I’ve been running for nearly two decades and, somehow, this is my first stability shoe. I feel like I should win some kind of award for that. Don’t get me wrong, I pronate—most people do. But just because a runner pronates doesn’t mean they need stability shoes. In fact, wearing motion control shoes can do more harm than good for some runners. Source? Sir, this is a blog. But this is the rare stability shoe that should work for both neutral and pronating runners. How did my first foray with a stability shoe go? Let’s get into it, with this Saucony Hurricane 24 review.
Let’s get the obvious out of the way: “Hurricane” is not a great name for a running shoe, for obvious reasons. It’s highly problematic, and not a term I want to associate with footwear I’m running in. Yes, because of the awful destruction these natural disasters have on people and communities, but also because it sounds flat-out dangerous! Just think about how weird it sounds to say: “I’m running in the Hurricane today.” Who in their right mind would ever go running outside in a hurricane?
It’s clear Saucony feels the same: In 2022, they announced they were discontinuing the Hurricane, after 23 editions of the beefy stability shoe. No one really seemed to care, unlike the huge public outcry a decade earlier that forced Brooks to rescind their announcement they were discontinuing their Launch. Then, this year, Saucony pulled an MJ, and said “JK,” and brought the Hurricane out of retirement for a revamped 24th iteration.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I understand this is no extreme stability shoe like the Brooks Adrenaline or ASICS Gel-Kayano. But it’s still a stability shoe to me, damnit!
Saucony Hurricane 24 Review
Weight: Men: 10.6 oz. (302 g) Women: 9.8 oz. (279 g)
Stack height: 38 mm/32 mm (6 mm drop)
Price: $160
Midsole
Whether it’s referring to the number of partners in a steamy hot threesome, or scoops of ice cream on a sweltering hot summer’s day, two is always better than one. Oh, and I’ll never say “no” to two midsole foams in a running shoe. Saucony implements their dual cushioning system in the Hurricane 24’s midsole. Just as in the highly underrated Kinvara Pro, Saucony pairs their bouncy, soft PWRRUN PB foam (made of PEBA) with the supportive, firm PWRRUN (EVA) foam, in the form of a frame underneath.
PWRRUN PB is the super foam found in the excellent Endorphin Speed and Endorphin Pro. When you’ve got multiple foams underfoot, there’s no need for a plate! I’d like to see more brands experiment with incorporating multiple foams into a pair—it can provide a more dynamic and unique ride.
Ride
It’s hard to tell that this is a stability shoe. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. But the pair does feel supportive underfoot, thanks to higher sidewalls, a broader outsole base, and a PWRRUN midsole frame. It’s quite the soft ride and I could really feel that tall stack height (38/32 mm) underfoot.
This is a shoe that truly pampers your feet—both with its underfoot sensation and the dreamy upper. It’s one of the comfiest running experiences I’ve had over the past year. No mushy ride here; the combo of the lively PWRRUN PB and firm PWRRUN make sure of that. Don’t worry, despite how it sounds, I’m not trying to fuck this shoe.
Upper
Up top is a breathable engineered mesh that only bolsters Saucony’s reputation for extremely comfy uppers. This is one of the coziest uppers you’ll find. It hugs my feet well without suffocating them, and there’s ample room in the toe box. Although the tongue is non-gusseted, it’s plush and long enough for a secure lockdown. And if you care about whether a tongue is gusseted, you probably shouldn’t be running. This is one of those shoes you could wear comfortably for hours and hours—for running or even aimlessly walking around a city like a clueless, lost tourist in a stupid hat who’s about to get robbed at gunpoint.
Outsole
If I’m being honest, I’m getting pretty tired of trying to pretend like I care about a shoe’s outsole. It’s objectively, scientifically and aesthetically the least important component of a pair. Look, the Hurricane’s got a durable outsole with plenty of rubber extending the length of the foot. Yawn.
Price
$160 for a premium max cushion pair should not be a surprise these days. If it is, you must have been in a coma for the past couple years. And if so, welcome back! We missed you! I have so much to tell you about the price of running shoes. Bottom line: it’s priced exactly where it should be for a fun, plush shoe with two foams—one being PEBA.
Looks
You’d be forgiven if you mistook the Hurricane 24 for the HOKA Bondi—they look eerily similar. Why, it’s almost as if Saucony copied the look from HOKA. [gasp] But, then again, how many different design variations of a running shoe can there be? Just like movie plots, there are only so many to go around before they’re reused, recycled, and reduced—well, not reduced—that doesn’t make sense. Actually, you know what? Yeah, it does—movie plots can be reduced by being diminished in size or extent, or to a worse quality.
The Hurricane greatly improves upon the looks of the Bondi, and my Navy|Peel colorway is a nice blend of orange and blue.
Weight
The more I run, the less I care about a shoe’s weight—unless it’s on race day or for speed work. Chalk it up to improving as a runner, I guess. (How’s that for a humble brag?) Because in the past, the Hurricane’s 10.6 ounces for a men’s size 9 would’ve been a deal breaker. I mean, just think how heavy my size 15 must be! But this shoe doesn’t feel like it’s on the wrong side of 10.5 ounces. The PWRRUN PB makes you feel light on your foot.
Conclusion
The Saucony 2024 release I was most looking forward to testing was the Triumph 22. It turned out, it was another shoe boasting PWRRUN PB for the first time that exceeded my expectations. I stated it in my review of the Triumph 22, and I’ll say it again: The Hurricane 24 is far superior to the Triumph 22, in every way. A better, more fun ride, more versatile, and more comfortable. The Hurricane 24 is a shoe that can change your perception of stability shoes and may make you rethink giving a pair a shot.
The Saucony Hurricane 24 is available for purchase on Saucony’s site, or wherever you empty your wallet on running shoes.
I purchased the Saucony Hurricane 24 with my money, and Saucony was not given the opportunity to see this review before I published. I was not compensated for this Saucony Hurricane 24 review.
