Saucony Hurricane 26 Review
By Matthew Klein and Bach Pham
Saucony Hurricane 26Price: $169.95 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 9.2 oz, 262 g (men's size 9), 8.1 oz, 232 g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 41 mm heel / 35 mm forefoot
Drop: 6 mm
Shoe Purpose: Maximum Stack Height Moderate Stability Daily Training Shoe
Pros: Bouncy responsive ride, well-integrated and noticeable stability/guidance, pace versatility, one of the lightest stability shoes, great durability
Cons: Slightly tapered toe box from toe guard
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The Saucony Hurricane 26 is a maximal stack height, superfoam, moderate stability training shoe. A new APTU top layer called IncrediLux brings a responsive and resilient ride while a PWRRUN frame creates solid stability and guidance. A mesh upper adds some volume in the forefoot while overlays provide solid security in this premium shoe. The Saucony Hurricane 26 return as one of the lightest and certainly the most responsive stability shoe on the market, making it a great option for those who don't like clunky stability shoes and want something versatile enough that it might even carry you through a marathon race.
SIMILAR SHOES: Saucony Omni ST 23
PAST MODEL: Saucony Hurricane 25
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
Matt: The Saucony Hurricane 26 fits me true to size in my normal men's US size 10. The upper is a mesh material that is fairly normal in width but has a slightly higher volume that makes it feel a bit wider than it is. It is not as wide as the last version, which had the opposite presentation with a wide but low volume fit. The toebox is slightly tapered from the toe guard. This opens to a normal to slightly wider forefoot thanks to the extra volume and stretch of the upper. This continues into a normal-width midfoot with a well-gusseted, normal-thickness tongue. The instep is a little lower, so those with higher insteps will need to either adjust the laces or it may not work. The tongue has stayed secure and provided plenty of protection from the laces. I did not have to tie the laces that tight to get a secure fit and certainly did not have to lace lock them. The heel fits normal to slightly snug thanks to extra padding around the heel collar. There is a stiff heel counter but it is fairly well-padded and did not bother me. The Achilles tab does come up high but is flexible and does not taper inward. The overlays and tongue gusseting do a great job of securing the foot as I did not have to do any additional security measures. Even picking up the pace I did not have any slippage and this should work great for those with normal-width feet. Those with wider feet may need to consider the wide version.
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 2, Adidas Agravic Speed Ultra
Bach: In general, the Hurricane 26 fit pretty well for me. There is normal width and volume throughout with a ever-so-slightly short toebox that didn't give me issues. I didn't do anything special to help adjust with the fit of the shoe out of box, besides lacing up and running. The heel is fairly padded, but not slippy at all and well-cushioned. This upper does scream premium all-around in materials. There is a lot of structure built around the foot as well to keep you locked in. This upper connects with the rest of the shoe well and fits like you'd mostly expect. Wider feet will simply want to grab a wide, while most should do well here in your normal sizing.
Typical Size: Men's US Size 9.5
Shoes that have fit Bach well: Nike Pegasus 40, Saucony Guide 19, Mizuno Wave Inspire 19, Saucony Endorphin Speed 3, Nike Structure 25
Shoes that have fit snug: Hoka Arahi 7, Asics Kayano 30, Puma Electrify Nitro, Brooks Hyperion, Hoka Clifton 9 GTX
Shoes that have fit large: Hoka Gaviota 5, Reebok Floatride Energy X
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: Yes
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: Yes
Is the Forefoot Flexible: Mildly Flexible
How Flexible is the Shoe: Not overly Flexible
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Yes
Recommended for Haglunds: Somewhat
Is This Shoe Orthotic Friendly: Yes (not suggested as this is a stability shoe)
Recommended for Sockless: No
Durability Expectation: High
PERFORMANCE
Matt: The Saucony Hurricane 26 is a moderate stability lighter daily training shoe. The midsole is composed of a top layer of ATPU Incredilux with a bottom frame of EVA PWRRUN. The midsole is mostly made of Incredilux, which provides a bouncy and responsive ride underfoot. Additionally, the Hurricane 26 is quite light for being a 41mm / 35 mm stack height shoe. It weighs in at 9.2 oz for a men's size 9 and 9.6 oz / 272 grams in my size 10. This is an ounce lighter than the prior version and makes it one of the lightest stability shoes on the market. This gives it some unique capacities, where the ATPU foam is bouncy enough to feel fine on daily miles but can pick up the pace quite easily. The slightly lower drop also accentuates this but a rockered midsole offsets this from feeling too low. There is a large centered heel bevel, which due to the medial PWRRUN allows the lateral side to compress nicely for a smooth heel transition. The forefoot has some flex grooves, providing some mild flexibility but most of the transition comes from a standard forefoot rocker. The forefoot is a little snappy from both the IncrediLux and a little stiffness from the outsole material.
