I have a fair amount of history with the Saucony Fastwitch line. The Fastwitch 2 was my first racing shoe, and it was the shoe I wore for 2 of my first 4 marathons. It was also my first real racing flat, and it introduced me to the benefits of lightweight footwear.
Two years ago, almost to the day, I reviewed the Saucony Fastwitch 5. I was excited about the shoe because they had lowered the heel a bit, but I wasn’t a big fan of the firmness of the midsole or the ride, both of which are quite different from the softer Saucony Kinvara that I was putting a lot of miles on at the time.
It’s funny how shoe preferences can change over time. A bit over a month ago Running Warehouse sent me a pair of the Fastwitch 6 to review. I was wary of reviewing it at first because of my iffy experience with the previous iteration, and as far as I could tell the sole is identical. I’ve now put just about 50 miles on the Fastwitch 6, including three double-digit mileage runs, and I have to say that my opinion has changed quite a bit – I’m very impressed by this shoe.
The first pair of the F6’s that Running Warehouse sent was a size 10.5. It fit, but felt snug, so I sent it back in exchange for a size 11. Interestingly, this is a full size larger than I took for the Fastwitch 5. I’ve found that my standard shoe size has migrated up from a 10 to a 10.5 over the past year (not sure if my feet have gotten bigger or my tolerance for tight shoes is reduced), and I needed a bit more length in these than in other Saucony shoes. On the plus side, the fit in size 11 is fantastic, and the forefoot feels considerably roomier than in the Kinvara, Virrata, or A5. The fit is somewhat reminiscent of the Mizuno Ronin 2, which is a good thing.
Fastwitch 6 Upper
The upper of the Fastwitch 6 is composed of a really nice open mesh with welded overlays. In a world where so many shoes are now-made of non-stretchy materials, I like the old-school upper of the F6 even if it isn’t the prettiest shoe on the market. It breathes incredibly well, and the stretch allows me to move my toes around without a great deal of restriction. Super comfortable in terms of fit.
Internally, the upper feels a bit scratchy against bare skin, and I’ve hesitated to try running sockless in them as a result. In contrast, the material inside the ankle collar is super-soft and comfortable. Since the shoe is designed to be a “stability flat” there is a plastic heel counter – though I prefer not having a heel counter, it doesn’t seem to bother me in most shoes, this one included. There is also noticeable arch support, so that needs to be considered for those who prefer a flat arch. Running without the insole is not a good option since the footbed is covered by a scratchy mesh which allows water to drain through holes in the sole (you can see the holes in the forefoot in the photo below).
Fastwitch 6 Sole
As mentioned above, the sole of the Fastwitch 6 is identical to that of the Fastwitch 5. Given that the sole was what I did not like about the 5, I’ve been surprised by how much I am liking the new version (wondering if it has to do with upping the sizing?). Running Warehouse reports stack heights of 18mm heel, 14 mm forefoot, and that feels about right to me. The sole is firm, responsive, and provides a degree of stiffness typical of a racing shoe. That being said, forefoot flexibility is pretty good. The sole does have a medial post, though I can’t honestly say whether it does much – I have not noticed it myself.
A big plus for those who chew through soles of shoes like the Saucony Kinvara, Virrata, or A5 is that the Fastwitch 6 has an extensive rubber outsole. As a result, I expect durability will be very good.
Performance
I’ve put about 50 miles on the Fastwitch 6, including an 18 miler and two sub-marathon pace 10 milers. The 18 miler was easily the best long run I’ve had so far this training cycle, and I’m seriously contemplating wearing the Fastwitch 6 in my marathon next month as a result (Skechers GoRun 2 and Kinvara 4 might be the other options). Both 10 milers have also been strong, and the shoe has caused me no issues. It’s a shoe that pretty much disappears on my feet.
Conclusion
The Saucony Fastwitch 6 is an incredibly versatile shoe with a generous fit in the forefoot (though you may need to size up to feel it). As a structured flat, it can be used for speedwork, long runs, and just about anything else. I’d feel very comfortable wearing it for a marathon, though personally I’d opt for something a tad lighter and stiffer in a 5K.
For someone looking to buy a first pair of racing flats, it would be a great option, and is also a good choice as a daily trainer for someone who enjoys running in a firm and relatively roomy shoe. Big thumbs up for the Saucony Fastwtich 6!
The Saucony Fastwitch 6 is available for purchase at Running Warehouse in the following colors:
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About Peter Larson
Liking these a lot. The durability has been great compared to the Kinvara (no exposed EVA).
How do you compare this shoe with the mirage 3 (just bought those as my first low drop shoe and I’m loving them)?
Rides closer to the ground than the Mirage, and feels a bit roomier up front to me, but I have a 10 in the Mirage I think so may just be a bit small on me.
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Pete Larson’s Web Links:
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I ran the Rock n Roll USA in these and I was impressed with the shoe (I PR’d, but I think that had to do with my training plan). My feet felt comfortable from start to finish. I had my doubts at first because while I was breaking them in on tempo runs and speedwork, they felt sluggish to me. But the touch of support, compared to my previous marathon shoe NB1400, really seemed to help me .
