Details
Brand
Saucony
Breathability
8.5/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Trail
Type
Spike
Key Features
• 6 spike plate• Spikes are removable• Injection molded carbon rubber outsole• Mesh upper• EVA midsole cushion (very minimal cushioning)• Overlays for support• Designed for shorter racing distances
Upper
The Saucony Vendetta is made for racing, so the upper is really only there to keep the shoe on the wearer’s foot. A few overlays provide some support but that’s about it. The upper is the thinnest, flimsiest part of the shoe, but that helps to keep the weight down which is important for racing. A few runners complained that the sizing felt off saying the shoe felt way too snug so they went up a half size. That may have been a fine decision for some but be careful of mistaking a secure snug fit for an uncomfortably tight one. For racing, a tight fit is important. You’re moving quickly which means there’s way more of a chance that your foot will slide inside your shoe creating hot spots and blisters. A tight fit helps to reduce the chance of this happening and helps with stability. With a track spike like the Saucony Vendetta, the snugness of the shoe is really the only thing keeping you stable.
Midsole
The Saucony Vendetta is a track spike so there’s really no expectation that the shoe will have much or any cushioning at all. This racing shoe does, though. The midsole actually contains some EVA for additional protection (granted, not much). It’s really mainly for comfort, though. While some runners are fine going barefoot, the majority – yes even hardcore racers – don’t enjoy slapping the ground without any cushioning between them and the surface they’re running on. It’s jarring and uncomfortable. The Saucony Vendetta offers a bit of protection between the runner’s foot and the track which really helps with comfort.
Outsole
Like other track shoes, the Saucony Vendetta features an outsole that’s outfitted with a spike plate. It can hold 6 pins (AKA spikes) to provide traction for the wearer on race day. Covering the rest of the sole unit is an injection molded carbon rubber. This particular rubber is tough enough to handle a pounding. More so than the rest of the shoe.;Reviewers did find that the shoe had excellent traction and helped them to dig into a running surface and propel forward better than they could have without the shoe. The spikes weren’t perfect, though. Some complained that they did not secure well and even had a tendency to fall off, which is kind of problematic during a race. You can’t exactly stop to fix your spikes. One reviewer pointed out that the spikes didn’t feel equal in size and actually reduced overall stability. It’s possible that the varying accounts about poor spike quality are due to a manufacturing issue, of course.
Breathability
The Saucony Vendetta features your standard mesh upper. It’s really just there to keep the shoe on your foot so it’s super lightweight. Essentially, there’s very little covering your foot but air circulation is still really important which is why mesh is utilized. It helps with ventilation. A few reviewers felt the shoe was a bit too narrow and hindered air circulation but they were in the minority and this might have been prevented had they sized up.
Comfort
Reviewers found the Saucony Vendetta to be a super comfortable racing shoe. The small amount of midsole EVA cushioning helped to ensure a softer landing even when racing hard. The light bit of cushioning and snug fitting upper both contribute to the shoe’s overall comfort level. Runners felt that racing in the Saucony Vendetta was a pleasure.
Style
The Saucony Vendetta comes in a few design variations and most of them are flashy with bright neon accents. Reviewers liked the design of the shoe and appreciated the bright colorways. A few reviewers pointed out that the bright styles ensured that they could easily be seen by friends and families spectating a race.
Durability
The Saucony Vendetta is a racing spike. It’s meant for short distances and is super lightweight. It’s not an everyday training shoe. It just won’t hold up (and you wouldn’t really want to use a track spike for day to day training anyway). It’s meant to be used during racing season and really only for actual races. Having a super lightweight track spike provides runners with the advantage that there’s nothing weighing them down as they race. It also means that the shoe probably won’t last past a single training season but honestly, that’s to be expected. Most reviewers seemed to be aware of this and didn’t point out any big durability problems. Some did notice that the spikes tended to fall off the spike plate, though. But it wasn’t a universal problem. The shoe does come packaged with 6 spikes but many reviewers pointed out that there were no replacement spikes included which they did not appreciate.
