Details
Brand
Saucony
Heel To Toe Drop
8mm
Breathability
7.6/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Cushioning
Key Features
• FlexFilm overlays provide structure and support without impeding overall breathability• Attractive style and a wide range of color combinations available for both men and women• IBR+ that comprises the outsole is made of both hard and soft blown rubber for a dynamic run• EVERUN midsole unit provides excellent cushioning and solid energy return• Appropriate for mild to moderate over pronation
Upper
The upper construction of the Guide 9 consists of a mesh, welded urethane, and synthetic leather, all durable materials that resist the effects of wear and tear, while Saucony’s unique stitchless overlays maintain the brand’s genuine design characteristics. FlexFilm, a smooth layered material that comprises much of the upper’s coverage, is thinner and more flexible without sacrificing overall strength and durability for a secure, breathable fit. The upper also features RUNDRY Collar Lining material that has moisture wicking properties to secure the heel after lace-up for a plush fit. In addition, the ComfortLite Sock Liner contours to the shape of the arch and heel for a soft, secure fit.
Midsole
In standard running shoes, cushioning is often limited to a single layer between the foot and the outsole, creating a shorter distance between the foot and the ground. With the Guide 9, the Midsole is enhanced through Saucony’s EVERUN technology. Essentially, EVERUN is an extra thin insert located inside the midsole region that creates an extra layer of padding that is closer to the foot. The result is a softer and more comfortable shoe. Additionally, the EVERUN technology distributes the force of impact evenly, which helps disburse the shock of each footfall. Flexible and offering a fair amount of energy return thanks to the SSL EVA tech also present in the midsole, an energetic run each time out is guaranteed thanks to this lightweight but durable material. Its SRC Landing Zone in the heel crashpad offers similarly reliable shock absorption and encourages a smooth transition.
Outsole
Saucony’s Guide 9 outsole uses Injection Blown Rubber (IBR+) technology, which consists of hard rubber and soft blown rubber materials for a more dynamic ride and enhanced overall durability. Hard rubber is the sturdier of the two, meant to withstand harsher terrain, while the soft rubber is lighter and meant for softer surfaces like grass or dirt. In the Guide 9, the hard rubber materials are located under the toe tip, heel, and midfoot areas—high-wear areas that need extra protection to guarantee a long-lasting life–while the soft rubber can be found underneath the forefoot area. This IBR+ rubber is lighter and better at absorbing shock impact than other standard rubber materials usually used in outsole construction.;Additionally, the entire outsole is covered in XT-900, a carbon rubber that enhances overall traction and durability. With flex grooves cut throughout the outsole for greater flexibility, runners will find greater surface control and a more efficient run thanks to this element on the outsole.
Breathability
Breathability is an important aspect o any running shoe, and Saucony’s Guide 9 includes a breathable layer of mesh that comprises the upper in order to provide excellent ventilation and maintain overall comfort. The FlexFilm used in the upper’s construction is both flexible and highly breathable, while the RUNDRY material in its collar wicks away moisture. These two elements guarantee that a runner’s foot will remain cool and dry throughout a ride.
Comfort
The Saucony Guide 9 was made with maximum comfort as a key selling point, and in this effort it succeeds with flying colors. However, while one runner may consider extra cushioning to be comforted, another may consider extra cushioning materials to limit their range of motion and overall responsiveness of the shoe. The Guide 9 tries to appease both parties by delivering exceptional cushioning and stability through the EVERUN midsole unit. This midsole cushioning evenly distributes the shock of impact with every footfall while also delivering a fair amount of energy return with each stride. This is the type of shoe that your knees and joints will thank you for after hitting the pavement on long-distance runs.
Style
Sleek and kinetic, the Saucony Guide 9 looks exactly what a running shoe should. With a breathable upper mesh and thin seamless overlays, this edition comes in a number of different color schemes for both men and women. The men’s color combinations include gray/navy/slime, black/red/silver, citron/orange/navy, blue/slime/black, and several other color combinations, including the fierce-looking London Guide 9 in red/black/gold. The women’s Guide 9 includes some more creative combinations like teal/visceral, cobalt/coral/blue, and “Go Fast Grape” for lovers of all things purple. Sure, this isn’t exactly a subtle-looking running shoe, but for high visibility in dim conditions and a running shoe that looks as active as the runner wearing them, the Guide 9 is a trainer that looks ready for action.
Durability
Another selling point of the Saucony Guide 9 is its durability. It is a true workhorse of a running shoe, making it a dependable daily trainer. The Guide 9 can hold up on its own under several different types of terrain, whether it’s the treadmill, pavement, or even a light woodland trail. The implementation of the EVERUN top sole and EVA midsole guarantee long-lasting cushioning, while the IBR+ outsole—made of both hard rubber and soft blown rubber—offer softness, flexibility, and overall durability in its outsole unit. The Saucony Guide 9 remains resilient against heavy wear and tear even after prolonged use.
