Saucony Omni 20 Review
Smooth Rolling Stability
Likes
- Subtle stability
- Smooth transitions
- High cushioning level
- Supportive upper
Dislikes
- Midsole is not very responsive
- High weight
What's New
The Saucony Omni has reached version 20, so you know the shoe has a good thing going, and that's likely the reason Saucony hasn't completely reinvented the latest iteration of the shoe. That said, this tried-and-true stability trainer has been outfitted with a redesigned upper, as well as a modified midsole to help keep the Omni competitive with the other modern stability options. To elevate the midsole, Saucony has included the same SPEEDROLL technology that has been so successful in their Endorphin shoe series to give the shoe a smoother ride that rolls the wearer forward and makes running feel easier. Furthermore, thanks to the updated upper design, the Omni 20 now has an improved lockdown, which promises no slippage and irritation-free running.
The Bottom Line
One of the biggest concerns with a stability shoe is that it will feel like a brick underfoot, but this is not the case with the Saucony Omni 20. Instead, the latest version of the Omni offers inherent stability in a comfortable and surprisingly affordable package. The midsole foam toes the line between soft and firm, but the shoe uses Saucony's SPEEDROLL technology to make heel-to-toe transitions smooth and efficient. As suggested by the shoe's name, the Omni 20 is fairly versatile and can meet the demands of a variety of distances and paces. That said, our testers thought the shoe shined brightest on slower paced daily training runs, preferring other options for the longest or fastest of their workouts.
The simple upper mesh design is relatively formfitting but adaptable enough to accommodate a variety of foot shapes. That said, the biggest negative of the Omni 20 is the shoe's robust weight, which tips the scales at 11.4 oz for a men's size 9 and 10 oz for a women's size 8. Thankfully, the shoe's more efficient design helps make up for that as you run.
Shoe Performance
Shoe Softnessi
FirmSoftRide/Energy Returni
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protectioni
LowHighFlexibilityi
RigidElasticUpper Supporti
StructuredAdaptableSpecifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Medium |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium |
| Heel Width | Medium |
| Arch Height | Medium |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 11.4 (size 9) | Women's: 10.0 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 34 mm (Heel) | 26 mm (Forefoot) | 8 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Maximum Stability |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
Matt: "The Omni 20 comes with Saucony's classic PWRRUN foam, which produces a traditional, tried-and-true underfoot experience. It just gets the job done without being too plush or too firm. This is a perfect middle-of-the-road foam that runners can trust day in and day out."
Ben: "The Omni 20 felt reasonably soft to me and was comfortable when running on the roads. I am also able to wear the Omni around work all day without any discomfort."
Ride/Energy Returni
Matt: "This shoe is not built for high energy return. The Omni 20 is designed for runners who need maximum support and correction for overpronation. It's a stability beast, but it's not very bouncy or energetic."
Ben: "The PWRRUN cushioning provided enough energy return to accommodate a variety of paces, in my opinion. Also, I thought the shoe felt lighter than the 11.4 oz (men's size 9) weight suggests, and I did not feel at all weighed down while running."
Underfoot Protectioni
Matt: "The underfoot protection of this shoe is great. The Saucony Omni comes packed with PWRRUN foam, which offers a happy middle ground between soft and firm. Also, the massive amount of rubber on the outsole, paired with the stability features, provides the impact absorption and durability needed to save the legs of overpronators."
Ben: "The PWRRUN cushioning absorbs much of the impact from striking the pavement. I ran 10 miles in the Omni, and my legs felt fine. I would be a little hesitant to take them on a 20-mile run due to the Omni's level of cushioning, which doesn't quite stack up to that of a HOKA, my go-to shoe for long runs."
Flexibilityi
Matt: "This shoe is pretty flexible. There are some additional flex grooves on the outsole, which give the Omni 20 a more natural ride."
Ben: "The Omni is more flexible than a traditional stability shoe, and my feet were able to go through their full range of motion with ease."
Upper Supporti
Matt: "The Omni 20 has a classic mesh upper that can accommodate most foot shapes. There is a more rigid heel cup in the back of the shoe, but the mesh feels very comfortable and adaptable from the midfoot through the toe box."
Ben: "The Omni's new upper offers a supportive hold from heel to toe. I found it to be a little too formfitting, but the shoe fit well for me when I wore thin socks."
Individual Thoughts
The Saucony Omni 20 isn't the flashiest shoe, but it does the job and it does it well. Saucony designed the shoe to help severe overpronators and minimize accessory movements through a runner's gait cycle. Before testing out a stability shoe, I am often worried that it will feel very stiff underfoot. That was not the case here. Out of all the maximum stability shoes I have tested, the Omni 20 feels the most similar to a neutral shoe.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
After running 50 miles in the Saucony Omni 20, I found that it covers all my basic needs for road runs. The PWRRUN cushioning allows me to run up to 10 miles without any discomfort, and in my opinion, the Omni has enough energy return for faster runs. The upper provided excellent formfitting support throughout the midfoot and forefoot, and the shoe was flexible enough to allow me to go through my full range of motion without any disruption to my stride.
