Saucony Tempus Shoe Review
Saucony's Most Responsive Compound, Now in a Stability Shoe
Likes
- Lightweight on-foot feel is comfortable out on the run
- Reliable stability that is hardly noticeable underfoot
- Solid energy return, especially for a stability option
Dislikes
- PWRRUN PB is not as explosive in the PWRRUN Duo dual-density design
What's New
The Tempus is an exciting new lightweight stability trainer from Saucony that balances speed, comfort, and support for those who struggle with overpronation. Blending Saucony's PWRRUN PB super foam with a PWRRUN support frame, the Tempus' PWRRUN Duo structure creates a supportive yet lively ride that offers naturally smooth transitions from heel to toe. While the softer, more responsive PWRRUN PB foam gives this shoe its light and springy feel, the firmer PWRRUN foam acts as a stability frame that resists lateral movement and eases forward motion through the gait cycle. The Saucony Tempus also features a lightweight, breathable mesh upper with adaptive lacing and a midfoot saddle to lock in your perfect fit. Runners who need extra support but don't want to sacrifice speed and performance will love the Saucony Tempus for anything from daily training to speedy tempo runs.
The Bottom Line
What distinguishes the Tempus from the competition is its innovative midsole design, which trades the traditional medial post used in most stability shoes for Saucony's PWRRUN Duo design. This dual-density midsole features a PWRRUN PB core wrapped in a U-shaped PWRRUN foam support frame, guaranteeing a responsive ride that is also highly stable no matter the type of run. That said, the PWRRUN PB foam does not have the same level of responsiveness here as it does in the Endorphin Speed, but this is a necessary trade-off for the additional support and resilience of the PWRRUN Duo midsole.
Compared to other stability trainers, the Tempus' seamless stability rivals that of the HOKA Arahi, and neutral runners who enjoy added levels of support will love the natural underfoot feel of the Tempus. Additionally, the Tempus is both lighter and more responsive than the majority of other stability shoes, and it has already proven itself to be one of the highest-performing stability options on the market.
Runners will also appreciate this shoe's breathable mesh upper, which, like the midsole, delivers a winning combination of comfort and performance. Our testers highlighted the Tempus' upper for its lightweight feel and dependable lockdown, further reinforcing the shoe's supportive nature. Overall, the Tempus is an exciting new stability offering from Saucony that is primed to meet the needs of a wide range of runners.
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
Brycen: "At first, the Tempus felt firmer than I was expecting, and footstrikes were a little hard, but after a single run to break the midsole in, they were extremely soft. After the first run, the Tempus' midsole softened to an almost cloud-like feel."
Kaleb: "I ran in the original Endorphin Speed, as well as version 2, so I am pretty familiar with PWRRUN PB-based midsoles and have always enjoyed the foam's soft, highly responsive feel. That said, I was surprised how firm the Tempus was underfoot. Overall, it was well balanced with a noticeably softer heel than forefoot, but compared to the Speed 2, the midsole is definitely firmer."
Ride/Energy Returni
Brycen: "The energy return on the Tempus is excellent, and the midsole's bounce carried me for miles. Though bouncy, the Tempus did not lack any support, and the PWRRUN Duo support system gave me the confidence to keep charging forward."
Kaleb: "Again, I was surprised by the Tempus' midsole. I was expecting a fast and responsive shoe powered by the PWRRUN PB super foam midsole, but the Tempus did not offer the energy return I was hoping for, especially given the hype Saucony gave the shoe. That said, the firmer midsole allowed me to push tempo paces, and the Tempus felt great on a variety of runs at various paces, so although the energy wasn't as expected, this was still a responsive shoe with a fun ride. I think a lot of runners, especially those who need the extra stability, will enjoy the slightly firm feel of the Tempus."
Underfoot Protectioni
Brycen: "The Tempus was super protective, and I appreciated all the foam underfoot. Once broken in, I felt no pain throughout my testing runs, and even my shins and knees, which I have consistent challenges with, were fine. I would have no issue running in the Tempus over any distance."
Kaleb: "I thought the Tempus offered enough protection for all my daily training runs. I do not think this shoe would be my first choice for my longest efforts, but for any run 10K and under, the Tempus was well equipped. Furthermore, the PWRRUN Duo midsole created a stable platform, which remained reliable throughout testing."
Upper Supporti
Brycen: "I never felt restricted while running in the Tempus, which offered a healthy amount of room without being too spacious. The upper adapted to my foot well and kept me securely locked, even on uneven terrain."
Kaleb: "The Tempus' wrap was relatively neutral, with a nice balance of structure and adaptability. It felt light on my foot and was highly breathable. The Tempus also delivered a solid hold that kept my feet from sloshing around and prevented any irritation. The upper wasn't overly built-up, providing enough padding and support to keep things comfortable without adding unnecessary weight."
Individual Thoughts
I think the Saucony Tempus is a nearly perfect stability shoe for daily training needs. All of my runs in the shoes felt stable, smooth, and comfortable, and I enjoyed the Tempus throughout testing. As advertised, these shoes provided one of the most stable rides I have ever experienced, and the PWRRUN PB foam offered an excellent energy return that propelled me forward effortlessly on my runs. I fully plan on continuing to run in the Tempus after this review. The shoe's upper fit my foot very well, and I had no challenges with blisters or hot spots. With the Tempus' awesome balance of comfort and performance, I can honestly say that I could run forever in this shoe. I highly recommend the Tempus for anyone who needs a versatile daily trainer or a highly stable shoe that will combat the woes of overpronation.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
Although I was not disappointed by the shoe's performance, the Tempus did not quite deliver the experience I was expecting. Sadly, the midsole was not as responsive as I anticipated, but Saucony's PWRRUN Duo midsole created a highly versatile ride that could handle nearly any pace and distance.
I think the PWRRUN PB's responsiveness was affected by the shoe's PWRRUN support frame, dampening the energy with its denser foam. That said, the Tempus delivered an impressively supportive feel that overpronators and neutral runners will appreciate, especially on daily training runs. Furthermore, with its high level of stability, the Tempus falls into the category of a gym crossover shoe, in my opinion.
Overall, I think the Tempus is a reliable shoe that runners will enjoy for miles and miles. The ride doesn't yield as high of an energy return as anticipated, but it does provide everything runners need to conquer daily training mileage. This is especially true for runners who need extra support to help with overpronation. I should also note that my pair has shown no signs of wear after 50+ miles, so runners will get their money's worth out of the Tempus.