Saucony Omni 23 ST Review
By Matthew Klein
Saucony Omni 23 STPrice: $169.95 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 10.1 oz, 286 g (men's size 9), 8.9 oz, 252 g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 40 mm heel / 32 mm forefoot
Drop: 8 mm
Shoe Purpose: Moderate Stability Daily Trainer
Pros: Soft and bouncy midsole, non-intrusive stability, feels lighter than listed weight, durable
Cons: Heel slippage, slightly tapered forefoot
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The Saucony Omni 23 ST is a rare, bouncy/responsive moderate stability trainer. A full-length PWRRUN PB combined with a large TPU stability frame (medial post with a lateral extension) creates a fun, bouncy and responsive ride or easy, long runs and even uptempo efforts. An engineered mesh up top creates a wider fit with a tapered forefoot that provides lightness in the front and plushness in the back. The Omni gets exciting for the first time in the series, being the only light feeling, superfoamed moderate stability out there. If this concept is something you have been looking for, this is the only one out there so far.
SIMILAR SHOES: Saucony Hurricane 24
PAST MODEL: Saucony Omni 22
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
Matt: The Saucony Omni 23 ST fits me true to size in my normal US men's size 10. The fit is slightly wide throughout the length of the shoe although the forefoot has a taper. There are strong overlays on either side of the forefoot that make it feel more normal width. Outside of the overlays the front part of the upper is thin and partially see through. The engineered mesh is fairly breathable in the forefoot, then transitions to a thicker mesh in the rearfoot. The midfoot fits slightly wide with a thicker, well gusseted tongue. I did have to tighten the laces to get a secure fit but once I did, I did not experience any side-to-side sliding even while turning. The heel fits wider with thick pad at the heel collar and around the entirety. There is a stiffer heel counter, but it is padded well with additional cushioning. While those that are extremely sensitive may have trouble, I had no trouble with this counter. My only challenge was that I experienced a ton of heel slippage due to the softer padding and wider fit. This was easily fixed by tying down the laces but it was an effort I had to make before every run. The slightly stiffer heel counter prevented me from going sockless and I would highly suggest socks with this upper. Outside of that, the upper has a slightly wider fit with a bit more taper in the forefoot and a fairly normal volume.
Typical Size: Men's US Size 10
Shoes that have fit Matt well: On Cloudboom Strike, Hoka Gaviota 6, Xero HFS, Topo Cyclone 3, Saucony Azura, Salomon Aero Glide 3
Shoes that have fit snug: Hoka Arahi 7, Brooks Launch 11, Diadora Mythos Vigore 3
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3, Adidas Agravic Speed Ultra
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: Yes
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: Yes
Is the Forefoot Flexible: Moderately Flexible
How Flexible is the Shoe: Somewhat Flexible
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Yes
Recommended for Haglunds: Somewhat
Is This Shoe Orthotic Friendly: No
Recommended for Sockless: No
Durability Expectation: High
PERFORMANCE
Matt: The Saucony Omni 23 ST is a soft and bouncy stability shoe. The midsole is full-length PWRRUN PB that feels soft and bouncy underfoot. It does not feel firm like many versions of PWRRUN PB, instead feels both compliant and surprisingly resilient underfoot. The weight also feels lighter than a standard trainer and is on the light side for a stability shoe thanks to the 10.1 oz weight (men's size 9) and the amount of bounce in the midsole. There is an 8mm drop and with the compressive nature of the midsole it feels closer to 6 mm to me. The heel transition is so smooth thanks to the compliance of the midsole, a great heel bevel and a lateral groove in the side of the heel that helps that lateral side compress well. This continues into a sturdy midfoot thanks to the full width TPU Stability frame. The forefoot is also soft and moderately flexible thanks to deep flex grooves that create an easy transition off the toes. Those wanting some flexibility in a taller, superfoam shoe will enjoy this while those with toe mobility deficits (hallux rigidus) will not do well.
Pacing-wise, the Saucony Omni 23 ST is best for daily training and uptempo efforts. The bouncy ride is great for easy and long runs where it shines best. The midsole is responsive enough to handle uptempo runs and I have done tons of progressions in this shoe without issue. It tends to max out at uptempo efforts due to its size and flexibility, but those looking for a daily trainer with a super foam that is stable and could handle a marathon effort may have an option here. The outsole traction is fairly good on both wet and dry surfaces. I would stick to road due to the amount of exposed midsole and the smoother outsole. The outsole is fantastic as I have 70 miles on my pair with only a tiny bit of wear on the PUT stability frame and minimally elsewhere. The midsole has also not lost its bounce over these miles, so I expect a ton of life out of these shoes, far more than most trainers.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
Matt: The Saucony Omni 23 ST is a moderate stability shoe. There is a large TPU stability frame that includes a long medial post that fills the entire heel and midfoot. The frame also passes under the shoe to the lateral side, provide enough structure to prevent the foot from being pushed excessively laterally. The sole also has decent width, with more medial flare than lateral in the heel and both directions in the forefoot. The midfoot does not narrow and there are large sidewalls in the heel/midfoot. The sidewalls are only somewhat noticeable as the soft midsole compresses easily. The groove in the lateral aspect of the heel also collapses well upon heel strike, which makes for both a smooth transition and a little extra lateral guidance at heel strike. The large medial post with the lateral extension create most of the stability in this shoe, which in any other shoe would make this a motion control shoe. The softness of the midsole bring this down more of a moderate level and while this shoe will be best for those with medial stability needs, the lateral extension of the post makes it feel less biased. The majority of the stability exists in the heel and midfoot and those with major forefoot stability needs may not have enough.
