Shoe Review: Saucony Guide 16

Just like your best running friend, the Saucony Guide is there to support you through even the toughest of miles. Now in its 16th iteration, the Guide provides reliable stability and comfortable cushioning to guide your feet through smooth, fluid strides.

The Guide 16 is Saucony’s mid-level stability shoe, meaning it offers a moderate stack height and just enough medial stability to reduce the effects of overpronation, the excessive inward rolling of a runner’s foot.

The latest version of the Guide is remarkably similar to the Guide 15, which was a major update to the model. The Guide 15 featured more cushioning, less weight and new stability system to create a smoother ride, and the Guide 16 continues to trend in the same direction. Even better, the Guide 16 is part of the Saucony X Fleet Feet Finesse collection, meaning you can get exclusive, Fleet Feet-only colors of the Guide 16 online or at your local Fleet Feet.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Saucony Guide 16.

The Saucony Guide 16 features a thick stack of PWRRUN cushioning, Saucony’s signature EVA-based midsole foam, that provides a soft underfoot sensation. A carved-out footbed allows your foot to sit inside the cushioning rather than on top of it, creating a cozy, supportive sensation.

“The Guide 16 has a soft yet stable feel as I get moving in it,” Kate says. “I like that the forefoot is nice and flexible while the midfoot and heel are more rigid.”

Part of that rigidity can be attributed to Saucony’s HOLLOW-TECH stability device, which sits in the medial side of the shoe between your heel and midfoot. It’s made with a firm thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material that adds extra support if your foot rolls inward while you land, which is common in runners with low, flexible arches.

If you aren’t sure about your arch height, be sure to head into your local Fleet Feet for an expert one-on-one outfitting. Fleet Feet outfitters use 3D fit id® foot scanning technology to gather information about your feet and the support they need by taking precise measurements of your foot length, width and arch height.

As Kate mentioned, while the heel and midfoot feel rigid and firm, the forefoot is flexible thanks to flex grooves in the outsole that allow you to comfortably transition into the toe-off phase.

Reviewers noticed that the Guide 16 manages to do what every modern-day stability shoe strives for—provide a decent dose of stability that feels comfortable and natural on the run.

“The Saucony Guide 16 provides an extra bit of support without feeling harsh or restrictive,” Nate says. “I took these shoes for a six and a half-mile cruiser from home to work covering a mix of pavement, fireroad and sidewalk. I never wanted to take them off.”

Thanks to an outsole made with XT-900 carbon rubber, the Guide 16 offers enough traction and durability to last through a couple of training cycles. While the Guide 16 doesn’t have as much grip as a trail shoe, it can certainly hold its own on slick pavement.

“I took these out for a run to Chicago’s lakefront after it had snowed,” Max says. “Maybe I should have worn something with more traction, but what can I say? I was excited to try out some new shoes. With that being said, I didn’t fall or slip—I just shortened my stride accordingly.”

The Saucony Guide 16 is remarkably similar compared to the Guide 15, likely because the Guide 15 was a major overhaul to Saucony’s bestselling stability shoe.

Saucony updated the Guide 15 with a new PWRRUN cushioning formula, a more flexible forefoot, and Saucony’s new HOLLOW-TECH guidance system, all of which remain in the Guide 16.

“The Guide 16 is a tried and true trainer that has been around for 16 iterations, and it’s a fan favorite for a reason,” Kate says. “It’s durably and reliably built, and Saucony has done a great job of updating it with materials that offer a super smooth, comfortable ride and overall experience.”

We took a look at how the Saucony Guide 16 stacks up against other comparable shoes. Here’s what we found.

The Saucony Guide 16, ASICS GT-2000 11 and New Balance 860v13 are all moderately cushioned stability shoes that offer subtle support. While they all use different types of foam and different stabilizing technology, the shoes feel remarkably similar.

All three shoes offer dependable stability without feeling too stiff or cumbersome.

“Sometimes, I worry about an overall feeling of rigidity in stability shoes, but the Saucony Guide 16 proves me wrong,” Max says. “The PWRRUN foam felt soft underfoot where I needed it, and the HOLLOW-TECH Support medial stability gave me that firm supportive feeling directly under my arch to reduce overpronation.”

While the shoes are similar, there are some key differences to look out for. The Guide 16 offers a higher stack height than the other two shoes, making it a good choice if you’re a fiend for extra cushioning. The 860v13 offers a higher heel-to-toe drop than the other two shoes, making it perfect for runners who want to reduce pressure on their calves and achilles.

The Saucony Guide 16 is designed for runners craving extra support and stability because the HOLLOW-TECH design in the shoe’s midsole helps reduce the effects of overpronation.

The Saucony Guide 16 offers a mix of rigidity in the heel and midfoot with flexibility in the forefoot, resulting in stable landings and smooth toe-offs.

“The Guide 16 is an impressively soft daily trainer that balances cushion and support as perfectly as one could expect from a stability shoe,” Nate says.

The Guide 16 is designed with a triangular shape and a narrow heel counter, so it will fit best on runners whose feet taper inward at the heel. Be sure to head into your local Fleet Feet to find out the shape of your unique feet. Don't forget about the Fleet Feet-exclusive colorways of the Guide 16 and other Saucony shoes in the Saucony X Fleet Feet Finesse collection.