| SCORE | 8.9 |
| Weight | 9.8 oz men's size 9 and 7.9 oz women's size. |
| Heel drop | 8mm |
| Shoe type | Neutral Stability Running Shoes |
| Running Surface | Road |
| Pace | Tempo, fast, and moderate |
Pros
- Stable ride
- It has a snug and secure fitting
- Roomy toe box
- Breathable upper
- Lightweight
- Seamless hell-to-toe transition
- Fits a heel, midfoot, or forefoot striker
- Promotes natural gait cycle
Cons
- Dull when doing slow runs; hence not perfect for recovery runs
Take Away
Saucony Tempus is a modern daily trainer with a unique design. The firm PRWRRUN EVA foam ring encloses the soft and springy PWRRUN PB foam to ensure that a runner enjoys a bouncy ride and maximum unbiased stability.
The Tempus is designed for long-distance running, tempo runs, and moderate paces, except for recovery runs. It is not reserved for only overpronators but can be used by neutral runners looking for stability. The dual-layered midsole provides a stack height of 36.5mm on the heel and 28.5 mm on the forefoot.
Introduction
The Tempus is recently one of the most impressive shoes among runners. It is a successor of the Saucony Hurricane 23 and a unique, stability daily training shoe. According to Saucony, it is the first of its kind since it addresses stability issues without the traditional posting.
Instead, the Tempus utilizes the PWRRUN Foam common in most Saucony training shoes as the bedrock. Then it curves upwards, wrapping the heels and forefoot, thus forming guidance all through the heel to the toe. Well, there is a trace of Adidas Solar Boost design DNA, and Saucony is discreet about it.
From 2014 through 2016, Adidas was producing the Adidas Supernova Sequence, which had a combination of Boost foam, EVA frame, and medial support. The EVA foam provided the most stability element. Besides, The Adidas Sequence was a famous and one of the most comfortable stability trainers in 2014. Alongside Adidas Supernova Sequence was its speed version, Adidas Adizero Tempo.
Saucony seems to have borrowed a few design tricks from the Adidas Sequence to come up with the most successful stability performance running shoes of 2022.
Saucony Tempus Upper Design and Fitting
The upper design has an Endorphin look and feel; beautiful with sleek and ventilated material. The sizing is also spot-on. The Tempus is ideal for warm or summer days because the tongue and toe box are generously vented to keep the foot cool.
Saucony got everything right with the sizing and fitting. It has an average width, with an almost snug-like heel section. The forefoot area is somewhat wide with a pretty tapered toe box, and the midfoot has average width. The entire length is dialed in, yet the forefoot is roomy enough to allow the toes to splay naturally. The Structure of the midfoot purposely locks down the foot.
The slightly padded tongue is gusseted and combines well with the stiff heel counter, making the fitting secure. The gusseted tongue works well with the semi-elastic flat laces that pass through a loop attached to an overlay in the midfoot area to create a secure and comfortable overall fitting.
Saucony gave the heel minimum padding, just enough to guarantee comfort. Besides, the heel doesn't extend into the Achilles tendon. Thus there is no chance of causing irritations in this area of the foot. Runners report that Saucony Tempus fits true-to-size with no hot spots. At the same time, some say Saucony Tempus fits and feels like the Saucony Kinvara 13 and Endorphin Speed.
Therefore, Saucony Tempus exudes a trainer's performance in the way it feels and works.
Saucony Tempus Midsole Design and Support
Saucony Tempus outperforms the Boost Sequence because Tempus perfected on gait neutral. At the same time, Adidas Sequence focused on an overly supportive medial side with cushioning bias toward exposed Boost foam. But how did Saucony execute the midsole design? Simple!
Saucony used a full-length PWRRUN PB, which is springy Foam. "The challenge with PWRRUN PB is that this soft cushioning Foam causes stability problems," says Saucony product line manager Chad Holt. "In such a situation, reinforcement is needed to guarantee running stability. Saucony attained attained stability by surrounding or enclosing the super soft and bouncy PWRRUN PB foam with a firm, supportive EVA frame. The EVA creates full-length internal walls along lateral and medial sides. The design helps resist lateral motion and promotes forward motion from the heel to the midfoot and forefoot."
