Saucony Paramount Max Review: Features, Specs and Verdict

The Saucony Paramount Max is Saucony’s first max-cushion shoe built with the foam from its race shoes. It has a 43 mm heel, a 6 mm drop and a full-length incrediRUN midsole, the same foam as the Endorphin Elite, with no plate. It is a super trainer, a training shoe made with racing materials, and it goes up against models like the ASICS Superblast 3.

This review combines data from Saucony, lab measurements from RTINGS, reviews from Doctors of Running and Believe in the Run, and the video review by Carlos Rojo. We have not tested it ourselves: the score on the card is a guide and is explained below.

What is new in the Saucony Paramount Max

Until now Saucony had no super trainer. It had well-cushioned training shoes, such as the Triumph, and race shoes with incrediRUN, such as the Endorphin Elite, but nothing that combined the two. The Paramount Max fills that gap: a full incrediRUN midsole, a very wide base to make up for how soft the foam is, and an upper and outsole built to last.

Saucony describes it as its most cushioned shoe yet. The sockliner is also made of incrediRUN, which is unusual.

Saucony Paramount Max specs

Spec	Saucony (official)	RTINGS lab
Men’s weight (US 9)	302 g	277 g
Women’s weight (US 7.5)	250 g	–
Heel stack	43 mm	45.8 mm
Forefoot stack	37 mm	–
Drop	6 mm	8.3 mm
Foam	incrediRUN (TPEE)	–
Plate	No	No
Price	$200 / €220	–

Differences between official and measured figures are normal, since each measures at a different point and sizes vary. The drop stands out: the lab measured it more than 2 mm higher than advertised. Doctors of Running weighed a men’s US 10 at 286 g, and Carlos Rojo gives 288 g for his EU 44. To understand what these numbers mean, see the guide to drop, cushioning and carbon plates.

Saucony Paramount Max midsole and ride

What the lab says

RTINGS scores it 9.3 out of 10 for cushioning and 8.7 for energy return, both very high. Stability comes in at 6.6, as expected from such a soft foam. By use, it scores better as a daily trainer (8.0) and for long runs (7.9) than for 5K or 10K racing (5.9).

What runners say

The people who have run in it disagree on how it responds:

• Carlos Rojo finds it very soft but responsive, and says it is hard to run slowly in because it pushes you to go faster. He uses it between 3:50 and 5:00 per kilometer and sees it working up to threshold pace, but not for intervals because of the weight.
• Doctors of Running agree it is soft and bouncy, but feel it responds slowly to pace changes and rides more like a pillow than a trampoline. They recommend it for easy, long and recovery runs.
• Believe in the Run see it mainly as a recovery shoe. One tester felt fatigued after about 10 miles.

One possible explanation is each runner’s pace and footstrike: a fast midfoot striker may find it lively, while a slower heel striker may find it too soft.

Stability: more than it looks

For such a soft shoe, the Saucony Paramount Max is quite stable thanks to its wide base and high midsole sidewalls. The lead Doctors of Running reviewer gives it an A- for stability, although another team member found it unstable, and Carlos Rojo compares it to driving a tank. If you have hip issues, Doctors of Running warn that such a soft foam asks more of your stabilizing muscles.

Saucony Paramount Max upper, fit and sizing

The upper is engineered mesh with overlays, thicker than a race shoe’s, with a heavily padded tongue and a molded heel. These are the points the reviews raise:

• Fit: all three sources agree it runs wide, especially in the toe box. It is a good option for wide feet, but narrow feet may struggle to lock it down.
• Size: Carlos Rojo and Doctors of Running found it true to size.
• Heel: Carlos Rojo had good hold, but Doctors of Running needed a heel lock lacing to stop slipping, and Believe in the Run felt rubbing with short socks.
• Achilles tendon: Doctors of Running warn that the heel counter angles inward and can bother runners with tendon problems. If that is you, try it first. There is more on the injury in the article on Achilles tendinitis.
• Orthotics: the stock insole comes out and there is room for a custom orthotic, which is rare in shoes with this kind of foam.

Saucony sells it in medium width only, US 7 to 15 for men. To choose well, see the guide to running shoe size.

Saucony Paramount Max outsole and durability

The outsole has rubber in the high-wear areas and leaves foam exposed elsewhere. Carlos Rojo praises the grip on wet asphalt, grass and dirt. After about 40 miles, Doctors of Running found the rubber in good shape but early wear on the exposed foam at the outer heel, and rate durability as moderate. If you land hard on the outside of your heel, that is the area that will wear first.

Saucony Paramount Max vs other super trainers

The most common comparisons in the reviews are:

• ASICS Superblast 3: lighter and more versatile at faster paces, but less stable. Carlos Rojo prefers it for workouts.
• ASICS Megablast: bouncier and almost a race shoe, according to Carlos Rojo. The Paramount Max is more comfortable for easy running.
• adidas Hyperboost Edge: firmer foam. Believe in the Run find it more versatile, while Carlos Rojo prefers the Paramount Max at quicker paces.
• Nike Vomero Plus: Carlos Rojo thinks it is hard to beat on price, although at the same price he would pick the Paramount Max.
• Saucony Triumph 24: according to Doctors of Running, cheaper, lighter and better for pace changes. The Paramount Max is softer and better for long runs.

Among our reviews, the closest alternative in spirit is the ASICS Novablast 6, which is lighter and cheaper, and if you want a Saucony for workouts, the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5.

Who is the Saucony Paramount Max for?

• Runners who want the Saucony Paramount Max as a very comfortable shoe for easy runs and long runs.
• Wide feet or runners who use orthotics.
• Marathoners aiming for 3:30 to 4:00, who according to Carlos Rojo could even race in it.
• It is not the best choice for short intervals, for anyone after a light shoe, or for runners with Achilles problems who have not tried it on first.

If you are unsure whether you need a training or a racing shoe, see training vs racing shoes.

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Very high cushioning and energy return	About 300 g in the reference size
Stable for how soft it is	Heel counter can bother the Achilles tendon
Wide fit and room for orthotics	Exposed heel foam wears early
Good grip in the wet	$200 / €220 list price

Final verdict

The Saucony Paramount Max is a very good shoe for piling up comfortable miles, with a race foam that makes it livelier than a classic max-cushion trainer. Its guide score on the card is 8 out of 10, the RTINGS score as a daily trainer. Doctors of Running give it a B+ and Believe in the Run place it in their B tier because of the price and its specific use.

List price is $200 in the US and €220 in Spain, although at BIKILA the men’s gold colorway is €199.95. If you can, try it on before buying, mainly because of the heel. To compare it with another model, use the shoe comparison tool.

FAQ

How much does the Saucony Paramount Max weigh and what is the drop?

Saucony lists 302 g for men (US 9) and 250 g for women, with a 43 mm heel, 37 mm forefoot and 6 mm drop. RTINGS measured 277 g and an 8.3 mm drop.

Does the Saucony Paramount Max have a carbon plate?

No. All the cushioning comes from the incrediRUN foam, the same as in the Endorphin Elite.

Can you race in the Saucony Paramount Max?

For a relaxed marathon, around 3:30 to 4 hours, it can work. For 5K or 10K there are lighter options: the lab gives it only 5.9 out of 10 for that use.

What size Saucony Paramount Max should I get?

Your usual size. It runs wide, so if you have narrow feet, lace it firmly or use a heel lock.

How much does the Saucony Paramount Max cost?

The list price is $200 in the US and €220 in Spain. BIKILA has a men’s version at €199.95.