Details
Brand
Saucony
Heel To Toe Drop
8 mm
Breathability
6/10
Latest Version
Saucony Guide 10
Terrain
Road
Type
Stability
Key Features
• XT-900 carbon rubber gives great traction on a variety of surfaces• iBR+ rubber is lighter and gives three times the amount of cushioning as standard blown rubber• SSL EVA dual-density midsole provides lightweight support and durability• ProGrid cushioning promotes smooth, natural strides• ComfortLite Sockliner offers arch support and reduces pressure on the forefoot• SRC padding at the crashpad absorbs shock and reduces torque• HydraMAX Lining wicks away moisture in the collar
Upper
The upper is made of nylon mesh and synthetic leather on the outside, with EVA and padding on the inside. The sewn and perforated overlays provide structure without compromising the mesh’s breathability or giving blisters or hot spots. The EVA ComfortLite Sockliner cradles the heel, supports the arch, and reduces pressure on the forefoot. The collar’s HydraMax lining wicks away moisture to help keep the foot cool and dry. The tongue, heel, and collar are padded for additional comfort and stability, with an extra 3mm of padding on the Strobel board. The laces help provide a comfortable fit and keep the foot in place, although some reviewers thought the sides fit slightly too loosely for narrow feet and the toe box was a bit small for wide feet. The upper also protects the foot against the cold and wind.
Midsole
The midsole uses a full-length ProGrid Foam, a Saucony Super Lite (SSL) EVA dual-density foam, and Super Rebound Compound (SRC) padding. The ProGrid cushioning covers the entire length of the shoe to give a smooth, natural ride. The EVA foam provides lightweight support and responsiveness, allowing the foot to really push off during each stride. The durable SRC padding absorbs shock while reducing torque. The midsole gives a neutral amount of arch support, The drop improves responsiveness, balance, and comfort. The entire midsole is lightweight and flexible in order to maximize speed.
Outsole
The outsole is made of two kinds of rubber: XT-900 and iBR+. The durable, high-abrasion XT-900 carbon rubber provides great traction on a variety of surfaces such as asphalt, gravel, and forest trail. The iBR+ (injection blown) rubber is light, flexible and responsive, and gives three times the amount of cushioning as standard blown rubber. The outsole supports the foot from underneath and its thickness protects against feeling debris or unevenness on the ground which could make the foot sore over time. The sole has horizontal grooves for flexibility and triangular lugs to give multi-directional traction on roads or trails.
Breathability
The Saucony Guide 6’s breathability comes from the upper. It uses as much mesh as possible in order to allow air to flow in and out of the shoe. The few leather overlays are sewn on but do not take away from the breathability or give blisters or hot spots. The HydraMax lining takes away moisture. The front, heel, and sides are perforated for additional breathability.
Comfort
Comfort comes from all three levels of the Saucony Guide 6, and many reviewers commented on how comfortable the shoe is. The outsole’s iBR+ rubber has three times as much cushioning as other rubbers. The midsole uses ProGrid foam, dual-density EVA foam, and SRC padding to cushion the foot, absorb shock, and bounce the foot back into the air. The breathable upper has comfortable mesh and 3mm of padding, a sockliner that cradles the heel and reduces pressure in the forefoot, and HydraMax to take away moisture. The shoe fits well for most runners, although people with wide feet had to size up and/or found the toe box to be too small, and runners with narrow feet sometimes had trouble getting a nice fit around the midfoot. The light weight also adds to the overall comfort, as runners can move quickly and easily and maintain their energy for longer periods of time.
Style
The Saucony Guide 6 has a sleek, stylish, sporty look. It is an older model, with four newer versions, so available sizes and colors are extremely limited. Men have one choice: Silver/Red/Citron, and women have three options: White/Silver/ Blue, Black/Purple/Citron, and Blue/Vizipro Coral. In the design, the main color is more neutral, while the accent colors are brighter, making this shoe appealing to runners with different tastes: not too dull and not too flashy.
Durability
The Guide 6 has decent durability overall. The outsole uses XT-900 rubber to grip high-abrasion rough surfaces without wearing down, although heavier runners reported it wearing down faster than it should. The foams in the midsole were also designed to be durable, especially the SRC crash pad. The problem area for some users was the upper. The mesh around the toes ended up wearing down quickly for some users. Some of the users who experienced this noted that they were using the shoes for activities other than walking/running/jogging at the time, which may have contributed to the faster-than-usual deterioration. For most runners, the shoe can last up to 500 miles without any problems.
