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Saucony Grid Type A5 Running Shoe Review: A Phenomenal Racing Flat!

September 17, 2012 By 94 Comments

Saucony Grid Type A5I think I’m in love. It’s pretty rare for me to put more than 50 miles on a single shoe in one month given the number of reviews that I’m working on at any given time, but since mid-August I’ve run almost exclusively in two shoes: the adidas Gazelle and the Saucony Grid Type A5.

I recently reviewed the adidas Gazelle, which is a truly awesome shoe, and next up is the A5, which I’ve managed to log 70+ miles in so far (including speedwork and several 13 mile plus long runs). Simply put, the Grid Type A5 has exceeded my expectations in nearly every possible way and has earned a spot on my feet for my Fall A-race – the Smuttynose Half-Marathon on September 30.

I did try out the previous iteration of the Saucony Grid Type line, and it was not a positive experience. The Grid Type A4 never fit me quite right, and I managed to injure myself running a marathon in them a few years back (peroneal tendonitis). Thus, I was skeptical of trying the A5 since the sole was the same and only the upper had been updated. However, since the fit of the upper was my main issue and the A5 is a relative bargain among running shoes these days, I ordered a pair to review. I’m glad I did!

Saucony Grid Type A5 MedialSaucony Grid Type A5 Side

I initially ordered the A5 in my usual size 10, but the fit was clearly still not right. I debated sending them back and giving up on the shoe, but opted to give them another try and ordered a half size up. What a difference a bit of space can make! The fit went from iffy to absolutely perfect, and the improvement over my experience with the A4 has been dramatic. I’ve come to the realization that my feet may have indeed changed shape as more and more I find myself opting for 10.5’s instead of my old standard size 10.

The beauty of the Grid Type A5 is it’s simplicity. This is a no frills shoe, and that’s what I love about it. The upper is minimally structured and highly breathable, and for the most part it’s suitable for sockless wear (more on this below). There is a small plastic heel counter, though it extends only about halfway up the heel and is not really noticeable when the shoe is on foot. Arch support is present, though again minimal and barely noticeable to me.

In terms of fit, I’d say the A5 (half-size up) is comparable to the Saucony Kinvara 3 – not particularly wide, but fits my foot without any noticeable restriction. I’d say it’s not quite as roomy in the forefoot as the Mizuno Universe, but a bit more roomy than the New Balance RC5000 (and much wider through the midfoot compared to the RC5000). For some reason, and I can’t put my finger exactly on what, Saucony shoes seem to fit me really well, which might be why I’ve had such good experiences with many of them.

Saucony Grid Type A5 Top

I mentioned above that I’d return to the issue of sockless wear, and here lies my one and only complaint about this shoe. I don’t like the pull-on-string on the back of the heel because when running sockless in them the knots that hold the strings in the holes in the upper rub against my skin and cause hot-spots. Not a problem with socks on. I’d recommend they ditch the string and instead use a pull tab attached to the outside of the heel.

Saucony Grid Type A5 Sole

The sole of the Grid Type A5 is again brilliant in it’s simplicity. With a stack height of 16mm heel:12mm forefoot the shoe rides close to the ground, and at 4mm drop it nails my sweet spot for a racing or distance shoe. The outsole is substantial for a flat, with rubber coating the margins of the heel and grippy rubber nubs dotting the midfoot and forefoot. After 70+ miles mine have held up quite well – all of the nubs are still present and there is very little wear on any of them. Another feature of the sole are the drainage holes that extend up and down either side of the midline – these allow the A5 to shed water incredibly well, but do catch pebbles (though I I can’t feel them when lodged in so it doesn’t bother me at all).

One of the things I really like about the sole of the Grid Type A5 is that because it has a low stack height, it’s flexible both longitudinally and torsionally (twisting). Good torsional flexibility has become one of the features that I look for in a shoe, and most traditional shoes with a big thick sole simply do not allow this. Torsional flexibility seems to prevent shoes from being too slappy.

