The Saucony Journey has at all times been some of the constant trainers from replace to replace. Every Journey had a really related really feel to its predecessor: variations had minor incremental modifications and consistency was what the Journey was recognized for.
The Journey was reduce from the identical material because the Brooks Ghost and the Nike Pegasus. You at all times knew what you had been going to get when shopping for it. This all modifications with the Journey 15.
On paper, the brand new Saucony Journey 15 has all of the substances to make it a profitable replace. Softer? Verify. Extra cushioning? Verify. Lighter? BIG examine.
Saucony has clearly taken an enormous danger with the Journey 15 however this uncharacteristic “go huge or go residence” method has paid off. The Journey 15 is the most effective model of the Journey to this point.
Typically, a model makes many huge modifications and the shoe turns into unrecognizable. That is true of the Journey 15, however it’s an excellent factor. The Journey 15 is extra versatile, extra comfy, and extra energetic than any earlier Journey.
Journey 15 weighs greater than an oz lower than the Journey 14, 1.3 ounces to be precise! I don’t ever keep in mind a operating shoe shedding this a lot weight from one model to the subsequent.
Its midsole stack peak has additionally been elevated. It’s now 35 mm within the heel and 27 mm within the forefoot in comparison with 32/24 of the Journey 14. It prices $140, which is a rise of $10.
Saucony Journey 15 First Impressions
The primary time I noticed leaked footage of the Journey 15, I used to be extraordinarily excited as a result of it jogged my memory numerous the Endorphin Shift 2, one other wonderful Saucony coach from final yr.
After I obtained the shoe and inspected it, the large shock was that the PWRRUN+ topsole was gone and changed with a thick, PWRRUN+ insole. This new insole made the shoe squeak after I walked round in it.
My first run was a 20 km future at a gradual 4.44 minutes per km tempo. The Journey 15 was very spectacular on that run. It didn’t want any break-in interval, the match was wonderful and the experience felt well-balanced.
It felt a little bit bit just like the Endorphin Shift 2 however much more dynamic due to the lighter weight. I felt like I may decide up the tempo a lot simpler. I even did some sprints on the finish of the run under 3.30 tempo and it didn’t really feel sluggish in any respect.
Saucony Journey 15 Sole Unit
Saucony markets the midsole of the Journey 15 as PWRRUN which is “technically” the identical foam because the one within the Journey 13 and Journey 14 however they actually ought to have named it one thing else as a result of it feels vastly completely different.
It feels so much squishier and has far more give than the older PWRRUN midsoles. It nearly looks like Saucony gave it the “supercritical” remedy and infused tiny air bubbles into the froth as a result of it feels extra ethereal too which is the place the large weight discount comes from.
Versatility is the place the Journey 15 actually shines. The stability between delicate and agency is phenomenal and the Journey 15 felt nice throughout each run. The rise in stack peak makes it much more appropriate for lengthy runs whereas the rise in power return makes it really feel higher on quicker efforts.
The Journey 15 is the textbook every day coach which may deal with lengthy runs above 15 km and the occasional shorter, quicker run under 4.30 per km. It looks like an extremely well-rounded shoe which may deal with a variety of roles in your shoe rotation.
The midsole of the Journey 15 appears to be like so much thicker than it really is as a result of it has raised side-walls that stretch the whole size of the shoe, from the heel proper as much as the tip of the forefoot.
This offers you the sense that your toes are sitting contained in the midsole and never on prime of it. Naturally, this results in very steady experience transitions so the Journey 15 nearly looks like a light-weight stability coach quite than a impartial one.
The thick PWRRUN+ insole offers a really squishy, nice step-in really feel which is most noticeable when strolling round within the shoe however once you decide up the tempo, the preliminary squishiness disappears and what you get is a medium delicate experience.
The Journey 15 feels softer than many of the standard every day trainers on the market together with the Pegasus 38, Ghost 14, Clifton 8. It additionally has a way more versatile forefoot so it feels extra pure.
The outsole of the Journey 15 takes a web page out of the Novablast’s e-book with its lengthy, deep decoupled groove that extends from the heel, into the lateral aspect of the outsole. It saves numerous weight and it makes the heel cushioning softer.
There are strategically positioned rubber strips on either side of the rearfoot in addition to on the forefoot. There may be numerous uncovered midsole foam on the outsole however it’s not a trigger for concern as a result of it’s comparatively abrasion resistant.
I’ve been impressed with the sturdiness. The rubber strips have held up very effectively after 80 kilometres of testing, significantly the one on the lateral heel. I discovered the grip to be wonderful due to how a lot uncovered, cheesy midsole foam there’s.
Saucony Journey 15 Higher Unit
The Journey 15 higher will be summed up in 3 phrases: comfy, safe and accommodating. Saucony hit this higher out of the park and it is likely to be considered one of my favorite uppers.
It has a tongue which is calmly padded and sleeved so there’s no tongue motion throughout runs. The heel tab and collar are additionally calmly padded so ankle consolation is unbelievable. An inside heel counter offers construction and help which makes heel lockdown wonderful.
It has an engineered mesh which is each skinny and breathable. There are many holes punched into the highest of the toe field so the higher feels gentle and breathable though it has an inside sleeve.
The brand new additions to the Journey 15’s higher are straps that protrude from the lateral and medial sides of the midfoot (one on all sides) to supply a safer wrap across the foot. These new straps work like a appeal and I’ve a sense we’re going to see these on many future Journey variations.
The match of the Journey 15 is true to measurement. The midfoot and forefoot are spacious and accommodating however the great point is that even for very slim toes like mine, I nonetheless really feel locked-in and safe.
Saucony Journey 15 Conclusion
The Journey 15 has raised the bar and set the brand new customary for mid-range, impartial every day trainers. It has an distinctive higher, textbook every day coach versatility and a excessive diploma of stability.
I’m assured in my prediction that Saucony will promote extra Journey 15’s than any earlier model of the Journey. It’s softer, extra comfy, extra cushioned, and likewise extra energetic than any of its predecessors.
Whether or not I used to be operating actually slowly, above 6 minutes per km, or sprinting under 3-minute tempo, the Journey 15 impressed me. Proper now, if I used to be going to an island and I may solely convey one mid-range every day coach with me, I’d select the Journey 15.
The Journey 15’s sub 9-ounce weight mixed with its energetic experience makes it a really particular every day coach. It has a contemporary really feel which is enjoyable and it has no main flaws
As editorial coverage, we don't settle for free samples from firms.
We bought this pair of Saucony Journey 15 at Operating Warehouse with our personal cash.