Details
Brand
Saucony
Heel To Toe Drop
4 mm
Breathability
5/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Trail
Type
Cushioning
Key Features
• PWRTRAC outsole can handle virtually any surface• Hexagonal shaped lugs provide excellent traction• FLEXFILM technology ensures upper fits snugly• RUNDRY Heel Collar provides extra padding and comfort• PROLOCK system locks down midfoot• ProGrid Midsole cushioning provides supportive base and excellent energy-return• Closed mesh upper to keep out debris• Removable insole
Upper
The upper of the Saucony Nomad TR fits securely around the wearer’s foot. Many reviewers called the Nomad TR’s fit ‘socklike’. The FLEXFILM technology in the upper ensures the upper is flexible and fits comfortably. The Nomad TR also features a nice wide toe box. The larger forefoot area can accommodate varied foot shapes and the foot swelling that comes with longer runs. A few runners found the toe box fit was too wide and caused a sloppy fit. These reviewers were in the minority and were likely used to narrower fitting Saucony brand shoes.;The shoe’s tongue is fused to the upper and the laces are part of a PROLOCK system that provides a secure fit and locks down the midfoot. The shoe also features a RUNDRY heel collar that helps wick away moisture and enhances the wearer’s comfort. The closed mesh upper is meant to keep debris out of the shoe during trail runs. The shoe’s sock liner is removable and can accommodate an orthotic.
Midsole
The Saucony Nomad TR has a midsole that contains PowerGrid cushioning material. The material ensures a responsive ride and excellent energy return. The PowerGrid cushioning also helps to distribute weight upon impact to ensure a comfortable landing and toe-off. The cushion is meant to feel bouncy even as your long run draws to an end.
Outsole
The outsole of the Saucony Nomad TR features PWRTRAC rubber material. The tough rubber can handle virtually any surface thrown at it. The PWRTRAC outsole provides excellent traction underfoot and protects the sole from heavy usage. The shoe’s lugs are hexagonal in shape and provide great grip underfoot. Despite a lack of flex grooves, the shoe is very pliable and provides a natural ride.
Breathability
The Saucony Nomad TR does a poor job at ventilating. As a trail shoe, the closed mesh upper is meant to keep out debris encountered on the trail. Unfortunately, the closed mesh decreases the shoe’s breathability. Reviewers commented that the shoe ran quite hot when used in warmer conditions.;There was some debate about the shoe’s drainage capabilities. Some runners found the shoe drained water quite well but some felt waterlogged after stepping in puddles on their runs. Saucony may want to look to the shoe’s upper to improve the next iteration of the Nomad TR. The shoe is probably not a good choice for very hot summer-day runs but would make a good choice for cooler weather jaunts.
Comfort
The Saucony Nomad TR is a comfortable shoe. As a first version, reviewers commented on some features that could be improved but the majority of runners found the shoe was very comfortable right off the bat. The midsole provides enough ProGrid cushioning to soften the wearer’s impact. The inner sock liner provides extra padding for the wearer and enhances the shoe’s overall comfortability. The seamless upper construction ensures a snug, socklike fit.;The RUNDRY heel collar provides a nice bit of padding around the wearer’s ankle. Best of all, the shoe features a nice wide toe box that many reviewers were very happy about. They commented that the wide toe box enhanced the comfort of the shoe and allowed for natural toe splay.
Style
The Saucony Nomad TR looks like a trail shoe. It looks tough like it can handle some rugged trail. The aggressive outsole lugs stand out since they’ve been given bright coloring. The shoe’s upper features a unique speckled design. The shoe almost looks like it’s already been out on the trail and has gotten dirty.;The speckled look is a good way to conceal the dirt the shoe will no doubt pick up. The color options, all dark hues, are fairly limited. A few brighter color combinations would be welcome in the shoe’s next update.
Durability
The Saucony Nomad TR is a solid quality shoe. The outsole features PWRTRAC, a solid and durable rubber that’s meant to provide good grip on varied surfaces. The sole is meant to handle many miles of use and the rubber material is meant to protect from general wear and tear.;Many reviewers were pleased with the shoe’s durable. The mesh material used in the upper is also durable enough to withstand miles of use. In addition, the midsole cushion should continue to provide padding and energy-return for miles.
Protection
The Saucony Nomad TR offers protection in the form of a tough outsole, a solid upper, and a toe bumper. The outsole protects runners from slips and falls, thanks to its grippy materials. The upper keeps debris from getting into the shoe and causing discomfort. The toe bumper is meant to protect the wearer’s toes from getting hurt by obstacles on the trail. There was a lot of concern from reviewers about the shoe’s ability to protect the wearer.;The shoe is vulnerable to punctures from sharp debris since it does not have a rock plate like other trail shoes do. This isn’t something a runner wants to worry about when focusing on moving forward. The shoe’s toe bumper could also be greatly improved. It just doesn’t provide a lot of protection from impact with rocks, boulders, and/or tree roots.