Finally, the A5 weighs in at 5.8oz in size 9 according to Running Warehouse (I wanted to weight mine, but they’re soaked after running 14 miles in them earlier today). Thus, it’s heavier than the Mizuno Universe and New Balance RC5000, comparable to the adidas Hagio (the Universe, RC5000 and Hagio are my other three top racing flat picks along with the Grid Type A5), but a few ounces lighter than a transitional shoe like the Kinvara.

So that’s really all I have to say about the Grid Type A5. I can give no better recommendation than to say that I’ve loved every mile that I’ve run in them, and have turned in some of the best training runs I’ve had in years with these shoes on my feet. Picking them as my race shoe for the Fall was an easy choice! To be honest, this is what a running shoe should be – no frills, just a simple upper and only as much cushion as is necessary for me, and what seems to be decent durability. And best of all, the shoes are reasonably priced – they’re available for sale at Running Warehouse. Outside of the US they can be purchased at Sportsshoes.com

You might also like:

Under Armour Speedform Running Shoe Review Saucony Virrata Review and Comparison to the Saucony Kinvara 3: Guest Post by Alex Raggers New Balance MRC1600 Racing Flat Review Saucony Hattori LC Lace-Up Review – A Massively Improved Update to Saucony’s First Zero Drop Shoe Mizuno Wave Universe 4: A Near Perfect Racing Flat
Filed Under: Minimalist Running, racing flat, running gear review, running shoes, Saucony

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About Peter Larson

This post was authored by Peter Larson. Pete is a biology teacher, track/soccer coach, and dad (x3) with a passion for running, soccer, and science. If you'd like to learn a little bit more about who I am and what I do, click here, or visit petermlarson.com.

Comments

  1. Greg Barnett says:
    September 17, 2012 at 2:04 am

    So, because they are racing flats, does that mean they won’t hold up as well/long as, say, the Kinvara would? I know racing flats are generally lighter and not meant for 100’s of miles of training runs, but could I train in this shoe and have it last a decent amount of time? What are your thoughts on training in racing flats in general?

    Reply
  2. keith tyger says:
    September 17, 2012 at 2:29 am

    What a coincidence! I had my fresh pair from running warehouse delivered Friday. I used your discount code on the green slime pair. $62 out the door, I was excited already. Then I ran in them on Saturday. Wow, what a fast and comfortable shoe. As soon as I put them on I thought “I have never had a pair of shoes feels so comfortable”. I did 5 miles faster than I have in the past few months. I have certainly found a race shoe for 5 and 10k’s. At 230 pounds, I am not sure if I could pound out a half marathon in them. Maybe motivation to lose that final 30 pounds.

    Reply
    • Pete Larson says:
      September 17, 2012 at 3:55 am

      Keith,

      Yeah, tough to beat that price! You’re a great example of the fact that just because someone weighs over 200 pounds doesn’t mean they need to strap heaps of cushion under their feet – run well and your legs will do the work for you and you get stronger in the process. Thanks for the comment!

      —-
      Pete Larson’s Web Links:
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      Reply
      • Keith Tyger says:
        September 17, 2012 at 5:40 am

        You are correct Pete. I will never go back to overly structured and cushioned shoes no matter my size. I have been knee pain free in nearly 2 years since finding your site. I notice when I run in my Brooks Flow my form changes a little If I do not pay attention. I stand up and over-stride more since they have ample cushion. I fall back on letting the shoe do more of the shock absorption. When I wear my Kinvara’s and now A5’s I drop my stance and shorten my stride a little and let the legs cushion the steps and I can go longer and faster because of it. If I stand too tall and over-stride in these shoes my legs pay the price. The rest of this year I will be working on maintaining form no matter the shoe. Great site Pete! I recommend it to ever runner I meet.

        Reply
  3. mehike says:
    September 17, 2012 at 4:50 am

    I know that you feel – I agree, A5 is best shoes… my main pair of race shoes up to marathon!

