Details
Brand
Saucony
Heel To Toe Drop
8mm
Breathability
7.8/10
Latest Version
Stabil CS3
Terrain
Road
Type
Stability
Key Features
• Hydrator Lining• Sauc-Fit• Dual Density SLL EVA midsole• Stability Arch Lock• CS Zone• PowerGrid
Upper
As is the case with many running shoes these days, the Saucony Stabil CS2 has an upper that has a breathable mesh and synthetic overlays. This includes what’s known as Sauc-Fit. This is technology that secures the upper directly to the midfoot, right around the back of your foot as well as the medial side of the shoe. This works to secure you directly to the running platform. It6 even takes advantage of a technology known as Arch-Lock to provide an even more secure fit.
Midsole
The midsole on the Saucony Stabil CS2 utilizes something that’s known as PowerGrid cushioning across the entire length of the shoe. This is as light as it is comfortable, and it will allow overpronators to still achieve a high degree of comfort while they run. The way this works is the grid technology that centers the foot, distributes the pressure and absorbs shock so that you can get both a responsive and smooth ride.
Outsole
The outsole of the Saucony Stabil CS2 is made of a high abrasion carbon rubber, and it has a high degree of durability and traction. It also utilizes iBR, which is a type of blown rubber that’s especially light and provides more cushioning in the forefoot. There are also flex grooves and blown rubber in the forefoot of the outsole, so the forefoot will be fairly flexible and soft. Keep in mind, though, that the middle of the outsole might feel a bit stiff in comparison to the forefoot, and this rigidity will affect your gait cycle.
Breathability
The breathability of the Saucony Stabil CS2 depends entirely on the mesh upper of the shoe. Usually, when you have an upper as breathable as the one that can be found in the Saucony Stabil CS2, your stability is going to suffer as a result. This is because running shoe companies want to make the upper as breathable as possible and so skimp on the overlays that can provide stability. This isn’t the case with the Saucony Stabil CS2, however. The shoe has a considerable number of overlays, all of them designed to contribute to the overall stability of the shoe, but do not take away from the shoe’s breathability.
Comfort
Most people wouldn’t immediately jump to the upper of a running shoe when thinking about the level of comfort that it provides, but that’s exactly the case with the Saucony Stabil CS2. Along with being comfortable, this upper has been designed to be secure and stable, keeping your foot locked in no matter how hard you might be running. There’s a legacy that Saucony has created when it comes to exceptional comfort in their shoes, and that legacy is carried on in the Saucony Stabil CS2.
Style
Style isn’t the first thing that most people look for in a running shoe, but the fact that it remains an important sticking point for many. On the style front, the Saucony Stabil CS2 isn’t too innovative, instead of relying on a look that depends on neutral grays offset with bright primary colors along the side of the midsole. The drawback to all of this is that several reviewers have bemoaned the shoe’s bulky look, and they feel that it takes away some from the overall aesthetic of the Saucony Stabil CS2. This isn’t a dealbreaker, but it’s something to keep in consideration.
Durability
Unsurprisingly, the durability on the Saucony Stabil CS2 comes primarily from the outsole. On this front, the shoe features an injected blown rubber. Along with providing plenty of durability for the shoe, this also means that you’re going to be getting plenty of traction too. This is great for a road runner such as the Saucony Stabil CS2, as you’ll need every bit of traction to hug the roads, especially if you’re running in the rain. Along with the good durability and traction, the shoe’s upper does a good job of remaining breathable while not letting the elements in.
Protection
When it comes to protection, the Saucony Stabil CS2 has enhanced impact protection in comparison to previous iterations, and in contrast to many other road runners out there as well. This all comes from the combined efforts of the outsole and midsole of the shoe. The outsole takes the brunt of the impact, and since this is a roadrunner, you can definitely expect some hard impacts will occur as you’re running, especially on most paved surfaces. The outsole takes this impact well and is supported by the midsole, which provides cushioning for your foot.
Responsiveness
For the type of shoe, the Stabil CS2 is, it is relatively responsive. The original release did have a good degree of responsiveness, but the Stabil CS2 has improved with its outsole and the cushioning that it provides. Being that the shoe was designed for overpronators, the shoe is pretty stiff which does take away from responsiveness.
Support
The arch support on the Saucony Stabil CS2 is specifically built for stability, so you can expect a smooth ride and even gait cycle no matter how much you overpronate. In fact, this shoe was specifically designed to help severe overpronators. The Saucony Stabil CS2 meets these needs, however, and it holds up just as well for those who do not overpronate.
Terrain
The terrain that the Saucony Stabil CS2 has specifically been designed for the road and other paved surfaces. As such, you can expect the thick and durable outsole and ample cushioning to handle those tough surfaces. Don’t worry about those long runs, either: The Saucony Stabil CS2 has you covered no matter the distance, no matter how far.
Price
The Saucony Stabil CS2 is very affordable. Originally, the price ran about average for stability shoes, which tend to be a bit more. However, a new version has been put out, dropping the price of this shoe. The price alone makes this running shoe a very attractive option. Whether it’s because of its features or its low price, the Saucony Stabil CS2 is a great choice.
Drop
The drop on the Saucony Stabil CS2 is 8mm for both the men’s and women’s version of the shoe. This just below a standard drop, but still provides good cushioning in the heel.
Stability
When it comes to stability, the Saucony Stabil CS2 definitely excels. Its arch support is specifically designed with stability in mind, as it’s meant for those who suffer from severe overpronation. The stability arch lock actually molds itself around the foot in order to make sure that the midfoot is nice and secure. It also has that proprietary CS zone to really ensure stability, especially in the areas of your foot that are prone to overpronation.
Flexibility
The Saucony Stabil CS2 is very good motion control shoe that will provide support with some flexibility. The shoe has a Comfort Stability Zone that works to provide flexibility even despite the rigidity of the outsole. Indeed, with a running shoe that has such a durable outsole, it’d be understandable for you to think that the flexibility would suffer. And while it is not a highly flexible shoe, it does incorporate some features to add flexibility to the shoe.
Traction
One of the most important features for any running shoe is that the shoes have good traction. With the Saucony Stabil CS2, however, you don’t have this problem. It provides good traction on smooth surfaces, including wet surfaces.
Bottom Line
The Saucony Stabil CS2 is a versatile, multi-faceted shoe that brings a lot to the table without introducing too many drawbacks. While it does have what some would argue to be a bulky appearance, this is largely due to the fact that it has a hefty, tough outsole that’s crafted from durable rubber that will keep you on the road for longer. It has plenty of breathability without letting in the elements, and it has enough cushioning to ensure that you won’t feel too much of the impact while you run. This shoe provides excellent support for overpronators and heavier runners, and while the weight is on the higher end, the support and stability make it worth it. It has been discontinued and the Saucony Stabil CS3 has taken its place, making the price of the Saucony Stabil CS2 is steal.
