Saucony Guide 17 review

10 expert score
9 user's score
As editorial policy, we do not accept free samples. We purchased this pair at Running Warehouse with our own money.
Review written on 04th April by Olivia Yoder Ultrarunner, personal trainer and soccer coach.
44 other reviews

Saucony Guide 17 Verdict

The Saucony Guide 17’s are a pillowy soft max cushioned supportive shoe. It's a very stable shoe that can be used for an everyday trainer. I personally don't care for the color combinations or how they look but thoroughly enjoy how they feel on.

The pros

  • Breathable and lightweight
  • Center Path Technology helps guide you forward
  • High stack height helps to absorb impact

The cons

  • The colors and look are not trendy but don't affect the way it runs

Where to buy

Best offers today in United States, all prices in USD

Rating breakdown

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

Facts / Specs

Brand
Model
Guide 17
Family
Previous model
Type
Weight
9.4 oz (266 g)
MSRP
$140.00

Heel
35 mm.
Toe
29 mm.
Heel drop
6 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/plush
Amount of cushioning
Highly cushioned
Stability
Very stable
Flexibility
Medium

Usage

Racing
Speedwork
Daily training  
Long distance racing
Ultra distance racing

Who should buy the Saucony Guide 17 ?

This shoe is for the runner who is looking for a smooth and gentle ride. It’s great for long distances.

Who should not buy the Saucony Guide 17 ?

This shoe is not for the runner who likes to be connected with the ground. It has a dense built-up midsole that doesn’t make it a top pick for a shoe I would race or PR in.

Saucony Guide 17 Introduction

Picture of Saucony Guide 17

The Saucony Guide 17 is a max-cushioned everyday supportive trainer. It’s been fully redesigned internally and externally.

It offers a plush interior, making it a great choice for workout sessions and daily wear. Saucony has created a shoe that is perfect for long steady runs and leisurely walks.

You’ll notice how stable they feel and that is thanks to the broader base and their signature Center Path technology.

Some other highlights of the Guide 17 would be the PWRRUN+ sock liner coupled with the PWRRUN midsole gives you that cushy feel when you step into them.

They weigh in at Men: 9.4oz (289g) and 
Women: 8.1oz (232g). Visually they look bulky but are quite lightweight. The Guides are known for their stability and it’s obvious that this shoe was built for that. The 6mm offset helps to aid in this feeling, and it’s reduced from 8 mm in Guide 16.

Just like most daily trainers that are out on the market, you’ll pay around $140. This is a reasonable price when comparing them to other brands. With all the technology and updates, I think they are worth that much.

My absolute favorite running shoe would be the Saucony Triumph 21 and the Guides are very similar. Both are max-cushioned daily trainers but obviously the Guide 17’s are more stable.

Other shoes that offer similar technology would be the HOKA Arahi 7 which uses J-frame technology and sidewalls and the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23. Brooks has the GuideRails technology that helps to keep extra movement at bay.

Saucony Guide 17 First Impressions

Picture of Saucony Guide 17

When I first opened the box I was surprised by how wide the midsole looked but was excited to try them on.

I laced them up and immediately felt how my feet melted into them. Lately, I’ve been wearing firmer shoes to run in so it was a nice change.

I have been training for an ultra so my miles have been a lot longer and slower. I loved wearing these for those long slow runs. There was no break-in period needed and they fit true to size. I also saw that they come in a wide for those who might need them.

My first run in them was an 8-mile run in the pouring down rain. It was also a tad chilly that day. I had no issues with their comfort at all.

If anything, the upper is very spacious and I would want them to feel a little more snug around my midfoot. To solve this problem, I just grab thicker socks. Perfect fit then.

My run was on the road with no set intentions. I just tried to enjoy my run the best I could with the weather conditions I was dealt.

Wearing these extra cushiony shoes made the run more enjoyable. Because of the way the midsole is made, I was able to just run and not have to worry about how my foot would strike the ground.

Saucony makes it so there is no thinking involved just the pure enjoyment of running.

Saucony Guide 17 Upper

Picture of Saucony Guide 17

The updated upper is made out of a breathable mesh material. It has just enough stretchiness to make you comfortable but not enough to not give you that nice snug fit.

The 17s feature articulated sidewalls that securely wrap your feet to keep them in place. This new upper is lightweight as well as highly breathable which is a fantastic combo.