    Reply
  4. ZombieRunner says:
    September 17, 2012 at 12:55 pm

    Would you consider running a Marathon in them, safe? Will the hold up?

    Reply
  5. xmonkey says:
    September 17, 2012 at 2:46 am

    I am a slow runner 6min/km and have run A5 for several Tris, 10km-21km.
    Really great lightweight shoe for race without socks!
    The only issue is the little rocks on the road may fill the holes on the bottom. Lucky most race roads are clear enough.

    Reply
  6. SteveL says:
    September 17, 2012 at 4:39 am

    I tried the Mizuno Universe and it’s just not enough cushion for my training runs. I run the the Kinvara 3 and find those great. Does the A5 have more cushion than the Mizuno but less than the Kinvara?

    Reply
  7. RARORAC says:
    September 17, 2012 at 5:04 am

    Hi Pete, thanks for the review, very interesting. As my current go-to shoe is the Kinvara 3 I was wondering what you would consider the main differences? Which one is more “minimalistic”, which one is more durable?

    Reply
  8. Brian Richardson says:
    September 17, 2012 at 8:28 am

    I am looking to add a pair of shoes to my rotation, which currently includes Asics Piranha (all time favorite), Saucony Hattori, Skechers GoRun, Nike Mayfly, and occasionally Saucony Kinvara. Would you recommend Skechers Bionic or Saucony Grid Type A5?

    Reply
  9. USMCNateB says:
    September 18, 2012 at 1:18 am

    Pete,
    Just bought these from runningwarehouse. I’ve taken your advice in the past (PureFlow, NB730), so I thought I’d give them a try. Hope they work out well!
    NateB

    Reply
  10. zekehep says:
    September 18, 2012 at 1:30 am

    Great review Pete! Received my A5s from Running Warehouse last Thursday and will have a hard time working any of my other shoes into a rotation. The relatively small amount of cushioning has a feel similar to the NB 730s. So far just 6, 7 and 4 mile runs in them but there’s no doubt I’ve found my new race shoe. Sure can’t beat the price either.

    Reply
  11. Philip says:
    September 18, 2012 at 11:45 am

    Genereal question here:
    In most of your shoe reviews, you talk about the heel-toe drop of the shoe. Knowing that shoes get longer when you go a few sizes up, does the heel-toe drop grow as well (in order to maintain the same angle) or does the drop stay the same (which would mean having a smaller angle)? Personnaly, I would think it would be more important to keep the angle.

    Reply
  12. John says:
    September 18, 2012 at 12:48 pm

    I agree: This is one of the best flats–heck, trainers ifn you go that way–on the market. I’d even like it a bit firmer, but still that isn’t a big deal when considering the shoe as a whole. Now that Saucony has the Kinvara TR out, I think this ought to be renamed the Kinvara Racer. What a holy trinity that would be.

    Reply
  13. PurdueMatt says:
    September 18, 2012 at 12:54 pm

    How does this shoe compare to the Kinvara 3?

    Reply
  14. Sam says:
    September 18, 2012 at 3:30 am

    Never thought I’d be happy about an injury, but my wallet is thanking me for the PTSS right now. Forcing me back into Brooks Pure Cadence and Asics DS racers till it heals, prevents me from buying even more minimal shoes of the likes you review LOL!

    Reply
  15. Jake says:
    September 19, 2012 at 1:58 am

    The cushioning, flexibility, weight, and drop in the A4s (haven’t tried the A5) hit the spot for me, and they were great for my marathon last fall. In my opinion they have one major caveat: the drainage holes in the sole make them a poor choice for wet/cold running. One step in a shallow puddle or even wet grass allowed water to enter the shoe from the bottom. As great as they felt, I had to shelve them all winter. Looks like the A5s are no different.

