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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Saucony Cortana 4 Review}}
The Saucony Cortana 4 is a shoe for those looking for something that's just slightly less over engineered than conventional running shoes like the [[Asics GT 2000]]. This means it can be used as a stepping stone to better shoes that offer more cushioning for the same weight, or less weight for the same cushioning. Compared with a traditional shoe like the [[Asics GT 2000]] and an optimal shoe like the [[Asics Gel Hyper Speed]], the Cortana is much closer to the GT 2000 than the Hyper Speed, where a shoe like the [[Saucony Kinvara]] is closer to the Hyper Speed. If you can accept the Cortana in its role as a transitional shoe, then it works well and is nicely designed. It's only when you compare it with what a running shoe should be that it looks rather grim. I've rated it as "worth considering." {{H:WhatToLookForInShoes}}
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* {{H:flexibility}}. The Cortana has mediocre flexibility in spite of the groves in the midsole and the gaps in the outsole. Unlike the [[Nike LunarSpider]], the lack of flexibility in the Cortana does not provide much spring, and just dampens the toe off.
* {{H:outsole}}. The Cortana has two densities of firmer rubber outsole over a good portion of the contact areas.
* {{H:shape}}. The Cortana is not designed around a human foot, with a toe box that presses on the toes. I [[Shoe Modifications| cut open the toe box]] to prevent blisters and allow my foot to move, which largely corrects the problem. . {{H:TryCuttingShoes}}
* {{H:upper}}. The upper is inflexible and mostly seamless. It's quite breathable in the forefoot, with a little padding around the rear of the foot, and lots of soft padding around the ankle opening.
* {{H:tongue}}. The Cortana has a traditional tongue that is has a tab to attach it to the laces, with nice soft padding.