I just purchased the fastwitch 5 on sale at runningwarehouse and have been really pleased with them. They have been great for long runs. I like the firm ride and the stability of the shoe. With the exception of being lighter, to me they feel very similar to the older versions of the Asics Speedstar, before Asics got all screwy with their design. They don’t feel as “fast” to me as the Kinvara, which I’ve been wearing for tempo runs but I like them a lot.
I have the 5s, they are excellent. I put in more than 1000km and still using it for longer road runs. The upper and the inner will deteriorate a lot faster than the sole what still looks like new, unbelievable. Very firm and snappy ride. Strangely I wouldn’t say it is a comfortable shoe, but it doesn’t cause me any problems, neither biomechaniccaly nor skin or nail wise. Drains like a charm, though if you ran in dry weather and you pass through a pond, the shoe will soak up, due to the drain holes.
http://evolutionexpress.blogsp…
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Many people say that the sole feels a bit softer than the 5s, although it remains unchanged.
What do you think?
Hard to say, I recall the 5 being very firm and that was partly why I wasn’t crazy about it, so maybe it is a bit softer, but no longer have the 5’s to compare.
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Pete Larson’s Web Links:
-My book: Tread Lightly: link to ow.ly
-Blog: https://runblogger.com
-Twitter: link to twitter.com
-Facebook Page: link to facebook.com…
-Discussion Forum: https://runblogger.com/forum
I wear the 5 without the insole for playing netball in. Since switching to minimalist shoes for running (mostly new balance minimus zero road at the moment) I find I can’t tolerate conventional built up trainers for netball but I do need more lateral ankle support than I get from my super-flexible running trainers. They’ve been really good but I have destroyed both the upper and the sole in a 6 month season so there is a limit to the battering they can take :) That said they certainly lasted better than the Kinvara but I think I preferred the Kinvara as a shoe although it still feels like too much shoe to run in. My shoe cupboard is expanding and expanding.
Being in the UK really limits your options, I’m desperate to try a pair of Altras but try getting them over here until we catch up…
Stretchy breathable upper w/ drainage holes, sounds like they are trying to tap the tri market a bit.
Could be, the A5 has a similar design.
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Pete Larson’s Web Links:
-My book: Tread Lightly: link to ow.ly
-Blog: https://runblogger.com
-Twitter: link to twitter.com
-Facebook Page: link to facebook.com…
-Discussion Forum: https://runblogger.com/forum
Pete, you say …”I’m seriously contemplating wearing the Fastwitch 6 in my marathon next month as a result (Skechers GoRun 2 and Kinvara 4 might be the other options).
what shoe have you chosen? Ive just run my second marathon (Canberra) on the K3s and it was better than the K2s last year. exact same conditions and same training but found my feet didnt heat to the same extent. very interested to know what you choose. good luck and thanks Tim
Wish I knew! Still undecided with one final 20 mile training run left. I may use the Kinvara 4 and see how it feels then make a decision.
Sent from my iPad
I wish they would get rid of that stiff sole and go back to the Fastwitch 4 structure which is probably my all time favorite as all my PR’s on in the FT4. I bought three pairs and will not know what to do when they wear out. Tried the FT5 and it was so stiff I had to send it back. Sounds like same thing with FT6 :(
Pete, since both Fastwitch and A6 are racers, what would be their differences? I’ve read Running Warehouse and apparently Fastwitch has a little bit of stability?
I’ve used the NB1400 in a marathon and while I liked those, I would have preferred something in a lower drop. Are the above two good as well for marathon training runs? I have been using the GoRun2s but it has been needling my fourth toe.
I ran a couple of my long marathon training runs in the Fastwitch 6 last Spring and they were great. Almost chose them as my marathon shoe. It’s more shoe than the A6, and does have a medial stability wedge (never really found much benefit to those). The heel is firmer than the 1400, and maybe a tad more room up front in the Fastwitch. Very solid shoe.
The Kinvara 4 works great for me, as well as the Viratta. I am looking for a long run/marathon shoe for this years marathon. I was wondering if there is any benefit to trying the Fastwitch 6 if I am already happy with the Kinvara 4 for long runs and marathons.
Fasttwitch is a bit firmer and maybe a little roomier in the forefoot, but if you like the Kinvara I’d stick with it.
I am thinking of these as my next marathon shoes as well. Other possible chices ara NB 1010v2 or even Merrel Bare Acces 3. I hace have the Fastwith side by side with Kinvara 3 and I wolud say they have about the same satck height. I am not very convinced Kinvaras are 21-17mm and Fastwitch so much below them (18-14). I wolud say NB are a bit closer to the ground, which is what I am looking for.
