Saucony Mirage 2 Review
While minimalist running has caught on a lot, there are still a number of runners that need a little bit of support in their running shoes. The Saucony Mirage 2 running shoe fits into the minimalist running category, but it has a small amount of stability for the runners that doesn’t want to take the plunge all the way.
The Saucony Mirage 2 weighs in at 9.2 oz. for a men’s size 9 and 8 oz. for a women’s size 7. While shaving weight is great for minimalist running, but it’s how you shave the weight that is important if you are looking to transition into minimalist running. The upper on the Saucony Mirage 2 has been trimmed down compared to the traditional running shoe. Where you will notice most of the trimming in this shoe upper is the padding in the heel cup as well as in and around the tongue. The majority of this shoe is made from mesh, but it still has synthetic overlays welded to the shoe to help keep the shoes form. This helps your foot from getting too sloppy while running and helps your foot from blowing out the sides. One of the most noticeable overlays is near the forefoot. This is a section where many people will put a lot of strain on a running shoe upper, so Saucony took this information and reinforced this section. The overall fit of the upper on the Mirage 2 is very comfortable as it provides a nice wrap and I didn’t get any hot spots while running in these shoes.
The midsole of the Saucony Mirage 2 is comprised of ProGrid LTE EVA foam which makes for a comfortable ride both while forefoot running and heel striking. For stability in the midsole, Saucony added a plastic platform in the inside of the foot under the arch. I am a mild pronator at times and it was hard to notice this extra stability. This is what you want, you want to be able to run without having to feel that extra support.
The outsole of the Saucony Mirage 2 is made from carbon rubber that provides protection from excessive wear, but it is also lighter than standard outsole rubber. I have only seen minimal wear on the outsole throughout testing this shoe and I am confident most runners can get 500 miles + out of the outsole. From the midsole, I would put it between 275-350 depending on weight and running style.
The drop on the Saucony Mirage 2 goes from 22mm in the heel to 18mm in the toe, which comes out to be a 4mm drop. 4mm drops are something that we are seeing more and more from Saucony as it is a great transitional drop for many runners. They also offer other varying offsets or drop anywhere from 8mm to 0mm.
Overall, I have been very happy with the performance and style of the Saucony Mirage 2 and I am happy to give it two thumbs up for the runner that is looking to transition to a minamalist running shoe, but still wants a small amount of support.