    Reply
  16. Nick Fusco says:
    September 19, 2012 at 4:09 am

    I almost laugh reading some of your reviews because we share the same exact opinions on shoes. My closet is filled with Saucony’s because they have the perfect fit for me. No other brand of shoe feels as good on my feet. I’m currently putting a lot of miles on my A4’s. The thing is, when I first bought them, I hated them. My thoughts were similar to yours; they caused a lot of pain in my lower legs and made my feet feel like they were working way too hard at the given effort. I put them away for almost a year and then decided to give them another try. I credit the fact that I’m a much more efficient runner now, but I currently enjoy every mile in them. As an experiment, I’d say give the A4’s a quick run and see if your thoughts have changed. PS – I’ll definitely be buying the A5’s once my A4’s are worn out (which doesn’t look like it’ll be any time soon – about 200 miles on them and minimal wear).

    Reply
  17. Will says:
    September 20, 2012 at 3:48 am

    Good review. Like others here, we definitely share similar preferences in shoes. I’ve got 250 miles on a pair so far and they are still going strong. I bought the A5s this summer specifically for the drainage holes. With other shoes it was so hot and humid that I couldn’t run more than 45 minutes before my feet began sloshing around in my shoes and these totally eliminated that problem. I had a pair of the A3s (given to me free) and put a few hundred miles on them but wasn’t very enamored with them at all and tried on the A4 but it didn’t quite fit me. The A5 fits my long, moderate-width feet well.

    Reply
  18. Robert says:
    September 25, 2012 at 12:52 pm

    I wear the Green Silence, but I am looking for something with a little more flexibility and perhaps a softer ride. Is the A5 more of what I am looking for??

    Reply
    • Pete Larson says:
      September 25, 2012 at 2:00 am

      Probably not. The Green Silence is one of the softest shoes I have run in, the A5 would be much firmer. The Saucony Kinvara would be more comparable in terms if softness.

      Reply
  19. Nina Rose says:
    September 25, 2012 at 10:47 am

    I have the A4. I really like it and have run quite a few miles in them all ready… but I seem to have developed tendinitis on the top of my foot. I’m not sure if it was from the fit of the A4 (they fit a bit tighter) or some other factor, but I’m afraid to run in them again. I’ll need to try out the A5 I think.

    Reply
  20. orangeeater says:
    October 1, 2012 at 1:38 am

    I’ve been running in the A5 for a week based upon your review- love it! Previously, I was in the Kinvara..Such a light shoe.. have to pull the reins back at times as it is easy to fly in these. Can’t believe I ran a marathon in Nike Vomeros a few years ago!

    One problem I’ve had is my third toe rubs against my second causing a cut/bloody sock…..

    In your experience, do you think the toebox is smaller in Saucony shoes? Trying to figure out if I am squeezing my toes together causing the problem or if it is just a toenail issue.

    Reply
  21. amadeus303 says:
    October 1, 2012 at 3:38 am

    Pete, the Mizuno WU4’s are my go to training shoe along with the Hattori LC’s. I like to train in what I would race. I know you touched on some of the similarities/differences between the A5’s and WU4’s, but can you elaborate on what you might typically select for certain types of training runs or races? Your WU4 review called them “near perfect racing flats”, and the fit between the WU4’s and the A5’s was significantly different if I remember correctly when I tried a pair on. Based on your latest review of the A5, however… I might just have to give them a whirl in my rotation.

    Reply
  22. Kwill says:
    October 9, 2012 at 4:20 am

    I’ve never owned a pair of racing flats in my life before, but I’ve gravitated more and more toward lighter/more minimal shoes in the last couple years, and your article pushed me to give these a try. I PRed in a 10 mile race this weekend during my second run in them, and loved how fast I could turn over in such a light shoe. Thanks for the recommendation!

