What’s new
- Center Path technology
- Dual-density PWRRUN frame
- Plush bed of all-new incrediLUX FOAM
ON THE RUN
Meg: The Saucony Hurricane 26 lived up to its name... in the best way possible of course! This storm rolled in with plush IncrediLUX cushioning, a high-stack design, and smooth stability that kept every stride on course. The ride was cloud-soft yet surprisingly energetic, turning long runs into a tailwind-assisted cruise. Mile after mile, the Hurricane 26 delivered a perfect climate of comfort, support, and confidence. The forecast? A 100% chance of wanting to lace these up again tomorrow!
Blake: Running in the Hurricane 26 has been one of the most comfortable experiences I have ever had in a running shoe. Putting this on, I honestly had one of the seamless runs where the only thing I had to focus on was how fast I was actually going in the shoe. I found I had the perfect amount of pep underfoot, control underfoot, and smoothness from one step to another. As soon as I lifted off for my first run, I went, yep, this is exactly what I want. I'm assuming the reason I feel so comfortable has to come down to the addition of the IncrediLUX top layer that is primarily underneath the forefoot. There is enough added underfoot where the toe and heel do feel significantly the same. There is just that right amount under the toe where you start to feel the shoe pop, but in every other aspect of the run. You have that right amount of control as the foot shifts over to either side with the firmer PWRRUN base that encapsulates the IncrediLUX. One of the biggest improvements I felt underfoot was the inability to supinate in this new version. Honestly, the improvement has brought a new level of confidence I haven't felt in a Hurricane before. I feel like this is one of those shoes you just need to put underfoot to feel how amazing it performs.
THE FIT
Meg: The fit on the Saucony Hurricane 26 is honestly just really easy to get along with. The shape feels natural. Nothing overbuilt or awkward. Just a smooth, stable platform that rolls along from heel to toe without overthinking it. I went true to size and it fits exactly how I’d want a daily trainer to fit. No surprises, no break-in drama (no one likes drama) just lace up and go. The toe box is a big win for me too. There’s definitely enough room up front for my toes to spread out and relax instead of feeling like they’re packed in during a storm warning. The tongue is simple in the best way. Nicely padded, stays put, doesn’t bunch or slide around. It kind of just disappears once you’re moving, which is exactly what you want when you’re trying to get miles in, not adjust your shoe every few minutes. Heel cup is secure but not overbearing. It keeps everything locked in without feeling like it’s squeezing your heel in place. No rubbing, no hotspots. Just steady support. The upper is a soft engineered mesh with a slightly structured feel, so it breathes well up front but still holds things together through the midfoot. It’s paired with a gusseted tongue and a padded heel collar, which helps everything feel snug and controlled without ever feeling stiff. It’s like the shoe brings structure to the storm, but lets your foot move freely inside it. Overall, the fit just works. Everything feels calm and dialed, like the Hurricane 26 showed up, cleared the skies, and decided your run was going to be smooth sailing.
Blake: I have actually found the new tongue to be slightly more padded on top of the foot than the previous one. Meaning I didn't have the chance to cut off my own foot circulation when I am in a rush, putting them on. Often, I found that the previous model's tongue had that problem because it was so thin. The toebox is perfect on the new Kayano 33. The upper flexes more than in previous updates, and I no longer notice my pinky toe pressing against the side of the shoe. Length is on spot as well. The shoe runs true to size, with that extra space I have found. No longer will I automatically recommend wides to people with a medium width who are hesitant. I would like to add that the heel cup is a bit looser than in the previous model. Nothing that a heel lock wouldn't be able to solve. Something I wouldn’t find myself having to adjust the size of, but this model doesn’t have the same hold on the foot as the past 3 models I have tried on. The biggest complaint I have is a slight lump under my big toe when walking. I felt like it was not as prevalent while running, but when standing around, it is almost like there is a small plastic lump under my toe where every other part of the foot is as soft as possible.
THE FEEL
Meg: The IncrediLUX foam in the Hurricane 26 is kind of like running on a well trained cloud that actually knows what it’s doing. It’s soft upon striking, but it doesn’t collapse or turn mushy on you. It bounces back with just enough energy to keep things moving forward without feeling like you’re working for it. There’s a nice balance here that surprised me. Some max cushion foams feel like you’re sinking into a pillow and hoping for the best, but this one stays composed. It absorbs impact like a sponge that immediately forgets it was ever stressed, then smoothly returns you to the road without any drama. All the energy of the perfect storm, but you won't have to board up the windows. The ride feels steady and calm, almost like the foam is quietly conducting the run behind the scenes. No big personality swings, no weird softness spikes, just consistent comfort mile after mile. It’s the kind of cushioning that makes you realize halfway through the run that you haven’t been thinking about your feet at all… which is usually a good sign. If I had to sum it up, IncrediLUX feels like the difference between floating through a storm and actually being carried by it, in the best way possible.
