REASONS TO BUY
Stability shoe that doesn’t feel like a stability shoe
Responsive ride
Well-cushioned
REASONS TO AVOID
Narrower fit
A little clunky at very high speeds
Saucony Tempus 2 Review
The most enjoyable stability shoe we’ve tested thanks to it's pace versatility and fun ride
Credit: Natalie Kafader
RELATED: The Best Running Shoes for Men
Our Verdict
The Saucony Tempus 2 resets our expectations for stability trainers. Thanks to the highly resilient PWRRUN PB (PEBA-based foam) and a PWRRUN (EVA-based foam) frame, the shoe provides excellent stability and support without compromising fun. Some runners might find the midfoot to be firmer than they are used to, but the rocker and resilient foam make for a pleasant forefoot feeling. The shoe is comfortable for long runs and easy miles, versatile enough to handle workouts, and some runners might find it works as a race shoe. For runners who value stability, we think that this is the best option, and we think some runners who normally train in neutral shoes might also enjoy the Tempus 2.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Saucony Tempus 2 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Most Stable Road Running Shoe for Men |  Best Overall Men's Road Running Shoes | Best Road Running Shoes for Uptempo Training |  Best Value Men's Road Running Shoes | Another Great Value Road Shoe |
| Price | $160 List $159.95 at Amazon | $140.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $170.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $135 List $111.49 at Amazon | $130 List $127.95 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Stability combined with a responsive ride makes for a great option | A versatile and comfortable option we think most runners will love | An all-around standout that can handle easy days as comfortably as hard workouts | A daily trainer that blends comfort and versatility at a reasonable price | One of the best value daily trainers we’ve tested |
| Rating Categories | Saucony Tempus 2 | Asics Novablast 5 | Saucony Endorphin S... | Puma Velocity Nitro 3 | Adidas Adizero SL2 |
| Landing Comfort (30%) | |||||
| Responsiveness (20%) | |||||
| Stability (15%) | |||||
| Upper Comfort (15%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Traction (5.0%) | |||||
| Specs | Saucony Tempus 2 | Asics Novablast 5 | Saucony Endorphin S... | Puma Velocity Nitro 3 | Adidas Adizero SL2 |
| Sizes Available | 7-15 US, regular | 6-15 US, regular & wide | 7-15 US, regular | 7 - 14 US, regular | 4-19 US, regular & wide |
| Style | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 38 mm | 41 mm | 38 mm | 38 mm | 38 mm |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 10 mm | 5 mm | 11 mm | 11 mm | 9 mm |
| Plate Type | None | None | Nylon | None | None |
| Rocker Angle | 25.0 deg | 25.0 deg | 25.0 deg | 18.0 deg | 21.0 deg |
| Rocker Apex Location | 62.8% | 56.0% | 67.7% | 66.7% | 53.3% |
| Measured Weight | 9.11 oz | 9.50 oz | 9.03 oz | 10.07 oz | 9.36 oz |
| Upper | Engineered mesh | Engineered jacquard mesh | Engineered mesh/knit | Engineered knit | Engineered mesh |
| Midsole | PWRRUN/PWRRUN PB | FF Blast Max | PWRRUN PB | Profoam | Lightstrike Pro, Lightstrike |
| Outsole | Rubber | AHAR LO | Rubber | PumaGrip | Rubber |
| Heel Tab Type | Finger loop | Finger loop | None | None | Pull tab |
Show full specification details ▼Hide full specification details ▲
Our Analysis and Test Results
There aren't many highly versatile options for runners who value stability. There are some comfort-oriented daily trainers, but they often perform poorly when the goal is to go fast. Saucony made waves with the original Tempus, and we think they nailed this update. It's so good that our lead men's tester, who typically prefers a lightweight, neutral trainer, has added the Tempus 2 to his personal lineup.
Performance Comparison
The Tempus 2 is comfortable and versatile, which is unusual for a stability shoe.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Landing Comfort
The Tempus 2 midsole comprises 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 the shoe's speed. On the roads, that is the experience we had. We found that this shoe didn't have the same level of bounce and pop as some other Saucony options that utilize PWRRUN PB, like the Endorphin Speed. It feels firmer, with a greater emphasis placed on rolling forward. However, forefoot still has an energetic feel that we love.
The Tempus 2 recorded 38 mm of foam in the heel and 28 mm in the forefoot in our standardized lab testing. 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. Overall, the landing experience is comfortable but not plush.
The change in perceived firmness underfoot didn't affect transitions. The ride is smooth and comfortable. Overall, while not the most plush or highly-cushioned daily trainer in our lineup, we found it more than comfortable enough for long efforts on the roads.
The PWRRUN frame isn't easily visible here, but it does provide significant medial support.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
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.
We found that the Tempus 2 felt 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. It's easy to compare this shoe to the Endorphin Speed since both utilize a version of PWRRUN PB and are speed-oriented. The Speed feels better at faster paces, but for paces slower than 10K, the Tempus is more comfortable. We particularly enjoyed the Tempus 2 during faster long runs, where the responsiveness and overall stability were appreciated.
For runners who value stability and regularly include a variety of paces in their training, the Tempus 2 is an excellent choice. Runners who value comfort and rarely include faster running in their training week will likely be more satisfied with a different option.
We think the pace ability of the Tempus 2 is a highlight.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Upper Comfort
The Tempus 2 has a decent, lightweight upper. It's not groundbreaking, but it works. If you're a runner who prefers lots of soft-touch knit materials and padding in the upper, you'll likely want to pick a different option.
We found the fit to be snug through the midfoot, with a toe-box taper that is a little narrower than average. If you like a lot of forefoot space, this likely isn't your best choice. Other than that, we had no issues with hotspots, blisters, or rubbing. Some users have reported that the arch is too firm for them, but we found it to work well. Your mileage may vary.
Stability
The Tempus 2 excels at providing stability. It's the most supportive shoe in our lineup.
We've already touched on how the PWRRUN frame integrates with the PWRRUN PB to provide stability and responsiveness. Again, it's worth mentioning that 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 Tempus 2 is the best execution of stability features we've tested.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Traction
The Tempus 2 has solid traction. We found it is excellent 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.
Overall, we found the traction among the best in our lineup, and we have no hesitation using it on most surfaces.
The rubber outsole grabs well on a variety of surfaces.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Weight
In our lab, each shoe weighed 9.11 ounces (size 10.5). That's a bit better than average for a daily trainer, in keeping with the more performance-oriented ethos of the Tempus 2.
On the other hand, for runners who are a little less concerned with all-out performance and want increased traction and comfort, it might be a worthwhile tradeoff.
The Tempus 2 is a lightweight daily trainer, making it good for faster running.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Should You Buy the Saucony Tempus 2?
If you value stability over anything else, you should start with this shoe. 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.
What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?
The Asics Gel-Kayano 31 is an excellent comfort-oriented stability option. It is decidedly not fun, but it's reliable for easy efforts. The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 is another solid stability shoe that sits somewhere between the Tempus 2 and the Kayano. It's not as good for faster runs as the Tempus and not as plush as the Kayano.
—Nathaniel Bailey
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