    Reply
  23. Qiao Chen says:
    October 9, 2012 at 5:31 am

    I bought my A5 about a month ago, it has become one of my favorites. I think it’s comparable to Adidas Haigo but 0.3oz lighter. For a racing flat, it provides very good amount of cushion, and looks like a traditional shoe ! Durability seems good as well, although too early to tell.
    My only problem with this shoe is the “drain holes” on the sole. It was designed to drain water during race, but unless you use it solely on track, it is easily clogged by either mud or small gravels on the road. I have to use a pair of scissor to pick them out. Complained about this to Sacouny, hopefully “A6” can fix this problem.
    Overall great shoe !

    Reply
  24. Errez says:
    October 21, 2012 at 7:14 am

    Love reading your reviews Pete. I just made it to 1000 km on my first Kinvara 1. I just bought a pair of the 3. First run impression: good shoe as well. Hope the upper is more durable.

    On the a5: how many miles do you think they will last. As a raceshoe, is it expected to make much less miles?

    Thanks!

    Reply
  25. Miguel Ferrer says:
    October 24, 2012 at 8:06 am

    Hello Pete!

    Leo tu blog desde el otro lado del océano Atlántico, en Lanzarote, en las Islas Canarias (Spain). Lo sigo hace años y es muy interesante. Actualmente estoy corriendo en una Saucony Type A4 como zapatilla de entrenamiento, y lo que hice al comprarla fue escoger una talla más grande. Si normalmente uso una talla 10.5 USA, en la Type A4 uso una talla 11 USA. Aunque sigue quedándome algo apretada, es una de las mejores zapatillas que he usado nunca. Me recuerda a la Asics Hyperspeed 3 que tuve, pero con menor diferencia talón-puntera, por lo que la Type A4 es mucho mejor. Estoy deseando probar la Type A5. Como otros que han opinado, mi principal problema con la Type A4 son los agujeros que tiene en la suela, que se llenan de pequeñas piedras, pero la verdad es que en la carrera luego ni se nota. Es más la preocupación psicológica de que se pueda romper la suela con las piedras que la molestia real al usarlas.

    Te mando este mensaje para sugerirte que igual que escogiste una talla mayor para la Type A5, hagas los mismo con la Kinvara TR. En la Kinvara 2 llevo una talla 10.5 USA, igual que con la Peregrine 2. Pero leyendo los problemas de ajuste de la Kinvara TR me fui a una talla 11. Al probármelas me siguieron pareciendo muy estrechas, pero una vez que las usé, una auténtica maravilla!!. Muy planas y ligeras pero con suficiente protección. He usado para mis trails más fáciles las Inov-8 230, pero creo que la falta de amortiguación es lo que me provoca dolores en el dedo gordo del pie. Eso no me pasa con la Kinvara TR. Tiene suficiente protección, la placa anti-roca se acaba flexibilizando enseguida, y aunque no tanto como las INov-8 230, van muy cercanas al suelo. Me encantan las Kinvara TR! Te sugiero que les des otra oportunidad en media talla más.

    Un saludo

    Reply
    • Pete Larson says:
      October 24, 2012 at 3:59 am

      Miguel,

      Thanks for this! Made good use of the 11 years of Spanish language study I did from elementary school to college. Can’t write very well anymore, but can still manage to read the written word en Espanol.

      As for your observations – the rocks in the sole of the A4/A5 can be an annoyance, but never bother me on the run. I’ve thought about trying to plug the holes, but they do help when running in the rain.

      As for the Kinvara TR, yes, I wish I had sized up and given that a try. Unfortunately I bought them before the store’s return policy allowed for return of worn shoes, so I wound up selling them on Ebay. If I can get them at a good price I may try again, but I’m still disappointed that they don’t fit like the road Kinvara.

      Pete

      —-
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      2012/10/24 Disqus <notifications@disqus.net></notifications@disqus.net>

      Reply
  26. Marcie Matthews says:
    November 2, 2012 at 12:34 pm

    Pete,

    Really appreciate this and all of your reviews and hard work. You are by far, my go-to resource on this kind of stuff. Now that I have finished my 1st marathon and before my next, I am using this time period to try a myriad of shoes. Have 12+ either in rotation or teed up to try over the next few weeks.

