Saucony Fastwitch 9 Review
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By Tara Summerville Editor’s Conclusion
As an overpronator, I found it difficult to find excellent race day or snappy lightweight trainers that also help with my pronation issues. Cue to the Saucony Fastwitch 9. This heartthrob of a running shoe is the perfect marriage between speed and stability. While it is one of the most lightweight trainers out there on the market (not including minimalist zero-drop trainers in the mix), it doesn’t skimp on quality, comfort, or durability.
In my humble opinion, Saucony really nailed it with the design of this speedy shoe. It allows me to kick up the pace to a fast tempo without losing stability or control. Plus, the thoughtful design of the outsole not only makes it fast and lightweight but much more durable than many comparable speed trainers out there on the market. If you are looking for a great speedy trainer that also helps with overpronation, you have come to the right place!
Below, I wanted to dive into all of the advanced features that make the Saucony Fastwitch 9 so special.
In my humble opinion, Saucony really nailed it with the design of this speedy shoe. It allows me to kick up the pace to a fast tempo without losing stability or control. Plus, the thoughtful design of the outsole not only makes it fast and lightweight but much more durable than many comparable speed trainers out there on the market. If you are looking for a great speedy trainer that also helps with overpronation, you have come to the right place!
Below, I wanted to dive into all of the advanced features that make the Saucony Fastwitch 9 so special.
Saucony Fastwitch 9 Review Review Facts
Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
Weighing in at under 6 ounces
SSL EVA midsole
Breathable engineered mesh upper
Thin rubber outsole for higher durability
Great for speed
Excellent lockdown
Cons
Runs small
Shallow heel counter
Some runners found it to be a little narrow
Key Features
Key Features
MIDSOLE
The midsole of this design is made from Saucony’s proprietary foam called SSL (Saucony Super Lite). While it doesn’t provide that plush step-in that feels like some of the similar trainers out there on the market, it really shines when you start to pick up the pace. What is lacks in cushioning, it makes up for in enhanced energy return. The midsole feels a little stiff at first, but as you start to pick up the pace, you can feel the foam give under your feet, and it also gives you a little bit of bounce at the beginning and the end of your gait cycle.
The midsole also offers dual-density cushioning that is perfect for overpronators, such as me. This midsole offers up a little bit of extra cushioning and support where you place the bulk of your weight on your foot. For a speed trainer, features such as a dual-density midsole to help with overpronation make this shoe truly unique. Pronation support is often a feature reserved for stability trainers, which is why the Fastwitch is so special.
UPPER
Saucony isn’t reinventing the wheel with the design of this upper. What I love most about this design is that it is minimalism at its finest. It is composed of a mesh knit material that gives you that ‘sock like’ feel. What runners love most about the construction of this upper is that it is free of heavy padding and synthetic overlays that allow your foot to move freely.
One of the best features of this minimalist upper is that the tongue is sewn in place, which means no more drifting tongue that can rub your feet raw. Once these shoes are laced up in place, they fit on your foot like a second skin. It’s important to note that there is a slight break-in period. The upper may seem too tight at first, but the materials are built to stretch to contour to the shape of your feet as you wear them. I also like that the minimalist upper can be worn with or without socks.
OUTSOLE
The outsole of this shoe is really made to move! It provides runners with excellent flex that allows you to make quick and snappy movements without being held back by your shoes. It is composed of Saucony’s PWRTRAC rubber that provides excellent grip while keeping the weight relatively low. Many race day trainers omit the rubber outsole to keep the weight low, but the Fastwitch 9 does things a little bit differently.
The outsole is composed of a super-thin layer of rubber that has a slightly tacky texture that allows you to grip the road under your feet, make quick movements without losing traction, and overall enhances the durability of this shoe. Many speed trainers omit rubber to keep the weight lower which affects its overall durability, but the Fastwitch 9 gives you the best of both worlds! Not only is this trainer super lightweight, but it also has heightened durability as well.
PERFORMANCE
This shoe is made for speed. If you are looking for a great race day shoe or something to help shaves a few seconds off of your PR, this is a great choice. What runners love most about this shoe is that it provides a contours fit that cradles your foot like a glove, much like a minimalist trainer, but still provides supportive features to protect your joints.