The EVA frame also curves to the top of the heel. It widens under the arch to form torsional support and a forefoot base. In the forefoot, the EVA foam enters under the soft Foam, curves the EVA frame, surrounds the top of the heel, and subtly supports the back of the foot as it eases off towards the midfoot.
Still, the EVA frame creates a high midsole edge, and then disappears under the soft PWRRUN PB foam in the forefoot. The forefoot has a wide footprint. The EVA foam under the soft and rebounding foams makes the landing somehow planted and sufficiently cushioned.
Saucony added soft, springy PWRRUN PB foam under the heel section to reinforce stability.
The idea is that when subjected to landing impact, the PWRRUN PB foam compresses to reduce instability and improve smooth transitioning.
"If the foot remains in the center, it will sit pretty on the springy PWRRUN PB foam through the entire running period. Only persons whose feet roll further inward will experience the support of the EVA foam under the arch," says Chad Holt.
The outsole abrasive rubber covers a large portion of the forefoot to enhance stability.
Saucony Tempus Performance, Stability, and Ride
The full-length PWRRUN PB foam underfoot and the PWRRUN EVA frame create a protective and bouncy ride. The guidance is inherent since the torsional support under the arch disappears on the run, especially after the midsole breaks in. Therefore, even when the support is not apparent, it remains present, making it perfect for long-distance running.
Saucony Tempus is considerably lightweight. It weighs about 8.9oz for men and 7.9oz for women. Hence, despite having a dual-density design, The Tempus is the lightest stability daily trainer with multiple capabilities. Besides, the heel is angled and flares outward, makes it suitable for rear foot strike. The wide midfoot and forefoot offer a complete ground contact that creates a natural gait cycle. Besides, the forefoot doesn't bend easily, forming a rockered midsole shape that enhances smooth and quick roll-offs.
As a daily trainer, the lightweight and plenty of cushioning enable a runner to clock one mile in seven minutes or less. Hence, it doesn't disappoint during tempo runs.
"It is wrong to compare Saucony Tempus with Saucony Endorphin Speed Pro 2 or Speed 2 because the Saucony Tempus lack the carbon plate that makes them burst in speed. Besides, the Speed pro and Endorphin are perfect for marathon racing while the Tempus excels in daily training, including tempo running," Says Chad Holt.
What the Runners say about Saucony Tempus
Eddie thinks that Saucony Tempus is not far from the Saucony Ride and Saucony Guide, which have remarkable responses. It is slightly tight, but the wide toe box fits his wide foot perfectly.
Mercy says, "I love how the vented toe box keeps Tempus breathable. Overall, this shoe has an Endorphin vibe."
Tommy has alos fallen for Sauciny Tempus. "The plenty PWRRUN on the medial side guarantees stability while the EVA foams maintains foot alignment. What I love most is that the wide forefoot keeps my foot somehow planted on the road and the rockered midsole design provides a smooth rollover," He says.
Maxi says that her right foot is neutral and high-arched. Yet, with Tempus, she hardly notices the EVA support frame underneath the arches.
Mark says that Saucony Tempus feels dull at slow paces. "I use it in my rotation, especially when looking for stability during long runs."
Why You Should Buy Saucony Tempus
Saucony Tempus exudes a breath of fresh air. It is now the most lightweight, maximum-stability daily training shoe. It offers something different since it can perform as a trainer and tempo shoe while providing maximum stability.
Unlike regular stability shoes, Saucony Tempus has a max-stacked soft super PWRRUN PB foam supported by an EVA frame. The unique aspect of this shoe is that it offers advanced unbiased guidance and forward motion.
Besides, Saucony Tempus has come when stability running shoes for fast running are fading.
Therefore, the Saucony Tempus redefines stability running shoes like New Balance SuperComb Trainer.
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By Dick Harrison
Harrison is an Australian who lives in Sidney. He trains for fitness and the fun of it but does it like a pro. Harrison has the experience of running in various running shoes and understands the technology behind each shoe model he has worn.
(Published Octobr 10, 2022)
