REASONS TO BUY
Combined stability and responsiveness
Solid heel lock
Mid-weight
REASONS TO AVOID
Narrow forefoot
Doesn't excel in any one metric
Pricey for what you get
Saucony Tempus 2 - Women's Review
This unique shoe combines responsiveness and stability that can be useful for moderately paced distance excursions
Runners who want combined responsiveness and stability should check out this updated, niche option from Saucony.
Credit: Laurel Morrow
RELATED: Best Running Shoes for Women
Our Verdict
Saucony took a crack at updating a shoe that is built for both speed and stability and the results are kind of awesome. The reworked Tempus doesn't stand out as an exceptional speed shoe, nor does it shine as a stability powerhouse, but runners who want an even balance of both elements are in luck here. Best suited for runners with average to narrow feet, the PWRRUN PB midsole provides noticeable energy return, while the medial framing helps prevent speed wobbles. The Tempus isn't built for all runners, but those who seek to push their limits in a supportive shoe will feel right at home in this 7.57-ounce (women's size 6.5) offering from Saucony.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Saucony Tempus 2 - Women's | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Running Shoe |  Best Bang for your Buck |  Best Balance of Comfort and Responsiveness | Most Versatile | |
| Price | $160 List $159.95 at Amazon | $140.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $120.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $180 List $179.95 at Amazon | $140.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Runners who want some stability and responsiveness will enjoy the niche elements that this updated road running shoe offers | Even with a few minor updates, this shoe shines as one for runners seeking a do-it-all road running companion | Affordable and minimally-minded, the updated Kinvara is a great everyday shoe that is suitable for a myriad of running situations | Though it lacks the lightweight tech of super shoes, the balance between its responsive midsole and lateral stability makes this a powerful everyday trainer | For epic versatility in a single shoe, we recommend this lightweight superstar |
| Rating Categories | Saucony Tempus 2 -... | Asics Novablast 5 -... | Saucony Kinvara 15... | Brooks Hyperion Max... | Hoka Mach 6 - Women's |
| Landing Comfort (30%) | |||||
| Responsiveness (20%) | |||||
| Stability (15%) | |||||
| Upper Comfort (15%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Traction (5%) | |||||
| Specifications | Saucony Tempus 2 -... | Asics Novablast 5 -... | Saucony Kinvara 15... | Brooks Hyperion Max... | Hoka Mach 6 - Women's |
| Sizes Available | 5 - 12 US | 5 - 12 US regular, wide |
5 - 12 US, regular |
5 - 12 US, regular |
5 - 11 US, regular & wide |
| Style | Stability | Daily trainer | Daily Trainer | Max-Cushion | Daily Trainer |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 36 mm | 40 mm | 27 mm | 35 mm | 33 mm |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 11 mm | 9 mm | 3 mm | 8 mm | 7 mm |
| Plate Type | None | None | None | Full length plastic | None |
| Rocker Angle | 26.5 deg | 26.5 deg | 25.0 deg | 24.5 deg | 24.5 deg |
| Rocker Apex Location | 65.0% | 61.9% | 64.7% | 65.0% | 65.4% |
| Measured Weight | 7.57 oz | 7.30 oz | 5.44 oz | 7.17 oz | 6.27 oz |
| Upper | Mesh | Jacquard mesh | Mesh | Mesh | Creel jaqquard |
| Midsole | PWRRUN PB | FF BLAST MAX | PWRRUN | DNA Flash v2 | Supercritical EVA |
| Outsole | XT-900 Rubber | AHAR LO | Rubber | Rubber | Rubber |
| Heel Tab Type | Finger loop | Finger loop | None | Extended pull tab | Extended heel pull |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Saucony Tempus 2 features a 36 mm heel stack, an 11 mm drop, and a 26.5-degree rocker angle. The elements don't quite come together to make magic, but they coalesce to create a shoe that is built for runners with specific desires.
Performance Comparison
The balance of elements come together to create a solid shoe for marathon racing.
Credit: Laurel Morrow
Landing Comfort
The undercarriage of the updated Saucony Tempus is ready to handle the long-distance, demanding pounding you place on it. With a midsole stuffed full of PWRRUN PB foam, the platform feels as comfortable as one would like a marathon training shoe to feel. Its heel stands at a comfortable 36 mm above the ground and is shaped by an 11 mm differential. The forefoot rides at 25 mm, which makes this shoe well-suited for both forefoot and heel strikers. One of the things that I liked most about this shoe's landing comfort is that it is soft and resilient while maintaining structure and the integrity necessary to handle long distances. Most of the stable shoes are built with more basic compounds, so the Tempus stands out from the crowd in that regard.
