Saucony's Elite Race Day Shoe gets a big overhaul
At A Glance
Weight: US Mens 9/ 204g US Womens 7 184g
Stack Height / Drop: 39.5/31.5 8mm
Best Use: Road Racing, straight lines, fast running
Key Tech: IncrediRun Midsole, slotted carbon fibre plate, PwrTrac Outsole
Fit: Snug - I went up half a size
Midsole: Dual Layer IncrediRun Copolymer
Compare to: Hoka Cielo X1 3.0, Adidas Adios Adizero Pro 4
Price / Launch:
$440 NZD
(10.7.26)
First Look
Saucony's Elite Race Day Shoe gets a big overhaul — is it your next marathon race day shoe? The Elite 2, while very comfortable, lacked late race stability. Saucony have enhanced the midfoot net base, added rearfoot sidewalls and a kinder posterior bevel, trying to add guidance features to what is already the softest and one of the most responsive midsole materials out there.
The Fit
Saucony have gone with weight saving rather than a rigid heel counter. Given how soft the midsole is, an 8g plastic insert may have widened the end-user scope. However, the sock-like fit of the tongue is very comfortable, and I felt no rubbing or lace bite. If Achilles snugness in a race day shoe is an issue for you, this one might work well.
I found this one to fit snug, and ended up settling into a US 9 — in versions 1 and 2 I was an 8.5.
I found this one to fit snug, and ended up settling into a US 9 — in versions 1 and 2 I was an 8.5.
The Feel
I also appreciated the width of the midsole in the forefoot, plus its lateral flaring. My natural, very lateral forefoot landing at pace felt supported. The slightly more rigid upper compared to version 2 also holds the foot on the platform better, and the lockdown through the midfoot and forefoot helps you stay planted on that very soft midsole. The slight medial sidewall in the rear and midfoot touches my arch, but I didn't notice any friction. You do sit slightly down in it, so it offers some stability, but as I got tired and started landing further back, I didn't notice it as much.
Function
I think we can workshop the foam name (IncrediRun), but the foam itself is unique. The copolymer midsole material is flexible, light and has a high degree of energy return — it reacts quicker the harder and more force you apply to it. Couple that with the new plate design for added longitudinal stiffness, and you get a snappy, responsive ride. I did still find that while cornering and on slick surfaces I was a bit vulnerable — I don't think this one is for a corner-filled, tight inner-city course. It excels in a straight line, and when you find your rhythm and hit the sweet spot, it moves really well.
Summary
Overall, I think Saucony did listen to some of our concerns from version 2, and they've doubled down on IncrediRun. This shoe is for those with a good foot strike, little to no issues with medial movement, who land mid to forefoot and like a very soft racing shoe. It's very light and fits like a sock.