Brooks Ariel vs. Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS review
Brooks Ariel is a comfortable running shoe that provides good stability and shock absorption, a secure fit, and room. Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS running shoe is perfect for excessive overpronators who are a bit on the heavy side, and offers superior motion control, a smooth, cushioned ride, and a supportive, comfortable upper that locks the foot down and keeps it in place. Learn how these two running shoes differ and in which areas they are similar.
In two previous articles I wrote about the Brooks Ariel and the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS motion control running shoes for women.
The Brooks Ariel and the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS (the newest model of which is the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS 2) are both running shoes that have been specifically built for the heavier runner, so they should stack up well against each other.
Let's compare these two motion control running shoes and take a look at where they are similar and how they are different.
Looking at the Brooks Ariel and the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS side-by-side gives a good comparison of the two motion control running shoes.
Both the Brooks Ariel and the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS have uppers that consist of breathable mesh and synthetic overlays. And both running shoes tend to hug your feet around the midfoot with the extra reinforced overlays that have been placed in that area. So for a secure fit, either running shoe could serve you well.
Both the Brooks Ariel and the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS have a medial post that controls overpronation. The big difference is that this post runs all the way from the heel to the forefoot in the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS, while it stops at the midfoot in the Brooks Ariel. So the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS is expected to give you a smoother transition from heel-strike to toe-off.
The outsoles of the Brooks Ariel and the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS are very similar in shape and structure. Both running shoes have four flex grooves in the forefoot and the heel is separated in two crash pad sections with the most shock being absorbed on the outside of the heel.
However, the crash pad on the inside of the heel on the Brooks Ariel is separate from the forefoot which means that it will also absorb shock well if you land on or use the insides of your heel much. The latter is not the case on the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS.
One noticeable difference on the outsole of the Brooks Ariel and that of the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS is the amount of durable rubber. The Brooks Ariel seems to have more durable rubber than the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS, which mean that it may last longer and give you more mileage.
The Brooks Ariel weighs approximately 12.3 oz (349 grams), while the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS weighs approximately 11.7 oz (332 grams), so is 0.6 oz (17 grams) lighter than the Brooks Ariel when you compare motion control running shoes by weight.
If you are looking for a running shoe that absorbs shock well at heel-strike and provides you with a secure fit, the Brooks Ariel might be the running shoe to go with.
If you are looking for a motion control running shoe that can provide you with a smooth ride and a secure fit, then the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS might be the right shoe for you.
All in all, there aren't that many differences between the Brooks Ariel and the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS.
The suggested retail motion control running shoe price of the Brooks Ariel is US $130, which is almost US $15 more expensive than the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS, which costs around US $115.
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Disclaimer: This running shoe review on www.motioncontrolrunningshoe.org is based on personal research and analysis, and is not claimed to be accurate and/or complete. While the information presented in this review is intended to help you better understand the differences between running shoes, we shall not be held liable for any purchasing decisions you make based on this information. Please use your own good judgment before making a purchase. The owner of this website receives a small compensation whenever you buy a product after clicking a product link on this website; that's how we keep this site online. Read our full disclaimer.