Responsiveness
The Saucony Nomad TR is very responsive. The PowerGrid midsole cushion is energy-efficient and provides a bouncy ride for the wearer. The Nomad TR also ensures great ground-feel. Reviewers were happy with the shoe’s ability to feel the trail beneath them and found the midsole cushion provide a nice amount of rebound.
Support
The Saucony Nomad TR is a neutral shoe. It’s not an option for those who have serious issues with excessive pronation.;The shoe still manages to provide a supportive base for runners. The midsole’s PowerGrid cushion evenly distributes the forces of impact to keep runners well balanced and supported.;The shoe also fits securely thanks to the PROLOCK system which locks down the wearer’s midfoot. There’s not much arch support in the Nomad TR, so the shoe is best worn by those with normal or flat arches. Those with high arches may find the lack of support uncomfortable.
Terrain
The Saucony Nomad TR has a durable PWRTRAC outsole that’s able to handle runs on various surfaces. The durable outsole is capable of performing well on pavement or trail. The hexagonally shaped lugs provide good grip on all surfaces.;Some reviewers did caution that the shoes have trouble on trails with loose debris. In these conditions, the outsole did not provide enough traction to keep users from slipping when the surfaces were wet. For the most part, though, you shouldn’t have much trouble going from road to trail in the Nomad TR. The shoe transitions seamlessly from one surface to the next.
Price
The Saucony Nomad TR has a pretty affordable price tag. The shoe is priced fairly since it can be used to run on pavement or on trails. It’s also able to handle short or long distances. It shouldn’t be your first choice for interval training, but it’s light enough to be used for faster runs on occasion.;The midsole features enough cushioning to protect the wearer accordingly and the overall fit is very comfortable. The shoe is also solidly constructed and is meant to hold up even after miles of use. They shouldn’t require replacement for a while, so rest assured you’ll be able to use them throughout your training cycle.
Drop
The Saucony Nomad TR features a 4mm drop. The lower heel to toe drop makes this a good shoe for those looking to transition to a forefoot strike or for those who already land on the front of their feet. The lower drop means the shoe is closer to the ground. Reviewers were quite happy with the shoe’s ground-feel ability.
Stability
The Saucony Nomad TR is a neutral trainer. It still provides enough stability to ensure runners don’t get a sloppy ride. The very grippy PWRTRAC outsole features hexagonal lugs that provide grip without stickiness. The shoe’s excellent traction ensures runners feel solid and sure-footed when out for a run. The midsole’s PowerGrid cushion also provides a stable base for the wearer. In addition, the shoe’s upper provides a snug and secure fit keeping the wearer securely locked into the shoe.;The PROLOCK system ensures the wearer’s midfoot is locked down securely. A few reviewers found the toe box was a bit too wide and found the wideness diminished the opportunity for a snug fit. They were in the minority, though. Most reviewers found the fit of the Nomad TR was socklike and found the wider toe box enhanced their comfort when wearing the shoe.
Flexibility
The Saucony Nomad TR is quite flexible. The shoe moves with the user and helps provide a natural running experienced. Paired with the low heel to toe drop, the shoe veers towards the more minimalistic side. The Nomad TR certainly provides an almost minimalist ride. The shoe is a little heavier than we’d like it to be for natural running, but it provides great pliability. Runners found the shoe’s toe-off was effortless since the shoe’s flexible outsole allowed the foot to move naturallly.
Traction
The Saucony Nomad TR features a PWRTRAC outsole which can handle a variety of surfaces and weather conditions. The hexagonal lugs provide excellent grip for the wearer. Runners were quite happy with the shoe’s ability to handle slick or dry surfaces. A few reviewers who took the shoe out on technical trails found the lugs underfoot had poor traction when faced with loose and wet debris. But otherwise, the shoe has exceptional grip without being too sticky.
Bottom Line
The Saucony Nomad TR is a solid trail shoe. The shoe’s ProGrid midsole cushion provides support and impact protection underfoot. The PWRTRAC outsole and hexagonal lugs provide excellent traction for a variety of training surfaces and weather conditions. The tough shoe’s speckled pattern is unique and attractive. There are a few areas that need improvement. The upper does a good job at keeping out debris but lacks breathability. The shoe also lacks protective features, like a rock plate but still feels fairly hefty.;Shaving off a bit of weight would also be beneficial and would improve the Nomad TR’s ride immensely. Despite the need for improvements in these areas, the shoe is well built and provides a comfortable fit. For trail runners who want more ground feel and for those who want a reliable trainer that can transition seamlessly from road to trail, the Nomad TR is a good buy.
