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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Saucony Fastwitch Fastwitch Review}}The Saucony Fastwitch Fastwitch is a great shoe, similar in many ways to my long time favorite in this class, the [[Asics Gel Hyper Speed]]. While the Fastwitch it's often marketed as a 'racing shoe', I prefer to think of it as an optimal shoe, providing everything most runners need without the weight that comes with the over engineering of traditional running shoes. It's a 7oz shoe that I'd happily run the marathon distance in, and if I needed more cushioning than the Fastwitch I'd look to the Maximalist [[Hoka Clifton]]. The Fastwitch has the cushioning of shoes weighing (and costing) far more. It's only major problem is that the shape does not match the human foot, a failing shared by most running shoes. I've rated the Fastwitch as "Highly Recommended" and I've come to love running in it. {{H:WhatToLookForInShoes}}
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=Characteristics=
* {{H:cushioning}}. The Fastwitch Fastwitch has outstanding cushioning for its weight, which is on par with the [[Asics Gel Hyper Speed]]. It's slightly heavier than the Hyper Speed, but it's a little bit more equal fore/rear. The cushioning feels smooth and even, feeling like you're running on a cushioned track, which is how it should be. * {{H:drop}}. The Fastwitch Fastwitch has 4mm of drop when loaded, which is a tad more than I'd like, but it shouldn't cause any biomechanical problems. The main issue with that level of drop on a lightweight shoe is that it puts more of the cushioning in the rear and less in the forefoot, rather than balancing it out. * {{H:structure}}. The Fastwitch is a nice simple shoe that does not attempt to manipulate your stride. ThereSome web sites claim there's a single density of foam [[Pronation| Medial Post]], but I never noticed it while running. I checked the Saucony web site and they don't mention a medial post, so I cut open my pair and as expected, there's no medial post (see picture below). There's only a slight rise under the midfoot that shouldn't create undue pressure on your arch. <br/>[[File:Saucony Fastwitch Medial Post.jpg|none|thumb|200px|The dissected Saucony Fastwitch showing no Medial Post (Click for a larger image).]]* {{H:flexibility}}. The Fastwitch Fastwitch has great flexibility that allows the shoe to move naturally with your foot. This flexibility is rather greater than I might expect given the construction; it seems to come partly from the gaps in the outsole, but mostly from the midsole foam. Unlike many shoes that want to flex in just one place, the Fastwitch flexes more naturally. * {{H:outsole}}. The Fastwitch Fastwitch has harder wearing rubber outsole under most of the contact area, providing reasonable abrasion resistance. Like most shoes with an outsole, the limit on longevity will be the midsole which will compress with mileage. There are some small gaps in the outsole, but I didn't find any problems with them catching stones. * {{H:shape}}. The Fastwitch Fastwitch is not designed to fit a human foot, so I [[Shoe Modifications| cut open the toe box]] to prevent my toes getting crushed and so my foot could move naturally. {{H:TryCuttingShoes}}
* {{H:upper}}. The upper is inflexible and mostly unpadded, but quite comfortable. The upper is largely seamless, having just a little padding around the rear of the foot and around the ankle opening.
* {{H:tongue}}. The Fastwitch Fastwitch has a traditional tongue that is has a tab to attach it to the laces. The tongue is rather more padded than the rest of the shoe.* {{H:lacing}}. The Fastwitch Fastwitch has flat laces which have tiny bit of elasticity that seems to improve comfort and I've never had them come undone. * {{H:heelcounter}}. The Fastwitch Fastwitch has rather more of a heel counter than I'd like. This adds weight and does not good, but it's also unlikely to cause any issues by rubbing or digging in.
{{FastBlr|saucony/type-a6-597|597|Saucony Fastwitch}}
=How Far Can I Run in the Fastwitch? =
Different runners want different levels of cushioning, so this shoe may not suit everyone. Some runners want a [[Maximalist]] shoe when they run a 5K, while others will run a 100 mile race barefoot. Most people find that as the distance increases, they want a little more cushioning to protect their feet from the pounding and to offset a little of the fatigue that sets in over time. You can see from the charts below how the cushioning compares with other shoes I've tested for some comparisons. Remember that a thicker, firmer shoe would have the same cushioning rating as a thinner, softer shoe, but would feel rather different.
=Update after 200 Miles=
I've enjoyed running in the Fastwitch, but after 200 miles it's worn out. There is more wear on the outsole than I'd have expected, with the tread worn down a little under the ball of the foot and on the edge of the heel. Saucony claim the rubber outsole of the Fastwitch provides "three times the traction", which might be why it's worn down more quickly than expected. While I never had any traction concerns, I wouldn't say it was any better than other shoes. The upper hasn't changed in the 200 miles since I cut open the toe box, and overall it's been comfortable. Like most running shoes, the limiting factor on the lifespan is the foam midsole breaking down. As the foam wears it becomes compressed, which not only reduces the cushioning you get, but more importantly the compression is uneven. This means that the areas of greatest pressure, such as under the ball of your foot, become lower than the surrounding areas. This can twist your foot in strange ways, and I suspect in may contribute to a number of injuries. I've been surprised just how much the midsole of the Fastwitch has collapsed, and it's now 5-6 mm thinner under the ball of the foot than when it was new.
=Comparisons=
Here are some direct comparisons with its potential competition.
==Saucony Fastwitch Fastwitch and Nike Zoom Streak LT3 ==
The [[Nike Zoom Streak LT]] isn't as well cushioned as the Fastwitch, nor is its cushioning-to-weight-ratio as good. However the Streak is a far better shape than the Fastwitch and it's one of the few shoes I can wear without cutting open the toe box. It also lasts far longer than the Fastwitch and it's quite a bit lighter.
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{{FastBlr|nike/zoom-streak-lt2-1090|1090|Nike Zoom Streak LT}}
==Saucony Fastwitch Fastwitch and Asics Gel Hyper Speed==
The Fastwitch and the [[Asics Gel Hyper Speed]] are really close, with the Hyper Speed providing slightly better cushioning for the weight.
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{{FastBlr|asics/gel-hyperspeed-6-192|192|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6}}
==Saucony Fastwitch Fastwitch and New Balance RC5000v2==The Fastwitch Fastwitch is quite light, but it's nearly twice the weight of the [[New Balance RC5000v2]]. The RC5000v2 provides just enough cushioning to improve [[Running Economy]], so it will be a faster shoe than the Fastwitch. However, I suspect most folks will appreciate the extra cushioning of the Fastwitch.
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