The Saucony Ride 18 returns with some minor updates over the previous model, but all are positive and make the shoe fit, feel and ride even better.
From top to bottom, we see tweaks in the upper, midsole and outsole to the brand’s popular mid-range daily neutral trainer.
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Fit
The fit is true to size both in relation to other Saucony models and other brands. In both length and width, the fit is consistent. The Ride is also available in a wide-fit option.
Additional padding in the ankle collar of this update also makes it a neater fit around the rear of the foot.
Stats
Saucony | Ride 18 |
|---|---|
Best for | Logging the miles, day in, day out |
Support | Neutral |
Cushion | High cushion, daily trainer |
Stack Height | 35mm heel / 27mm forefoot |
Drop | 8mm |
Weight | 9.1oz / 258g |
Suggested Retail Price | $140 |
Fit | True to size |
Rating | 8.5/10 |
Design
PWRRUN+
The new, reformulated PWRRUN+ midsole foam is a little lighter, softer and more responsive. In the Ride 18 Saucony says they have increased the foam content while reducing the shoe’s weight thanks to this new formulation and initial test runs support their claims!
Engineered Mesh Upper
The new upper uses engineered mesh and reminds me of that used on the range-topping Triumph from a couple of seasons ago. It offers better breathability and has a nice degree of stretch. With neat padding in the tongue, ankle collar and Achilles area, it’s a plush fit all around and elevates the overall fit of the shoe over the previous version.
New Outsole
A new outsole provides improved durability and traction with a slightly revised pattern and coverage. The flex grooves aid flexibility and stability say Saucony and although this is not obvious, there’s no distinctive difference from the previous model.
Saucony Ride 18
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Performance
The Saucony Ride 18 offers an immediately energetic feel from the new PWRRUN+ midsole. It’s a smooth and balanced ride which is immediately more stable than perhaps early versions of the Saucony Triumph that used a similar foam.
My first run in the Ride 18 was an easy, recovery run. The feel was great. Welcoming and adding a little spring to my step, it was an enjoyable experience that I was looking to repeat over more miles.
A Sunday, long run was more of the same, with the shoe offering great energy return that was most welcome in the later stages of my marathon prep two-hour effort.
The shoe feels very versatile and a further easy run with strides highlighted the shoe’s ability to handle speed with ease.
There isn’t a prominent forefoot rocker in the Ride 18 that we tend to see creeping into more and more new shoes, but this model doesn’t suffer for that and the geometry is curved enough to give it a natural ride and push-off.
Small, exposed areas of PWRRUN+ foam on the outsole can look a little worn after only a few miles, but don’t let this put you off. While the shoe might look worn, it’s purely cosmetic and in no way detracts from performance.
Comparisons
We’ve previously reviewed some of the main competitor shoes to consider when purchasing the Saucony Ride 18. The most obvious options are the Brooks Ghost 16 and New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v15.
Brooks Ghost 16
The Brooks Ghost 16 uses a nitrogen-injected foam for its midsole and this proves to be the main point of difference between it and the Ride 18. The nitro-foam feels firmer and doesn’t quite have the immediate ‘bounciness’ of the PWRRUN+, so it will be a personal preference over which is your choice.
The nitrogen foam does tend to be a little more durable than the PWRRUN+, but this is marginal and personally not a deal breaker.
New Balance 880v15
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v15 offers a different overall feel to the Ride 18. Whereas the Ride 18 offers a slightly springy feel, the 880 is simply soft without a noticeable ‘spring’. Again, this feel will be a personal preference and depend on the type of running you do.
I’ve been opting for the 880 on easy recovery runs and the Ride on runs where I feel a little more energetic and inclined to pick up the pace a little. The Ride feels ‘soft and springy’ whereas the 880 is simply ‘soft and cushioned’.
Saucony Triumph 22
From within their own lineup, the Saucony Triumph 22 is also now a direct competitor to the Ride. Both have a similar fit and feel and the cushioning offers a similar experience. The difference comes from the deeper stack of cushioning in the Triumph and that shoe using PWRRUN PB instead of PWRRUN+. To many the difference will feel marginal.
My Verdict
While we are being presented with more and more super-trainers, it’s great to see a ‘regular’ daily trainer, at a very competitive price.
It would be easy for Saucony to increase the price of this shoe, but, at least in the UK, the shoe’s price has been reduced by 5 pounds.
The shoe offers a fit and feel similar to that of the more expensive Triumph 22 and presents a very solid argument for choosing this model over the Triumph.
The Ride is a very versatile shoe that works for both short and longer-distance running and for easy pace as well as tempo efforts.
The Saucony Ride 18 could be one of the best value-for-money shoes on the market right now for neutral runners!
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