Details
Brand
Saucony
Heel To Toe Drop
8mm
Breathability
7.8/10
Latest Version
No
Terrain
Road
Type
Stability
Key Features
• SAUC-FIT Supports Midfoot and Arch• Mesh/Synthetic upper provides stability and breathability• SRC Crash Pad absorbs shock from foot impact• iBR+ outsole compound is much more responsive and lightweight• SSL EVA Post provides pronation correction and stability
Upper
The upper portion of these Saucony shoes features a mid-foot wrap that facilitates a secure fit on your feet. This provides better stability which can bolster confidence while running. A combination of solid material and mesh in the upper’s construction allows for improved breathability while still providing enough protection to prevent injury from excessive movement or impact with debris. While not labeled water resistant, this upper can also hold its own in rainy conditions. This is due to the excellent ventilation which helps to wick away and dry excessive moisture. Some customers have noticed that the toe box in the Omni 14 is narrower than in the Omni 13. However, this change wasn’t significant enough to cause discomfort for the majority of cases.
Midsole
The PowerGrid tech running from heel to toe of the Omni 14, coupled with the included Power foam base, work in tandem to provide a midsole that is lightweight and highly supportive. The removal of a shank also contributes to the midsole’s quality, helping to provide a fluid transition and a more naturalistic stride. Saucony’s proprietary Dual Density Super Lite EVA foam placed along the medial side reduces inward foot rolling. This small adjustment makes this shoe a terrific choice for runners who tend toward overpronation. This foam provides additional responsiveness as well without sacrificing any durability or adding excessive weight. To tie it all together, the Super Rebound Cushioning Impact Zone also integrated by Saucony into the Omni 14’s midsole redirects underfoot pressure which increases the efficiency of each stride.
Outsole
The outsole of the Omni 14 incorporates a few different design philosophies in order to provide an enjoyable shoe. Durable XT-900 carbon rubber that comes standard with all Saucony running shoes helps to provide a solid foundation for the rest of this shoe. In addition to this base is the Injection Blown Rubber, or IBR+ system, which is a much lighter and more resilient rubber compound. This design choice was made to increase cushioning and durability to a degree that would be unattainable for ordinary trainers. As a nice benefit, the manufacturing process for this material has a minimal impact on the environment, making it a guilt-free innovative technology. The outsole also features a decoupled SRC crash pad that provides support and helps provide a smooth transition. Finally, an SRC crashpad combined with a highly supportive rearfoot result in a powerful combination of durability and security.
Breathability
A dry, cool foot cradle is the foundation of a comfortable running shoe. Saucony manages to strike an excellent balance of protection and breathability with an even ratio of solid material to mesh fabric. The lightweight mesh in conjunction with the HydraMAX wicking collar lining helps to provide air circulation around the foot in order to ensure superior moisture control and comfort, even in warmer temperatures. Factor in the Saucon’s proprietary RunDry technology used in the interior lining and you get a moisture-resistant and solid pair of shoes that can accommodate runs in environments that are both dry and warm or cold and wet.
Comfort
The Omni 14’s increased breathability and moisture control in its upper work beautifully in tandem with the well-cushioned sole, providing a very comfortable running experience. The incorporated SRC Impact Zone in the sole absorbs shock and helps to facilitate fluid foot transitions when running. The effect this has on the runner is a reduction in foot strain and a tendency toward a more natural gait. The Run Dry interior lining provides further comfort by ensuring protection from excessive moisture, be it rain from the sky or sweat from the foot. Overall, this is a well-fitting shoe that can provide security and stability for runners, with a special emphasis on overpronators.
Style
The color options available for the Saucony Omni 14 are neutral and understated for the most part. This can be seen as a drawback to some runners who appreciate bright, flamboyant colors, but some runners will find this quiet confidence to be aesthetically pleasing in its own right. The men’s version of these shoes is available in black/grey, silver/blue, and navy/red. Women’s color combinations are a bit flashier, with blue/black/citron, silver/blue/coral, and blue/lime/black as their options. The included reflective strips Saucony added to ensure safety in low light environments is tastefully applied in a way that prevents them from looking like a crossing guard’s safety vest.
Durability
These shoes are fully capable of going the distance while ensuring a comfortable ride the entire way. Not only does the moisture control, air circulation, and protective fabric overlays extend the upper’s durability, but the absorbent and cushioned midsole and outsole with their carbon rubber compounds encourage a natural foot strike which will further extend these shoes’ lifespan. To be fair, these benefits are only really relevant when used on the running surfaces the Omni 14’s were intended to be run on, but so long as you avoid heavy-duty trails and steep inclines, you will have a good time for a long time.
