This shoe can be used in hot weather, while still providing protection in colder weather as well. I found the shoe to be perfectly breathable when paired with thin sports socks.
Comfort
Comfort was the main focus when they designed this shoe. It offers moderate cushioning without the bulk of some other shoes. The bouncy midsole material offers excellent cushioning for long distance runs. There is also some extra cushioning in the heel which means overall comfort every foot strike. The shoe is in the neutral category of running shoe, meaning that it caters to runners with a neutral gait, rather than those who need additional support for pronation issues.;The shoe can run a little narrow, compared to other neutral running shoes offered by Saucony. Some people with very wide feet might find the forefoot a little constricting. Should you need to put a custom-made insert inside the shoe, and the shoe is lined with soft fabric, giving you an excellent next to foot feel.
Style
This shoe is offered a couple different color variations for both men and women. Each color variation is relatively neutral (black or grey) with the brighter accents characteristic of the Saucony line. These neutral colors are easy to keep clean so these shoes can easily be worn from the trails to the street without much effort. The shoe is a bit bulky, which is normal for a stability shoe.
Durability
The most durable feature on the shoe is the outsole. The large lugs showed very little wear after extended use. However, there have been some reports that the upper is not as durable, showing some slight tears around the laces and in the overlays. There are also some issues with the inside detaching and tearing. It is also worth noting that some parts of the upper tend to tear without excessive use.
Protection
The Excursion TR9 offers good protection underfoot thanks to the thick rubber outsole. The upper, comprised of mesh and overlay material, stands up to rocks and sticks. The midsole protects the joints from the impact of the shock. Overall, the shoe provides good protection while on the trails.
Responsiveness
The Excursion TR9’s IMEVA midsole material is what gives the shoe its responsiveness. The shoe has a sort of bouncy feeling at liftoff. The firm cushioning protects your foot from the elements and uneven ground while still giving the shoe a nice responsive feel. However, being that it is a traditional trail shoe and on the stiffer side, the shoe is not as responsive as a minimalistic trail running shoe.
Support
The Saucony Excursion TR9 is a great shoe for runners with high arches. It also supports runners who underpronate or supination since it has more support under the arch than in other shoes. The cushioning offers excellent shock absorption and there is some extra cushioning in the heel area for anyone who tends to land heel first.
Terrain
The Excursion TR9 is perfect for the trails thanks to the large lugs and sticky rubber on the outsole. It works well even in muddy or very technical trails. It’s worth noting that a Gore-Tex version is available for those looking to run in wetter conditions.
Price
These shoes run at the mid to low price range for trail shoes and I think they are worth every dollar. At $100 USD price point, these are well priced the comfort of shoe you get. They are also available on many sites, such as Amazon for less than $80 USD, making them a great deal. Overall, this is a shoe that you can log many comfortable miles in, either in a run or a hike, making it excellent value for money.
Drop
The drop of the Excursion TR9 is 8mm. That means there is additional cushioning in the heel area. It still is closer to a standard drop than a minimalistic one, making this a good choice for a variety of runners or those who are more used to a standard drop.
Stability
Though the Excursion TR9 is not a stability shoe but does provide a good amount of support for runners with high arches or who underpronate. The arch support is plentiful underfoot. The cushioning as well as stiff design secure the foot into place, making sure the runner does not slide in the shoe while on the trails.
Flexibility
The Excursion TR9 is not a flexible shoe. Reviewers stated that it is stiffer than the previous version, most likely because of the additional cushioning. However, the stability it provides on technical trails, as well as the solid cushioning, are what makes this shoe shine offroad.
Traction
As mentioned above, the Excursion TR9 gets good traction on a variety of trails because of the sticky rubber on the outsole as well as the lugs. It works well on both dry and wet surfaces. Overall, this is a shoe works well in all types of weather and terrain. This traction along with the support makes it perfect for fast packing or hiking.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a shoe to take you from trail to road, while also being modest enough for a casual day at the office, this is the shoe for you. The superb cushioning offers a smooth ride and has excellent features while still catering to someone with a neutral running gate. Many runners have been amazed at the overall comfort of the shoe and it is also ideal for fast-packing, hiking or everyday use. Consider getting the Goretex version if you are looking for that extra bit of protection from the elements. The price also makes this a great shoe for any budget. Although there have been some issues with wear in the material of the shoe, the sole is solid and durable and provides excellent protection from anything underfoot. Great, affordable shoe built for lots of training miles and a variety of terrain.
