Saucony Tempus 2 Review

There aren't many highly versatile options for runners who value stability. Saucony made waves with the original Tempus, and we think they nailed this update.

Side View Cut in Half

Cushioning

The Tempus 2 midsole comprises Saucony's PWRRUN PB foam (a highly resilient PEBA foam) built into a frame of PWRRUN (a more rigid and less resilient EVA). The firmer and less compressible PWRRUN provides stability without overly compromising speed. It doesn't have the same level of bounce and pop as some other Saucony options that utilize PWRRUN PB. Instead, it feels firmer, with a greater emphasis on a forward rolling motion. However, the forefoot still has an energetic feel we love.

The Tempus 2 has 38 mm of foam in the heel and 28 mm in the forefoot, giving it a 10 mm heel-to-toe drop. Runners used to that level of foam may be surprised by the ride of the Tempus. While the heel and forefoot feel lively, it's firmer through the midfoot than expected, thanks to the chunk of PWRRUN foam placed under the arch, making the landing comfortable but not plush.

The change in perceived firmness underfoot didn't affect transitions. The ride is smooth and comfortable. While not the most plush or highly-cushioned daily trainer, it is more than comfortable enough for long efforts.

Upper Comfort

The Tempus 2 has a decent, lightweight upper. It's not groundbreaking, but it works. However, if you're a runner who prefers lots of soft-touch knit materials and padding in the upper, you might be disappointed here.

The fit is snug through the midfoot, with a toe box taper slightly narrower than average. If you like a lot of forefoot space, this likely isn't your best choice; it doesn't even offer a wide version. We had no issues with hotspots, blisters, or rubbing. Some users have reported that the arch is too firm for them, but we rather liked it.

Stability

The Tempus 2 excels at providing stability. It's the most supportive shoe in our lineup.

Saucony's PWRRUN frame integrates with the PWRRUN PB to provide stability and responsiveness. The stiffer midfoot may cause some runners some discomfort, particularly in the arch area. If you're not used to stability shoes, it's worth trying them on before buying. The asymmetrical design helps keep feet moving forward.

Responsiveness

The Tempus 2 is designed to be a responsive stability shoe, and it is. It has above-average responsiveness for a daily trainer, not just a stability trainer. Thanks to the combination of PWRRUN PB foam and geometry, it rolls well at a wide range of paces, feeling best at steady to moderate paces. Once we started pushing faster than a 10K race pace, the bulk was noticeable, and the transitions didn't feel as smooth. We particularly enjoyed faster long runs, where the responsiveness and stability were appreciated.

The Tempus 2 is an excellent choice for runners who value stability and regularly include a variety of paces in their training. Runners who value comfort and rarely include faster running might be more satisfied looking elsewhere.

Weight

This shoe weighs 9.11 ounces (size 10.5), slightly better than average for a daily trainer and in keeping with the Tempus 2's more performance-oriented ethos.

Despite being somewhat heavy, we suspect that runners who are less concerned with all-out performance and want increased traction and comfort will think the trade-off is worthwhile.

Traction

The Tempus 2 has solid traction, performing exceptionally well on dry pavement. Thanks to the lugged outsole, it grabs on loose dirt and gravel better than most road shoes. It also handles wet roads well, although it struggles a bit as temperatures drop.

The traction is among the best, and we have no hesitation using it on most surfaces.

Should You Buy the Saucony Tempus 2?

If you value stability over anything else, you should start with the Tempus 2. It's stable, but unlike many other stability shoes, it's versatile and fun. The stability features aren't intrusive, and the price is on par with other responsive daily trainers. Traction is above average, and the upper works. It's a great daily trainer we recommend for runners who want a supportive shoe.

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