While I have run in several versions of this shoe for lots of races, including several marathons. I am a heel striker and I no longer happy as I wore off the black on the heels of my latest pair in less than forty miles. Tired of shoe gooing:)
Geting much better wearability for me with Nike Structure and Nike Zoom Fly, although FastTwitch is lighter!
I know these have been out for a while now but wanted to see if anyone else is experiencing excessive wear in the light green area/material of the upper on this shoe. At 155 miles on mine it was almost completely worn away. I put up a pic on instagram and called out Saucony. They replaced the shoe, that’s fantastic customer service. I’m now on pair #2 and at just about 100 miles it’s starting to fray again. Is this just me? I really really like this shoe, ran a 1/2 PR in them in early spring.
I had the same problem with my Fastwitch 6 shoes. After ~100 miles I noticed the side mesh was almost completely ripped on both sides of both shoes. I tweeted at Saucony but didn’t hear back, so I just sent them an email with a picture. Pretty disappointing.
Agree with the comment on sizing, and side mesh. I’ve been using FTs since the 2, though I skipped the 4. I’m sure someone in a shoe shop told me they’d fixed the fraying side mesh with the 3, but my 5’s are developing the problem. Take an 8 in the 5, an 8.5 in the 6 – and the toebox is still fractionally narrower than in the 5, even with the size up.
The sole is definitely softer than my 5s – but I put that down simply to the shoe being new. I wear my trainers till they fall apart, and always find new shoes very cushioned in comparison.
Fastwitch looks similar to Asics DC racers. I currently have Asics DC racers, and really happy with them. Do you think it is worth giving a go for Fastwich. What would be the major differences between them, apart from slightly lower heel drop for Fastwitch.
I have the DS Racer but have not run in them yet. I think the Fastwitch has a slightly roomier fit in the forefoot. It’s also a pretty firm shoe, but not yet sure how that compares to the Racer.
Thx, I think I will give a go and try them.
If this helps you. (Although I haven’t tried Asics Racers.)
I’ve started with Asics Kayano – even on marathons (4h-4:30). Later I run a little bit faster and started to use DS Trainer (14) for races, mostly marathons.
Last spring I got Saucony Fastwitch 6 – got out of the box just berofe the half-marathon. And since that – almost every race was in Fasthwich. Except one or two in Asics Gel Excel -33 – these are also nice light and rather fast training shoes.
This summer I got Saucony Zealot, – aimed for speed work, but I use them on a daily base – even on slow run. Very comfortable for me. Road shoe, but have run one xc run as well (1st place in age group, 2nd in overall).
And then I decided that I have to get some more training shoe and got Asics DS Trainer 20. They are more narrow than 14 were. The first pair ever which I had to wear-in.
Saucony are wider than Asics training shoes. Asics training shoes are wider than Asics race shoes. This is the main difference I really feel. And this is what you should pay attention for.
I’m going to try Saucony Type A6 as I like the weight of them. My current marathon time is 3:10 and I’m still going to improve it.
I tried indoors only, but sole felt very stiff, so send it back. I prefere a bit softer ones like Asiscs DS racers 10, or even Saucony Virrata.
How flexible are these compared to something like the asics cumulus?
There’s a really weird model to be found in sales bins of large online stores.
RW, Zalando, and the likes sell a “Fastwitch 6” in Red/Black/Citron (to be seen here link to runningwarehouse.eu) which looks nothing like a FT6 though, but exactly like the newer FT7. Except the fact, that its lettering is different, saying just “Fastwitch” instead of 6 or 7 (here’s the “official” FT7 from Saucony’s homepage where the lettering 7 can be seen: link to saucony.com).
Do you (or anyone else for that matter) know, what the deal is with that shoe? Are those some kind of early versions of 7, or samples for reviewers that they now sell as discounts?
I ask because I bought a pair from RW thinking I’d get FT6, like the description said. Now, I’d be fine with a FT7, however, I doubt I got a “genuine” Saucony FT7. The QC is quite lacklustre. Lots of glue, a white sticker with an arrow(?) on the side of one shoe. Different labels on the tongue. I really think those shoes weren’t meant for resale.
I’d send them back, if it weren’t for the fact, that they probably send me just another pair of the same “model”, so I wanna do some research before exchanging them with RW:
Thanks for your opinion.
The shoe on the Running Warehouse link you provided is the Fastwitch 7, so maybe a mistake? The FT 6 has some upper durability issues – my son ripped through a pair in a few months, so the 7 may be a better option if that is what they sent.
Completly missed your answer, thank you! (Forgot to tick the notification via mail.)
You are right, and after I sent RW a few pics of the pair they had sent me, they asked me to return the shoe, as it was clearly a defective model (lots of glued spots, different labels et cet.). Awaiting the arrival of my exchange pair FT7s now. Looking forward to it.
BTW, would you compare them to the NB1500v1? I.e. light weight cushioned long distance racer/trainer with a bit of medial post.
The 1500 would be a reasonable comparison, though I found the Fastwitch to fit just a tad wider up front. For a softer feel in a racer with a medial post the Asics DS Racer is worth a look.