Blake: The cushion underfoot feels amazing. Soft but springy and not nearly as heavy as the previous model of Kayano’s. It’s incredibly stable for how much foam you find underfoot. Without sacrificing a seamless feel, which most stability shoes sacrifice. I found this model blows away almost all other stability shoes for a soft, stable ride underfoot. This has to come down to the blend of Fluidsupport and the new integration of FFBlastMAX. Making the midsole just as peppy as a GT-2000 but with so much more control. You sure can make me happy by putting those two things together. The base is just as wide as previous Kayano models, and I find it just as stable. Definitely leaning towards the corrective side, where, I would say, the previous versions are slightly less controlled. When you put together a lighter weight feel with slightly more stability. Everything is ticked off my Kayano wishlist. Landing this as one of the most balanced and comfortable shoes ASICS has offered.
THE NITTY GRITTY
Meg: The IncrediLUX foam in the Hurricane 26 feels like running on a marshmallow that has its life together. It's soft and plush when you land, but instead of turning mushy, it keeps things smooth, stable, and rolling forward with very little effort. This is the shoe I'd grab for easy runs, long runs, recovery days, or honestly any day I just want to enjoy the miles. It's not trying to be a speed shoe, but more of a comfort cruiser that thrives when you settle into a nice rhythm. Despite all the cushioning, it never feels clunky. The ride is surprisingly smooth and well-balanced, and the foam does a great job taking the edge off without feeling disconnected from the road. It's also an easy recommendation for walking or anyone on their feet all day. Think nurses, teachers, retail workers, or anyone who wants their feet to feel a little less grumpy by the end of the day. Overall, the Hurricane 26 feels like a marshmallow with a purpose: soft, supportive, and always happy to go the distance.
Blake: This is a fantastic, cushiony daily trainer for a long-run shoe. The updates to having FFBlastMAX create a springy ride I have never felt in the Kayano before. Making me want to take it out for longer miles than before. But strangely, there is a consistency that would still draw me to taking this out for the same distance I would normally pick a GT-2000 for. While the 2000 is more nimble. I personally feel more stable in this model, which makes me want to pull it out more often for myself. Without sacrificing weight and lightness underfoot, there is that pep I look for when pulling out the GT-2000 from my closet. I could utilize this for a recovery run, but I found the shoe was so much fun to run in. It never even crossed my mind, even though this would technically be perfect for a run like that. I get the same amount of nimbleness I am looking for in that 3-10-mile range, where I know I can go beyond those distances. Previously, I never really took the Kayano for anything below 4-5 miles. Now I've been consistently running around 3 miles in the shoe, yet I still don't feel like I have a high-cushion shoe underfoot. When I go past that double-digit distance, I have even found the shoe responds in almost the exact same way. Making it versatile and fun to run in! Compared to other stability shoes in the same category, there would be something significant I would have to note. This is the most control you can have in a stability shoe without something pushing into your arch to control your foot. Options like the Glycerin GTS 23, Hurricane 26, Vigorev5, and 860v15 offer the same level of control underfoot as the Kayano. Each of those options pushes into the foot to control your ride. While also being a bit firmer overall. This is the most control you can get underfoot without feeling intrusive, and that's why it currently stands above the rest.
THE RUNDOWN
Meg: After skipping the Hurricane 25, I'm really glad I gave the Hurricane 26 a chance. The fit feels more accommodating, the ride feels lighter and smoother, and the updated upper and IncrediLUX foam make the whole experience more comfortable from start to finish. Saucony kept everything I liked about the Hurricane, stability, cushioning, and protection, while refining the areas that held previous versions back. Instead of weathering the storm, it feels like Saucony learned how to harness it. The Hurricane 26 rolls in with all the comfort and stability you'd expect, but leaves behind the rough edges for a much smoother forecast.
Blake: This update to the Kayano is refreshing and fun. Everything I wanted from wearing the previous shoe has been expanded upon! Every aspect of the shoe has been improved underfoot, and I honestly couldn't say there were many gripes I had with it. The tongue, the foam, the stability, the weight, and even the look of the shoe itself got better! Now, there are some things I did have issues with that I have to mention before I leave you on this review. The only two gripes I had with this shoe, I hope, are manufacturing defects in both cases. As I mentioned before, it felt like there was a prominent lump under the big toe. Then the other gripe I would have is their squeak. These shoes have squeaked since day one, and running all around, sadly, has not fixed the problem. While I did have that problem at the start of my Kayano 32s, it did not persist as long as with this pair. Other than that. Everything about the shoe feels seamless. The only thing is that I wish it were squeakless. 9/10!
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