Details
Brand
Saucony
Heel To Toe Drop
8 mm
Breathability
8/10
Latest Version
No
Terrain
Road
Type
Stability
Key Features
• Full-length Impact Zone that extends to the midfoot• Heel Pro Grid• Added Arch support• Breathable mesh upper• Synthetic overlays for added support• 10.1 ounces• 8 millimeters• XT-600 high abrasion carbon rubber on the outsole
Upper
The upper of the shoe wraps the runner’s foot in breathable support. The entire upper is constructed using a lightweight, breathable mesh material that allows air to flow freely to the foot. This helps to regulate the temperature of the shoe and helps to keep the foot cool and dry regardless of the outside conditions. The upper of the shoe also features synthetic overlays that help keep the runner’s foot in place and add extra stability features too.
Midsole
The midsole of this shoe features the stability features that runners with mild to moderate pronation issues find attractive. The shoe uses the ProGuide Foot bed that runs the length of the shoe to provide support and cushioning. Additionally, the Support Arc element can be found on the medial side of the shoe to help runners who struggle with pronation issues. Overall, runners commented on the high level of underfoot stability that his midsole provides. It also offers enough lightweight cushioning to carry the runner on long miles.
Outsole
The outsole of this shoe features the highest tech elements. This shoe is a great option for distance running, and because of that, Saucony decided to design the outsole with a material that will hold up to the wear and tear of extended use as well as provide the runner with protection against the elements. This outsole is made using Saucony’s XT-600 carbon rubber material. Carbon rubber tends to be more durable and is a thicker outsole choice compared to other popular materials like a blown rubber. This material also offered added traction to keep the runner secure in slippery conditions.
Breathability
In their reviews, runners commented that they were pleased that this shoe was able to provide both breathability and support to them during their runs. The entire upper of this shoe is constructed using a lightweight mesh. This promotes extensive airflow to reach the foot and circulate the inside of the shoe. This helps to regulate the temperature of the inside of the shoe and also provides runners with protection from irritation and blisters and can be caused by unwanted moisture. Although a larger section of the upper is covered in the synthetic overlays, the shoe still can provide the runner with more than adequate ventilation.
Comfort
Over and over, reviewers used the work comfortable to describe this shoe. According to many runners, the cushioning is the perfect amount to keep runners comfortable and provide them protection while they tackle long miles. The midsole of the shoe uses Saucony patented Heel Pro-Grid that provides full length cushioning for a plush ride. Likewise, runners found the synthetic overlays of the upper to wrap the foot in the perfect amount of support to reduce unwanted side to side movement. This shoe will feel especially comfortable for runners who have issues with over pronation because of the Support Arc along the medial side of the shoe.
Style
This shoe does offer runners a good amount of styling options. In the female versions, runners can expect to find bright and vivid coloring options while the men’s style is more muted. In both the men and women’s version, runners can expect to find the signature Saucony insignia along the side of the shoe. Runners were also pleased that although this shoe offers a plush ride, it actually looks very sleek and streamlined which makes it a good option for wearing along with casual outfits as well as athletic looks.
Durability
Runners were pleased to withhold long the Saucony Lancer lasted for compared to similar shoes on today’s market. This can be attributed to a few different carefully created design elements of the shoe. The first is the high abrasion rubber used on the outsole. High Abrasion rubber is designed to protect the entire shoe from wear and tear. This shoe is great for logging long miles because this outsole material maintains its shape and function even after extensive use. Runners also reported that the plush cushioning of the midsole maintained its form and didn’t break down like other midsole materials can do.
Protection
In terms of protection, runners are going to find a lot to love in this shoe. Starting with the outsole, runners will feel protected from the elements of the road. The XT-600 rubber used on these outsole does a great job of keeping debris away from the foot and ensuring that the rest of the shoe is protected from wear and tear. In the upper, runners can expect to see reflective details along the outside of the shoe that keep runners safe while running in low visibility areas and during their evening runs.
Responsiveness
The outsole of this shoe is thicker than some other outsole materials on the market today. The XT-600 carbon rubber is more concerned with absorbing the harmful shock of each footfall and providing abrasion protection and added traction than it is in providing a high level of responsiveness to the runner. Runners liked this shoe for its added cushioning and commented that the overall responsiveness is overall low.
Support
Runners were very pleased with the overall level of support provided by this shoe. From the upper to the outsole, each layer of the Lancer provides the runner with a supportive detail. The upper of the shoe provides support through the synthetic overlays the wrap around the foot and keep it from moving freely. The midsole of this shoe features Saucony’s patented Heel Pro Grid which is designed to help keep the foot locked in place and reduce the risk of friction that can lead to blisters. Finally, the high abrasion rubber of the outsole provides added traction which helps keep runners feeling secure on all their runs, regardless of the weather conditions.
Terrain
This shoe is designed for the roads. The Lancer will do best on long runs on pavement, but because of the high abrasion rubber found in the outsole that adds powerful traction, the Lancer can be used on groomed trails, but these shoes do not have the lugs or protection needed for more extreme trail racing and running.
Price
The price is perfect for the runner on a tight budget. Since this is the original model of the Lancer and Saucony has since come out with newer models and styles, the Lancer can be found at a fraction of similar shoes in the Saucony line. While some runners really want to have the newest iteration with the newest technology, for runners who aren’t as concerned with those details and are willing to sacrifice the newest model for a serious reduction in price without sacrificing quality, this is a great shoe.
Drop
The heel height of this shoe is 26 millimeters and the forefoot height is 18 millimeters. This gives the Lancer a drop of 8 millimeters. Runners liked the combination of a slightly more natural feel from the 8-millimeter drop combined with the added cushioning and support that this shoe provides. While 8 millimeters isn’t far from a traditional heel drop, some runners commented that it did take a little bit of getting used to since they were accustomed to running in shoes with a heel drop of 10 or higher.
Stability
Runners were pleased with the level of stability that the Lancer provided. This is not a shoe that is made for the runner who has serious issues with over or under pronation, however, it did receive high marks from runners who need mild to moderate support with these issues. Runners were pleased to find added arch support along the medial side of the shoe that helped to improve the runner’s gait and keep the foot from rolling inward or outward which can lead to injury overtime.
Flexibility
This shoe is more of a stability shoe than it is a flexible shoe. Although it isn’t heavy by any means, the technology used to design this shoe is more focused on providing running with a stable, supportive ride. The Hell Pro Grid helps keep the foot locked in place and runners who like a supportive ride, found this shoe to be a good match for them, but runners who like a shoe that supports the natural movement of the foot may need to find a different pair of running shoes to suit their needs.
Traction
The outsole of this shoe uses Saucony’s patented Xt-600 high abrasion carbon rubber. While the main purpose of this rubber is to absorb shock and act as a protective barrier to keep this shoe looking and feeling newer for longer, it also adds extra traction to the shoe too. This is a nice perk and the added traction makes this shoe capable of being used on groomed trails as well as pavement.
Bottom Line
Saucony’s original Lancer is a great option for the runner who is looking to save a few dollars but is not willing to sacrifice quality. This shoe is best used for logging long miles due to the high abrasion rubber in the outsole. While this shoe is not suggested for runners with severe stability needs, it does feature unique elements that provide mild to moderate pronation support. Runners loved the overall comfort and breathability that this shoe offered and was impressed that the added traction in the outsole made this a good choice for light trail walking and running too. The color options are plentiful, and the looks are sleek and streamlined.