    Did an 8-mile tempo/hill repeat workout in the A5’s yesterday. Just loved them. Speedy, exceptionally light and very uncomplicated. I know everyone is different but not sure if I could get much distance on these past a half marathon. I was running in the Inov-8 155’s exclusively up until my long runs got to be 16 – 18 and it got to be too much. Curious if you have any thoughts about how far you would take it with them.

    Keep up the great work. Thank you for the recommendation on these. They have definitely made the cut!

    Reply
    • Pete Larson says:
      November 2, 2012 at 12:59 pm

      Marcie,

      I ran a marathon in the A4 – it was mistake at the time since they were a half size small and I hadn’t trained much in them, but after a solid amount of training in the A5’s I wouldn’t hesitate to use them in a marathon, but that might not apply to everyone. I just ran my first run in the Inov-8 155’s the other day and they’re solid – similar feel to the A5, maybe a bit firmer.

      Appreciate the kind words as well!

      Pete

      —-
      Pete Larson’s Web Links:
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      Reply
  27. Nick Wojtasik says:
    November 18, 2012 at 9:01 am

    The A5 has been the best flat I’ve worn, too. I ran a 9 minute marathon PR of 2:38:10 in them yesterday. I ran my last marathon in the A3 and I really like the updated upper. The FlexFilm really makes up for the narrower toe box in my opinion. My only qualm with these shoes is the construction of the outsole. Of course, I don’t have perfect form and I’m sure I lose efficiency in the latter miles of long runs. The nubs on the outsole, though durable, have come off in high wear areas like under the fifth metatarsal and under the big toe. In my opinion, this shoe would be perfect if it had solid “plates” of rubber, like the NB1600, on the outsole, increasing durability.

    Reply
  28. Ilich L says:
    November 26, 2012 at 5:12 am

    Really enjoyed reading this blog as I’ve found myself getting more seriously into running and feel compelled to offer my two cents on the A5. I really wanted to like this shoe based on your enthusiastic review. I had planned to wear them for my half marathon coming up on Saturday. Loved the low drop and minimal feel, but the forefoot was too narrow for my feet in an 11. Sent them back and got the 11.5 but that just felt too big and ran like the shoe was working against my foot. However, they’re so light and they slip on and off so easy, I liked just wearing them around, almost like a sandal. But I finally had to admit that the A5 for a half marathon just wasn’t going to happen for me.

    So with just over two weeks left, cue panicked search for the right shoe to race in. I do as many runs as I can on trails (currently in NB Minimus 1010) and decided I wanted a little more cushioning than the A5 to deal with longer distances on the road. NB minimus 10 road was too firm, the NB 730 look nice but feel like they weren’t ever meant to actually run in (interested to hear more about the MR20 though), Brooks Pure Flow had too much structure under my arch, Kinvara was too narrow and felt like a lot of shoe as did the more traditional Gel-Lyte33, don’t like the fit of the Nike free and the Nike fly knit racer is like slipping on high heels. Apparently one’s feet can be pretty idiosyncratic.

    Eventually, Mr. Goldilocks found the Asics Hyperspeed 5 which is more a half-to-full-marathon racing shoe. It fit my wider feet perfectly, with some of the room in the toe box I’m accustomed to at the price of a slightly higher drop and a little more weight. Slipped them on and knocked out my final long run with zero issues. A little more forgiving on the roads, but with a nice springy feel very similar to running on a firm dirt trail. Also, have rubber outsole instead of the nubs. So worth checking out for those with slightly wider feet who still want minimal support and/or aren’t going to manage the longer distances in a shoe as firm as the A5. The A5 is a really nice shoe that would be ideal for my 5k-10k (and triathlon) needs were it just a little wider in the forefoot.

