Editor rating:
10/10 on
TJ JONES
User's rating:

PROS

  • Incredibly Smooth and Natural Ride
  • ISOFIT upper
  • EVERUN topsple

CONS

  • Lack of Breathability

OUR VERDICT

The Saucony Guide Iso 2 is an exceptional mid cushioned stability daily trainer, fit for any type of run.
SHOE INFO
Brand
Guide ISO 2
Model
Type
10.30 oz. (292 gr.)
Weight
120 US$
MSRP
8 mm
Heel Drop
Family
Previous model
WHO IS IT FOR
I recommend the Saucony Guide Iso 2 to those looking for a mid stability trainer for either a half or full marathon.

The Saucony Guide is the mid tier stability offering from Saucony. The Guide Iso 2 are the 2nd edition with ISOFIT and 12th edition overall.

Saucony offers four options in their stability line: Liberty, Guide, Omni and Hurricane. Each one provides a different amount of cushioning and stability. The guides have more cushioning than the Liberty but less than the Omnis.

The guides retail for $120 which puts them in competition with Asics GT-2000, Nike Zoom Structures and the Brooks Ravennas. ON Cloudflyers and Brooks Ravennas provide comparable stability. They all provide a medium amount of stability and cushioning.

I enjoyed the colorway and design of the shoe as soon as I opened the box. The grey front and black mix well. The accent of bright red from the logo is captivating.

Saucony Guide ISO 2 - Top

Saucony Guide ISO 2 – Top

The asymmetrical design of the inner and outer sides of the upper follows a common Saucony pattern. This adds another layer of appeal to the shoes.

I have happy memories of the comfort technology in the Guides. This model did not disappoint.. It hugged the contours of my feet without being overbearing.

The sole felt firm but flexible which is what I have come to expect from a Saucony shoe. My first run out of the box was a relaxed 3 and a half miles. It was a natural, light ride from start to finish.

Saucony Guide ISO 2 Sole Unit

Saucony Guide ISO 2 - Sole

Saucony Guide ISO 2 – Sole

Saucony is a brand known for their Everrun topsoles and ISOFit upper technology. Saucony implements small, positive changes in this tech in the Guide Iso 2.

The sole unit is comprised of the PWRFOAM midsole and 3 mm EVERUN topsole. The combination of these two works extremely well together. The PWRFOAM midsole makes for a firm yet responsive ride.

The EVERUN topsole absorbs the impact of foot strike then gives you the energy back as your foot transitions from heel or midfoot strike to lift off from the balls of your feet.

The EVERUN topsole gives you that springness on liftoff throughout your whole run. As I ran more in the Guides I found that the EVERUN topsole molded and adapted to my foot the more that I ran, making it more comfortable over time.

The medial posts in the Guides are not as substantial as the ones found in the Omnis and Hurricanes. It is located in between the arch and the heel of your foot.

It truly does what the name of shoe says: guides your foot. It gives just enough support to level out your foot and ankle for a nice, stable run.

They changed the shape of the sole unit slightly by making the toe box slightly wider and the heel narrower. This provided two benefits. The narrower heel locked my foot in place, providing greater stability.

The wider toe box allowed for my forefoot to spread out while landing, giving more area from which to push off. These, combined with the EVERUN topsole, add great bounce to your stride.

The bottom of the Guide Iso 2 has Saucony’s common triflex design. They use a denser rubber in the high wear areas: the front on the medial side, and the heel of the shoe.

I found the triflex handled all weather conditions I ran in, from dry to snow and ice. It also provide the shoe with the right amount of flexibility.

Saucony Guide ISO 2 Upper Info

Saucony Guide ISO 2 - Pair

Saucony Guide ISO 2 – Pair

A couple of changes were made to the upper from the first Guide Iso. A new material called Jacquard mesh is now used for the forefoot. I have had issues with previous material where holes would open up in the forefoot.

This material feels much stronger and more breathable than previous editions. There are no overlays in the forefoot, which means no areas of irritation because of rubbing.

The heel portion of the upper was also changed. The outer heel material wraps all the way around to the medial post on the internal part of the shoe. This was to provide more structure and support in the heel.

The heel counter did a phenomenal job of locking my heel in place during runs with the right amount of cushioning around the heel collar.

Saucony Guide ISO 2 - Heel

Saucony Guide ISO 2 – Heel

This is my second experience with Saucony’s ISOFit technology. I reviewed the Omni Iso this past summer.

The ISOFit design is comprised of a glove like sleeve for your foot to slide into along with segmented overlays which allow you to adjust the fit of the shoe. I found these two components work together to give me the ideal fit.

ISOFit is truly one the biggest strengths of the guides. These shoes adapted to me as I adapted to them. They cradled my feet, providing comfortable runs of any distance. The only drawback to the upper I found was it lacked breathability.

Saucony Guide ISO 2 Conclusions

This is my fourth pair of Saucony Guides I have run in. Guides were on my feet during my two marathons and countless half marathons.

They provide the right amount of stability in a smaller package than most stability shoes out there. It’s fair to say I have a soft spot for them.

Sometimes when you fall in love with a shoe you get disappointed with the next edition because of all the major ‘upgrades’. However, this is not the case with Saucony.

They develop game changing technologies like the EVERUN topsole and ISOFit designed upper, then make only small changes over time to improve them.

The combination of the EVERUN topsole and ISOFit are a perfect match. They deliver on every run, no matter the distance or pace.

I reviewed the Saucony Omni this past summer and said it makes running feel natural. The same could be said about the Guide Iso 2, with the added benefit of stability in a smaller package.

I felt more comfortable at faster paces and delivered faster splits running in these.

The ISOFit molded and adapted to my feet very quickly. It hugged my feet in the right areas and was incredibly responsive.

This combined with the energy absorption and return felt from the EVERUN topsole made for a great run every time I laced up. Once they were broken, in they felt like extensions of my feet.

A mark of a great shoe is its ability to withstand marathon training. I have no doubt the Guide Iso 2 would not only withstand the punishment, but excel.

If you are looking for a mid stability trainer to take you on your training journey for that next big race, I suggest the Guide Iso 2. They would make the trip enjoyable, from your first step to when you cross the finish line.

We purchased a pair of Saucony Guide ISO 2 from runningwarehouse using our own money. This did not influence the outcome of this review, written after running more than 50 miles in them.

Saucony Guide ISO 2 Price Comparison

Sorry - Product not found. Please try RunningWarehouse.Com to check in their assortment.
This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Similar shoes to Saucony Guide ISO 2

Saucony Guide 16 Review

The Saucony Guide 16 is truly an everyday stability trainer. This edition ... (Read expert review)

Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 Review

The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 is a flexible, plated trainer which is best ... (Read expert review)

ASICS Gel Kayano 30 Review

The ASICS Kayano 30 is a top-tier stability trainer. Drawing inspiration from ... (Read expert review)

Saucony Triumph 21 Review

The Saucony Triumph 21 is a daily trainer that can log all the miles you want ... (Read expert review)

Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 Review

The Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 is a good racer which is best suited to marathon ... (Read expert review)

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 Review

The Adrenaline 23 is a reliable stability trainer. Brooks continues to take ... (Read expert review)