Updated: January 13th, 2012

Saucony Powergrid Cortana Running Shoes Review

Saucony PowerGrid Cortana
	Full Name: Saucony Powergrid Cortana
	Category: Cushioning / Minimalist
	Weight: 10.7 oz. (300 gr.)
	Suggested Price: 145 $
	Recommended For: Neutral runners, mild overpronators, and minimalist runners looking for great cushioning in a high mileage shoe. Or, larger runners looking to transition into a more minimalist shoe.

Saucony continues its Powergrid line of impressive and minimalist shoes based on the very popular Kinvara model. The hallmark of this series is a minimalist heel-toe drop of 4mm, Powergrid and Powerfoam in the midsole for cushioning, and lightweight breathable uppers that hug the foot. The Powergrid Cortana is no exception to these rules and Saucony continues to hit the mark with an innovative design that combines plush cushioning and a modicum of support with lightweight, low profile minimalism. So, what does this all mean? It means that Saucony has introduced a shoe with incredible cushioning with the feel of the Kinvara model; low to the ground and fast.

Saucony Powergrid Cortana First Impressions:

The Cortana continues Saucony’s new design principles of utilizing less overlays, more open mesh, and less plastic on the upper of the shoe in general. Trying the shoe on for the first time I was pleased to feel the “Sauc-fit” design which solves the sloppy upper problem that some runners complained about with the original Kinvara. This shoe locks your foot down and runs true to size.

Saucony PowerGrid Cortana - Upper View

The Powerfoam is noticeable right away and is an incredibly soft and plush foam cushioning that initially had me worried about whether it is supportive enough for longer runs. The forefoot is roomy, another recent Saucony fit change over the last two years which most wearers are very pleased with and the heel cup and heel collar are supportive yet soft without any spots that could be abrasive.

Saucony Powergrid Cortana Upper Design:

Supportive, breathable, and functional. Simple descriptors to define an upper that feels light and airy yet supportive. Air mesh covers the toebox and sides of the shoe, and what initially appears to be a flimsy mesh really holds up to a beating. The open mesh is reinforced by underlays around the sockliner of the shoe made out of moisture wicking fabric. The heel collar is also constructed of wicking anti-microbial fabric and feels soft yet supportive. The heel cup offers some synthetic overlays around the heel which connect to a firm but flexible, highly reflective heel cup. This is the kind of upper construction that will accomodate many different types of feet without feeling restrictive for those runners with higher volume feet.

Saucony Powergrid Cortana Midsole Design:

Saucony uses several types of cushioning in their current running shoe line. My initial impression of the Powerfoam, a soft yet responsive EVA pioneered for the Cortana initially felt maybe a bit too cushy for a high mileage running shoe. I quickly realized my initial impression was wrong several miles into my first run in the Cortana. After 12 miles on asphalt I sensed the Powerfoam condense, especially at higher speeds, yet maintained its springy response. This feeling was confirmed on subsequent runs and after 90+ miles in this shoe it keeps feeling better and better. The early notions I had about the Cortana lacking support were also nullified as the shoe holds up well on long runs despite the forgiving cushioning.

Saucony PowerGrid Cortana - Medial View

Support in the midsole comes by way of a “Midfoot Support Bridge, a thermoplastic unit that extends from the heel through the midfoot for increased torsional rigidity”. Although the shoe is marketed to neutral runners it is adequate for mild or moderate overpronators, especially those who have a mid-foot or forefoot strike and may not need much in the way of motion control in the heel of the shoe. This plastic device is minimal enough that I did not notice it during my runs, yet I did notice that the shoe seemed supportive when my running form turned sloppy towards the end of a long run.

The Cortana has a 4mm heel-toe drop which is really the only feature of this shoe that puts it in line with the minimalist philosophy. What are the advantages of having such a low drop you might ask? Easier transition into racing shoes that have low drops, mid-foot or forefoot striking to reduce impact, and decreased calf and achilles pain if transitioned properly. But a word of caution, runners used to high heel-toe drops will want to transition slowly into this shoe to avoid sore calves and possibly injury.

Saucony Powergrid Cortana Outsole:

Saucony PowerGrid Cortana - Outsole

In the Powergrid series Saucony uses a mostly flat outsole made of tough carbon rubber that doesn’t contain a lot of grooves or cutouts where rocks and mud could get stuck. If you’ve seen the Kinvara or Mirage soles, the Cortana has the same outsole design. This large relatively flat outsole increases surface area contact and improves traction.

Saucony Powergrid Final Impression:

Saucony PowerGrid Cortana - Ride

Saucony has taken some solid principles from some of their most popular and minimalist shoes and put them together with the kind of plush cushioning and support you’d find in the Asics Nimbus, Nike Vomero, or Brooks Glycerin. All the bells and whistles without feeling like a maximum feature shoe as it weighs in at only 10.7-11.1 oz (depending on size and reference). The only catch with the Cortana is the price tag, which matches or exceeds that of other shoes in it’s class. However, the Powergrid Cortana may out perform them all in responsiveness and feeling race ready when it’s time for a tempo run or hard workout. I was pleasantly surprised by the Cortana during a short but fast track session and the faster I ran the more the cushioning seemed to firm up for me, providing me with just the right amount of responsiveness without feeling squishy. This aspect combined with the Sauc-fit mid-foot support which provides a really locked down feel make the Cortana a shoe that should be on the top of your list this fall.

