Saucony Journey 18 Introduction
18 is a particular quantity. It was the shirt variety of the legendary Man United midfielder, Paul Scholes who was recognized for his unimaginable passing vary. Scholes was the engine that powered the Man United assault, controlling the tempo of the sport and dictating tempo.
The Journey, on its 18 iteration, is Saucony’s impartial, mid-range each day coach. Like Paul Scholes, the Journey 18 is a superb all-rounder; constant and adaptable, with none flashy stats. A easy, snug and dependable coach for consuming up mileage.
It’s a do-it-all workhorse designed to cater to everybody from newcomers to elites. Two of the Journey’s primary focuses are sturdiness and affordability, so it doesn’t have Saucony’s thrilling racing foams (Incredirun, Pwrrun HG, Pwrrun PB) in its midsole.
With the rising reputation of tremendous trainers such because the Saucony Endorphin Pace & Kinvara Professional, the boring mid-range each day trainers have misplaced their hype. Typically un-plated, slower and cheaper than tremendous trainers, mid-range each day trainers are now not held in such excessive esteem like they had been within the days of yesteryear. Nonetheless, the Journey stays a cornerstone of Saucony’s efficiency operating vary.
I’ve examined 3 Journey variations up to now 5 years and I’ve discovered that each one of them to be actually stable, versatile each day trainers. Final 12 months’s Journey 17 was the most effective model so far: it had extra stack top, extra cushioning and extra vitality return than its predecessors.
The Journey 17 was a significant overhaul however the Journey 18 is a minor replace. In response to the Saucony web site, it weighs 0.8 oz (23 g) lower than the Journey 17. It has the identical stack top as v17 which is 37 mm/29 mm and its value stays $140.
Saucony Journey 18 First Impressions
Throughout my preliminary 10 km easy-paced run, the very first thing that struck me was the numerous enchancment within the match of the higher. Not like model 17, which felt saggy and had an extra of fabric, model 18 felt way more dialed in and offered a extra snug match.
The trip felt remarkably much like its predecessor: balanced, well-cushioned and easy. The forefoot felt somewhat bit extra versatile and the cushioning felt ever so barely softer than v17.
The factor that I loved most was how premium and well-built the Journey 18 felt. The thick insole made out of PWRRUN+ delivered a extremely luxurious, plush step in really feel which is unique to the Journey and Triumph sequence.
Saucony Journey 18 Higher
The higher is probably the most noticeable distinction between v17 and v18. In model 17, I skilled some tongue slide as a result of though it was semi-gusseted, there was no loop on the tongue for the laces to cross via. Model 18 fixes this by implementing a loop on the tongue so now the laces maintain in in place and stop it from sliding round.
The engineered mesh higher of the Journey 18 has undergone a minor improve, leading to a softer and extra versatile really feel that elevates the general sense of high quality. Moreover, the shoe maintains the graceful lining contained in the collar and heel that was current in model 17, making certain a snug match across the ankle and heel. This design, mixed with the general construction of the inner heel counter, ends in wonderful heel lockdown.
The Journey 18 affords a true-to-size match and options an accommodating design that caters to a variety of foot sorts. This improved match represents a notable enchancment over model 17, the place the higher materials felt extreme and considerably free. In distinction, model 18 offers a extra tailor-made and safe really feel.
Saucony Journey 18 Sole Unit
Whereas the Saucony Triumph 22 has been up to date to a Pwrrun PB midsole and has turn out to be (surprisingly) softer, the Journey 18 maintains its Pwrrun+ midsole so it retains the versatile trip character that made the Journey 17 such an incredible each day coach.
The Journey 18 is a remarkably versatile each day coach, and is ready to deal with a variety of operating paces and distances. Its distinctive consolation and flexibility make it a dependable alternative for varied varieties of runs. Whether or not embarking on a relaxed simple run, sustaining a reasonable tempo, or pushing the tempo on shorter distances, the Journey 18 persistently delivers a easy and cozy expertise.
This shoe embodies the essence of a quintessential each day coach, and caters to the various wants of runners searching for a single, go-to choice for on a regular basis coaching. It has a little bit of one thing for everybody.
The Journey 18 even has sufficient cushioning depth to run a full marathon in. I used it for a 40 kilometre coaching run and it felt snug for the whole lot of the run. My legs additionally didn’t really feel beat up or sore after the run.
The Journey distinguishes itself from different each day trainers in its class via its incorporation of a thick, Pwrrun+ insole. This characteristic delivers heightened cushioning and luxury instantly beneath your toes, creating plush and opulent transitions.
This stage of consolation surpasses even that of upper priced fashions just like the Saucony Endorphin Pace, which lack a Pwrrun+ insole.
The outsole of the Journey 18 has an analogous design to the Journey 17 however there may be extra forefoot rubber and the sample on the lugs is completely different. The traces on the rubber lugs are spaced additional aside than v17 however I didn’t discover an enchancment in traction. Grip is okay in dry situations however not nice on moist surfaces because of how agency the rubber is.
Sturdiness could be very excessive and there’s barely any outsole put on on my pair after 90 kilometres of testing. I count on it to have the flexibility to deal with upwards of 800 kilometres.
Saucony Journey 18 Conclusions
The Saucony Journey 18 is a extremely polished each day coach with no main flaws. It doesn’t have the thrilling trip of a brilliant coach, however this can be very snug, can carry out each sort of coaching run, is rather well constructed and has a good value.
My favorite characteristic is the thick Pwrrun+ insole which offers a premium stage of plushness proper beneath my toes. The Journey 18 will keep in my rotation for simple runs that are brief or middle-distance. For longer runs, I favor one thing with an energy-saving rocker.
The Journey 18, whereas a superb operating shoe, presents solely a minor replace from its predecessor. The general trip expertise between the 2 fashions stays largely unchanged. Subsequently, for many who already personal the Journey 17, upgrading to the Journey 18 isn’t a necessity.
Nonetheless, there may be room for enchancment. A slight enhance in stack top would elevate the Journey 18’s efficiency, deliver it according to extra fashionable trainers and improve its total cushioning depth. This adjustment would offer a extra plush and cozy trip, and enchantment to a wider vary of runners. The wet-weather grip additionally must be improved.