Saucony Ride 13 Performance Review

What You Need To Know

• Weighs 9.8 oz. (277 g) for a US M9.0/8.6 oz. 244 g for a US W7.0
• Features new PWWRUN EVA-based midsole with more energy return and durability
• FORMFIT upper provides comfort for miles
• New mutant colorway caters to all the X-Men (and women) out there hiding in plain sight

ROBBE: Saucony’s designers and R&D staff must have spent a semester at the X-Men Academy sometime in the last couple years, because across the board, from the Endorphin line to their daily trainers, from the mutant colorways to the PWRRUN foams, their shoes have become uncannily superb.

The Saucony Ride 13 is no exception. With the combination of the new PWRRUN foam and comfortable one-piece FORMFIT mesh upper, it’s a straightforward daily trainer that will get the job done.

Four of us here at Believe in the Run took it to task in the summer heat. Check out our thoughts below.

The Good

ROBBE: I wasn’t expecting much from the shoe, to be honest. Maybe cause I had the women’s Plum Crazy Purple/Rad Razz colorway (my designation, not theirs), but I was like, “meh, I can make it work.” I was in for a treat.

The weight on it is quite nice for a daily trainer, despite the fact that it has a very comfortable upper and more than enough cushion to handle everything that comes its way. If this shoe were in fact a mutant, it would be Mystique, shapeshifting into what you need it to be.

The PWRRUN midsole has been a hit across Saucony models, and while this is the baseline version, I felt like it provided the perfect underfoot sensation. For those who enjoy a soft ride, you may want to look elsewhere. It’s a tad firm, but right where it needs to be to provide great energy return.

Anyway, the shoe rolls, especially on downhills. It’s rolls smoother and quieter than Professor X in the X-Mansion library. A lot of times I’ll find the weight on daily trainers to be a tad heavy for my smaller frame, maybe even bottom-heavy, but I felt that the Ride 13 hit the sweet spot. Outsole grip was excellent and the upper secured the foot nicely while providing good support in the heel.

It’s crazy, cause the more I review Saucony, the more I keep wanting to reach for them for most of my runs.

MEAGHAN: You know when you expect very little from something, and then it turns out to be pretty sweet, so you’re extra excited about it? That was the Saucony Ride 13 for me. The main updates include a slightly softer midsole and a better fitting upper. Don’t read too much into the ‘softer’ midsole, though. PWRRUN paired with the blown rubber outsole leaves you with a fairly firm underfoot feeling. While I would definitely put this into the daily trainer category, the firmer ride also makes it easy to pick up the pace. I found myself running some faster miles in these guys.

I am a big fan of the fit. The Ride 13 feels spacious in the midfoot and forefoot with plenty of room for my wide feet. The upper is designed with a one-piece engineered mesh and some extra padding in the collar and tongue for added comfort. There’s also an internal heel cup that creates some structure and gives you that locked-in fit. The stretchy, round laces are a nice touch, too. My W7.5 came in at 8.55oz. Pretty standard for a daily trainer.

THOMAS: If you like the Kinvara, but want a little more durability, you want the Ride 13. Consider the Ride 13 a beefed-up version of the Kinvara. Thicker upper, more rubber on the outsole, more padding all around is what you get. The new PWRRUN EVA midsole (8mm drop 28/20) is on the firmer side but isn’t harsh. The cushion works to protect the foot and still has a snappy ride. Even though it is bulkier than the Kinvara, it doesn’t feel sluggish. This is a daily trainer that can handle a wide range of mileage and paces. It is very versatile. My size 10.5 weighs 10.75 oz/305 grams.

The FORMFIT upper is a huge improvement over the Ride ISO-fit. I was never a fan of the ISO approach to uppers. The new FORMFIT engineered mesh upper shows why a well designed upper beats a complicated design. The Mutant Color Collection from Saucony adds some fun to the collection. Don’t be shy about going neon again. You may have forgotten how fun it is to see bright colors on your feet as you push the pace.

The outsole rubber offers lots of traction and grip while feeling smooth through your gait. Top to bottom the Ride 13 is a performer at a reasonable price point. Go with your regular running shoe size, the Ride 13 is true to size.

JEREMY: This shoe is cushy, the upper fits well and is both breathable in the heat and comfortable. The toe box is wide and overall the shoe fits very well. Underfoot it’s right in the sweet spot, not feeling too bouncy or soft. I took this shoe out on everyday easy runs and a long run and the cushioning was appreciated. Overall, everything felt very smooth throughout. The shoe even has enough pop for short track intervals and a hilly road tempo that I was dumb enough to attempt in 95-degree temperatures.

The Bad

ROBBE: Not sure if Saucony is trying to make bungee shoelaces a thing, but last time I checked, Stretch Armstrong doesn’t belong in a blue and gold X-Men uni, so let’s get that trash out of here.

The upper– while super comfortable– isn’t exactly bringing Iceman vibes in the thick of summer.

And as much as I like the phrase “mutant colorway,” I’m not sure I’m ready for neon to make a full return. That said, Saucony is maybe doing it the only way that is acceptable.

MEAGHAN: I can’t decide if I love or hate the mutant yellow colorway. I guess neon is making a comeback? Also, the upper padding is nice and I love a shoe with a comfortable step-in feel, but it does seem to take away from the breathability. It could also just be the 95-degree heat outside, though…

THOMAS: I despise the feel of the yarn like laces. They are like stretchy yarn. I get why they were chosen. They are light and the elasticity keeps them tied, but the tactile feeling of them is repulsive to me for reasons I can’t quite explain. You’ll probably hear this complaint again when I review the Saucony Triumph 18.

JEREMY: I had no major issues with this shoe, although there are a couple minor issues. I think the additional cushioning on the tongue is a nice touch in terms of comfort but does not help with overall breathability and could be a bit thinner. I would also say that I have noticed some wear on the outsole after 55 miles.

Saucony Ride 13 Conclusion

ROBBE: It may not be the sexiest machine in the world, but I will defend the Saucony Ride 13 like Wolverine in a drunken bar fight over Jean Grey. This is a super solid shoe that you’ll enjoy for miles on end. (For reference, this shoe reminds me a lot of the ASICS-GEL Cumulus 22). So if you’re someone who wants or can only afford “that one shoe,” then this will probably be right in your wheelhouse.

MEAGHAN: As I noted earlier, I’m surprised by how much I’ve been enjoying the Ride 13. It’s just a really great, versatile shoe – good for everyday running, long runs, and even some speed work (if you’re bold enough to do that in the hot, humid summer months with no races in sight). I’ve put 65 miles on Ride 13 so far, and I can say with certainty, that this shoe will stay in my rotation through the Summer.

THOMAS: This is a top-five daily trainer this year. Maybe not as sexy as some of the other contenders, but the Ride 13 is a pleasure to run in and a solid value. I really enjoyed getting my miles in on these as I came back from a nagging injury. Such a solid platform to gain confidence in during my runs.

JEREMY: If you liked the older versions of the Saucony Ride, you’re going to like this one too. This shoe fits well as an everyday trainer that can be used for most types of runs, especially easy days. The Saucony Ride 13 should provide a reliable shoe that isn’t flashy but provides consistency and comfort. It reminds me of a less firm Nike Pegasus. It should make an excellent companion to the Endorphin, with the Endorphin Pro more suited for racing, and the Endorphin Speed designed for workouts.

You can pick up the Saucony Ride 13 for $130 at Running Warehouse (featuring free 2-day shipping and 90-day returns) by using the shop link below.