Protection
There’s little in the way of protection with the Saucony Vendetta. Other than the spike plate, the outsole is fairly thin and won’t protect wearers should they step on something sharp. The midsole is only minimally cushioned just to lessen the force of impact on runners. The upper is super lightweight and is really only there to keep the wearer’s foot locked down. That’s the gist of things. A track spike isn’t going to protect you from much except slowing down (hopefully). The idea is to have as little pressure on the foot as possible to keep you moving forward, fast.
Responsiveness
A track spike like the Saucony Vendetta needs to be responsive. Runners need to be able to connect to the ground beneath them to feel their way forward because there’s no time to look down and figure things out visually. The shoe features a low drop which brings runners down to earth and helps ensure a quick heel to toe transition and toe-off. Track spikes and minimalist shoes provide excellent responsiveness and so does the Saucony Vendetta. In terms of energy-return, it’s really all about the runner. The EVA midsole material is just there to provide a tiny bit of cushioning for comfort and really nothing else.
Support
The Saucony Vendetta really provides zero support. Reviewers were quick to point this out but were aware that this was the case when they purchased the shoe. This makes it a terrible option for long distance racing. When you go long, it’s more likely that your body will fatigue. It’s a lot easier for your form to start suffering when you’re racing long distance so a bit of support is often helpful in that scenario. For short distance racing, support isn’t really a necessity. The Saucony Vendetta does feature a few overlays for support and the fit is tight to ensure the shoe stays put, but that’s about it.
Terrain
The Saucony Vendetta is made for track racing. The spikes help wearers dig into the track surface and toe-off powerfully with each stride. You wouldn’t take this shoe on pavement or trails, the spikes would grind down quickly and even potentially break off. It’s just not meant for daily training so don’t bother. This is a racing shoe, through and through.
Price
The Saucony Vendetta has a great price point. That’s a big reason why racers weren’t disappointed in its lifespan. Who cares when you’re paying so little for a shoe? The fact that it lasts a whole season of racing is actually quite impressive and the shoe does what it’s meant to. It provides plenty of traction for track racing and fits super well. It’s well worth the price.
Drop
The Saucony Vendetta features a low drop. A close to the ground fit means that runners can feel what’s beneath them and respond accordingly.
Stability
You won’t get any kind of stability with the Saucony Vendetta besides a snug fit that ensures the shoe isn’t flopping around. But there’s no stability feature of any kind in this shoe. That’s another reason why it’s meant for short distances. One reviewer had issues with the spikes and pointed out that they felt uneven making the ride feel way more unstable than it should have been.
Flexibility
The Saucony Vendetta is plenty flexible which ensures a smooth ride when racing. Flexibility is important in a track spike since it promotes an effortless motion from heel to toe.
Traction
The whole point of having spikes is to ensure racers can grip the track surface adequately. A surefire grip allows runners to propel themselves forward. The Saucony Vendetta definitely provides enough traction underfoot. The spike plate that’s attached to the outsole can hold up to 6 spikes. The shoe comes packaged with those spikes and a tool to attach them. Some reviewers were annoyed that the shoe didn’t come with extra spikes. Some also pointed out that the spikes had a tendency to detach and get lost. This makes it doubly annoying that the shoe doesn’t come with replacement spikes.
Bottom Line
The low down on the Saucony Vendetta is that it’s a solid track spike that provides excellent traction and a comfortable fit. It’s a great choice for short distance track racers who want a reliable training season shoe. The snug fit ensures there’s no interior sliding and a great price makes the shoe an excellent buy. The Vendetta is super lightweight and offered in plenty of interesting designs that will appeal to a multitude of runners. A few wearers had issues with the spikes but overall most reviewers were pleased with the ride they got out of the Saucony Vendetta.