The amount of foam underfoot is noticeable and this is definitely a maximal shoe. It is plenty protective but the responsive midsole is what gives a surprising kick. Both the heel and forefoot have the same responsive, resilient feel where the midsole bounces back quickly. They do great on easy and long runs, which have kept my feet and legs comfortable. The transition from the prior version is that this shoe can also pick up the pace. I have used this shoe for an uptempo long run pushing sub 7 minute miles with a stroller and a solo fartlek that felt comfortable going under 6 minute pace. Most of my faster miles have been testing other shoes at the moment but curiosity got the better of me and while not a plate shoe and not the lightest shoe, it can still move. This shoe will be a versatile daily trainer for most people that can handle daily training, may be an option for long run style workouts and could be a marathon shoe for those with significant stability needs who find the "stable neutral" racing shoes to not be stable enough. The IncrediLux foam transitions to fast paces quickly and the shoe is smooth from heel to toe. I have 70 miles of testing and the midsole and outsole have held up super well. I have almost no wear on the outsole and the midsole is not softening or giving. I suspect this shoe will last a long time but I will release a >100 mile review when I get there for a final verdict. Overall, this is a great, light, durable, responsive and versatile maximal stability shoe that I am really enjoying.
Bach: This is the first max cushion stability shoe I have tried that felt vastly different underfoot in bounciness and squishness. If it weren't for the prominent feeling throughout the medial side, I would have said there was no way this was a stability shoe. Saucony's Incredilux feels very comfortable directly underfoot, while the EVA bottom layer does a good job of balancing this new foam out. This shoe is definitely bouncy on the run, a feeling I don't really remember having in any stability shoe I've tested recently. I often have trouble engaging a ton of foam in a shoe like this, but that extra pep from the sole really makes a difference here. I still think someone who slams the ground a little more than I do will really love this shoe, but this worked much better for me than expected. It's definitely a daily trainer first, and an easy mileage soaker. It is bouncy enough and light enough that you can do some slightly faster stuff in it too though, even though it's not ideal (stability users don't really have a stability workout shoe right now though, so its still one of the better options). If you want a comfortable stability shoe for longer distances races where you aren't too worried about pace or you just want a long run cruiser, I think this midsole duo works extremely well and provides an underfoot feeling you won't find elsewhere right now. If you are a stability runner who has been seeking a softer, bouncier experience, this shoe has finally arrived in the form of Hurricane 26.
I actually don't love the shoe for walking, maybe because I feel like the sole feels best when really engaged, but it is still very comfortable and for those wanting stability, cushion, and a lighter shoe this does a nice enough job. Outsole is a tank and will power through a wet road no problem.
VIDEO: Comparison with 25, and more thoughts
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
Matt: The Saucony Hurricane 26 is a moderate stability shoe. The length of the shoe features "center path" technology, which means that a top layer of IncrediLux foam sits in a firmer bottom frame of PWRRUN. The PWRRUN is raised on the medial heel and midfoot, which creates a medial post/wedge and a large amount of lateral bias in that area. The PWRRUN frame also continues on the medial and lateral sides of the shoe, with the center consisting of IncrediLux. This design continues into the forefoot, which feels centered without being overly pushy. The base of the shoe is quite wide, with significant medial flare, a filled in midfoot and a lateral cut out. These also emphasize the medial support/guidance of this shoe. There are also large sidewalls in the heel/midfoot, although these are not as noticeable as the medial post/wedge of PWRRUN. Unlike the last version (25), which felt mushy, the combination of IncrediLux and PWRRUN creates a responsive ride that does not mute the medial stability. The stability is far more present, creating at least a moderate if not higher level, while maintaining the shoes nimbleness/lightness. Those with moderate stability needs in the heel/midfoot will do best in this shoe while those with at least mild to moderate forefoot guidance needs will do well up front.
Bach: I didn't do any reading on specs and design for the testing of the Hurricane just to go by feel in comparison to the Omni I recently ran in. There is clearly a frame that this is built on with the medial side being very prominent, but not intrusive. I felt very stable collapsing medially on the run and found it equally stable front-to-back. The stability is very balanced, well-integrated, and mixes in the other elements (wide base, sole flare, structured upper) extremely well. Despite how much softer this sole is than normal for a stability shoe, you still feel the stability and security of the shoe.
It is not as aggressive of stability as the Omni, so those who need a very prominent stability in the medial side will still want to go that direction, but for most who just needs some pronounced medial stability should do well here. The shoe also caused no issues with my flat feet. I don't think this is the ideal shoe for those with lateral stability needs as everything feels very built medially.
Thoughts as a DPT: Responsive Stability Shoes and the Transition Between Pronation and Supination
By Matthew Klein
Stability shoes have traditionally been heavy, clunky and firm. Firm shoes tend to be more stable, while many of the elements traditionally used to make shoes stable, like posts, wider soles, etc, often make the transitions clunky and add significant weight to the shoes. Our current understanding of the appropriate application of stability has changed. In the past, the idea was to prevent or slow down motion. This isn't completely wrong, but we now know many of these methods, while they certainly helped some people, didn't always prevent motion.
