The Saucony Omni is celebrating a milestone this year with the release of the 20th edition of the storied trainer. In terms of running shoes today if you make it to a 20th edition you must be doing something right. It has undergone small changes to improve both the look and ride.
The Omni is the “middle child” of the Saucony stability lineup. Its older brother is the max cushioned Hurricane while its younger speedier sibling is the Guide. In terms of stability the Omni provides a moderate amount of stability and retails for 130 dollars. It competes with Brooks Adrenaline, ASICS GT-2000, and the New Balance 860.
Saucony Omni 20 First Impressions
The shoes were immediately bold and bright, as I unboxed them for the first time. The black and yellow popped out against the white upper. While white is not my ideal choice I can say they have strong visual appeal. My favorite part was the checkerboard pattern used for the inside. I wish they had more of it on the outside like some of the other offerings from Saucony this year. They offer 3 other colorways if white isn’t your first choice.
I have come to expect a balance of firm yet responsiveness in the fit. The Omni met that expectation upon slipping them on for the first time. They are built for instant comfort and ready for some miles.
I took them out on a 10k for their maiden voyage. They seemed a bit heavy and stiff for the first half. Once I settled in they provided a comfortable and smooth ride for the second half. I was intrigued to see what the rest of the miles would feel like.
Saucony Omni 20 Sole Unit
Let’s start from the ground up. XT-900 and Tri-Flex are the carbon rubbers used for the outsole of the Omni. They are durable materials built for miles, a hundred miles in with minimal wear. The outsole features more flex grooves than the previous edition. This made the midsole more flexible allowing for easier transition from heel/midfoot strikes to toe offs.
The outsole gives you both control and traction during any weather condition.
Last year the PWRRUN made its debut in the Omni 19 with impressive results. They continue the use of the balanced PWRRUN for the midsole. There was a bounce on impacts and lift offs. Saucony developed and claimed PWRRUN to be a lighter and lively material. The problem is the Omni weighs in at 11.7 oz, making it a heavy trainer. This weight was noticeable and detracted from some of the bounce of the Omni. The Omni has an 8 mm drop which has been the standard for Saucony offerings.
Saucony employs FORMFIT at the top of the midsole to add to the fit and feel of the trainer. FORMFIT is contoured layers of foam at the top of the midsole to cradle the foot. The FORMFIT is then aided by a plush EVERRUN topsole.
Over time and miles these two mold and adapt to your feet.
While both the Saucony Guide and Hurricane use a TPU guidance frame, a firm plastic piece placed on the medial side of your foot, the Omni uses a dual density medial post. This more traditional method effectively provides your feet with the stability you need because it engages when you need it to.
You aren’t aware of it as well because there isn’t a piece of plastic in the midsole.
Saucony Omni 20 Upper Unit
Last year they got rid of the ISOFIt upper and replaced it with a synthetic mesh. This year they replaced the synthetic with a newly engineered mesh. It is a double layer mesh with more give than the previous mesh.
It is flexible and breathable allowing your feet to stay cool. It provides structure with some give and here are no overlays which mean no points of irritation.
FORMFIT has replaced ISOFit in the upper of the Omni. This serves the same purpose of providing a personalized fit. I found it to be as effective as the ISOFit was.
Throughout the upper you will find a medium amount of cushioning. The tongue is gusseted, this attachment holds the tongue in place while on the move. This along with the simple lacing system locked down my midfoot and added to the stability of the Omni.
In the heel of the Omni you will find a traditional sturdy counter and collar. The medium amount of cushioning continues. I found the fit to be effective but on the looser side, it still held my foot in place but for some it may cause heel slippage. The heel collar also sits on the lower side,which may contribute to heel slippage for some.
Saucony Omni 20 Conclusion
I have fond memories of the Saucony Omni. I reviewed the ISOFit 1 and 2 (17th and 18th) editions. In fact, the ISOFit 2 carried me across the finish line of my third marathon. How did the 20th edition live up to those other experiences?
I enjoyed the ISOFit system of previous models and was disappointed they did away with it. I was pleasantly surprised and can say, the upper which includes FORMFIT, does a good job of adapting and providing a personalized fit for your feet. There is ample room for your feet to splay out as you run. One drawback of the upper is the heel fit and height. It is on the looser side of fit along with being a short heel collar height.
The midsole of the Saucony Omni has some strengths but also a couple drawbacks. Its dual density medial post provides the stability you need, when you need it. This along with a wider base made it a stable trainer. The PWRRUN is an improvement over their previous material, EVERRUN. It gives the Omni a bouncy ride with a hint of firmness to it. The drawback of the midsole is the weight.
The Saucony Omni excels at relaxed miles and long distances.
The Saucony Omni is a stable workhorse built for many miles.
Both the upper and midsole work together to provide a stable and comfortable ride. A ride that is both bouncy and responsive to your needs. Because of the weight of the Omni they are most suited for easy slow miles. The Omni ranks high on my list of stability trainers with only a couple small drawbacks preventing it from being on top.
If you need a mid cushioned stability trainer that is built for miles, I would suggest you look into the Saucony Omni 20.
As editorial policy, we do not accept free samples from companies.
We purchased this pair of Saucony Omni 20 at Running Warehouse with our own money.
Saucony Omni 20 Price Comparison
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