Saucony has entered the Max stack supertrainer arms race with the all-new Paramount Max. After a month of running in this shoe, we’re well-prepared to tell you all about it; what it does well and not so well. Keep on reading to find out more.
While they have other supertrainers in their lineup (Endorphin Speed & Azura), this is the first of their supertrainers with a midsole to exceed 40 millimeters.
And the midsole is where the magic is with this shoe. With a big slab of Saucony’s TPEE-based IncrediRun foam you’re in for a soft and bouncy ride, and you’re in it for the long haul.
IncrediRun is the same foam found in Saucony’s top of the line racer, the Endorphin Elite. This formulation of IncrediRun is reportedly tuned to be 17% firmer in the Paramount Max, allowing for better stability and durability.
Our Verdict
The Saucony Paramount Max is heavy compared to other super trainers, but also a really fun ride. You get that pick up, wonderful cushion and all with a lot of stability. It’s going to be a shoe that appeals more to the mid and back of the pack seeking a fun ride with the ability to go faster and long, but probably not so much for the front of the pack.
Who Is It Good For?
- Wide Feet: Yes, there is plenty of room for wide feet.
- Heavier Runners: Yes, with the one exception being when running at top speeds.
- Long Runs: The soft and bouncy foam will great for long runs…for some.
- Front of the Pack: This should be a great easy/recovery/steady long run shoe.
Saucony Paramount Max Overview
My initial impression of the Saucony Paramount Max was that there was no way a shoe with this soft, spongy foam could work for me. Boy was I wrong. The first run I knew I was in for some fun runs.
Despite my first run being on extremely sore legs after some ego lifting at the squat rack earlier that morning, the run was great. I was slightly taken aback by the bouncy landings at first.
In my experience soft midsoles have a more delayed bounce, if any at all, and I sometimes find I’m running like I’m digging out of sand. But that was not the case here.
The rebound is quick and significant. It took about a kilometer before I found my stride, so to speak. This may have been due to the very sore legs, but it may have also been that I was caught off guard by the trampoline-like ride.
The Saucony Paramount Max is at its best when running at paces ranging from easy to marathon. My first long run involved an hour at easy pace followed by 40 minutes at marathon pace.
I did another long run and dropped down a bit more between my marathon and threshold paces and found this is where the train started to threaten to come off the tracks.
Threshold intervals were where I was not quite as impressed. I felt like that type of pace made the IncrediRun midsole compress just a bit too much. The bounce was still very apparent, but the “rhythm” was off when running at threshold pace and faster. This is likely where lighter runners would experience a different ride.
I did notice some foot fatigue after a sustained 20-minute threshold portion of that long run. This was likely from the increased downward forces of my stride pushing my big body deeper into the midsole.
Without a plate, or even something like the midfoot shank in the Adidas EVO SL, the uber soft foam lacks that stabilizing force through the midfoot. I did recall feeling the outlines of the outsole rubber in the forefoot during that portion of my run.
As this is considered a supertrainer I did take it out for some faster intervals to see how super it really is.
While it handled those paces well the softness did seem to hinder my stride a bit as I was putting more force down into the ground. Lighter runners might not experience this, but it’s something heavier runners should keep in mind.
There was also a minor issue with the heel that I’ll get more into later.
Another issue where the experience can differ based on body mass is the weight of the shoe. Bigger runners will likely love the protection over long miles and not be as bothered by the weight, but lighter runners may start to feel it once you start getting past the 90 minute mark.
Coach Stacey: I had a little bit of a different experience with the Paramount Max. At first, I kept it just for easy and recovery days because that’s what the soft cushioning felt right for. However, I’ve noticed that whenever I wear this super trainer, I naturally pick up the pace. So I kept it on for some strides, and it did really well, even with a higher stack height.
Each step is super smooth, and the shoes are working with my stride. Which, if you’ve read any of my reviews, you’ll know my stride is much like a dancer’s, running up on the front part of my foot.
To me, it also never felt heavy or cumbersome on the road, on the treadmill, or on crushed-gravel trails. I took it out for a variety of distances, and it honestly never made my legs or feet feel weighed down.
