Details
Brand
Saucony
Heel To Toe Drop
10mm
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
No
Terrain
Road
Type
Stability
Key Features
• Mesh upper with synthetic overlays• HydraMAX collar lining with moisture wicking properties• ComfortLite Sockliner• HRC+ strobe board• Power Grid insert• Dual density SSL EVA• Redesigned medial support system• SRC Impact Zone• Full decoupled SRC crashpad• Deeper flex grooves on the outsole• iBR+ and XT-900 rubber used for outsole construction
Upper
Another departure from previous versions of the Saucony Glide series that cements its status as a stability shoe is the addition of a wider toe box in the Guide 7’s upper. Further adjustments to its overlay also greatly improve the comfort and effectiveness of its fit. This time around, Saucony implemented Hydramax mesh material that adds a smoother and more attractive feeling to its design and execution. Overall, the upper portion of these shoes is breathable and comfortable, even for individuals who suffer from foot swelling.
Midsole
With just a few small tweaks, the midsoles of the Guide 7 offer substantial differences in feel and function from previous models. The most significant change to speak of is Saucony’s abandonment of the ProGrid cushioning system for their new Power Grid material. According to the manufacturer, this new material is 30% more durable and 15% lighter, making it a drastic improvement over previously used cushioning. Another change made to the design of these shoes is the flared forefoot design that greatly improves the Guide 7’s overall comfort. These changes may not be immediately apparent but will come into view when worn for longer lengths of time, since they result in a more resilient and responsive product.
Outsole
The outsole to this shoe is similar in many ways to that of previous versions of the Saucony Guide series. A fan design incorporates greater amounts of rubber to provide coverage over a large surface area. The directional triangle lugs used for the design of the Guide 6’s outsoles have been removed, making these shoes appear similar to the Guide 5. These design choices result in a greater level of traction and protection for runner’s feet while also increasing the Guide 7’s durability.
Breathability
Saucony is such a recognized and lauded name in footwear for a good reason. As you may expect from such a popular manufacturer, the products they design are very competently made and cover all the important bases for a quality running shoe. This includes breathability, so it should come as no surprise that a substantial amount of ventilation is present in the Saucony Guide 7. The aforementioned Hydramax upper material offers a remarkable level of airflow as a knitted synthetic mesh. As a result, running for longer periods of time or in warmer running environments ceases to be an issue while wearing this product.
Comfort
In order to provide a smooth ride from start to finish, the Saucony Guide 7 provides just the right amount of comfortable cushion. Underfoot protection from repeated ground strikes is provided by the compressive features of the Power Grid midsole. Additionally, a great fit is experienced thanks to other aspects of the Guide 7’s upper. Some tightness may be felt for a short amount of time after first trying these shoes on, but giving them enough time to be broken in will fix that issue. Even still, some customers recommend ordering these shoes in a half size larger than usual for runners with wider feet.
Style
Saucony’s athletic apparel comes in a variety of styles, ranging from utilitarian to bright neon. This particular model offers a similarly wide range of choices, making them ideal both for training and for daily casual use. The varied color options are coordinated well and look aesthetically pleasing, with a double stripe adding a sleek look to the laces. It’s true that the most important aspect of a running shoe is their performance. However, it never hurts to have a shoe that looks as good as it feels. Fortunately, the Guide 7 manages to satisfy both camps.
Durability
New improvements made to this version of the Saucony Guide series increase their durability by roughly 30 percent, according to the manufacturer. Saucony claims that this improved resiliency was caused by their upgrade from ProGrid EVA midsole material to Power Grid. This material carries the additional benefit of being around 15 percent lighter than ProGrid. While these precise improvement claims haven’t been backed up with tangible evidence, it seems that customers do appreciate how durable these shoes are. One remarked that these shoes have lasted her over 250 miles without any severe damage, even for serious marathon training.
Protection
A potent combination of newly developed and time-tested material for the Guide 7’s construction endows these Saucony running shoes with even more protective properties. Runners can expect the ability to run over long distances without any foot pain or injury, thanks to a high amount of cushioning from the Power Grid. This protection is guaranteed no matter how the runner’s foot strikes the ground, making these ideal stability shoes for individuals prone to conditions such as plantar fasciitis. It is immediately apparent when wearing these shoes that protection was a top priority of their design.
