Saucony Guide 18 review

The Saucony Guide 18 is a subtle update from the previous model, ideal for:

• Runners seeking a stable shoe at a reasonable price.
• Those who found past Guide models lacking ventilation—this one excels in airflow!
• Individuals with mild pronation looking for a reliable daily trainer with just the right touch of support and a flexible heel counter.

We believe the Guide 18 is not the best option for runners seeking a responsive ride. The PWRRUN midsole lacks energy return, making it feel flat and uninspiring compared to modern foams. For those looking for more bounce without sacrificing stability, we recommend the PUMA ForeverRun Nitro.

Additionally, we found that the outsole design leaves too much foam exposed, which could be a durability concern for heavy strikers. If rubber coverage is a priority, the Brooks Glycerin GTS 21 is a far superior choice—it provides significantly better grip and protection while still offering a supportive, cushioned experience at a reasonable price.

The Saucony Guide 18 features 36.0 mm of heel cushioning—once considered maximalist but now just standard for daily trainers. In our view, it strikes a great balance, delivering ample underfoot protection while maintaining the shoe’s impressively stable ride.

This also confirms how little has changed from last year’s model, as our lab measurements show just a minor 1.1 mm increase from the 34.9 mm we recorded in 2024.

The forefoot also offers generous cushioning at 27.7 mm, making it a reliable choice for forefoot and midfoot strikers of all heights and sizes, even for long runs!

The drop of this shoe is quite an interesting case. Saucony officially lists it as 6 mm, both on their website and in product specs, but our precise measurement came in at 8.3 mm. The crazy part? The insole itself has "8 mm offset" printed on it. Check it out:

We even double-checked with a Saucony representative, who stood by the 6 mm figure—despite the insole’s contradiction and our result. We measure every shoe at World Athletics' designated points, and based on our test runs, it also feels like an 8.3-mm offset, making it better suited for midfoot and heel strikers.

The Saucony Guide 18 sticks with the same EVA-based PWRRUN midsole, which, in our view, is where this shoe starts to fall behind. We understand saving the full-length PWRRUN PB for premium models, but we think PWRRUN+ would have been the ideal upgrade here. Maybe for v19.

For runners who aren’t focused on energy return, this isn't a deal-breaker. The foam delivers what’s expected in a mild-stability shoe—leaning toward the firmer side. That was confirmed in our lab with the durometer, measuring 23.0 HA, reinforcing its stable underfoot feel.

Our freezer test delivered impressive results—after 20 minutes inside, the Guide 18's midsole became only 8% firmer, showcasing its ability to maintain consistency in colder conditions.

The firm and uninspiring PWRRUN midsole gets some redemption thanks to the ultra-thick 6.1-mm insole. Made from PWRRUN PB—the same Pebax-based foam found in high-end Saucony models like the Endorphin Speed 4—it injects a touch of responsiveness into the ride.

If only Saucony had flipped the script using PWRRUN for the insole and PWRRUN PB for the midsole, this shoe could have been amazing!

One of the biggest changes Saucony has made to the Guide in recent years is the increased midsole curvature, helping offset the higher stack height introduced in its latest redesigns. This subtle-yet-effective tweak enhances transitions without compromising stability.

The heel curvature is particularly pronounced, paired with a substantial heel flare that works seamlessly to support heel strikers, though it may be a bit extreme for some. Up front, there's also a mild toe rocker, contributing to a smoother, more natural forward roll.

Here in the lab, we created a 1:1 gel mold of the toebox and measured the widest part of the forefoot at 96.3 mm. This puts it slightly wider than most running shoes but still within an average range.

We’re convinced that Saucony designed this shoe with a versatile fit in mind, aiming to accommodate a broad spectrum of foot shapes without leaning too narrow or excessively wide.

The big toe area follows the same approach, measuring 73.6 mm—again, right in the average range. It feels comfortable but doesn’t offer expansive room for toe splay, which could be limiting for runners with wider feet.

However, this is one of the few models on the market available in regular, wide, and extra-wide sizes, making it an accommodating option for a broad range of foot shapes. We tested the standard D width in the lab.

What truly caught our attention was the impressive toebox height—perfect for those who crave extra vertical space in the toe area.

We measured a towering 34.3 mm, a substantial increase over its predecessor’s 29.3 mm.

This shoe sits between neutral daily trainers and ultra-stable models, making it a versatile option for a wide range of runners. Neutral runners won’t feel restricted, while those with significant pronation can comfortably incorporate it into their rotation for added support.