The undercarriage of the Tempus is comfortable and rather neutral.
Credit: Laurel Morrow
Responsiveness
The combination of responsiveness and stability makes the Tempus 2 a rather unusual-feeling shoe in this metric. The Tempus does not have a plate for propulsion and instead relies on its midsole for energy return. Since the midsole offers a bit of bounce, the Tempus feels built to handle moderately quick speeds with ease. This shoe starts to lag and feel mushy when leg turnover increases because it simply lacks the power that true racing shoes offer. On the flip side, it offers a bit more pep than most stability-centered shoes, making it a legitimate choice for runners who want that balance. Overall, I recommend this as a marathon racing shoe for runners who want some lateral support combined with responsiveness.
Not the best but not the worst, the Tempus is snappier than most of the stability shoes I've tested.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Stability
The Saucony Tempus was certainly built with stability in mind. Unlike most of the leading stability shoes, it also offers an element of performance, allowing this to be a shoe I recommend for runners who want speed and support. The adaptive guidance system works with the shoe's overall structure to help prevent unnecessary lateral movements. I really grew to love the rear stability of the Tempus 2. The heel collar offers a secure lock that pairs well with the lateral walls. Runners seeking a ride that combines energy and support will enjoy the stable ride of the updated Tempus.
The heel collar design creates a strong lock, aiding in the Tempus's overall stability.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Upper Comfort
The Tempus isn't the most impressive in terms of upper comfort. The upper mesh is simple and fine, though not abundantly breathable. The forefoot is narrow and snug. While this can aid in the feelings of security, I found it to be a bit more oppressive than my average-width feet prefer. The dual-gusseted tongue feels stretchy but doesn't loosen as readily as preferred in the forefoot. As mentioned, the heel collar is a bit of a game-changer. The comfortable rigidity of it provides an excellent rearfoot lock which helps create inherent stability. The tongue extends a bit too far up the ankle, as does the lacebed. The lock felt a bit try-hard toward the ankle, even without using the extra eyelet. While not a standout in the upper comfort realm, the Tempus still offers many lovable features and will be a consistent running mate for some runners.
The narrow forefoot fit and extended lacebed ruin what could have been a seriously comfortable upper. This fit may suit some runners, but I did not find it to be the most enjoyable.
Credit: Laurel Morrow
Weight
The in-the-middle-ness of the Tempus 2 continues as we examine its weight. Each women's size 6.5 shoe weighs 7.57 ounces. For a stability shoe, that is on the lighter side. For context, our leading stability shoe weighs 8.05 ounces. Conversely, our lightest and most responsive shoe weighs just under 5 ounces. Staunchly in the middle, the Tempus feels a bit heavy for ultimate speeds but delightfully light at recovery paces.
The Tempus is light for a stability shoe, but heavy for a racing shoe.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Traction
The exposed PWRRUN PB foam inhibits a lot of the would-be traction of the Tempus. The outsole design is grippy and confident on dry surfaces but less so when moisture is involved. I found the outsole to be slippery on damp beach boardwalks and wet grass, but it held its own on gravelly road corners.
The exposed foam on the Tempus's outsole isn't very grippy, making this shoe best suited for dry surface running.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Should You Buy the Saucony Tempus 2?
The Tempus fills a niche gap in the running shoe market, making it a slam dunk for some runners; it may leave others scratching their heads in confusion about all the elements crammed into it. If you are a runner who wants a stability shoe in which you can pump your paces, this is a solid shoe to consider. If you want to focus on speed, there are lighter and more energetic options to choose from. Moreover, others hit the mark more comfortably if you want a serious stability shoe.
If the Tempus aligns with your specific needs, it offers great value, though similar-priced options excel in different areas.
Credit: Laurel Morrow
What Other Road Running Shoes Should You Consider?
My absolute favorite stability running shoe is the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24. Brooks has their patented GuideRails on lock, helping to correct superfluous ankle movements in a relatively seamless way. The Adrenaline offers better traction and a more comfortable forefoot fit at a slightly lower price. The Hoka Mach 6 is a standout shoe because of its versatility. It is notably lighter than the Tempus and has a bouncier midsole. If you like the idea of a streamlined forefoot fit and want classic-feeling midsole propulsion, the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 is a race-ready runner that offers many of the same elements in a higher-scoring package.
—Ally Arcuri
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