Responsiveness
Another noticeable improvement made from the Guide 6 to the Guide 7 is in regards to responsiveness. This is another very strong feature present in these stability shoes, with runners offering high praise for this particular design aspect. As it was originally intended for stability, the natural side effect of this is an increase in responsiveness. In particular, an improved toe-spring allows for faster feedback with each step. This is even more impressive when you consider that Saucony managed to offer this benefit, alongside other substantial benefits of comfort, durability, and style, with comparatively minimal downsides. It is truly a testament to the cleverness of their shoe designers.
Support
Enough support is present in these shoes to accommodate individuals who are on their feet all day. In order to provide the appropriate amount of comfort and protection for overpronators, several design features implemented into the outsole and midsole provide this high level of support. In addition to pronation control, a redesigned forefoot provides a more stable platform for runners’ toes. Many satisfied customers have also remarked that the Saucony Guide 7 provided excellent pain relief for their plantar fasciitis due to their excellent support.
Terrain
As a stability shoe, more effort has been placed into providing protection and traction. This results in a running shoe that offers enough resiliency to handle many different forms of terrain. Trails, roads, tracks, and fields are no match for the Saucony Guide 7, with an average estimated lifespan of around 300-500 miles. Even rainy or snowy conditions can be mitigated, although runners are still advised to take caution in these environments. Due to a slight heel elevation, these shoes don’t perfectly emulate the experience of a solid trail shoe. For this reason, runners should avoid particularly intense trails or steep inclines, such as the kinds experienced on mountain runs. However, everything else is fair game.
Price
The suggested retail price of the Saucony Guide 7 is around the average cost of a decent pair of running shoes. It’s not an unfamiliar price to runners who are used to buying something from Nike’s or Adidas’ catalog, for example. To some runners on a budget, this price may be a bit higher than they would be comfortable paying. However, it is important to keep in mind that this is the common price range of stability shoes, finding a cheaper option will more than likely result in receiving an inferior product that won’t offer the protection needed. Fortunately, shrewd shoppers can find some discounted prices for the Guide 7 if they search online retailers such as Amazon or Road Runner, so they can avoid taking too much of a hit on their wallet.
Drop
One design aspect Saucony kept from the previous model of the Saucony Guide is a beveled heel, which works to mitigate inward rolling that can occur due to pronation issues. In this sense, the heel functions similar to the Guide 6. However, the newly implemented crashpad in the midfoot region reduces the shank size, which will provide some small differences in terms of responsiveness. Other than that, the Saucony Guide 7 features a standard heel elevation of around 8 mm, which will feel right at home for those used to ordinary running shoes. The only individuals who may need to adjust are those who prefer trail shoes or barefoot-style runners.
Stability
According to the manufacturer, The Power Grid used for the construction of the Saucony Guide 7’s midsole has undergone rigorous tests in order to accurately evaluate its stability. The results of this thorough testing process, as claimed by Saucony, is an increase in stability of about 30 percent over the previous model. This extra stability is what makes these shoes appealing for overpronators, but it is also the reason why the Guide 7 isn’t very flexible. Regardless of this downside, the sturdiness and protective nature of these shoes justify any bulkiness or rigidity in the eyes of many satisfied customers.
Flexibility
One unfortunate downside of this shoe’s design, with an excess of outsole and midsole material in order to provide high stability, is a diminished flexibility. This means that these Saucony stability shoes will feel fairly rigid and may not provide the appropriate amount of responsiveness for some runners. The Guide 7 is a little on the bulky side but this extra girth is justified by it being designed as one of the best stability trainers around. However, runners who don’t experience running issues such as plantar fasciitis or overpronation may want to pick something a little slimmer and with more give, especially if they are looking to do speed work in them.
Traction
It’s standard practice for Saucony footwear to offer excellent traction, and the Guide 7 continues in that trend. Just like a good stability shoe should, the Guide 7 offers just enough traction through its specially designed outsole to help runners get through their daily exercise, whether it’s a simple walk in the park or a more intense jog. Thanks to generous amounts of rubber material spread out in targeted areas, a solid grip is guaranteed when wearing these shoes.
Bottom Line
Support, comfort, and durability are all present in these running shoes to an impressive degree. Saucony did what a good footwear designer does with new iterations of their product line, they made additions that were necessary while keeping features that already worked. Going back to some design aspects from even earlier models is another excellent yet unconventional design decision that helped result in a flexible and stable ride. Because of this, the Saucony Guide 7 is one of the most popular and highly lauded stability shoes on the market.