I would recommend this shoe for overpronators that don’t want to be locked into heavy and bulky stability trainers. The Fastwitch 9 is able to do something that few trainers can accomplish: comfort and support while allowing runners to hit top speeds. The heightened durability also means that you don’t have to save it for race day, it is a great shoe to wear for your everyday training!
FIT
Overall, these are pretty true to size. If you wore a 10 in any other Saucony shoe, 10 will fit you just fine. If it is your first Saucony shoe, be sure to take ample measurements of your feet and compare those measurements to the Saucony sizing chart that is provided. When in doubt, head down to your local shoe store to take them for a brief spin before you buy.
It is important to note, however, that some runners found that the booty-like construction of the upper was just a little too narrow for some feet. Unfortunately, this shoe isn’t offered in wide size options. This style of fabric is made to give and stretch as you wear them, so be sure to give them a little time to break in before you head to the returns counter.
STYLE
Personally, I was a little underwhelmed with the style of this shoe. It is only available in a white color palette, which means that they pick up dirt and look a little beat up fairly quickly. Saucony has a wide lineup of bright and punchy trainers that come in unique color options, but I felt that the colors of the Fastwitch 9 fell a little short, considering that Saucony isn’t shy about colors.
While the colors are a bit underwhelming, I love the silhouette of this trainer. It is slim and sleek and boasts a low cut that provides excellent movement and style. Overall, it’s a classic style that will never look old and outdated (which is good, considering that this shoe is built to last hundreds of miles!).
PRICE
One of the things that I love most about this design is that it comes in at a very affordable price point. While it provides the durability and support of a modest stability trainer, it doesn't possess a stability trainer price tag. If you are in the market for an affordable speed trainer that is comfortable and supports you, this is an insanely good value!
The midsole of this design is made from Saucony’s proprietary foam called SSL (Saucony Super Lite). While it doesn’t provide that plush step-in that feels like some of the similar trainers out there on the market, it really shines when you start to pick up the pace. What is lacks in cushioning, it makes up for in enhanced energy return. The midsole feels a little stiff at first, but as you start to pick up the pace, you can feel the foam give under your feet, and it also gives you a little bit of bounce at the beginning and the end of your gait cycle.
The midsole also offers dual-density cushioning that is perfect for overpronators, such as me. This midsole offers up a little bit of extra cushioning and support where you place the bulk of your weight on your foot. For a speed trainer, features such as a dual-density midsole to help with overpronation make this shoe truly unique. Pronation support is often a feature reserved for stability trainers, which is why the Fastwitch is so special.
UPPER
Saucony isn’t reinventing the wheel with the design of this upper. What I love most about this design is that it is minimalism at its finest. It is composed of a mesh knit material that gives you that ‘sock like’ feel. What runners love most about the construction of this upper is that it is free of heavy padding and synthetic overlays that allow your foot to move freely.
One of the best features of this minimalist upper is that the tongue is sewn in place, which means no more drifting tongue that can rub your feet raw. Once these shoes are laced up in place, they fit on your foot like a second skin. It’s important to note that there is a slight break-in period. The upper may seem too tight at first, but the materials are built to stretch to contour to the shape of your feet as you wear them. I also like that the minimalist upper can be worn with or without socks.
OUTSOLE
The outsole of this shoe is really made to move! It provides runners with excellent flex that allows you to make quick and snappy movements without being held back by your shoes. It is composed of Saucony’s PWRTRAC rubber that provides excellent grip while keeping the weight relatively low. Many race day trainers omit the rubber outsole to keep the weight low, but the Fastwitch 9 does things a little bit differently.
The outsole is composed of a super-thin layer of rubber that has a slightly tacky texture that allows you to grip the road under your feet, make quick movements without losing traction, and overall enhances the durability of this shoe. Many speed trainers omit rubber to keep the weight lower which affects its overall durability, but the Fastwitch 9 gives you the best of both worlds! Not only is this trainer super lightweight, but it also has heightened durability as well.
PERFORMANCE
This shoe is made for speed. If you are looking for a great race day shoe or something to help shaves a few seconds off of your PR, this is a great choice. What runners love most about this shoe is that it provides a contours fit that cradles your foot like a glove, much like a minimalist trainer, but still provides supportive features to protect your joints.