    Reply
  29. Rich Casto says:
    December 6, 2012 at 2:06 am

    I’ve run over 300 miles on my A4’s, both training and racing, including my first half-marathon. Love them except for those stupid holes in the bottom – I put Shoe Goo in them finally!

    Reply
  30. TheBald says:
    December 15, 2012 at 7:24 am

    Pete, if you were to compare the A5 to the Merrell Bare Access 2, which would you pick?

    Reply
  31. Errez says:
    December 24, 2012 at 10:55 am

    To be sure Pete, you run in Kinvaras size 10, and the A5s 10.5?

    Reply
  32. Shawn T. says:
    December 30, 2012 at 3:12 am

    Hi Pete,
    Do you think you would like this shoe even more if it was zero drop, or do you prefer it to have the slight heel?

    Reply
  33. Miki says:
    December 31, 2012 at 10:47 am

    Would you recommend this shoe for everyday training runs (no intervals)

    Reply
  34. Adrian R. says:
    January 3, 2013 at 7:20 am

    Hello Pete,

    Thank you for another great review. Your blog is a
    very valuable resource. May I throw in another question about the A5
    versus the MWU4?

    The A5 seem to have less padding/cushioning
    than the MWU4 (albeit only 2mm according to your posts), and yet you
    seem to prefer them for longer distances (like a full marathon). I
    wonder in what ways they feel different to you when you’re on mile 6,
    mile15 and mile 22. Also, the A5 are not as roomy in the toebox as the
    MWU4, but are they just as comfy in the long haul?

    It is clear to
    me that I am not as strong a runner as you are, and for me the MWU4
    certainly feel punishing after 10 miles; I can feel the stuff that gets
    lodged in the holes of the sole, for instance. Should one expect the
    same feedback from the A5 as from the MWU4?

    Thanks again!

    Reply
    • Pete Larson says:
      January 3, 2013 at 8:22 am

      Adrian,

      My max distance in the A5 is about 14-15 miles, and felt great for that. Actually have not run a marathon since April 2011, but plan to get back to that distance this year. Part of the distinction may be that the A5 has a cushioned insole, which may not figure into published stack height measurements. Furthermore, the midsole of the A5 feels a bit softer and more responsive to me, not sure why, could just be a good match for my body and stride. I think with similar shoes like these it just comes down to personal preference. Fit-wise the Universe may be a bit roomier up front, but I don’t mind a slightly snug shoe for racing purposes.

      Pete

      —-
      Pete Larson’s Web Links:
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      Reply
      • Adrian R. says:
        January 4, 2013 at 4:02 am

        Thank you Pete. I appreciate the time you take in replying to posts. I look forward to reading more and your road to your next marathon.

        Reply
  35. weasel says:
    February 28, 2013 at 4:44 am

    Hi Pete,

    I tried reading through and I know you’ve recommended going a half size up from normal. I sort of fall in your boat about the Kinvara, my go to shoe these days (Kinvara 2 still). Since it’s such a similar fit, do you think going up a half size from the Kivara fit still makes sense, or roll with my 10.5 Kinvara size for the a5 as well?

    Thanks!

    Reply
  36. Errez says:
    March 1, 2013 at 7:23 am

    Hello Weasel, just this week I ordered a pair of A5s (via Wiggle) because of Petes enthusiasm. Sadly I could not get them in any regular store, so I could not try them on first. Despite of what Pete wrote I initially wanted to go for the same size as my Kinvara 3s and my Virratas (Eur 44/ US10). A reply from Pete to a mail from me led me to order half a size bigger (Eur 44,5/ US 10.5). I was skeptical when the shoes came, but the fit is perfect. And, with just one treadmill run on them I already like them. They feel remarkably soft for such a thin sole. Only thing I feel is unnecessary is that pull-on-string. I don’t have to use it. It looks okay, but weight is weight. It still is 29 grams lighter than my Virratas and 58 than my Kinvara3s though. I think this shoe might be a serious candidate for the Rotterdam Marathon April 14th.

