The Saucony Guide 8 has a wide toe box with lateral flare that increases ground contact and forefoot stability. A smaller plastic shank and dual density foam, create a firmer medial post that helps decrease pronation. Saucony cushioning is firmer than most due to the proprietary midsole compounds that reduce the overall weight of the shoe. This latest version of the Guide uses hot-melt construction in the upper. This change helped decrease friction throughout the toe box and cuts down on overall weight. Internally, the forefoot has a new seamless structure with breathable mesh.

Comfort

Although the Guide 8 has a wide toe box, in testing we still wanted more width. We hoped that the elimination of sewed supports in the forefoot would accommodate wider feet and bunions, but it did not. The heel collar’s foam is light and the heavily padded tongue eases the pressure of tightly cinched laces. Some testers felt the tongue movement was greater than average due to the new seamless interior.

Speed

In testing, this shoe did not feel fast.

Responsiveness

The cusioning on the Guide 8 is firm. The midfoot felt stiff (as expected) and contributed to smooth transitions, however we did not feel a lot of energy return.

Stability

The flared forefoot design is one of this shoe’s best features; its larger size offers a very stable platform.

Value

Minimal updates in the 8 create a shoe that feels very similar to the previous edition and remains the same retail price.