The Women’s Saucony Guide 18 is a refined update to its predecessor, designed to offer an ultra-breathable upper that enhances airflow while maintaining stability for runners. This shoe is particularly suited for those seeking a reliable daily trainer that provides excellent pronation control without feeling overly restrictive.
The Guide 18 features a cushioned ride that is comfortable enough for long runs and is versatile enough to handle walking as well. With an impressively wide platform and a secure lockdown, it promises a stable yet comfortable experience for runners with flat feet or mild pronation. These bold claims make it an exciting contender in the world of running shoes, but do they hold up under scrutiny? We’re here to find out in this Women’s Saucony Guide 18 review.
Saucony, a brand known for its dedication to quality and performance, has built a reputation with its Saucony running shoes that cater to a wide range of runners and races. The Guide series, in particular, has been a favourite among stability shoe enthusiasts, making it a leader among brands.
The Saucony Guide 18 aims to continue this legacy by combining enhanced breathability with robust support. We’ll assess whether the Guide 18 lives up to its promises and truly stands out among the most popular running shoes on the market.
The Women’s Saucony Guide 18 is a cushioned stability shoe built for daily training. As part of the popular Guide series, it’s a step up from previous models like the Guide 15. Built for comfort and protection, it combines soft and responsive PWRRUN foam with exclusive Center Path Technology. This innovative feature keeps the foot centred and supported by using a standard centerline, higher sidewalls, and a rocker shape to ease toe-off. This design makes the Guide 18 an excellent choice for runners who overpronate, providing a best-in-class underfoot experience for both daily runs and long-distance races.
Priced at £64.99, the Guide 18 offers exceptional value. Its enhanced comfort and stability make it a worthwhile investment for many runners.
The Saucony Guide 18 stands out with its unique stability features and competitive pricing, positioning it as a strong option compared to the ASICS Superblast 2 and Brooks Glycerin GTS 22. Ultimately, your choice may depend on personal fit and specific running needs.
Straight out of the box, the Saucony Guide 18 impresses with its updated, streamlined design and thoughtful details. Reflective elements enhance visibility in low-light conditions, combining style with functionality. The shoe features a durable rubber outsole that promises excellent traction, while the streamlined silhouette gives it a modern and polished look.
Holding the Guide 18 in hand, it felt incredibly lightweight yet solidly built, striking the perfect balance between comfort and performance. The midsole, enhanced with PWRRUN+ foam, felt even softer and more responsive than its predecessors, giving it a plush but energetic feel. Slipping it on, the engineered mesh upper wrapped around my foot like a glove, offering superb breathability and support. The fit felt secure yet flexible, perfect for both daily runs and longer distances. Right away, it was clear this shoe was built for comfort, stability, and enhanced performance.
On my first run with the Guide 18, a brisk 5-mile loop through my neighbourhood, I was immediately impressed by its lightweight feel and smooth ride. Each stride felt springy and effortless, with the updated cushioning providing a noticeable boost in energy return. The Guide 18 handled my overpronation with ease, offering reliable support without feeling overly rigid. I experienced no discomfort or hot spots, which was a relief compared to other stability shoes I’ve tried in the past. What stood out most was the improved responsiveness and cushioning—it felt like running on clouds while still maintaining a controlled, stable ride. The traction was excellent, even on uneven surfaces, making it clear that Saucony has once again raised the bar for stability shoes with the Guide 18.
Designed to provide lightweight, breathable support, the Saucony Guide 18 features a newly engineered mesh upper. This construction delivers a comfortable fit from heel to toe while still providing exceptional breathability. The mesh wraps each foot in comfort, allowing cool air to flow throughout the shoe and preventing uncomfortable heat build-up so you can remain cool, dry, and comfortable. Acting as a lightweight second skin, the mesh creates the perfect microclimate for your feet to thrive in.
Additionally, FORMFIT technology surrounds your foot with a made-for-you feel, accommodating its unique shape as if the shoes were custom-made. A soft, padded tongue sits comfortably against the foot, and heel pull tabs make getting the shoes on and off a breeze. Finishing the upper is a traditional lacing system that locks down the midfoot for a secure and stable fit.
The Guide 18’s sole unit features an even more innovative PWRRUN midsole, providing exceptional, lightweight, and springy cushioning to keep your feet comfortable mile after mile. For a smoother ride, new Center Path technology keeps your feet centred and level, preventing overpronation. Built on a rocker shape, the shoe has a broad base geometry and higher sidewalls to ease you through your gait cycle. A PWRRUN+ sockliner further enhances step-in comfort.
Engineered for grip and longevity, the XT-900 outsole is constructed from durable carbon rubber, ensuring exceptional traction and durability. This provides a solid connection to the ground for a firm, efficient push-off. The outsole is reinforced in high-wear areas to withstand long-lasting use.
The Saucony Guide 18 features an XT-900 outsole, crafted from durable carbon rubber to deliver exceptional grip and longevity. This robust construction ensures a solid connection with the ground, providing firm and efficient push-offs.
Additionally, the outsole is strategically reinforced in high-wear areas, promising sustained durability through countless miles and challenging terrains.
The Guide 18 boasts an enhanced Formfit system, meticulously engineered to adapt seamlessly to your unique stride. This dynamic fit provides a secure, comfortable sensation that moves in harmony with your foot. Paired with its breathable engineered mesh upper and structured design, it delivers a truly personalised fit—as if the shoe was crafted just for you.
The Guide 18 features Saucony’s new Center Path Technology, specifically designed to keep your foot centred and reduce overpronation. This innovative system uses a broader platform, higher sidewalls, and an asymmetric profile to gently steer your foot through its natural gait cycle without the need for traditional stability posts. The result is a smooth, supportive ride that feels less restrictive, making it an excellent choice for runners seeking modern stability for any distance.
The Guide 18 boasts an even more innovative PWRRUN midsole than previous versions, providing exceptional levels of cushioning. This specially engineered foam delivers lightweight and springy shock absorption, ensuring your feet stay comfortable with just the right amount of softness, yet remaining responsive mile after mile to propel you forward.
Saucony has built a broad base geometry and higher sidewalls into a rocker shape within the midsole design, facilitating an effortless transition throughout your gait cycle. This works in conjunction with the new Center Path technology, which keeps your feet centred and level, preventing overpronation for a smoother ride. To further enhance step-in comfort and cushioning, a PWRRUN+ sockliner is also included.
Engineered for exceptional grip and durability, the XT-900 rubber outsole of the Saucony Guide 18 is constructed from durable carbon rubber. This ensures reliable traction across various surfaces, giving you confidence with every stride. Reinforced in high-wear areas, it’s built to withstand long-lasting use, providing a firm base for efficient push-offs. Multi-directional grooves are strategically placed to further secure your feet to the ground and enhance efficiency during take-offs, landings, and changes of direction.
9.0 out of 10
The Women’s Saucony Guide 18 is an excellent option for runners who want a stability shoe that balances support and cushioning in a relatively lightweight package. The improved fit and breathable upper make it a serious contender for daily trainers, particularly for runners who require a bit of pronation control. However, its outsole durability is a concern for those who frequently run on rough terrain or in wet conditions. If you prioritise stability, breathability, and comfort, the Guide 18 is an impressive choice for your rotation.
Overall, we highly recommend the Saucony Guide 18 for reliability, support, and comfort on a variety of road runs. Test them out for yourself and see how they fit into your training!
About this review:
We purchased these products with our own money. Our review contains affiliate links, where we may earn a small fee from a purchase. All our reviews are honest and fair.
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