The Saucony Hurricane may have made one of the best comebacks in the running shoe game. Saucony actually discontinued the shoe in 2022. But two years later, the shoe was back and better than ever.
Now on its 26th iteration, the shoe continues to improve. Today, it’s become a popular choice for anyone searching for a max cushion stability shoe for everyday miles.
In the past, high cushion stability shoes like the Hurricane have felt stiff, corrective, and almost brick-like underfoot. But with the revival of the Hurricane came some innovative new technologies that brought it into the modern running shoe world.
The 26th version of this shoe takes the innovation and revolutionary new technology even further. With a brand new foam, subtle stability elements, and more padding than ever before, the Hurricane 26 is meant to keep you feeling like you’re running on clouds, all while supporting your feet and preventing overpronation.
So does this revived shoe achieve this goal? Our review team at Marathon Sports wanted to find out. To learn more, we did a deep dive on the Hurricane, all its features, and how it performs when we take to the road.
Our Review Process
We want to make sure we help everyone that comes through our doors find the perfect shoe for them. And we can’t do that without knowing every running shoe and new model inside and out.
In order to gain the best possible understanding of every shoe, every update and new model undergoes a thorough testing process. Our team members dive into all the technical details, learn about the key features that make or break the shoe, and take them for a variety of test runs to see how these elements all play out in practice.
So we did exactly that with the Hurricane 26, taking a closer look at everything the shoe has to offer and lacing them up for all our daily running miles, walks, speed workouts, and more. In this review, we’ll highlight all our findings to help you decide whether the Hurricane 26 is the right choice for your next running shoe.
Hurricane 26: Specs and Highlights
Looking for a rundown of the newest Saucony Hurricane? Here are some fast facts and highlights you can expect from this trainer.
- A high cushion stability trainer designed for daily miles and long runs
- Stack height: 41 mm in the heel, 35 mm in the forefoot
- 6 mm heel-to-toe offset
- Weight: 9.2 oz (M), 8.1 oz (W)
- Midsole made from new IncrediLUX foam with a PWRRUN frame
- Centerpath technology provides adaptive support and correction for overpronation
- Comfort mesh upper provides additional support and padding
- XT-900 carbon rubber outsole keeps the shoe lightweight and flexible while enhancing durability
- Vegan and made with recycled materials
- Price: $170
A Deep Dive: A Closer Look at the Hurricane’s Main Features
Now, let’s take a look at how these features come together and shape the newest Saucony Hurricane.
New Dual-Density Midsole
Saucony first debuted the IncrediLUX foam in the Triumph 24, and our review team were big fans of this soft yet responsive ride this brand new foam has to offer. So when we saw Saucony was bringing IncrediLUX to the Hurricane 26, we certainly weren’t complaining.
As we saw with the Triumph, this midsole foam gives the Hurricane 26 a plush, premium feel. However, the Hurricane incorporates a PWRRUN frame around this soft bed of IncrediLUX cushioning, which helps stabilize the foot through each landing.
The Hurricane 26 also upped the stack height, bringing it from 38/32 mm in the Hurricane 25 to 41/35 mm. With the shift to a new midsole design – and even more foam underfoot – the Hurricane 26 delivers a max cushion feel perfect for logging easy miles or spending long days on your feet.
Support Elements
Stability used to be synonymous with stiff, heavy, and uncomfortable. Fortunately, in recent years, shoes have been shifting away from overly corrective medial posts and using more holistic, adaptable support technology. For example, the Centerpath technology found in the Hurricane 26.
Centerpath technology utilizes a few different elements to support the arch, including a broad base, an asymmetrical profile with extra foam on the medial side, and raised sidewalls around the foot. In the Hurricane 26, these elements come together to correct for overpronation, or excessive inward rolling of the arches and ankles.
The best part of this stability method is that, despite the noticeable arch support, the shoe maintains a soft and lightweight feel. You can tell the shoe is working to keep you aligned, but it doesn’t have the trademark stiffness found in some other stability shoes.
Comfort Mesh Upper
The Hurricane is built to deliver max cushioning and max comfort, and this goal is evident in the padded comfort mesh upper that wraps the top of the foot.
The mesh is incredibly lightweight, which helps keep the shoe feeling light and airy. But the true standout is how much padding and comfort is built into the upper. The heel collar and tongue provide lots of extra cushioning, creating a snug and secure fit and keeping your feet comfortable for mile after mile.
Some athletes will likely appreciate the shoe’s snug fit and tapered toe box. However, those that need a roomier fit may find it too narrow. Consider sizing up or opting for a wide width if you prefer a more spacious and accommodating fit.
Shoe Geometry and Overall Construction
With a shoe as built up and cushiony as the Hurricane 26, the geometry and overall design is crucial in preventing the shoe from feeling too soft and unstable. While the broad base and firmer frame help in this regard, there are a few other features that come into play as well.
The Hurricane 26 has a 6 mm heel-to-toe offset, which is relatively low compared to other running shoes today. This drop keeps your feet in a more natural position, helping you feel stable and secure through your strides.
The forefoot rocker also helps keep you moving forward on runs or walks. This curved forefoot rolls you through your strides, creating smooth transitions for more comfort and propulsion on long runs or walks.
It’s also worth noting how remarkably lightweight the model is, especially given the sheer amount of cushioning and support built into the shoe. The newest Hurricane is 9.2 oz for men’s shoes and 8.1 oz for women’s, down from 10 and 8.8 oz in the Hurricane 25.
