Founded in 1898, Saucony manufactures running shoes for men, women and kids. It has a team loyal to athletics and running for fitness, with the aim of developing goodness in shoes that millions use worldwide.
The company empowers the spirit of runners with energized and comfortable runs, and strides in each community worldwide.
The objective of the company is to develop running shoes that promote good performance and health across communities.
This article compares Saucony Hurricane vs the Saucony Guide using products from each line.
Each product is first reviewed and then a comparison made to determine the differences between the two to help you make an informed buying decision.
The Saucony Hurricane ISO 4
The Hurricane ISO 4 features a softer, full-length EVERUN midsole than its predecessor, ISO 3. The midsole lacks internal arch support.
It cushions, offers softer support and better flexibility. The upper is secure and firmer to lock your foot down, but lacks stability on the sole.
The Hurricane has an 8mm drop, offering less stability than other running shoes. It gives a snug fit around your foot to hold it in place.
The upper feels pliable while the underfoot is softer than that of the ISO 3 shoes.
Designed for neutral runners in a transcend design, the shoes has light stability, better cushioning and higher weight for optimal performance.
Unlike its predecessor, the stability is lower due to added cushioning for a softer feel and comfort.
As a result, the shoes provide no “push back” against your foot movement. Earlier predecessors offered less support for runners.
The midfoot section has a medial post for firmer and enhanced support. However, it would better counter your foot pronation if the firmer midsole extended to the football.
The low internal arch support on the midsole isn’t stable enough to support your foot. However, it’s bouncy and gives smooth rides.
The running shoes lose traction on slippery or smooth running surfaces or terrains.
The flexibility of the Saucony Hurricane increases with the introduction of the new flex grooves. Based on the ISOFIT technology, the eyelets cover the upper in entirety, including the system for lacing.
The lacing system has three sections for a snug fit around your foot. The wide and well-supported tongue makes the upper more secure for fast runs.
- Full-length EVERUN midsole
- EVERUN topsole
- ISOFIT dynamic upper
- Engineered mesh
The mesh is stretchable and breathable to keep the toebox well ventilated and warm on the heel areas.
However, the outer heel counter is poor at foot motion control, trapping more heat within the shoes.
The Saucony Hurricane ISO 4 is properly cushioned, stable and offers enough support for moderate over pronators.
Just like the Guide ISO, the running shoes are ideal for moderate overpronators with the need for stable running shoes.
Pros
Cons
The Saucony Guide ISO
The Saucony Guide is an award-winning running shoes model designed for stability. Based on the innovative ISOFIT technology, the design corrects overpronation for a better fit.
With the medial support, transitioning from one step to another is smooth and easy.
The numbering system is different from that on its predecessor, the Guide 10. The stability shoes have an attractive appearance in a lighter, neutral color.
The visible yet subtle reflective accents support running at night in places without proper lighting conditions.
The first runs in the shoes can feel tight and restrictive due to the stiff lacing system. The EVERUN midsole has a compound that allows for consistent cushioning and higher bounce back each time you liftoff your foot.
The detailed sole pattern tri flexes out for better control, faster turns and good traction in bad weather. Traction issues in poor weather can reduce with fast turns. Neither is it bare like the Liberty ISO.
The sole offers moderate support and stability for over pronators. However, it isn’t as bulky as its predecessor.
Unlike other stability shoes such as Omni and the Hurricane, the ISO Guide has cushioning, weight and an 8mm drop, making its rides more difficult.
The arch is bulkier and thus offer less stability and flexibility. It offers better ground control and smoother rides for long-distance running.
- EVERUN topsole
- ISOFIT dynamic upper
- Engineered mesh
- Medial arch support
The ISOFT two-fold system with a mesh-like upper is comfortable. The overlays snug around your foot for a perfect fit.
The toebox is restrictive while the upper material moves around the foot area for great comfort. It takes patience and sizing up to find a suitable size.
Pros
Cons
So, what are the Differences?
The Hurricane ISO 4 and Saucony Guide ISO correct over pronation, but use the ISOFIT midfoot technology for moderate to mild pronations.
The support frame together with overlays provide you with enough support for back fatigue.
On the other hand, toecap runs at the fore unlike Guide’s upper midsole edge beneath the toebox.
The Hurricane ISO 4 lacks overlays. The toebox is more spacious for better air flow. The upper provides more support and comfort.
The midsoles also come with extra topsole cushioning using the EVERUN technology as in other running shoes. It has a cushy forefoot for added comfort.
The medial post on the midsole of the two shoes that’s responsible for correcting overpronation is longer in the Hurricane ISO 4 than its Guide ISO counterpart.
The former is ideal for you if your feet turn inward during the early and late gait cycle stages.
However the medial posts on both shoes offer enough pronation control because they run high. Saucony Guide ISO’s medial post is positioned at the mid gait cycle.
The two shoes offer great contact with the ground beneath the midfoot, increasing the stability of the shoes and promoting smooth transitions from heel to toe. Hurricane ISO 4 is slightly more supportive and stable than the Guide ISO.
Similarly, according to lab tests, the two shoes offer excellent support and stability, with the Guide only a few notches behind.
Construction of the upper and length of the medial post also makes the Hurricane more stable than its counterpart.
The forefoot pattern on the rubber outsoles of the shoes are similar, but the Hurricane features narrower flex grooves that run vertically while the Guide has wide horizontal flex grooves.
Rubber interrupts the horizontal flex grooves on the Guide except the one positioned on the front of the outsole. Therefore, it’s less flexible than the hurricane.
Unlike vertical flex grooves, horizontal flex grooves support more flexibility. However, lab tests show that Guide ISO is stiff.
Whereas women’s Hurricane ISO 4 weighs 9.9 ounces, the Guide ISO version weighs less at 8.9 ounces. On the other hand, the men’s shoes weighs 11.2 ounces and 10.5 ounces, respectively. This means the Guide is lighter than its counterpart.
The Hurricane ISO 4 is suitable for heavier runners with more stiffness and weight to deal with. Lighter runners with the need for little to moderate support and stability can opt for the Guide ISO.
Even so, both running shoes offer enough support and stability for smooth, comfortable rides. It’s worth noting that the size of running shoes determine its weight.
This means weight varies from shoe to shoe. However, we used the same size and weight of running shoes for this review.
Conclusion
The Hurricane ISO 4 is a mid-weight, light-stability and properly cushioned running shoe designed to support low arches.
It’s ideal for long yet slow recovery and distance runs. The secure upper is ideal for side to side movement, making the shoe perfect for indoor use.
The plush cushion protects your foot from impact during jumps. Due to the high cost of the Saucony Hurricane ISO, opt for it only if it fits well and suits your unique running needs.
On the other hand, the Guide ISO is ideal for marathon training cycles. It supports fast runs because it’s lightweight. The cushioning allows you to easily achieve fast miles.
The foot’s inner arch has a hot spot. Make sure it fits well to prevent rubbing on your foot that could easily result in blisters. The ISOFIT upgrade improves the upper system for better performance.
Opt for the Guide ISO if you’re lightweight and need the less support and stability in your runs, or want running shoes designed for fast runs. On the other hand, the Hurricane ISO 4 will do you good for recovery or slow runs, if you’re heavy and need more support and stability for your runs.
Last update on 2023-09-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API