Supwell's Breakdown of the Saucony Paramount Max
Below we are breaking down the Saucony Paramount Max, the newest max cushion model to hit the market. See how we rated it in terms of the midsole, outsole, upper, value, and design and how it ranks in terms of underfoot feel, speed assistance, stability, fun factor, and fit compared to its competitors.
Saucony went in a different direction with the Paramount Max, leaning more into comfort, stability, and premium daily mileage than the “super trainer” feel the IncrediRun branding might suggest. With a 43mm stack, wide stable base, and roomy upper, this feels much more like a max-cushion cruiser for easy miles and long runs than a high-energy uptempo option. We love the luxurious step-in feel, excellent outsole coverage, and the bold Y2K-inspired design, but at $200 it sits in a tough value conversation next to shoes in the same range.
Specs of the Paramount Max:
- Stack: 43mm of foam in the heel with a 6mm drop
- Midsole: TPEE foam
- Weight: 269 grams
- Fit: Roomy, accommodating upper and luxurious step-in feel
- Stability: Very wide, stable base
Midsole—B
Saucony purports that the Paramount Max features IncrediRun, but this is clearly a firmer, less energetic compound than the fluffy, wildly-bouncy foam found in the Endorphin Elite 3. While this midsole delivers a protective, stable ride akin to the Nimbus 28 and MagMax 2, the Incredirun branding had us expecting a more super trainer-esque ride.
Upper—A
The upper is lightweight, soft, and very well executed, featuring a thick, padded tongue.
Outsole—A
We have no complaints with the outsole. There is xcellent rubber coverage across the entire outsole.
Saucony Paramount Max
Value—B-
Despite being priced as such at $200, the Paramount Max feels overpriced since it doesn’t compete with the Hyperboost Edge and Superblast 3. It feels much more in-line with $170 shoes like the Nimbus 28.
Design—A+
While certainly polarizing, Saucony’s application of the Y2K retro aesthetic onto a modern performance shoe is genius design in our book.
Similar Shoes:
- ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28
- Puma MagMax 2
- Hoka Bondi 9
For Yowana's full first-run review of the Paramount Max, check out the video on the Supwell YouTube channel:
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