Stability was great in the Paramount Max. A very broad platform gives you a lot of surface area to land. A substantial medial sidewall and a slightly lower lateral sidewall keep your foot centered as you roll through your stride.
And despite the tall stack I found it cornered well, even at higher speeds.
The outsole layout covers a large portion of the forefoot with strips on either side of the heel. There is some exposed IncrediRun but most of it is protected by the outsole. Traction was very good running over some wet spots and the sandy beach path I often run on.
Saucony Paramount Max Specifications
- Brand: Saucony
- Usage: Super Trainer
- Previous Model: None
- Weight: 10.83 oz Men’s size 11
- Stack Height: 43mm of TPEE-based IncrediRun foam
- Heel to Toe Drop: 6mm drop
- Not available in wide sizes
- Engineered creel jacquard mesh upper
- Available at saucony.com for $200 on July 1st
Upon unboxing these shoes I had a real Marty McFly moment and thought I would need to track down Doc Brown to help get me back from 2005.
The look is very retro, but I’m a sucker for nostalgia and the midsole structure and colorway reminded me of the styles available way back when I was young. The white and black with gold and silver accents is certainly eye-catching.
This is a shoe that will certainly stand out from the crowd.
Quick Take
Pros
- Very stable for such a tall shoe
- Exceptional bounce
- Good balance between comfort and performance
- Great for long runs…for some
Cons
- Breathability can be better
- Heavy when compared to its competitors
- Limited compared to other supertrainers at a similar price point
Saucony Paramount Max Fit & Feel
The fit was just right in my usual men’s size 11. The toebox tapers to a narrow fit, but it wasn’t a hindrance on longer runs. The wide base allows for plenty of space further back near the ball of the foot. The height of the toebox also helps with breathing room for the toes.
The fit around the midfoot was what I would call secure without being restrictive. The plush and gusseted tongue works well with the upper and lacing system. Instead of traditional eyelets, the laces are fed through loops.
The anatomical heel counter wasn’t great at holding my right foot in place despite a top notch fit everywhere else. My left heel was slightly less loose, but still loose.
The heel counter really reminded me of the New Balance 1080v10/11, and that’s not a good thing. I tried lacing just a bit tighter over the first couple lace rows and at the top, to no avail. The stretchy laces are long enough for a runner’s knot, however, which helped solve the heel slippage.
Coach Stacey: I didn’t have the same issues here with the fit. I felt like the heel counter held my foot in place without needing to change the laces. It fit perfectly right out of the box, and just kept getting more and more comfortable after each run.
Just watch out for that heel pull tab, I am sporting a blister from the first few wear but now it doesn’t even bother me.
I found breathability to be below average. The upper doesn’t run that hot, but there really isn’t much airflow besides the few times when the wind momentarily kicked up. As the weather starts heating up, this could potentially be an issue.
The Saucony Paramount Max will likely be a polarizing shoe. The Minimalist Militia will likely be turned off by it, while the Plush Platoon will think it’s the best thing since sliced bread.
I’m somewhere in between. I appreciate it for what it is and for the swing Saucony took with the introduction of this monster of a shoe.
The positives outweigh the negatives, in my opinion. While the $200 price tag is high, the Paramount Max can be a Swiss Army knife of sorts.
Coach Stacey: I agree with Tim here. Saucony nailed it again with this newer shoe in its lineup. I used to have just a few shoes I rotate through and now it’s getting way too hard to pick what shoe I’ll wear each workout.
It can handle daily miles, recovery runs, long runs, and if it’s not a great long run option for you it can be paired with something like an Endorphin Speed for an all-Saucony Rotation.
If you’re not bothered by a heavier shoe on long runs you can have one shoe to do most of everything, save for the faster stuff.
Our team has tested a lots of different super trainers, here’s a few other similar shoes: Whew we had a lot to say on the new Saucony Paramount Max review. Have you tried it? How do you compare it to other super trainers you’ve used? The post We’ve Tested Every Saucony Supertrainer and the Paramount Max Is a Different Animal appeared first on RunToTheFinish.Similar Shoes to the Saucony Paramount Max
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