I ran in them on cold rainy days and warm sunny days. They were warm in the cold and kept me cool on hot days. When they did get wet, I found that they did absorb water but dried quickly.

Picture of Saucony Guide 17

The Guide 17 has a good amount of material that is used around the heel collar, which gives it a plush fit around the ankle. There’s a built-up heel counter that is semi-firm and gives you a locked-in fit. I experienced no slipping.

Moving on to the tongue, it’s gusseted and padded. It offers a comfortable feel as you lace them up.

Saucony Guide 17 Sole Unit

Picture of Saucony Guide 17

In my opinion, the sole is where this shoe shines. Saucony has been making magic and moving towards a new direction in the stability area. This new direction takes the traditional methods and upgrades them to help guide your foot forward but also supports you in the process.

A huge debut is Sauconys Center Path Technology. You’ll notice how it helps to guide you down a central path through their individualised gait style.

You’ll notice 3 main features with the new technology: higher side walls, a broader base, and an asymmetrical profile.

Another feature of the midsole is the rocker-shaped geometry. This design helps you to propel forward with less energy.

Picture of Saucony Guide 17

Even though the Guide 17 has gotten a facelift, you’ll still find some familiarity with their PWRRUN cushioning. It’s an EVA foam that has been a staple of past Guide models. It’s an EVA foam that’s been used for generations but upgrades have been made over the years.

There is a noticeable difference between this year’s PWRRUN with the increased amount that you’ll notice in the underfoot. It’s an additional 2mm of cushioning, compared to last year’s version. Having this added cushioning in your forefoot helps to absorb impact.

Talking about durability, I have run well over 100 miles in them over the past few weeks and there is only slight wear on the sole.

Everything else about the shoe looks brand new. I tested them out on various surfaces and weather conditions and found that they had good traction.

I had no issues with slipping.

Saucony Guide 17 Conclusions

I honestly don’t care for how they look, but I do love how they feel.

They are not shoes I would grab to run a PR, I tend to go for slightly firmer shoes but they are perfect for long-distance runs or walks.

Once again Saucony has won me over and made another shoe I keep grabbing to lace up.

It’s a superb stability shoe that provides you with a smooth like molasses ride.

How does the Guide 17 compare?

Saucony Omni 22
Saucony Guide 17
Hoka One One HOKA Gaviota 5
Expert score
8
10
9
User score
Best price
Retail price
US$139.95
US$139.95
US$174.95
Shoe type
Weight
10.1 oz
9.4 oz
10.9 oz
Heel Drop
8 mm
6 mm
6 mm
Recommended for
Daily training
Daily training
Daily training
Cushioning type
balanced/plush
balanced/plush
balanced/plush
Cushioning amount
Medium cushioning
Highly cushioned
Highly cushioned
Flexibility
medium
medium
medium
Stability
some stability
very stable
very stable
Sizing
true to size
true to size
true to size

Why you can trust us

As editorial policy, we do not accept free samples from companies.
We purchased this pair of Saucony at Running Warehouse  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:

$104

Saucony Guide 17 price comparison

Best offers today in United States, all prices in USD

Reviewed by Olivia

This review was written by Olivia Yoder on 04th April.
Lives in Marietta, Pennsylvania with her husband, two kids, and dog. Olivia is a personal trainer and soccer coach. She has been running for 10 years and competes in various distances. For the past few years she has been concentrating on the ultra distances. She never would have thought that one sport would change her whole outlook on life like running has.

User feedback (3)

  • avatar-comment-1042303
    Marya L.
    4 weeks ago
    9 score

    I have to say the Saucony Guide 17 excels in comfort for me. The PWRRUN cushioning feels soft but responsive, perfect for my longer runs. I did notice a bit of wear on the sole, which might affect its long-term durability, but overall it covers my needs for stability and light support. A very solid update!

  • avatar-comment-1040962
    Carlos Renzema
    2 months ago

    I was wondering if the Saucony Guide 17 has enough cushioning for longer runs, say over 10 miles, or would you recommend something else for better shock absorption compared to these?

  • avatar-comment-1040183
    John
    2 months ago

    Hi Olivia,
    Did you already pass 250 miles on the Guide 17 and how did the exposed midsole hold up?
    Do you really miss the outsole coverage or is it less important as the midsole is so thick nowadays that it does not matter that a first few mm of the midsole gets ruined.
    Thanks John

Lowest price:
$104

Where to buy

Best offers today in United States, all prices in USD

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