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Road Running Shoes • January 18, 2021

Saucony Hurricane 23 Performance Review

saucony hurricane 23 - feature

What You Need To Know

  • Weighs 11.4 oz. (323 g) for a US M9.0
  • PWRRUN+ midsole is reliable for hundreds of miles
  • Guidance rail provides great stability
  • Retails for $159.95

AUSTIN: After receiving the Saucony Hurricane 23, I thought about whether to reference White Goodman from Dodgeball (2004) or simply default to the legendary MJ based on the shoe’s version number. I think I’ll stick with Jordan because, as we all know, it’s gotta be the shoes, right? The Hurricane 23 is understandably world’s apart from the Jordan XI, my favorite design, but that full-length PWRRUN+ midsole should produce enough energy return to send you sailing from the free-throw line to the hoop. Or to a new personal best at a 2021 foot race. If you’re a stability runner. Maybe.

NICK: When I first received the Saucony Hurricane 23, the first thing I noticed was the guidance rail. I’m not someone who needs stability shoes, so the sight of a thick plastic piece on the medial outsole turned me off a bit. But after various runs, the Hurricane 23 pleasantly surprised me with a snappy ride and all-around comfortable feel.

saucony hurricane 23 - upper

The Good

AUSTIN: I should note off the top that I normally don’t run in stability shoes. To be clear, the Hurricane 23 provides stability for moderate to high overpronation via a TPU Guidance Frame. The Saucony Guide 13, in contrast, is less stable than the Hurricane, but an ideal daily trainer for runners in need of a little, well, guidance. So, about that Guidance Frame. Honestly, I thought it would really disrupt my form as a mid to forefoot striker, but every run proved otherwise. What’s more, I thought the Guidance Frame would bog down the fantastic PWRRUN+ ride with too much weight (11.4 ounces in a men’s nine with an 8 mm offset). Again, a no. I did eight miles out of the box at a 7:45 pace. Even with a firm Guidance Frame, thick tongue, beefy laces, and modest heel padding, the Hurricane produced  a fantastic ride run after run. Lastly, the weight dropped two-tenths of an ounce from version 22.

The design is surprisingly simple. Start with a breathable upper without overlays across the toes. Add an overlay on the medial and lateral side, which includes the Saucony logo. Throw in a secure heel, decent step-in comfort, and an outsole that performs in wet conditions. Addition by subtraction? Less is more? Yes. I’d prefer a little more depth to the flex grooves, but the ride is both soft and spirited.

NICK: The best characteristic of the Hurricane 23 is its simplicity. The mesh upper just flat out works. It’s comfortable and airy while providing just enough structure. I could probably do with a couple of the overlays, but there aren’t so many that it adds too much weight to the shoe. A gusseted tongue also adds to the lockdown fit. 

The PWRRUN+ midsole is pretty solid. It’s got a snappy ride that holds up for miles and feels smooth underfoot. And with a nearly full rubber outsole, the Hurricane will eat hundreds of miles like nobody’s business. It’s an overall daily training workhorse that can be relied on in a plethora of situations.

Shop Hurricane 23 – Men Shop Hurricane 23 – Women saucony hurricane 23 - heel

The Bad

AUSTIN: A few issues emerged in the Hurricane, but none are deal breakers (probably). First, although I love the thick laces as they make cinching the midfoot tighter an easier process, I noticed that I needed to stop a few minutes after starting many runs for additional tightening. I tried some thicker socks, which seemed to help, but the shoes still felt slightly loose. But, to be clear, I didn’t experience any hot spots or blisters anywhere on the feet. Second, I thought the design is kind of bland. I realize that darker colors like black are still a fixture, but I’m hoping that Saucony has some other colorways that pop for a $160 shoe. 

Finally, $160 is on the higher end for a daily trainer, but for runners searching for a shoe that provides excellent stability, the Hurricane whisks away the Adrenaline and its Guide Rail System. To put another way, I’d opt for the Hurricane every time as the more stable option.

NICK: I really wish the guidance rail wasn’t there. Like really wish. It feels like there’s something to be desired with this shoe, and that rail is in the way. Again, I don’t need stability shoes, so someone who does will probably appreciate the added structure. It also contributes to the weight being as high as it is at 11.4 ounces for a men’s size 9, which is another gripe of mine. Daily trainers aren’t the lightest shoes to begin with, but once you get into the 11-11.5 ounce range, that’s too much weight for me.

I’m also not a huge fan of the rope laces. They’re a bit of a pain to tie and dig into the top of my foot. Maybe I lock down my laces to0 much, but it’s annoying regardless.

Shop Hurricane 23 – Men Shop Hurricane 23 – Women saucony hurricane 23 - outsole1

Saucony Hurricane 23 Conclusion

AUSTIN: The Hurricane 23 may be my literal dark horse for 2020. The black is bland, but the snappy ride easily makes up for boring colors. And I need to remind myself — again, that it’s a highly stable shoe. I didn’t notice. Not once. I smirked after seeing that hefty guidance frame for the first time, but I know the Hurricane is getting the last laugh.

NICK: The Saucony Hurricane 23 is a damn good option for those in the stability crowd looking for a reliable workhorse. It’s got a bit of snap to make miles fun and has a comfortable enough fit to wear to Starbucks after your 6:00 a.m. miles.

You can pick up the Hurricane 23 at Running Warehouse (featuring free 2-day shipping and 90-day returns) by using the shop link below.

Shop Hurricane 23 – Men Shop Hurricane 23 – Women saucony hurricane 23 - toe
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