Outsole Durability
Underneath the shoe, you’ll find a high coverage XT-900 carbon rubber outsole. Not only does this outsole provide exceptional grip, but it’s also very durable.
At $170, the Saucony Hurricane 26 costs more than its moderate cushion counterparts. But with a resilient and long-lasting outsole, along with so much reliable and plush IncrediLUX foam, we think you’ll find plenty of value for your money with this newest Saucony stability shoe.
Road Test Results
Considering the success of the IncrediLUX foam in the newest Triumph, our team was excited to unbox the Hurricane 26 and take it for a spin.
Upon taking the Hurricane out of the box, what immediately stood out to us was just how lightweight it was. The Hurricane 26 is a lot of shoe. It has a high stack height, wide flared base, and a bulky, weighty look. We were happy to see that the looks were deceiving, and the shoe offered an impressively light and airy stability shoe option.
Lacing up the shoe and heading out for a long run, the IncrediLUX cushioning really shined. As you might expect from the name, it felt plush and luxurious underfoot. The PWRRUN frame provided a touch of firmness for extra stability, but overall, the shoe was softer and springier than its predecessor.
We also think that on long, easy days, the support technology will be a fan favorite. While the arch support was definitely noticeable, it didn’t make the shoe stiff or obtrusive. It provided subtle guidance, which was much appreciated towards the ends of runs when form started to falter.
One factor to keep in mind when considering the hurricane is that, despite the support being flexible and adaptive, it’s still a stability shoe with corrective support elements. We would suggest this shoe for mild to moderate overpronators.
Runners who supinate or have a neutral gait may find the support level unnatural or overcorrective. If you aren’t sure if you need this support, our Marathon Sports team offers personalized fittings to help you determine your gait and support needs.
While the foam and support were standouts, there were a few factors that may not work for every runner or walker out there.
The Hurricane 26 shined on long runs or casual easy run days. But when it came to picking up the pace, it didn’t excel quite as much. The lightweight design and responsive foam definitely makes it more versatile than previous iterations, but as we mentioned, with more cushioning, a wide base, and super padded upper, the shoe has a lot of bulk to it.
Runners looking for a versatile, do-it-all daily trainer may want to look elsewhere. The shoe was a bit too soft and substantial to comfortably and effortlessly tackle speed workouts or more uptempo runs.
The extra padding in the upper also delivers both immediate step-in comfort and extra security throughout long runs. Our review team members were big fans of the cushioning, but also found that it limited the shoe’s breathability. On particularly warm summer days, you may find the shoe lacks the ventilation and airflow you’re looking for.
As a whole, however, these downsides didn’t impact how impressed we were with the Hurricane’s update. The shoe is a great option for anyone looking for support and max cushioning. While we would recommend it as a longer run or easy mileage shoe, it’s also a great option for anyone on their feet a lot at work or any walkers looking for a plush yet stable shoe.
Pros and Cons
Throughout our review, we found both lots to love and a few elements that may not work for everyone out there. Here’s a quick overview of the Hurricane 26’s pros and cons.
Pros
- Combination of IncrediLUX midsole with PWRRUN frame creates a super plush and bouncy running experience, with a touch of firmness and stability to counter the soft landings and high stack height. Overall, this delivers a well-balanced ride with exceptional impact absorption
- Centerpath technology delivers effective support for mild to moderate overpronators without making the shoe feel too stiff or heavy
- New cushioning, upper, and overall construction reduced the shoe’s weight for a lightweight feel, especially considering the amount of support and cushioning underfoot
- XT-900 rubber outsole offers fantastic grip and durability, no matter where your runs take you
Cons
- Not the most versatile shoe – many runners will find them too soft or bulky for more uptempo runs and workouts
- Cushioned upper provides lots of all-around comfort, but does lack breathability in warmer weather conditions
The Hurricane 26 vs the Competition: How Does it Stack Up?
In a growing max cushion running shoe market, Saucony is continuing to innovate and stand out from the competition. The brand new IncrediLUX foam gives the Hurricane 26 a huge edge, offering a blend of softness and responsiveness that’s hard to beat.
But if you’re searching for your next running shoe, it’s always worth considering your options.
Throughout our runs, the new Hurricane drew several comparisons to the new Asics Gel-Kayano. These are both high cushion stability shoes renowned for their softness and adaptive support.
The biggest difference is in the support system. The Gel-Kayano 33 uses more subtle stability technology that will work better for neutral runners who prefer extra stability or any mild overpronators. But if you need more corrective support, the Hurricane will likely be the better choice.
And if you love the super plush, max cushion feel underfoot, you should also consider the Hoka Gaviota. These shoes share a wide base, stable platform, and soft cushioned design. While they’re very comparable shoes, those with a wider forefoot may appreciate the Hoka’s more rounded toe box compared to the Hurricane’s tapered construction.
The Finish Line: Final Thoughts on the Hurricane 26
A lot of runners and walkers alike were left disappointed when Saucony first retired the Hurricane. But the running shoe model has made an impressive comeback, using new, innovative technology to appeal to both long-time Hurricane fans and anyone looking for a new, high cushion stability shoe option.
The newest Hurricane takes this cushioning to the next level, delivering one of the softest stability shoes on the market today. While it’s not the most versatile workhorse shoe, it’s a great choice for anyone who prioritizes protection, cushioning, and support in their shoes.
Ready to try it out for yourself? Swing by your local Marathon Sports today. You can try out the Hurricane, Gel-Kayano, Gaviota, and some of the other top running shoes around today. With the right running shoes for you, you can take your running up a notch and enjoy more comfort with every step.
