Nike Pegasus Premium Review
Nike Pegasus Premium is a bouncy, cushioned daily trainer with a secure fit and bold style, and ideal for relaxed, energetic runs and everyday wear.
The Saucony Guide 18 is a daily trainer, that builds on the strong foundation of its predecessor, the Guide 17, a shoe I loved. After several runs in the new Guide 18, I’ve come away thankful that Saucony hasn’t changed the recipe too much.
They maintain a smooth, stable ride while offering just enough guidance to keep my stride moving naturally. The Guide 18 refines what I loved about the previous model, adding some subtle tweaks that make a difference for everyday training.
In this review, I’ll share my observations on the shoe’s performance, comfort, and overall value, especially if you’re looking for a daily trainer that balances cushioning and support without feeling overbearing – I mean, who wouldn’t want that?
Key specifications
- Price: $140 at Saucony.com / $140 at REI.com
- Weight: 9.8oz (279g) for a US Men’s size 9
- Drop: 6mm (35mm heel / 29mm forefoot stack height)
- Midsole: PWRRUN foam paired with a PWRRUN+ sockliner / insole
- Upper: Breathable, engineered mesh that combines a secure midfoot lock with enough room in the toe box for natural movement
- Stability Technology: CenterPath™ Technology, which uses asymmetric geometry and high sidewalls to cradle your feet and help keep your foot centered from lateral roll
- Outsole: XT-900 carbon rubber for traction, although best suited to dry conditions
- Additional Features: A stretchy pull tab and rear finger loop for easier on/off, reflective highlights for safety at night
Prices checked daily
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How they fit and feel
The Guide 18 has a really comfortable and secure fit with sizing that runs true to size and has a medium width.
The upper hugs the midfoot snugly without feeling overly tight thanks to the stretch mesh material, and the toe box offers ample space for natural toe splay.
It’s a shoe that feels secure from the moment you lace up, thanks to its thoughtful design that prioritizes both comfort and stability.
What’s good
One of the first things I noticed about the Guide 18 is its consistency in delivering a smooth and stable ride. Much like the Guide 17, it offers a predictable and reliable experience, allowing for a natural roll-through motion with each stride.
The subtle rocker geometry eases the transition from heel strike to toe-off, keeping your stride flowing without feeling forced.
The shoe’s balanced cushioning is another highlight for me, and while not as lively as some other newer midsole foams, it provides enough cushioning and rebound for daily runs.
The PWRRUN foam in the midsole is on the firmer side, which provides good impact protection without the sensation of bottoming out during longer runs. Paired with the slightly softer PWRRUN+ insole, the cushioning feels just right for easy runs and steady-paced training days.
Another aspect I appreciate is the CenterPath™ Technology; an approach to stability that keeps your feet aligned without forcing them into a rigid position.
It’s one of the few stability shoes I’ve found that offers support in a natural way, without feeling like you’re running in a corrective device.
This light stability is ideal for those who need a bit of guidance without the heavy-handed motion control found in more aggressive stability trainers.
The upper feels secure while still allowing for enough stretch in the right places (the midfoot and toe box).
I like that it locks my foot in without any pinch points or unnecessary pressure and that’s really down to the no-nonsense traditional lacing system that just works.
The inclusion of a stretchy pull tab on the top of the tongue, combined with a rear finger loop, makes it very easy to get the shoes on. It’s a small but practical detail that adds to the overall enjoyment of using them in the day to day.
The areas of the outsole that uses XT-900 rubber compound holds up well but sadly there’s still not enough of it on there, leaving overall outsole coverage lacking.
The bad
While the Guide 18 has many strengths, it’s not without a few drawbacks, for starters, the EVA foam in the midsole is still using PWRRUN foam, which while does feel nicely balanced, if you’re used to a more responsive cushioning system with a noticeable bounce, this might come off as somewhat uninspiring.
It gets the job done by absorbing impact well, but it doesn’t provide that extra kick you might be looking for if you plan to pick up your pace for faster workouts.
The zonal rubber outsole is another area where there’s a lot of room for improvement. While the traction is good in dry and wet conditions, there’s just not enough coverage, leaving far too much exposed foam (the white sections). This leads to issues with traction issues in this area, and terrible durability of the exposed foam.
This isn’t a new issue, as similar concerns were raised in my Guide 17 review, but it’s worth noting if durability and traction matter a lot to you.
Lastly, the Guide 18 leans towards guided support rather than aggressive stability – think of it as the Ride 18, with a little extra supportive geometry to provide a more stable ride and to help protect your gait.
This means that if you require strong medial support stability shoes, you might find this shoe a bit too gentle. I’d suggest looking at options like the Saucony Hurricane 24 if you need a shoe that offers more robust corrective features.
Additionally, based on my experience with the previous model, I expect the Guide 18’s mileage to be around 300 miles (give or take, depending on your running style and weight), decent but not exceptional compared to some competitors and what I’d expect in a modern pair of running shoes, which should be roughly 400 miles.
Saucony Guide 18 VS Guide 17
In many ways, the Guide 18 stays true to what made the Guide 17 one of my favorite mild stability trainers. The ride remains smooth and stable, and the balance between cushioning and support is maintained.
For runners who appreciated the predictable, no-nonsense performance of the Guide 17, the Guide 18 offers a refined experience that largely builds on the same strengths with some subtle tweaks.
That said, if you’re looking for a shoe with a bit more energy return or a more aggressive stability platform, you might still want to explore alternatives like the Hurricane 24.
The Guide 18 is best suited for those who value a natural, guided support without the extra flair of high-energy cushioning. View the comparison chart below to see how the key specs compare:
| Specification | Saucony Guide 17 | Saucony Guide 18 |
|---|---|---|
| Price (MSRP) | $140 at Saucony | $140 at Saucony |
| Weight (US Men’s 9) | 9.6oz (273g) | Approximately 9.8oz (279g) |
| Drop | 6mm (35mm heel / 29mm forefoot) | 6mm (35mm heel / 29mm forefoot) |
| Cushioning | PWRRUN midsole with a PWRRUN+ insole – offers firm, reliable impact protection and a balanced feel for daily miles | PWRRUN midsole paired with a PWRRUN+ insole – provides balanced cushioning that’s firm yet absorbs impact well, suitable for easy runs and steady-paced training |
My verdict
Overall, the Saucony Guide 18 is a solid daily trainer that delivers on comfort, stability, and an enjoyable ride. It builds on the strengths of the Guide 17, maintaining a smooth ride and balanced cushioning that make it suitable for easy runs and everyday training.
The guided support provided by the CenterPath Technology ensures your stride remains aligned without feeling forced, while the well-designed upper offers a secure yet flexible fit.
If you’re after a shoe that provides a reliable, no-fuss running experience with just enough stability to keep your stride in check, the Guide 18 is definitely worth considering.
However, if you need a more responsive feel or more aggressive support, and a durable outsole is very important to you, then you might find other models better suited to your needs. The Guide 18 is a thoughtful evolution of its predecessor that continues to perform reliably for me.
👋🏼 Looking for your next pair of daily trainers? Head over to my Best Daily Trainer Running Shoes roundup. See you on the next review! -Alastair
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