Who should buy the Saucony Cohesion 16 ?
Beginner runners could use this as they are trying out this running thing while experienced runners could use this as an easy day, low mileage run (3-5 miles). This could also be a consideration for the budget conscious runner looking for a shoe that doesn’t have any of the latest technology and can be used for running, the gym, and doing errands.
Who should not buy the Saucony Cohesion 16 ?
Any runner looking for a shoe that is cushioned, has a rocker element, or needs a shoe to go beyond 6 miles, this is not the shoe for you.
Saucony Cohesion 16 Introduction
The Saucony Cohesion 16 is a budget-friendly shoe that eschews all of the latest technology in the name of getting you a good price on a shoe.
While there isn’t a great deal of the newer technology that would help you feel more comfortable or help you run faster, this shoe is made of soft materials and is comfortable enough for simple runs.
It is versatile enough for a short (3-5 mile) run and then a gym session afterwards. It is seemingly built very well and could be durable enough to last for quite a while.
Saucony Cohesion 16 First Impressions
I honestly did not have high expectations for this shoe knowing its price range.
Taking it out of the box, though, I was pleasantly surprised by the feel and construction of the shoe. It has a padded tongue and an outsole full of thick rubber.
Putting it on was more impressive as it felt softer than it looked. Taking a few steps, though, and you realize that you’re not in a shoe with the latest technology.
My first few runs with this shoe were basic easy runs and there wasn’t much of a need for a break-in period. These shoes are great out of the box. They transition well from walk to run to easy strength training in the gym.
Saucony Cohesion 16 Upper
The upper is well designed and quite comfortable. The tongue is made of soft materials and feels snug on your foot.
The entire upper is made of mesh and it felt comfortable enough even during my hot afternoon runs.
Is it as breathable as the Saucony Ride 16? Not at all but my foot didn’t feel like it was overheating either.
The heel collar is also soft and snug against your foot. The laces were just fine and never came undone on me.
Saucony Cohesion 16 Sole Unit
The midsole is made of VERSARUN which is an EVA foam. In terms of current technology, this is fine for this price point but there are just better quality foams out there.
In terms of softness vs firmness, it is not very soft in the cushion department.
It runs a bit firm but not in the way that seems to help you run farther. Because of the lack of soft cushion, it doesn’t feel very comfortable past 5-6 miles.
In comparison to the Saucony Ride 16, this is not nearly as soft and the ride is not nearly as comfortable.
The outsole is comprised of thick rubber that looks like it will last a long time. In fact, after 50 miles, it barely looks like it was even worn.
The traction is good in most conditions even on wet roads. Testing this in the warmer months, I can’t say for sure how the traction will be on snowy, icy roads, but the indications of how well it did on wet, slick roads bodes well for other conditions.
The only complaint I have for the sole unit is the instability I felt when taking a sharp corner. The shoe never felt like it moved with me and I didn’t feel comfortable going around those bends quickly. It’s minor and it’s possible that most folks wouldn’t notice if you don’t have to take sharp corners.
Saucony Cohesion 16 Conclusions
Overall, this shoe was just fine. It does the job for a run that is less than 5-6 miles. Your foot stays comfortable, it grips the road well, and the ride is just fine.
If you’re looking for a softer ride, good bounce from the foam, or a lighter shoe, then look somewhere else.
If you just need an all-around shoe that performs well in shorter runs, walks around the neighborhood or doing errands, and a trip to the gym, then this shoe will do all of that.
This shoe is great value for the price point and I highly recommend it for the beginner or occasional runner who is not looking to spend a great deal on a running shoe.