REVIEW: Saucony Guide 14

The Saucony Guide 14 is changing the game when it comes to stability footwear. This version of the Guide, the company’s most beloved shoe in the stability category, pays special attention to its upper – making it a key component in adding support to the shoe. Beyond the updated upper, this shoe has an effective outsole and PWRUN midsole, which fans of Saucony have come to love. 

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Drop: 8 mm
Weight: 266 g (women’s)
Available: March 2021
Price: $170 CAD

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The upper

The Guide’s upper shows some major improvements over the last iteration. Like many companies, Saucony is paying more attention to their uppers and using them as an additional way to actively support the foot, as opposed to simply holding it in place. The FORMFIT upper wraps the foot nicely, keeping it secure while in motion. 

My only complaint about the upper is the mouth of the shoe, which is a little wide for my foot. If you’ve got a narrow heel, I recommend using the extra eyelet when lacing up. That little trick fixed the problem for me. Otherwise, I found they fit true to size. 

The midsole

Saucony’s PWRUN has had a makeover with their new suite of shoes. PWRRUN has been softened slightly, giving the Guide a plusher ride. The foam feels well cushioned with a little pop (there’s more spring to this shoe than you typically get from a stability trainer).

The stability component of the Guide is subtle but effective. This is done through Saucony’s guidance frame, which includes a TPU insert in the midsole and guidance from the upper. By enlisting the upper to pull more weight, the shoe feels secure without forcing your foot into one predetermined position. The posting (added TPU on the side of the shoe) is not too intrusive, and as a neutral runner, I didn’t feel like my stride changed too much because of it.

The outsole

The outsole, made of blown rubber, performed well on slick roads, but didn’t handle so well in snow. Wear this shoe on wet days, but if you’re dealing with snowy conditions, opt for a winter running shoe like Saucony’s Peregrine or Peregrine Ice. 

Final thoughts

Overall, this is a light and nimble stability shoe – a special combination that isn’t often found in this category. Saucony paid attention to the details and made a great trainer for those who need a little extra support. This shoe is ideally worn as an easy-day shoe or even for a hard long run. Lighter than ever, this is an iteration of the Guide that I can get behind. 

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