It features substantial midsole sidewalls, a firm-ish foam, and an extra-wide landing base that provides stability and guides every stride. From our on-field experience, this setup works impressively well.

One noticeable change from the v17 is the increased torsional rigidity, which we rated 4/5 instead of 3/5.

What does that mean? Runners who prefer a more flexible, daily-trainer-like feel might see it as a downgrade, but as a stability shoe, this adjustment undeniably enhances support.

On the flip side, we were surprised to find a relatively flexible heel counter, which we rated 2/5. Unusual for a stability-focused shoe, but runners with Achilles sensitivity or Haglund’s deformity will find the Guide 18 a great option.

The Guide 18, just like last year, is ultra-wide. We’ve observed that brands are embracing an extra-broad design for stability shoes, and our measurement of 121.9 mm in the forefoot confirms it.

From our perspective, it’s a logical move—a wider platform enhances support and balance.

However, this approach has its drawbacks—the biggest being a clunky feel while running.

Unfortunately, that could be the case with the Guide 18, featuring a huge 105.0 mm heel. For a balance of stability and agility, the Nike Structure 25 could be a better deal.

Despite its massive build, we measured a low stiffness result at 25.6N. This is a plus, as it enhances comfort at easy paces and while walking, adding much-needed versatility to the shoe.

We found nearly the same weight (9.80 oz or 278g) as last year’s model, with only a minor 0.1 oz (3g) difference—well within manufacturing tolerances—so for us, it’s unchanged.

And like the rest of the shoe, the weight is unremarkable: not light enough to praise, nor heavy enough to complain about!

When we unboxed the shoe, the first thing that caught our attention was the oversized ventilation holes in the toebox. That was all the excuse we needed to instantly grab our smoke-pumping machine and put its breathability to the test.

After running our lab test, it was an easy call—this shoe scored a perfect 5/5. The massive perforations make it an excellent choice for runners whose feet overheat quickly or for anyone tackling hot summer runs. Ventilation is simply top-tier here.

We also noticed that Saucony added some perforations to the rear section of the shoe. However, when we tested them with a light, we confirmed that they are purely aesthetic. On the bright side, the lateral toebox remains well-ventilated—something that isn’t always guaranteed in every model.

Curious to see more, we used our digital microscope.

The results were impressive—this shoe has one of the tightest spacing between perforations we’ve seen in an engineered mesh upper. Wider gaps are much easier (and cheaper) to produce with precision.

For us, the upper itself strikes a balance between breathability and padding. The heel area is generously cushioned with soft foam, but don’t expect an ultra-plush, pillow-like feel throughout—it’s designed with airflow in mind over everything else.

Engineered mesh uppers with oversized ventilation holes often struggle in this test, yet the Guide 18 delivered an unexpectedly strong performance.

While 4/5 it’s not a max score, we believe that it’s quite impressive considering the airflow-first toebox design.

Unfortunately, the heel padding fell short compared to the toebox, which was surprising since we usually see the opposite in the lab. It scored a 2/5, which is far from ideal.

Now it's time to analyze the outsole, and we found it a bit disappointing. It combines blue durable XT-900 rubber (87.5 HC) in high-wear areas but leaves plenty of exposed—though slightly reinforced—foam, which sacrifices grip and longevity while helping to reduce weight.

On dry surfaces, the traction is solid, and it holds up decently on slightly wet ground. However, when conditions get tricky or if you're considering light off-road use, we don’t recommend it.

At least the XT-900 rubber proves highly wear-resistant, showing only 0.6 mm of damage after our Dremel test.

The outsole thickness stands above average at 3.4 mm, effectively easing concerns about early wear. However, if you tend to wear down areas not covered by the blue rubber, this added thickness won’t provide much benefit.

The Saucony Guide 18 provides all-around reflectivity, though the elements could be larger for better visibility.

It's a crucial upgrade for runners who head out at night, especially during winter.

The tongue features a strap that doubles as a loop to keep it centered and serves as a convenient pull tab. We also appreciated the simple yet effective eyelet chain, reinforced with multiple TPU pieces for added durability.

At 4.1 mm, the tongue isn't overly thick but finds a sweet spot between comfort and weight savings. In our experience, we never felt the need for extra padding, and any reduction in unnecessary bulk is always a welcome refinement!

We were pleased to find that the tongue is semi-gusseted—a sometimes-overlooked feature in mid-tier running shoes.

There's a finger-loop heel tab, though it doesn’t seem the most durable. To be safe, pull gently.

Removing the FormFit insole is effortless, and as mentioned in the "Drop" section, the "8 mm" marking is printed directly on it.