Saucony has been on a real heater this year, if we do say so ourselves. A variety of recent releases have landed well, and even newer entries—like the Azura—have been surprisingly strong.
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And now we get to the big one. The max-stack, max-cushion, chonky boi in the room: the Saucony Paramount Max.
Looks
I think the visuals of this shoe are going to be a little polarizing. Personally, I love it, but I absolutely think some people out there will take one look, say “nah,” and move on.
It’s sort of a retro-combo design. There’s nothing too out there in my opinion, but it definitely doesn’t look like your typical modern running shoe. Honestly, it reminds me of one of the first pairs I ever ran in about 15 years ago—a non-running Reebok that I quickly learned was not going to cut it if I wanted to keep running seriously.
Lucky for runners here, while it may look more trainer-focused, it absolutely holds up on the run.
Construction and Fit
Specs
- Weight: 10.6 oz (Men’s US 9)
- Stack Height: 43mm heel / 37mm forefoot
- Drop: 6mm
Upper
The upper is quite nice. It provides a solid hold and definitely veers into comfort territory — much like the rest of this shoe. Nothing is ridiculously overpadded, but the lockdown is excellent, especially with the gusseted tongue (which is slightly more padded) helping keep everything in place.
That’s a real boon for this shoe because the entire ride feels like a soft comfort cruiser, although there are some tradeoffs. The upper is perforated and probably perfectly breathable for most Oregon running days. But on warmer (or dare I say hot) summer runs, I don’t think it’s the most breathable option out there. It could also probably be thinned out a bit to shave some weight.
Midsole
Honestly, it feels like we shouldn’t spend too much time talking about the other parts of the shoe because the IncrediRUN midsole is really what this shoe is all about.
That midsole construction is the same type of foam used in their more speed-focused racing shoes, which I have been a huge fan of — especially the Endorphin Elite 3. The Endorphin Elite 3 is incredibly bouncy and fast (probably the bounciest shoe I’ve run in AND genuinely loved to date). The Paramount Max is bouncy as well — like, seriously trampoline-level bouncy.
And here’s the wild part: this is actually a toned-down, firmer version of that foam. If that’s the case, I can only imagine the original samples launched testers into the stratosphere.
If you like that sort of ride, you are going to love this shoe. For runners like me — with a little extra heft — this type of cushioning is really enjoyable. It absorbs the impact of landing and then springs you back up, and when you combine that with the wide base, it doesn’t feel like you’re balancing on a towering stack of foam.
It’s definitely not the lightest option available, which probably shouldn’t come as a surprise considering the visual and mechanical construction of the shoe. I’d probably prefer they trim some components from the upper and outsole to bring the weight down because I did notice the heft.
That’s not a “never run in them” kind of heavy, but it is noticeable. Not everyone will feel that way, but it stood out to me. Of course, that extra weight is part of the tradeoff for an upper that holds the foot securely and an outsole with plenty of coverage.
Outsole
Speaking of outsole, there’s not a ton to cover here — even though there is a lot of coverage on the outsole.
The rubber placment is substantial, which should helps durability, stability, and traction. Could they have saved some weight by trimming it back? Probably. But for a shoe this tall, this bouncy, and this focused on energy return, I understand the decision to err on the side of more coverage and grip.
Conclusion
The Paramount Max is a tough shoe to describe because it feels unlike most max-stack shoes I’ve run in.
Despite their massive stack heights, many shoes in this category tend to run firmer — either because of firmer foam or the addition of a plate for stability. The Paramount Max doesn’t apologize for what it is. It leans fully into trampoline-like bounciness, and that creates a ride that is genuinely unique.
It’s the kind of shoe where you may need to experience it yourself to fully understand the feel. If you enjoy a plush, energetic, highly cushioned ride that makes every step feel a little more fun, the Paramount Max is absolutely worth a look.
