Saucony w grid type a44/19/2024 ![]() ![]() There is a small plastic heel counter, though it extends only about halfway up the heel and is not really noticeable when the shoe is on foot. The upper is minimally structured and highly breathable, and for the most part it’s suitable for sockless wear (more on this below). ![]() This is a no frills shoe, and that’s what I love about it. The beauty of the Grid Type A5 is it’s simplicity. I’ve come to the realization that my feet may have indeed changed shape as more and more I find myself opting for 10.5’s instead of my old standard size 10. What a difference a bit of space can make! The fit went from iffy to absolutely perfect, and the improvement over my experience with the A4 has been dramatic. I debated sending them back and giving up on the shoe, but opted to give them another try and ordered a half size up. I initially ordered the A5 in my usual size 10, but the fit was clearly still not right. However, since the fit of the upper was my main issue and the A5 is a relative bargain among running shoes these days, I ordered a pair to review. Thus, I was skeptical of trying the A5 since the sole was the same and only the upper had been updated. The Grid Type A4 never fit me quite right, and I managed to injure myself running a marathon in them a few years back (peroneal tendonitis). I did try out the previous iteration of the Saucony Grid Type line, and it was not a positive experience. Simply put, the Grid Type A5 has exceeded my expectations in nearly every possible way and has earned a spot on my feet for my Fall A-race – the Smuttynose Half-Marathon on September 30. I recently reviewed the adidas Gazelle, which is a truly awesome shoe, and next up is the A5, which I’ve managed to log 70+ miles in so far (including speedwork and several 13 mile plus long runs). It’s pretty rare for me to put more than 50 miles on a single shoe in one month given the number of reviews that I’m working on at any given time, but since mid-August I’ve run almost exclusively in two shoes: the adidas Gazelle and the Saucony Grid Type A5. A cut out arch means a narrower platform, smaller base of support and thus a more unstable platform.I think I’m in love. Essentially if you have some pronatory issues due to weakness, you may be able to get away with the Saucony Type A6 due to the filled in arch and broader and thus more stable platform versus many that cut the arch out. Certain shoes get away with this like the Brooks T7 Racer (a personal favorite: Review HERE) but others like the original New Balance Minimus Road do not. This to me leaves the shoe feeling very unstable as my foot has nothing to rollover. Many racing shoes do not have the arch filled in at all and instead leave the space completely empty to save weight. Saucony does this with many shoes, especially the Kinvara series and some people may find the arch irritating but I tend to enjoy from a point of guiding the foot without forcing it to do anything like many traditional stability features do. To me it feels like a prioprioceptive cue due to the mild touch of EVA to the arch to remind some of my muscles to continue working with a little extra to cushion medial movement. Saucony simply put a little more midsole material in the arch. ![]() It is not posting or a different density of foam. The A6 and Kinvara both have EVA built up under the arch, which is not intrusive, but due to the pattern of EVA creates a mild feeling of arch support. Thoughts as a DPT (Student): Saucony uses many aspects that I have discussed previously that other companies don't necessarily take advantage of for creating a stable shoe. My favorite part is that despite the lack of outsole nubs, they still have great grip on roads even after rain. ![]() They are larger than previous versions, however they still perform well on XC courses. The Type A6 also has drainage holes are a little annoying in terms of picking up rocks. The heel to toe drop is low at 4-5mm which is typical for racing flats in this range. Additionally, the ride is consistent from heel to toe, which definitely contributes to the smooth ride. I expected the simple EVA midsole to not provide a great deal of cushion, but the ride is cushioned for a racing flat. With over 50 miles I am seeing very little wear despite tough workouts and races on a variety of races. Now without the nubs and the additional EVA pads on the bottom, the outsole is much more durable than in the past. In the past, the Type A series used nubs for additional grip on the road that fell off very quickly. Sole/Ride/Drop: The sole is made of a simple EVA sole. ![]()
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