Altra Experience Flow ST vs Saucony Guide 19

Experience Flow ST or Guide 19? Here’s how they compare on feel, fit, brand specs and price, from the fitting team at The Run House.

The short answer

Want a soft, light, foot-shaped shoe with mild support? Get the Experience Flow ST.

Want soft cushioning with gentle guidance? Get the Guide 19.

Get the Experience Flow ST if

• You need a roomier fit
• You want the lighter shoe, by about 1.1 oz
• You prefer a lower drop (4mm vs 6mm)

Get the Guide 19 if

• You want more foam underfoot (3mm more at the heel)
• You have slimmer feet and like a snug fit
• You like a higher heel-to-toe drop (6mm vs 4mm)
• You need an extra-wide width

On the run

Experience Flow ST: Soft, light, foot-shaped guidance. Soft yet stable, light and easygoing for walks and daily runs, with a moderate 4mm drop. The support is mild, so it won’t suit strong overpronators.

Guide 19: Gentle support, soft landing. Soft and smooth with an early rocker. The support is subtle, coming from high sidewalls and a wide base rather than a hard post, so it feels like a neutral shoe that keeps you centered.

Specs side by side

Stack, drop and weight come from each brand’s own website. Numbers marked * aren’t published by the brand and come from other published specs. Weights are for the size each brand quotes. Expected life is our estimate.

Fit

Experience Flow ST. Runs slightly long. Very roomy, foot-shaped toebox that suits wide feet; low-volume feet may struggle. Wide available.

Guide 19. True to size with a medium-width toebox and soft, stretchy mesh that suits most feet. Wide and extra-wide in men’s and women’s.

Try them on

Come try on both at The Run House in Walpole, Needham or Falmouth. Gait analysis is always free.

Shop the Experience Flow ST · Shop the Guide 19 · Compare other running shoes