Protection
The Guide 9 is a popular choice among runners with running issues like weak knees and plantar fasciitis. It is appropriately designed for maximum, moderate, or mild pronation and it offers high to medium arch support. The Guide gets its name from the fact that the arch portion of the shoe is meant to guide the toe area on takeoff all the way through landing to maintain optimal stability. As for any individual with running imbalances, the Guide 9’s combination of stability control and cushioning is the right choice for addressing these specific types of running maladies.
Responsiveness
The responsiveness of a shoe comes from its ability to initiate energy shortly after landing and maintain these short bursts of energy as the runner progresses through their run. Unlike other stability and high-cushion running shoes with a bulkier construction, the Guide 9 has stripped away many extraneous elements for a more efficient and responsive ride. Additionally, the use of the EVERUN midsole and TRIFLEX outsole, which helps to distribute energy evenly, creates a consistently responsive shoe, while the flex grooves cut into the outsole provide the runner with greater surface control and flexibility during the run. Runners have also reported that the EVERRUN midsole provides a good amount of energy return with each foot fall.
Support
The Guide 9 is considered a light stability shoe. While many runners have reported improvement in overall running motion to this effect, this shoe is not specifically designed for that purpose alone. But the combination of structured cushioning through the EVERUN midsole and arch support envelops into a shoe that addresses over-pronation and control. With this in mind, as a stability-control trainer the Saucony Guide 9 provides a great amount of support for those who need their running shoe to address these issues.
Terrain
The relationship between terrain and shoe can be more visceral than most realize. Therefore, it is important to take your running environment into consideration when choosing your next pair of shoes. The Guide 9 is meant mainly for standard outdoor running surfaces—pavement, asphalt, and track—but has a surprising amount of dynamics to its overall ability to handle various surfaces. While not specifically engineered for rougher surfaces, such as trails, runners have reported better than average performance on rough and uneven surfaces.
Price
With Saucony’s arrival of the Guide 10, pricing on the Guide 9 has been reduced from its original cost, making this a particularly great buy for anyone who is looking to have a lot of the same features and functionality from the latest version for a fraction of the cost. A lot of online retailers are offering very attractive pricing—some even at half the cost from its introductory price. With this in mind, for a stability control shoe, the Guide 9 is a bargain.
Drop
Saucony highlights its 8mm drop on the Guide 9 as the best offset measurement for a stability shoe because this is an optimal drop for equal distribution of cushioning.
Stability
This shoe’s main intended purpose is in its name, the Guide. As a guidance shoe, the Guide 9 provides direction and stability control in order for improved running form and efficiency. Essentially, all the material components and design features that put this shoe together mesh into a single unit that translates into a shoe that is there to lead and provide proper direction for a runner’s foot. In other words, this is a stability shoe—and an affordable one, at that.
Flexibility
Saucony’s FlexFilm technology is used for the shoe’s overlays. Originally developed for its line of racing shoes, Saucony’s FlexFilm provides greater flexibility and comfort in the upper. It contains less stitching, which creates a smoother surface for the runner’s foot to reside within the foot chamber. With thinner overlays than standard plastic stitching, FLEXFILM reduces weight and provides greater overall flexibility and efficiency.
Traction
The rubber outsole and midsole portions of the shoe incorporate Saucony’s TRIFLEX technology, which works in conjunction with the EVERUN midsole to provide a broader dispersion of energy. The equal distribution of weight in the Saucony Guide 9 maximizes the shoe’s grip and ultimately provides greater traction and surface control. While not the most tenacious traction on the market, for a stability control shoe, the Guide 9’s IBR+ rubber outsole offers dynamic traction on a variety of surfaces.
Bottom Line
The Saucony Guide 9 is a shoe that aims to hit several targets in one shot. In other words, it has been engineered to address several issues– cushioning, stability, durability, and overall style–all while keeping the weight of the shoe as minimal as possible. It certainly doesn’t fall short of delivering on its many promises. Most runners will appreciate the use of Saucony’s technologies, such as the EVERUN midsole and TRIFLEX outsole. With impressive cushioning and stability control, the Guide 9 proves to be a comfortable running shoe that can be counted on for daily training. There are a few minor areas where the shoe could use some improvement, mainly on its overall flexibility, but these minor issues are not enough to compromise the Guide 9’s strengths. Simply put, the Guide 9 is a stability control shoe that offers runners a solid trainer at just the right price.