    Reply
  37. Billy Bridle says:
    March 16, 2013 at 6:16 am

    Gday mate – love these shoes and were going to be my marathon shoe – BUT my left arch ( my bigger foot) is pressing on the upper – shoe is to narrow – what would you recommend as an alternative? im a heel striker in transition love my hatorris and gazelles ( i bit of an arch issue too) but need more shoe for a 50k road + marathons

    Reply
    • Pete Larson says:
      March 16, 2013 at 1:15 am

      Have you tried the Kinvara or Brooks Flow/Cadence? May be a tad more space than the A5 in those. The new New Balance MR10v2 is 4mm drop and pretty minimal, but has a lot of space around the arch, might be worth a look as well.
      Sent from my iPad

      Reply
  38. Anne Portlock says:
    April 20, 2013 at 3:40 am

    I picked up the A5s a week prior to running a marathon (bad idea, I know) and was fortunate there was no break-in time required. After 26.2 miles in them I am still happy and recommend them. I got the same size as the Kinvaras I was running in previously and the fit was perfect, even with socks.

    The only areas for improvement are filling in the holes on the bottom- they collect pebbles, and the string on the back is unnecessary weight.

    Reply
  39. Amanda says:
    December 12, 2013 at 4:15 am

    In my panic over my blown-out NB 730 less than a week before my half marathon this past Sunday, I ended up ordering an entirely new pair of shoes. Unable to find the Hagio, I went with the A5 after reading your review. I know that’s a terrible thing to do right before a race, but my shoes that were already broken in were nothing like the 730 I had been training in for the past month and I didn’t want to wear a heavier higher drop shoe. As you wrote, the A5 had a similar firm feel, drop was within 1mm and the weight was 1 ounce lighter. Your sizing tip and Shoefitr on RW steered me correctly to 1/2 size larger than my normal size. I ran my way to a huge PR in the A5 and I can’t wait to put more miles on them. Just wanted to say thanks!

    Reply
  40. Henry Hart says:
    May 4, 2014 at 10:28 am

    Hi Pete,

    I have a pair of Mizuno Wave Universe 5s and they are brilliant!!
    However this is not the main point…. I also have Adios 2 and New Balance 580 v2 and I use them for everything but speed work and races. They seem to get run down really quickly. Can you recommend a shoe that is durable on the forefoot and inside the ball of the foot on the upper? Thanks,

    Henry Hart

    Reply
    • Peter Larson says:
      May 12, 2014 at 5:19 pm

      Unfortunately durability is one aspect of a shoe that I can’t comment much on. Since I review so many different shoes I rarely wear any of mine down. You might try asking in the forum.

      Reply
  41. Dan says:
    September 20, 2014 at 3:08 pm

    What’s up Pete, I’ve been checking in on this blog for years, and just today I ordered two pairs of the A5s at deep discount. I’m trying to decide on a shoe for a March marathon. My previous three marathons were run in two pairs of the Adidas Rockets (rip) and a pair of New Balance 730s. I haven’t done a marathon in the past two years since my daughter was born and have been running in multiple pairs Asics Piranhas (both 3 and 4). I have one pair of Piranhas 3 left in the box, but that won’t last me until March. I’m intrigued by these A5s and look forward to hitting the pavement with them.

    Reply
    • Peter Larson says:
      September 22, 2014 at 10:07 am

      Great shoe, still one of my favorites. Not quite enough shoe for a marathon for me, but given what you have run previous marathons in my guess is it will suit you quite well. Good luck!

      Reply
  42. Steve Blostein says:
    May 15, 2015 at 10:48 am

    I wore a brand new pair of A5’s for one interval workout 6×3 min plus maybe 20 cool down. The outer sole rubber practically peeled off completely on each side – after 40 minutes of use! I have returned these to Saucony. Hopefully this is just a defective pair. Nevertheless, I will not get another pair.

    Reply

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