As we have discussed extensively here, pronation describes a triplanar (three part) motion, not a pathology. You need to pronate to some degree to absorb the shock associated with impact/landing. If you do not pronate, you are missing an important method of shock absorption and those forces will go to other areas (like bone) that may predispose you to certain injuries. On the other side, if you pronate too much, you may not be appropriately stabilizing, which may length certain tissues aggressively and predispose you to different injuries. You want to be able to pronate and you want to be able to control it. Recent evidence has suggested that how much you pronate may not matter if you can get out of it. Watch any elite runner at the end of long races and most will have significant pronation, yet are still running quite fast. The faster you get out, the better. The longer you stay in end range pronation without the ability to resupinate, the more problematic it potentially is.
It is for that reason stability shoes like the Hurricane 26 and ASICS Kayano 32 that have responsive elements that help the individual go into pronation and propel back out into supination, may work well for many people. It isn't just about stopping motion but trying to facilitate it forward. People need to pronate and supinate. Potentially reducing one or both may be helpful in certain clinical situations but the faster you get someone to transition between the two of them, the better. I also just want responsive stability shoes to come back because people with stability needs also want to be able to pick up the pace!
RECOMMENDATIONS
Matt: I have really enjoyed the Saucony Hurricane 26. This may be my favorite stability shoe of this year, with the Omni 23 ST being a close second. It is the first time in a long time that I have experienced a smooth, responsive and light stability shoe. My only real suggestion is around the toe box. The increased volume actually feels more spacious than the prior version. I would still like to see a slightly more rounded toe box but outside of that this is a great update.
Bach: Saucony did us a solid with this massive upgrade to the Hurricane 26. It's a really different experience underfoot in terms of performance while keeping stability top of mind, which is really cool. At this point, I really just need the team to bring the Tempus back using what they learned here in an even lighter, equally bouncy form to create a true rotation for stability runners.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
Matt: The Saucony Hurricane 26 is for those who want a responsive, light, maximal shoe with moderate to high medial stability in the heel/midfoot and central guidance in the forefoot. The fit will work best for those with normal to potentially narrow feet, while those with wider feet may want to consider the wide version. The midsole will work best for those who want a highly cushioned and responsive midsole that a touch firmer than the prior version but by no means firm.
The ride will work best for those who want a rockered and light shoe that can handle daily training, long runs and even some workouts. This will not work for someone who wants a neutral ride as the lateral bias is significant in the heel/midfoot. This will also not work for someone who wants a moderate stack height, firmer stability shoe. It is not overly soft, but it is really bouncy and has a high stack height. While not the fastest shoe out there, it is one of the lightest stability shoes and may be an option for those who find the stable racers not stable enough over longer distance racing. Saucony is the only one creating smooth-riding, lighter stability shoes with superfoams.
After years of asking for stability racing shoes, this may be the closest we get and at least they fit/ride great and have fantastic durability that clearly justifies the price. Maybe I'm getting greedy now, but can Saucony bring back the Fastwitch? Regardless, Saucony is killing both the stability and midsole foam game and is one of the few combining them.
Bach: The Saucony Hurricane 26 is for runners who have mild-to-moderate stability needs and want a max cushion trainer that's both softer and bouncier. It's super rare to combine these desires, but the Hurricane finally delivers an option that's really fun. If you like firmer, highly rockered stability shoes, this isn't it, but there are plenty of other options out there.
Within the Saucony stability line-up, the options are fairly good and gives everyone an option. The Guide 19 is a solid, no-frills trainer for $140 that serves both stable neutral and mild stability need runners well at a lighter price point. The Hurricane 26 offers an extremely premium, uniquely bouncy ride at $170, while the Omni ST 26 gives you the most stability with a surprisingly good sole for the same price. Saucony is standing out as the top stability shoe maker of 2026 with this line-up.
GRADES
Matt
Fit: A- (Normal width fit with good security but a slightly tapered to box)
Performance: A (Light, responsive stability shoe that can handle long runs to uptempo runs and may even be a long distance racer for some)
Stability: A [Moderate Stability] (Significant and moderate medial stability in the heel/midfoot with a centered forefoot)
Value: A (A premium stability shoe that the only one that is this responsive, light and durable. Definitely worth the money)
Personal: A (I am really enjoying this shoe. I keep grabbing it for everything even though I need to be testing other things. It is the light, responsive super-stability shoe trainer that I've been looking for)
Overall Design: A
Bach
Fit: A- (Just a tiny bit short due to the taper, but very secure)
Performance: A- (A really fun, very different stability offering. Different is good)
Stability: A (Very good stability throughout that is well-integrated and balances this softer than normal sole for a stability trainer)
Value: A- (It's top end, but you are getting what you pay for here and durability is excellent)
Personal: A- (Even though I still like a firmer sole - I'm still a big Guide 19 fan - I think it's really great to see a breakout stability shoe that feels very modern and exciting)
Overall Design: A
SHOP | SUPPORT DORSaucony Hurricane 26Price: $169.95 at Running Warehouse
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FURTHER READING
KIPRUN's max stack trail shoe.
Hoka's super trainer.
Find all Shoe Reviews at Doctors of Running here.
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