Saucony Cohesion 16 review

7 expert score
8 user's score
As editorial policy, we do not accept free samples. We purchased this pair at Zappos with our own money.
Review written on 07th November by Larry Lam Larry runs since high school any distance up to 50k.
11 other reviews

Saucony Cohesion 16 Verdict

The Saucony Cohesion 16 is a very basic, introductory level running shoe that seems to fit the budget-conscious runner who is looking for a very basic shoe. Beginner runners could use this as they are trying out this running thing while experienced runners could use this as an easy day, low mileage run (3-5 miles).

The pros

  • Great outsole grip
  • Durable
  • Inexpensive

The cons

  • Basic colorways
  • Not versatile enough for experienced runners

Where to buy

Best offers today in United States, all prices in USD

Rating breakdown

Comfort
7.0
Build quality
8.0
Upper
7.0
Sole unit
9.0
Landing
7.0
Transition
6.0
Toe-off
6.0
Traction
10
Durability
10
Value / Price
10

Facts / Specs

Brand
Model
Cohesion 16
Previous model
Weight
9.1 oz (258 g)
MSRP
$75.00

Heel
28.5 mm.
Toe
16.5 mm.
Heel drop
12 mm.
Carbon plate
No plate

Size/Fit

Sizing
True to size
Heel fit
Normal
Midfoot fit
Normal
Toebox fit
Normal

Cushioning & ride

Type of cushioning
Balanced
Amount of cushioning
Medium cushioning
Stability
Some stability
Flexibility
Medium

Usage

Racing
Speedwork
Daily training  
Long distance racing
Ultra distance racing

Who should buy the Saucony Cohesion 16 ?

Beginner runners could use this as they are trying out this running thing while experienced runners could use this as an easy day, low mileage run (3-5 miles). This could also be a consideration for the budget conscious runner looking for a shoe that doesn’t have any of the latest technology and can be used for running, the gym, and doing errands.

Who should not buy the Saucony Cohesion 16 ?

Any runner looking for a shoe that is cushioned, has a rocker element, or needs a shoe to go beyond 6 miles, this is not the shoe for you.

Saucony Cohesion 16 Introduction

Picture of Saucony Cohesion 16

The Saucony Cohesion 16 is a budget-friendly shoe that eschews all of the latest technology in the name of getting you a good price on a shoe.

While there isn’t a great deal of the newer technology that would help you feel more comfortable or help you run faster, this shoe is made of soft materials and is comfortable enough for simple runs.

It is versatile enough for a short (3-5 mile) run and then a gym session afterwards. It is seemingly built very well and could be durable enough to last for quite a while.

Saucony Cohesion 16 First Impressions

Picture of Saucony Cohesion 16

I honestly did not have high expectations for this shoe knowing its price range.

Taking it out of the box, though, I was pleasantly surprised by the feel and construction of the shoe. It has a padded tongue and an outsole full of thick rubber.

Putting it on was more impressive as it felt softer than it looked. Taking a few steps, though, and you realize that you’re not in a shoe with the latest technology.

My first few runs with this shoe were basic easy runs and there wasn’t much of a need for a break-in period. These shoes are great out of the box. They transition well from walk to run to easy strength training in the gym.

Saucony Cohesion 16 Upper

Picture of Saucony Cohesion 16

The upper is well designed and quite comfortable. The tongue is made of soft materials and feels snug on your foot.

The entire upper is made of mesh and it felt comfortable enough even during my hot afternoon runs.

Is it as breathable as the Saucony Ride 16? Not at all but my foot didn’t feel like it was overheating either.

The heel collar is also soft and snug against your foot. The laces were just fine and never came undone on me.

Saucony Cohesion 16 Sole Unit

Picture of Saucony Cohesion 16

The midsole is made of VERSARUN which is an EVA foam. In terms of current technology, this is fine for this price point but there are just better quality foams out there.

In terms of softness vs firmness, it is not very soft in the cushion department.

It runs a bit firm but not in the way that seems to help you run farther. Because of the lack of soft cushion, it doesn’t feel very comfortable past 5-6 miles.

In comparison to the Saucony Ride 16, this is not nearly as soft and the ride is not nearly as comfortable.
The outsole is comprised of thick rubber that looks like it will last a long time. In fact, after 50 miles, it barely looks like it was even worn.

Picture of Saucony Cohesion 16

The traction is good in most conditions even on wet roads. Testing this in the warmer months, I can’t say for sure how the traction will be on snowy, icy roads, but the indications of how well it did on wet, slick roads bodes well for other conditions.

The only complaint I have for the sole unit is the instability I felt when taking a sharp corner. The shoe never felt like it moved with me and I didn’t feel comfortable going around those bends quickly. It’s minor and it’s possible that most folks wouldn’t notice if you don’t have to take sharp corners.

Saucony Cohesion 16 Conclusions

Picture of Saucony Cohesion 16

Overall, this shoe was just fine. It does the job for a run that is less than 5-6 miles. Your foot stays comfortable, it grips the road well, and the ride is just fine.

If you’re looking for a softer ride, good bounce from the foam, or a lighter shoe, then look somewhere else.

If you just need an all-around shoe that performs well in shorter runs, walks around the neighborhood or doing errands, and a trip to the gym, then this shoe will do all of that.

This shoe is great value for the price point and I highly recommend it for the beginner or occasional runner who is not looking to spend a great deal on a running shoe.

How does the Cohesion 16 compare?

New Balance Fresh Foam Roav v2
Saucony Cohesion 16
Nike Renew Ride 3
Expert score
7
7
5
User score
Best price
Retail price
US$84.99
US$75
US$75
Weight
9.10 oz
9.1 oz
10 oz
Heel Drop
8 mm
12 mm
10 mm
Recommended for
Daily training
Daily training
Daily training
Cushioning type
balanced
balanced
balanced
Cushioning amount
Little cushioning
Medium cushioning
Medium cushioning
Flexibility
medium
medium
rigid
Stability
not particularly stable
some stability
very stable
Sizing
true to size
true to size
buy half size smaller

Why you can trust us

As editorial policy, we do not accept free samples from companies.
We purchased this pair of Saucony at Zappos  with our own money.

This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about our policy.
Lowest price:

$40

Saucony Cohesion 16 price comparison

Best offers today in United States, all prices in USD

Reviewed by Larry

This review was written by Larry Lam on 07th November.
Larry lives outside of Raleigh, NC with his wife, 3 kids, and his dog. He's been running since high school and loves pretty much any distance up to the 50k. Larry enjoys running for both fun and competition - in that order. Outside of running, Larry chauffeurs his kids around to their various exploits - soccer, swimming, track, dance, music, etc.

User feedback (1)

  • avatar-comment-1035724
    Jose
    3 weeks ago
    8 score

    Thanks for the review that was accurate to my experience. My two last running shoes were from the Cohesion series and I found the quality great for the price level as well as the durability which is really good. I’m going to take a chance with the Ride series for my next pair.

Lowest price:
$40

Where to buy

Best offers today in United States, all prices in USD

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