Protection
A surprising amount of protection is provided by these shoes not just to runner’s feet, but to their knees as well. Based on the opinions of a few satisfied customers, the impressive shock absorbing capabilities of the Omni 14’s outsole helps to prevent extra stress from impacting the knees, which can be a particular bother to beginner runners. This isn’t to say that these shoes don’t also do a good job of protecting the feet from hazards and injuries because it most certainly does. Protection on the radial side is a bit lacking when compared to the medial side, which is why using these shoes on inclined surfaces is discouraged. However, running on less intense terrain such as a track or treadmill will be smooth in these Saucony runners.
Responsiveness
Saucony integrated some excellent design materials into the Omni 14 for an improved responsiveness over its predecessors. The newly renovated sole incorporates iBR+ technology which implements a rubber compound 33% lighter than standard outsole material while it also provides a significant increase in cushioning. A full-length power grid was included in the design as well, said to provide 30% more durable cushioning with 15% less weight. GRID technology in this power grid provides extra foot stability and impact absorption. The result of all these implementations, coupled with an Arch Lock system to keep the shoe securely fastened, is a lightweight, bouncy and stable pair of running shoes that offer enough responsiveness to get runners through a half marathon at the very least.
Support
The Omni 14 is lauded as a stable and supportive shoe. This impressive feat is accomplished through a combination of features, for starters, an upgrade to the midsole removing the plastic shank from under the midfoot and filling in the arch provides a much more rigid and reliable foundation in this sensitive region. The heel is also wider without sacrificing secure while narrowing the toe box at the same time. The ARCHlock system put in place by Saucony ensures a secure seat for the foot, while a long wedge of firmer foam discourages inward foot rolling that overpronators can be prone to. Finally, a comfortable glove-like interior and upper ensure that cushion is maintained the entire time, cementing the Omni 14’s status as a smooth ride.
Terrain
This is a running shoe built primarily for runners who need an additional amount of support in their arches. Because of this, it is best suited for use on roads and low-intensity surfaces, although it does feature a nice tread that can give the impression of a trail shoe. Thanks to its excellent construction and well thought out design, the Omni 14 can easily serve as a daily runner. The cushioning of the shoe coupled with an above-average midsole height can remove some connection to the ground, but the benefits offered by these design decisions outweigh the negatives. Realistically speaking, it wouldn’t be the end of the world if you wanted to use these shoes for hiking and some mild jogging on trails, but these aren’t going to offer you the same amount of protection that you would from shoes designed specifically for these environments. Because of this, the best way to avoid foot injury and shoe degradation is to stick with safer surfaces.
Price
The Saucony Omni 14 does carry a slightly higher price tag than you would find in most running shoes. However, this additional cost is justified due to its many beneficial features and is relatively in keeping with comparable shoes from competing brands. With all the technology implemented in these shoes, many runners find the Omni 14 to be an excellent choice, as most shoes designed around a similar focus on stability and support run a bit heavier.
Drop
The Omni 14 sports an 8mm heel drop. This is a moderate amount of heel elevation for a stability shoe, making these Saucony trainers below average in this regard. Most reviewers found this to be comfortable enough, while others have claimed that it may necessitate some breaking in before coming into its own.
Stability
One might assume that the Omni 14 would be less stable due to its higher profile. Instead, stability is one of these Saucony shoes’ strongest points. Its upper was redesigned with proprietary ARCH-LOCK and SAUC-FIT systems to accomplish this very purpose. These tools provide stability through a snug, supportive fit, and the included Support Frame secures the heel and midfoot. An Impact Interface provides shock absorption which could have otherwise been a stability killer and result in injury. Additional cushioning technology provides more impact control as well, promoting better gait while running.
Flexibility
The Omni 14 is a well-cushioned and highly stable shoe. Because of this, it could have suffered from a rigid feel like many similarly designed shoes. However, Saucony prevented this and instead created a surprisingly flexible trainer. This was accomplished through the use of a fully decoupled SRC crashpad that offers support and stability while still providing a reasonable amount of give. With this extra care, it seems Saucony has really exceeded expectations in this regard.
Bottom Line
The Saucony Omni 14’s strongest benefits come from its impeccable design. It is intended as a stability shoe and does an admirable job in this respect. Owners of these shoes seem to most appreciate its comfortable cushion, high breathability, and excellent stability. Its understated style might throw some more fashion-oriented runners but it is far from hideous. For its higher sole elevation, it is surprisingly flexible and makes for an excellent daily trainer. At the end of the day, the Omni 14 is a running shoe best for runners who need arch support, but still has enough appealing features to attract the everyman as well.
