Shoe Review: Saucony Pro Grid Shadow Genesis

UPPER
Air Mesh Upper
Provides lightweight breathability

MIDSOLE
Non-Visible Grid System
Offers stable cushioning in the heel
Injection Molded EVA
Increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and durability

OUTSOLE
XT-900™
A carbon rubber outsole material that offers exceptional traction properties without sacrificing durability

This shoe is a great every day trainer that falls in between the beloved Kinvara and a more traditional trainer.  This is the shoe I was hoping the Saucony Mirage would be. The Shadow Genesis and the Kinvara had a similar feel out of the box. The most noticeable difference is the amount of rubber on the sole. The rubber made the difference when it came to wear on the bottom of the trainer. After 200 miles on the Shadow Genesis, the shoe is still going strong and has at least another 100 miles in them. My Kinvaras were being put to pasture at 200 miles. Without the overlays that the Saucony Mirage has, the Shadow Genesis felt more like the Kinvara than the Mirage does. While the shoe fit well, the toe box was a little roomy for me. The Shadow Genesis is another solid shoe in the Saucony line up. I would recommend the Pro Grid Shadow Genesis to any runner that loved the Kinvara but couldn’t get the miles out of them they would have liked. The price is the same too.

Note: I tried to get information on the shoe-last the Shadow Genesis was built on (I was curious if it was the same last as the Mirage and Kinvara) and what the heel – toe ratio for the shoe is, but I never heard back from anyone at Saucony or their marketing firm.  I am going to guess the heel – toe ratio is more than the Mirage and Kinvara, only slightly. UPDATE: @saucony on twitter got back to me and gave me the info I was looking for.  The Shadow Genesis is built on the same last as the Kinvara and the mirage.  It also shares the 4mm heel to toe ratio. So a little more weight than the Kinvara but the same specs + the durable rubber bottom for those of us that need it.