Saucony Hurricane 26 review: lighter, softer, livelier
Lighter, softer, and more responsive thanks to new incrediLUX foam. Saucony's max-cushion stability trainer gets its most enjoyable update in years.
The Saucony Hurricane 26 is the latest iteration of Saucony's max-cushioned stability trainer, and on paper it looks like a small refresh. On the run, it's actually one of the more enjoyable updates I've had in this category in a while.
Last year I happily recommended the Hurricane 25 as a versatile, well-cushioned, stable daily option for new runners and seasoned ones alike. The 26 keeps that same identity but introduces a brand-new softer and bouncier top-layer foam called incrediLUX, drops a meaningful chunk of weight, and tweaks the upper for a roomier, more accommodating fit.
I've been logging easy runs and steady daily training miles in this version, and the ride feels noticeably softer and more responsive than the 25. There's a small dip in outright stability to talk about, and supinators in particular should give this one a pass, but if you got on with the 25, you're going to get on even better with the 26.
Here's what's new, and how it actually performs.
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Key specifications
- Price: $170 at Saucony.com (available July 1, 2026)
- Weight: 9.3oz (264g) for US Men's size 9 (my pair on my scale)
- Drop: 6mm (41mm heel stack, 35mm toe stack)
- Upper: Breathable engineered comfort mesh
- Midsole: All-new incrediLUX foam over a dual-density PWRRUN frame
- Outsole: Redesigned XT-900 carbon rubber
- Extra attributes: SRS sockliner for a softer step-in feel, CenterPath Technology for natural guidance, vegan construction with recycled materials.
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Sizing and fit
The Hurricane 26 fits true to size for me, with a secure heel and a midfoot wrap that locks the foot down without feeling tight.
The biggest fit change versus the 25 is in the toe box, where there's noticeably more room. It's a more accommodating fit overall, and I think it'll suit a wider range of foot shapes, particularly anyone who found the 25 a touch close on longer efforts.
Honestly, I couldn't be happier with how well this upper fits, and feels on the run.
The upper itself feels plush and softer to the touch, while the heel collar still does a good job of cradling the ankle on rough cambered surfaces.
Performance review
incrediLUX delivers a softer, livelier ride than the 25
The headline change with the Hurricane 26 is the incrediLUX foam that now sits on top of the dual-density PWRRUN frame.
It's the most noticeable difference between this version and the last, and it's a good one.
The 25 was already a comfortable shoe, but the 26 lands softer underfoot and feels more responsive in the same step. There's more give when I plant my foot and a touch more energy back when I push off, and that combination makes for a more enjoyable ride at easy and steady paces.
It's the kind of update where you don't need to run faster to feel the difference, you feel it from the very first step-in.
The dual-density PWRRUN frame underneath is still doing the structural work, holding the shape of the platform and providing the support backbone, while the lighter incrediLUX layer handles the soft, plush impact-absorption side of things. The two materials work well together, and the result is a ride that feels both planted and forgiving.
The other thing worth mentioning here is the weight. My pair came in at 9.3oz (264g) for a US Men's 9, which is a meaningful 1.2oz lighter than the 25 (roughly 10% reduction).
The shoe feels less like a heavy stability tank as a result, and the lighter platform plays nicely with the softer foam to make the whole ride feel a little more snappy and a lot more fun.
Stability that guides most overpronators, but supinators should look elsewhere
Saucony's CenterPath Technology is still the centerpiece of the support story, and it works in the same gentle, non-corrective way as before. It nudges the gait into line rather than forcing it, which is exactly what I want from a stability shoe.
That said, the Hurricane 26 isn't quite as stable as the 25. The platform has a softer feel underfoot now, and a touch of the planted, locked-in sensation of the 25 has been traded for the softer, livelier ride.
There's still plenty of guidance for most overpronators, and I'd happily recommend this to a runner with mild to moderate overpronation looking for a max-cushion daily trainer.
Most of the support sits on the medial side of the shoe, which is right where overpronators need it.
If you're a supinator, though, this isn't the shoe for you. There's nothing on the lateral side to help, so you'd be better off looking at a neutral max-cushion option instead, like the new Triumph 24 (available June 1, 2026).
For a curated list of strong neutral options, take a look at my roundup of the best cushioned daily trainer running shoes.
And for my favorite stability running shoes right now, follow the link below:
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Supportive, cushioned running shoes built to keep your stride steady during daily runs, longer efforts, and recovery days.
Alastair Dixon
The upper is the small change you'll feel the most
The new upper looks similar at a glance, but I've felt the difference on every run.
It's softer to the touch, wraps the foot more comfortably, and gives the toes more space to splay out when feet swell on longer runs.
Breathability is also improved over the 25, which I always thought ran on the warm side. The 26 lets a little more air through the forefoot, and even on a hot Sarasota afternoon my feet didn't overheat. It's an improvement, for sure.
Heel and midfoot lockdown remain excellent, with no slipping or hotspots in my testing so far. The plush feel around the collar still gives the shoe that premium step-in quality the 25 had, just with a friendlier fit.
The redesigned XT-900 outsole keeps grip and adds flexibility
The outsole is still XT-900 carbon rubber, but the layout has been redesigned.
The result is a more flexible feel underfoot without losing the grip and durability that made the 25's outsole an upgrade over the 24.
Coverage is solid, and there's less exposed foam to worry about than there was on the 24. Early signs are good for long-term wear, and I'd expect this to hold up well as a hard-wearing daily option.
The added flexibility also helps the toe-off feel a bit smoother, which complements the new foam nicely. Transitions feel fluid, especially as fatigue creeps in towards the end of longer runs.
Daily training is where this shoe shines
Where does the Hurricane 26 fit in a rotation? For me, it's a cushioned, protective daily trainer, plain and simple. Easy runs, steady runs, recovery miles, and longer aerobic efforts are where it's at its best, and where I keep reaching for it.
It's lighter than the 25, but it's still a substantial shoe, and you can feel the cushioning stack underfoot. That's not a complaint, it's exactly what I want from a max-cushion daily trainer, but it does mean I wouldn't reach for this shoe when the workout calls for tempo or threshold work.
For longer easy runs and recovery sessions, though, it's now one of my favorite cushioned stability options. If you're looking for tips on building up your weekly volume in a shoe like this, my guide on running longer distances is a good place to start.
My verdict
The Saucony Hurricane 26 is a properly enjoyable update. The new incrediLUX foam softens and livens up the ride, the upper is more accommodating, and the weight loss makes the whole shoe feel less like a heavy stability tank than the 25 did.
The trade-off is a small dip in outright stability versus the previous version, but it's still very capable for most overpronators looking for a forgiving, well-cushioned daily trainer. Supinators should pass and look at a neutral max-cushion shoe instead.
If the 25 was on your shortlist last year, the 26 is the one to go for now (available July 1).
The ride is more fun, the fit is more forgiving, and it's still the same dependable, miles-eating daily trainer I've been recommending all along, just better in almost every way that matters.
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