Protection
The Saucony Guide 6 has a few features that help protect feet and joints. The iBR+ rubber in the outsole helps cushion landings. The SRC padding in the crashpad absorbs shock and reduces torque. The sockliner protects the joints from rolling by keeping the heel in place, supporting the arch, and reducing pressure on the forefoot. The padding in the midsole and upper cushion landings while keeping the foot in place. The upper protects against cold and wind. Reviewers with problems such as joint pain, shin splints, and plantar fasciitis liked the protection given by this shoe.
Responsiveness
The Guide 6 offers excellent responsiveness. The outsole’s IBR+ pads have three independently responsive areas to provide smooth transitions. In the midsole, the dual-density SSA EVA rebounds every step and the SRC padding makes transitions smooth. The 8 mm drop also improves responsiveness by keeping the heel at the optimum level for speed. The lightness of shoe makes it possible for users to run quickly and efficiently, whether it’s for a daily run, a race, or a marathon.
Support
This shoe offers support at every level. The two kinds of rubber in the outsole lift the foot off the ground. The EVA dual-density foam in the midsole provides support. The ComfortLite sockliner in the upper supports the arch and helps keep the heel in place. The shoe also has a medial post and an arch shank. The fit of the upper helps keep the forefoot and midfoot in place. The level of support is rated as neutral, meaning some users may require additional arch support or a gel insole, and the alignment is ideal for midfoot or heel strikers.
Terrain
Looking at the bottom of the Guide 6, the lugs indicate that the shoe was designed to grip rough surfaces, meaning that the shoe can be used on roads or trails. The XT-900 rubber allows runners to go over high-abrasion surfaces without wearing the shoe down, such as asphalt, gravel, or forest trail. The flexible grooves allow the shoe to be used for racing on dirt tracks or trails, and the shoe is light enough for daily running on dirt or paved roads or running long distances. The shoe does not have spikes for snow, ice, or slippery surfaces.
Price
The price of the Guide 6 varies between sizes and models. Some shoes are close to the original full price (mid-range for a running shoe), while other shoes are almost half off. The shoe has limited size and color availability due to being discontinued, so the more popular sizes and colors (that haven’t already sold out) tend to be more expensive than the less popular ones. Runners who cannot find the shoe in their size or preferred color should consider purchasing one of the latest models, the Saucony Guide 9 or Saucony Guide 10.
Drop
The Saucony Guide 6 has a drop of 8mm, with the forefoot being around 25mm high and the heel being around 33mm high. An 8mm drop distributes the cushioning slightly more evenly than the standard 12mm drop, which has more cushioning in the heel. This improves balance, comfort and responsiveness throughout the shoe, while encouraging short, low-impact strides.
Stability
Saucony categorizes the Guide series under “Light Stability,” meaning the shoes are good for mild to moderate over-pronation. The EVA dual-density midsole supports and stabilizes the foot. The EVA sockliner in the upper supports the arch and stabilizes the foot against mild to moderate over-pronation. The shoe is mostly for neutral runners but has a small amount of stability for those who need it. Runners who require a higher level stability may need to choose a shoe in the “Stability” or ” Motion Control ” categories.
Flexibility
The Guide 6 offers flexibility at every level. The outsole has flexible grooves as well as iBR+ pads that improve flexibility. The foams and cushioning in the midsole are also flexible, allowing the foot to push off and land quickly and smoothly. The leather-and-mesh upper also adds flexibility to the shoe, allowing the foot to easily move in any direction as needed.
Traction
The Saucony Guide 6 gives good traction. The XT-900 rubber lugs provide both durability and traction over high-abrasion surfaces. This means that the shoe can grip rough surfaces, such as rocks, gravel, or technical trails, or smooth surfaces, such as dirt or paved roads. The triangularly shaped lugs give the shoe traction while moving in different directions, allowing runners to move side-to-side rather than only forward or backward. The Guide 6 does not have spikes to give traction on snow, ice, or slippery surfaces.
Bottom Line
Overall, the Saucony Guide 6 is a great road or trail running shoe for neutral runners and runners who need a higher level cushioning due to past problems with joint or muscle pain. The shoe is durable and has enough traction to go over rough terrain, all while being lightweight and flexible enough for racing. It protects joints, cushions landings, stabilizes and supports the foot against mild to moderate over-pronation, and gives explosive takeoffs. The shoe allows the foot to breathe and prevents overheating, hot spots, blisters, and sweat. The alignment makes the shoe perfect for midfoot or heel strikers. Possible areas for improvement include increasing the level of durability in the upper around the toes, making the outsole more durable for heavier runners, and providing a greater selection in sizes for runners with wide feet, who experienced snugness in the toe box, and runners with narrow feet, who could not get a secure fit around the midfoot. In short, the Guide 6 is a great shoe choice for running, racing, or everyday use on either roads or trails.
