THE SPECS
Support: Neutral
Weight: 9.6 oz / 272 g (men), 8.6 oz / 245 g (women)
Stack Height: 35mm in the heel / 29mm in the forefoot
Midsole Drop: 6 mm
Cushion Level: High
KEY FEATURES
- Center Path Technology
- PWRRUN midsole
- XT-900 outsole
- PWRRUN PB insole
ON THE RUN
Joe: Runs in the Guide 18 were solid - nothing flashy, nothing concerning; solid every day trainer with functional stability. Though Saucony says the only changes were in the upper (which were great), it felt different underfoot for me (in a good way) than the v17; less clunky in the heel to toe transition when walking in it/wearing it for work. I was impressed.
Shannon: Not as much of a change from the Guide 17 to the 18 as the 16 to the 17 was but still a positive improvement overall. The major change that I noticed was the snug feeling around the midfoot and a slight adjustment of the arch. With that being said my runs have not changed drastically with this shoe. I still do not feel a large amount of energy return from this shoe when running, but I feel stable, comfortable and my feet do not feel too fatigued after running some longer miles.
THE FIT
Joe: Similarly to the v17, the toe box is spacious and allots for feet of all shapes and sizes. Love, love, love the updates to the upper. It's accommodating, pliable, but secure all at the same time. The lockdown is great when lacing up the Guide 18. I know I'm secure when heading out for a run.
Shannon: If you had a successful fit with the Guide 17 then you're in luck with the Guide 18. It holds onto your foot just like a mama kangaroo holds onto her baby. The midfoot snugs you in a bit more that the previous version, and you get the feeling of an added layer of warmth, protection, and comfort. Knowing that this shoe hasn't had a major update— mainly just the upper— I was curious how my foot would feel. I was worried it could feel suffocated and just too much, but the fit is true to size and like a nice warm hug to my foot. The toe box stays just as roomy as the previous, and I haven't noticed that the tongue of the shoe runs short like the last one felt.
THE FEEL
Joe: A fresh take on stability: The Guide 18 features Center Path technology for enhanced functional support. While the PWRRUN midsole feels slightly firmer than my preference—I typically favor the more responsive PWRRUN+—it still delivers reliable comfort. Though it lacks the springy, energy-efficient feel I prefer, this shoe has become my comfort choice for long days on my feet at work.
Shannon: The first time that I slipped this shoe on to wear, I was working an 8 hour shift, standing the whole time, a great test to see how my feet would feel after wearing them for so long. The arch seems just a smidge higher than the 17 so for the first time wearing I had a little bit of an achy arch but not something I would dock points from. As someone who has transitioned to really loving a very cushioned shoe, I don't seem to notice the bulky feeling like I did with the 17. I enjoy the feel, the cushion, the stability, and the fit of this shoe. A gold star sticker!
THE NITTY GRITTY
Joe: This shoe is great for daily runs and recovery runs, providing reliable support and comfort. I wouldn’t choose it as a race shoe, but if you need the functional stability of Center Path technology, it’s a solid option.
Competition: Asics Gel Kayano, Hoka Arahi, and Asics GT-2000
Shannon: Grab this shoe whenever and wherever you are going! It's all around really great and I enjoy wearing it all day at work, when I am running errands, at school, and of course going on runs. The cushion, support, and fit are all spot on for my foot so if you are looking for a shoe that has those three things look no further!
THE RUNDOWN
Joe: I still believe that something changed in the midsole shape from the Guide 17 to the Guide 18, as the stride transition now feels noticeably smoother and less clunky. The functional and stylistic updates to the upper are a great improvement, making it a solid choice for anyone who needs a bit of extra support in a daily trainer. If I could tweak one thing, I’d add a bit of PWRRUN+ to the midsole to strike a balance between the Ride and Hurricane models.
Shannon: These shoes are the go to if you want a supported, comfy, and trustworthy run! They will take you anywhere you need to go. On a long run? Check. Cute enough to wear to a coffee shop? Heck yeah! Wear them to work to stay comfy? Yes you can! This shoe does it all and looks good while doing it!
MEET JOE
Joe has been running consistently for two decades. In that time he's run everything from a coach's 4X100 relay to completing 3.75 marathons to stroller runs with his kids. During the spring of 2020 he ran every street in his town in a week. Today he enjoys runs with his wife, watching others smash their PRs, and finding creative ways to give back to the community through running.
All time favorite shoe: Altra FWD Via
MEET SHANNON
Shannon is always looking for her next adventure. Between teaching yoga, coaching lacrosse, and training for a trail race she is always zooming around waiting for the next thing to say yes to.
All time favorite shoe: Hoka Clifton 9