I would recommend this shoe for overpronators that don’t want to be locked into heavy and bulky stability trainers. The Fastwitch 9 is able to do something that few trainers can accomplish: comfort and support while allowing runners to hit top speeds. The heightened durability also means that you don’t have to save it for race day, it is a great shoe to wear for your everyday training!
FIT
Overall, these are pretty true to size. If you wore a 10 in any other Saucony shoe, 10 will fit you just fine. If it is your first Saucony shoe, be sure to take ample measurements of your feet and compare those measurements to the Saucony sizing chart that is provided. When in doubt, head down to your local shoe store to take them for a brief spin before you buy.
It is important to note, however, that some runners found that the booty-like construction of the upper was just a little too narrow for some feet. Unfortunately, this shoe isn’t offered in wide size options. This style of fabric is made to give and stretch as you wear them, so be sure to give them a little time to break in before you head to the returns counter.
STYLE
Personally, I was a little underwhelmed with the style of this shoe. It is only available in a white color palette, which means that they pick up dirt and look a little beat up fairly quickly. Saucony has a wide lineup of bright and punchy trainers that come in unique color options, but I felt that the colors of the Fastwitch 9 fell a little short, considering that Saucony isn’t shy about colors.
While the colors are a bit underwhelming, I love the silhouette of this trainer. It is slim and sleek and boasts a low cut that provides excellent movement and style. Overall, it’s a classic style that will never look old and outdated (which is good, considering that this shoe is built to last hundreds of miles!).
PRICE
One of the things that I love most about this design is that it comes in at a very affordable price point. While it provides the durability and support of a modest stability trainer, it doesn't possess a stability trainer price tag. If you are in the market for an affordable speed trainer that is comfortable and supports you, this is an insanely good value!
Comparisons to Previous Versions
Comparisons to Previous Versions
Many of the mechanics inside of the Fastwitch remain the same through the previous iterations of this shoe. The midsole is still composed of SSL foam, and it has a bright and springy ride that is great for speed. However, there have been some really great changes made to the latest version of the Fastwitch.
The biggest change lies in the upper. Previous versions of this shoe were composed of thicker mesh material with thick cushioning along the heel and tongue. While the boosted overall comfort, it was a little heavy and slowed you down a little bit. The newest version is made from light mesh that really hugs your foot to also increase lockdown.
The outsole of the 9 also gives it a slight edge over previous versions. The outsole of the Fastwitch 9 has a very thin layer of rubber on the outsole to increase traction and overall durability. Even with the added layer of rubber on the outsole, the Fastwitch 9 is about an ounce lighter than previous options!
The biggest change lies in the upper. Previous versions of this shoe were composed of thicker mesh material with thick cushioning along the heel and tongue. While the boosted overall comfort, it was a little heavy and slowed you down a little bit. The newest version is made from light mesh that really hugs your foot to also increase lockdown.
The outsole of the 9 also gives it a slight edge over previous versions. The outsole of the Fastwitch 9 has a very thin layer of rubber on the outsole to increase traction and overall durability. Even with the added layer of rubber on the outsole, the Fastwitch 9 is about an ounce lighter than previous options!
Verdict
Verdict
It’s very rare to find a good race day shoe that also boasts modest stability features, which is why the Fastwitch 9 is so special. This is a great option for runners that want to shave off a few seconds off of their time or to reserve for race day. The excellent durability increased traction, and lightweight frame also makes it a great choice for the weight room or CrossFit as well. Overall, this is an incredibly versatile shoe that comes in at a modest price point that is worth checking out.
There are a few downsides worth considering, however. I did find that some runners found that the new stretchy knit upper felt a little too tight around the forefoot. If you have a slightly wider foot, this shoe may not be ideal for you. Also, the heel counter on this design is a little bit more shallow than expected, which means that it doesn’t quite have that springy liftoff that many runners look for in a great racing shoe.
There are a few downsides worth considering, however. I did find that some runners found that the new stretchy knit upper felt a little too tight around the forefoot. If you have a slightly wider foot, this shoe may not be ideal for you. Also, the heel counter on this design is a little bit more shallow than expected, which means that it doesn’t quite have that springy liftoff that many runners look for in a great racing shoe.
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