New Balance 1123 vs. Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS review
New Balance 1123 is a high mileage trainer, which offers maximum motion control, stability and cushioning to runners or walkers with low arches. Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS is perfect for excessive overpronators who are a bit on the heavy side, and it 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 are similar.
In two previous articles I wrote about the New Balance 1123 and the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS motion control running shoes for women.
The New Balance 1123 is one of five motion control running shoes from New Balance but not the main motion control runner from New Balance, while the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS is the main motion control running shoe from Saucony. So theoretically speaking the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS should be superior to the New Balance 1123.
The Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS (the latest model of which is the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS 2) and the New Balance 1123 are made by two different running shoe manufacturers, so they will naturally be different. Let's compare them and take a look at where these running shoes are similar and how they differ.
Looking at the New Balance 1123 and the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS side-by-side gives a good comparison of the two types of motion control running shoes.
Looking at the uppers of the New Balance 1123 and the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS, we can instantly see that the New Balance 1123 consists of slightly more synthetic overlays than the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS . This means that while it might provide you with a more secure and tighter fit than the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS , it might also be less breathable.
Both running shoes hug the midfoot well with overlays in that area, so both sneakers will keep your feet on the platform.
From looking at the midsoles of these two motion control running shoes we can see that they both consist of devices to control overpronation. The big difference lies in the extension of these devices.
The Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS has a plate that runs from the heel all the way to the forefoot, while a similar post in the New Balance 1123 extends from the heel to just past the midfoot. So the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS is expected to provide you with smoother transitions than the New Balance 1123 when you go through the gait cycle during running.
But if you are using your running shoes more to walk in than to run in, this difference might prove to be insignificant or less important.
The outsoles of the New Balance 1123 lend themselves well to walking instead of running. The platform is broad and flat, which is a good indication that this running shoe is built to accommodate flat feet.
If we look at the outsoles of the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS, we can see more segmentation in it than in those of the New Balance 1123. So the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS is expected to better absorb and dissipate shock than the New Balance 1123. But again, this benefit becomes less important if you are using your running shoes to walk in.
The outsoles on both motion control running shoes consist of durable rubber, although the New Balance 1123 seems to have more of it than the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS, so is expected to give you more mileage.
And finally, while the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS might be more flexible in the forefoot area, the New Balance 1123 offers slightly more flexibility in the toe area, meaning that as you transition from your forefoot to your toes, the motion will feel smoother when you are wearing the New Balance 1123. Again, this is a benefit you may want when walking in shoes instead of running.
The New Balance 1123 weighs approximately 329 grams (11.6 oz), which is 3 grams (0.1 oz) lighter than the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS, which weighs 332 grams (11.7 oz) when you compare motion control running shoes by weight.
If you're looking for a durable motion control running shoe that is very suitable to walk in rather than to run in, and accommodates flat feet, the New Balance 1123 is definitely worth checking out.
If you're looking for a motion control running shoe that is very suitable to run in rather than to walk in, absorbs shock well, and gives you a smooth transition from heel strike to toe off, then the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS is worth looking into.
The suggested retail price of the New Balance 1123 is US $147.99, which is almost $33 more expensive than the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS, which has a price tag of US $115 when you compare motion control running shoes by price.
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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.