****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
As a longtime Saucony runner, I really really like these new trainers.I’ve run extensively in every annual version of the Saucony Guide since before the Guide 8, and I think I like this one better than just about all of them.But unlike the Guide, these need a small amount of breaking in out of the box. First putting them on, the arch support is massively more prominent and noticeable than in any Guide, which is also a mild stability shoe. In fact, I almost returned them because of it. They also felt significant squishier, if more cushioned, and that was an initial concern as well.But I gave these a day of walking and standing around to break them in, and I am so glad I did. After that, the arch support really settled down and the entire insole molded to and cradled my feet. I have moderately low arches but not flat feet, and appreciate a small bit of pronation control. Strangely, despite the initially too-strong arch support, these shoes ride more like a neutral shoe than the Guides. It’s also significantly more of a plush ride, well cushioned while still being responsive enough for interval training.In the Guides, my feet would get tired after a 3-4 mile run and barbell squats afterwards. But these shoes are much more plush and cushioned while still offering sufficient support. I really notice and appreciate the softer ride of these after a long workout. The offset is the usual 8mm for many Saucony running shoes.Much has been said about the snug, confining uppers, and it’s true that the Tempus has a much less padded, much more prescriptive fit than any Guide model. The Guides had much more well padded tongues, as well as a looser, lower cut heel and ankle collar. The Tempus, along with that higher arches, really locks the foot into the shoe, and is a much snugger, higher-around-the-ankle cut. So if you have ankles that are wider between the Achilles and forefoot, you will possibly find these too confining.These maintain a light weight despite the generous midsole stack by using a thinner, lightweight mesh reinforced by thin, lightweight exoskeleton type plastic trim. So there is much less padding around the ankle collar, which comes up higher on the ankle. The heel counter is firm, and the heel tab also comes up much higher on the Achilles than any Guide I’ve ever worn. The upper mesh material itself is not stretchy at all, adding to the more confining feel than the usually stretchier upper (past versions have really varied) of the Guides.Overall, the Tempus is a good cushioned trainer with very moderate stability feel and is lightweight and responsive, especially given the stack height. But it does require at least a day of break-in to really know what you’re getting. And it’s probably not for those who like the freedom and roomy upper space around the lower cut ankle collar that you get with the Guide. But it’s significantly more softly cushioned under foot than the Guide while still offering enough support for faster, shorter runs.Great shoe, I bought two pairs.
