Shoe Review: Saucony Guide 7

Photo of my fab Guide 7's by Erin J. Bernard, wedding/photojournalist extraordinaire at http://erinjbernard.net/
The first impression of the Guide 7 was that it was an extremely firm, supportive, lightweight ride. The shoes weigh only 8.9 ounces and have a minimal 8 mm drop from the front of the shoe to the rear– a measurement that Saucony tests have found ideal for almost all runners. Saucony claims that the “lower offset of the Guide 7 activates and engages a runner’s inherent ability to cushion, stabilize and spring forward […] recruit[ing] the body as an ally rather than putting feet into lockdown.” Having read about the difference that this lower offset makes after actually running in them makes perfect sense– as I ran in them at my half marathon, my springy step was a notable difference from past runs without the Guide. Of course, I’m sure the minimal weight of the shoes no doubt contributed to the hop in my feet at the Hop Hop Half, as well. Less weight always means less work, whether it’s your shoes or your body. As for the fit on my foot– another critical issue– I’ve never even noticed the shoes on my feet, which is the best thing you can ever say for a running shoe. My foot feels hugged but not compressed, and in two months I haven’t experienced any hot spots or blisters anywhere in or around the shoe.
On a completely superficial note, I love obnoxiously bright colors for my running shoes (a friend always used to say: the uglier they are, the faster you look), so the seemingly Lisa Frank-inspired color scheme of my shoes is a huge plus. If you’re not game for ultra-bright, however, more conservative color combinations in the women’s shoe include silver/coral/purple, gray/blue/citron, and white/teal/citron.
Here’s the low down on the rest of the shoe’s technical features:
- Synthetic sole
- Flared forefoot design
- Redesigned medial sole unit
- HydraMAX moisture-wicking collar
- Powergrid foam cushioning (one of the features I love about all Saucony shoes)
- XT-900 carbon rubber outsole
- Strategic stability zones that provide support while maintaining cushioning and flexibility (i.e., a firm but not too-firm ride)
PRICE: $110.00– not too bad for a new, in-season shoe.
VERDICT: An old professor of mine used to say that only God is perfect, so no one gets 100%. Until they invent shoes that have winged assist on them to really lighten my ride, no one gets 5 stars out of 5; meanwhile, the Guide 7 gets a 4.5. I’ve racked up the miles in them and they’ve done me right. I’ll be racing in these bad boys at the Cinco de Mayo Half Marathon in Portland and the Hippie Chick Half in Hillsboro next month. Come say hello if you want to see them in action!
We are sole sisters!! I wear the same shoes right now too.
Love it! How did we not notice that at the Hop Hop Half? Guess we were focused on the rain.
I’m kind of the opposite from you, Anne. I find shoes that I like and then I buy a bunch of them when they near the end of the production line. I’m stocking up on Saucony Kinvara 4s right now. (Speaking of lightweight, they’re 7.7 oz!)
I just ordered the Guide 6. My favorite shoe model of the past six years has been redesigned too much and is hurting my feet….
That’s why I had to quit the Mizuno Wave Riders! They kept “improving” them until they didn’t fit my feet anymore.
Wave Riders had been my shoe of choice. I didn’t mind the latest model though.