Review by Tom Caughlan

Let us know what you think of this shoe in the comments!

We thank the great Christina at Saucony for sending us the Cortana for review. This didn’t influence the review of the shoe, written after running more than 90 miles in it.

Saucony Powergrid Cortana Price Comparison:

{"datafeed":{"items":[]}}

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases

0

Sally

I just tried this shoe and after a 1.5 mile warmup, shaved 3 min off my best 5k time! (To under 23 min) I literally could not manage to slow down, and I usually only run 5-6 miles. Absolutely no sense of the shoe other than the support below me, and no leg fatigue. I’m stunned and impressed- I am a Guide 3 and nimbus and mizuno wave inspire wearer, valuing cushioning and tending to want to run on my forefeet at intervals. This is my new favorite!

10 years ago Like Reply
0

Kim Morris

I love the Saucony. So comfortable and my feet feel great after 200 miles on them. I also seemed faster right out of the box and my trailing 3month pace has improved in a significant way. My only problem…heel wear, with a slight indication of supination…At 5’8″ and 140 lbs I am at the high end of the weight scale for a female runner. I don’t see weight rankings on the shoe..does one exist?

11 years ago Like Reply
0

Mark

I ran in the Kinvaras for about a year (everyday trainer & monthly half-marathons). I became greedy at the age of 55 with over-training on hills & developed plantar fasciitis that totally sidelined me for 4-months. Over the past 2 months, I have gradually made my way back up to 10K with the Cortana (& help from a chiro that specializes in runners). I miss the lightness & price of the Kinvara, but the supportive less flexible base (along with Footbalance insert) & added cushioning is worth it to stay injury free. I am perfectly lined up per video analysis. I feel nice energy rebound at 180 cadence — running on the street feels like my Kinvaras on a track! Great road feel & the 4mm differential is fab. My only complaint is that the tongue slides slightly to the outside.

12 years ago Like Reply
0

Steve

I have been running in the Kinvaras for over a year now and love them. My mileage has gone over 50 a week I get approx. 2 months out of a pair. My guy at the running store hooked me up with a pair of Cortanas. My first run felt a little to much cushion for about the first mile after that they felt great ended up doing 14 more miles that morning very satisfied it’s only been 2 weeks but all is fine I alternate with Kinvara and will run races in the Kinvaras.

12 years ago Like Reply
0

Megan

I bought these upon recommendation from a well known running specialty store. I usually train in the Asics Nimbus 13, but wanted a more minimalist shoe for my upcomming half-marathon. I absolutely loved the Cortana fit. However, after the second time I ran in them I developed the most intense pain in my calves (it felt like the bone was going to break) after the 2nd mile. I thought maybe I hadn’t stretched properly & developed shin splints or a stress fracture. I tried it again after I took a couple days & the pain had subsided. Same thing, except this time 1 mile in to my run. I love these shoes, but I’m thinking the minimalist shoe just isn’t for me.

12 years ago Like Reply
0

Ollie

I tried these shoes after years of the Asics Gel Kayano- which I liked but wanted something different and since my footfall was analyzed as “neutral” by two shops I went with these. Unfortunately, although I did like the fit, I have just experienced my first ever stress fracture – after over 30 years of running. Not sure if this is the reason for it, but I am spooked enough that the only time these will be on my feet is now, as the “other” shoe to balance the aircast I have to wear on the right foot for the next (at least) 4 weeks. It was an acute fracture of the third metatarsal.
Anyway cool shoe, but not the most support.
The pink shoe with the black corset area.

12 years ago Like Reply
- 0
  
  Adriana
  
  If your Sauconys were working well for you berfoe they got old, then your safest bet is to stick with them. Once a runner has found a shoe that’s a good fit, trying something new will always be a gamble, and you could end up stuck having spent a bunch of money on something that isn’t as good.If you weren’t happy with your Sauconys, then I’d recommend getting fitted by a pro at a running shop rather than relying on the suggestions of strangers on the internet they’ll have the knowledge experience to help you wade through the numerous choices out there for something that might work better for you. You could also do this if you just want to have a pro check and make sure that the Sauconys are still a good choice for you.Finally, it’s worth mentioning that two years is a LONG time to wear the same pair of running shoes. A quality pair is generally only safe to run in for 300-500 miles depending on the runner; after that the midsole wears out, even though the rest of the shoe may look fine, and continuing to run in a pair with shot midsoles can cause of leg foot injuries (like the ones you’ve mentioned). It’s best to track your mileage start paying close attention to your legs feet when you reach 300 miles, then toss them at the first sign of lingering discomfort. Ideally, this would help you figure out about where you tend to fall in the 300-500 mile range so that in the future you can switch to a new pair berfoe you start to feel discomfort, rather than relying on pain to tell you when it’s time (because, really, the pain means it’s too late). Best of luck!
  
  12 years ago Like Reply
0

Collegiate Athlete

I never really looked at Saucony as a running shoe, but the fact that it offers good midsole support might make me have to give it a try. Thanks for the review!

13 years ago Like Reply