Products
Tested using Methodology v0.15
Updated Sep 29, 2026 08:27 PM
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Saucony
Tested using Methodology v0.16
Updated Oct 07, 2026 07:36 PM
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Amazon
Heel Stack Height
45.8 mm
Weight
277.4 g (9.79 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.3 mm
Plate
None
Heel Stack Height
46.6 mm
Weight
279.7 g (9.87 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
10.4 mm
Plate
None
Our Verdict
Saucony Paramount Max
ASICS GEL-SLOWCUSH
The Saucony Paramount Max is a better running shoe overall than the ASICS GEL-SLOWCUSH, offering more cushioning and much more bounce at a similar weight. That makes it the stronger choice for easy and long runs if you want a soft landing followed by a livelier rebound. Its softer cushioning comes with a less stable feel, however. Choose the ASICS if you want cushioning that feels more controlled underfoot, and you prioritize stability over bounce. It still protects well over longer distances, but its ride is noticeably more muted.
Variants
- Paramount Max (Black/Shadow - (Men - US 9))
- Paramount Max (Black/Shadow - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-SLOWCUSH (Soft Oat/Simply Taupe - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-SLOWCUSH (Soft Oat/Simply Taupe - (Women - US 7))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
7.6
6.8
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
8.9
3.5
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
8.7
5.5
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
5.3
5.2
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
277.4 g (9.79 oz)
279.7 g (9.87 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
45.8 mm
46.6 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
37.5 mm
36.2 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.3 mm
10.4 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
6.0 mm
8.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Outsole Heel Width
105 mm (4.1")
100 mm (3.9")
Outsole Arch Width
85 mm (3.3")
89 mm (3.5")
Outsole Forefoot Width
130 mm (5.1")
118 mm (4.6")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.29
2.15
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.47
3.26
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
279 mm (11.0")
283 mm (11.1")
Internal Heel Width
65 mm (2.6")
67 mm (2.6")
Internal Forefoot Width
94 mm (3.7")
96 mm (3.8")
Wide Sizing Available
No
No
Forefoot Fit: Width
9.1
9.5
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
2.3 mm (0.091")
2.7 mm (0.107")
Toe TTS Deviation
-2.5 mm (-0.099")
-0.1 mm (-0.004")
Forefoot Fit: Height
5.0
5.5
Forefoot Height Photo
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Toe TTS Deviation
-5.9 mm (-0.233")
-5.3 mm (-0.209")
Arch Fit: Width
9.2
8.5
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
-1.6 mm (-0.062")
-2.7 mm (-0.105")
Length Fit
10
10
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
8.6
7.9
Heel Rocker Photo
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Heel Spring
34 mm (1.3")
25 mm (1.0")
Heel Apex Position
22.0%
20.1%
Heel Rocker Angle
26.9°
22.6°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
7.2
7.8
Forefoot Rocker Photo
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Toe Spring
51 mm (2.0")
56 mm (2.2")
Toe Apex Position
67.2%
66.6%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
27.0°
29.2°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
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Secondary Foam Picture
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Primary Foam Name
IncrediRUN
FF LUXE+
Primary Foam Type
TPEE
Unknown
Secondary Foam Name
No Secondary Foam
No Secondary Foam
Secondary Foam Type
No Secondary Foam
No Secondary Foam
Laces
Laces Picture
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Lace Type
Flat
Flat
Width
6.0 mm (0.2")
6.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
1.8 mm (0.1")
1.7 mm (0.1")
Stretch
16.5%
9.5%
Breathability
6.0
Breathability Video
Upper Breathability
Upper Microscope Photo
Time-To-Dry
2.2
Time-To-Dry Timelapse
Time-To-Dry Graph
Preview Graph
Time To 30% Dry
13.1 hrs
Time To 70% Dry
31.8 hrs
Time To Dry
49.3 hrs
Water Absorption
5.1
Dry Weight Photo
Wet Weight Photo
Water Absorbed
56.5%
Other Features
Other Features Photo
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Tongue Gusset Type
Semi-gusseted
Fully-gusseted
Plate
None
None
Performance
Heel Compression Energy Return
8.3
2.2
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
82.4%
68.3%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
8.9
3.5
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
87.1%
70.1%
Heel Cushioning
9.3
8.7
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
4.64 J
4.13 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
11.81 J
10.73 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
19.75 J
17.87 J
Forefoot Cushioning
9.4
9.1
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
6.57 J
6.07 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
11.04 J
10.38 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
15.79 J
15.13 J
Heel Firmness
4.7
6.4
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
31.0 N/mm
37.8 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
41.0 N/mm
47.9 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
58.8 N/mm
68.1 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
3.9
5.6
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
40.3 N/mm
48.3 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
53.6 N/mm
62.5 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
75 N/mm
86 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
9.1
8.6
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
10.65 J
9.76 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
10.51 J
9.51 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
10.43 J
9.37 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
10.35 J
9.27 J
Rocker Stiffness
7.1
5.8
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
88 N
57 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
8.7
5.5
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
77.6%
58.5%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
6.2
7.0
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
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Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
11.8 N/mm
14.9 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
210 N
244 N
Heel Compression Depth
8.0
6.8
Heel Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Compression At 550N
17.7 mm
14.5 mm
Heel Compression At 1100N
26.8 mm
22.9 mm
Heel Compression At 1900N
32.3 mm
27.9 mm
Forefoot Compression Depth
8.2
7.1
Forefoot Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Compression At 800N
19.8 mm
16.6 mm
Forefoot Compression At 1300N
24.2 mm
20.8 mm
Forefoot Compression At 2050N
27.2 mm
23.7 mm
Saucony Paramount Max
ASICS GEL-SLOWCUSH
Comments
Saucony Paramount Max vs ASICS GEL-SLOWCUSH: Main Discussion
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