Thoughts as a DPT: Balancing Stability, Compliance and Resilience
By Matthew Klein
For all my complaining, I understand why creating a soft, bouncy stability shoe is challenging. Stability shoes often are firmer because less compliant midsoles generally are stable. Softer midsoles have less structure, deforming whatever way the body decides to go. To compensate for this, a softer stability shoe has to have more aggressive stability or guidance measures to keep the feet moving forward. This could mean a larger medial post, more aggressive/larger sidewalls or a contrasting firmer foam to create structure. While most shoes have done the second and third options, which either collapse or firm up the midsole, respectively, the Omni 23 ST is the rare shoe that opts for the first option.
Visually and based on the size of the medial post, the Omni 23 ST could be categorized as a motion control shoe. The post is not only massive but also extends under the midfoot to the lateral side of the shoe, similar to motion control shoes like the ASICS GT 4000. What brings it more to the moderate stability category is the softness of the full-length PWRRUN PB midsole. Medial posts work by creating firm contrasting sections of a shoe. The body's movement pathway will almost always go through the path of least resistance. While the medial post is prominent, it is muted slightly by the softer foam around it. This helps make it less intrusive but thanks to the wider platform, size of the post sidewalls and the geometry, the Omni 23 ST maintains its abilities as a comfortable stability shoe. Bouncy, responsive stability shoes can exist and this is one of the first to execute this well. With softer, more responsive foams, the stability components need to be stronger to balance the inherent instability of the foams. This is not any different than what a plate does in super shoes. Without the plate, most super shoes would be soft messes. These same lessons need to be learned with what degree of stiffness and what type of stiffening agent that is needed. Saucony has hit this on the head with the Omni 23 ST and I hope to see similar things integrated in the next Hurricane. Regardless, this is the most exciting Omni ever and should not be ignored.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Matt: The midsole and geometry are so good in this shoe. To have a truly bouncy, superfoam stability shoe that actually feels stable is fantastic. However, the upper could use a little work. The slight taper in the forefoot could be widened to be a bit more accommodating. In contrast, the heel feels like it has a little too much room and could do with additional medial/lateral structure. It would be great to split the heel counter, or at least focus the stiffness on the sides to offset the wider fit, or perhaps even the rearfoot may need to be snugged up slightly. Regardless, the midsole is great, but the upper could use a little refinement that could help drop weight and increase security.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
Matt: The Saucony Omni 23 ST is for those who want a bouncy and responsive stability trainer for easy runs, long runs and some uptempo efforts. Those with slightly wider feet who don't mind a slight toe box taper who want well-integrated medial stability in heel/midfoot with a moderately flexible forefoot will do best. Those who want a firm, motion control shoe with a stiff forefoot and a more narrow/snug fit will not do well with this shoe.
This is such a massive surprise to see such a fantastic Omni model and I am confused as to why this hasn't gotten more attention. The premium price tag of $170 is totally worth the high durability and extremely unique package this shoe has as one of the only truly soft and responsive moderate stability shoes out there that is still lighter. This is one of the best-kept "secrets" of 2026 and to me is easily the best stability shoe of 2026. Hopefully, there is more of this to come, but knowing how most of the industry views stability, I won't hold my breath.
GRADES
Matt
Fit: B+ (Wider fit with slightly tapered forefoot. Plush, slightly loose heel with a midfoot that is easily secured by tightening down the laces)
Performance: A- (Softer and bouncy/responsive midsole with a more flexible forefoot. Excellent heel and forefoot transition that is fantastic for easy and long runs with some uptempo versaility)
Stability: A [Moderate Stability] (Strong medial post that extends to a mild lateral post combined with geometry that provides excellent guidance is offset by the soft midsole creates moderate stability in the heel and midfoot mostly on the medial side)
Value: A- (Highly durable shoe with an incredibly unique bouncy ride)
Personal: A (My favorite stability shoe in the last couple years. One of the only bouncy, soft and responsive stability shoes)
Overall Design: A-
SHOP | SUPPORT DORSaucony Omni 23 STPrice: $169.95 at Running Warehouse
Shop Men | Shop Women
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FURTHER READING
A high stack daily trainer.
A super trainer for long distances.
Find all Shoe Reviews at Doctors of Running here.
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