Saucony Ride 18 Review: We Ride at Dawn

Introduction to the Saucony Ride 18

CHAD: In a time where all the rage in the running world is super trainers, plated tempo day shoes, and super shoes, someone has to show some love and appreciation to the old-fashioned, dependable daily trainer. And when it comes to dependability, there are very few shoes out on the market that bring more to the table than the Saucony Ride line.

The newest version, the 18th in the series, seeks to continue the tradition that Saucony has built with the Ride: a reputation of being a high-quality, neutral daily trainer designed to be the workhorse in your rotation. I was able to review last year’s model, the Ride 17, which had undergone some pretty significant changes, the biggest of which was the switch from a firm PWRRUN midsole to PWRRUN Plus, designed to provide more comfort and responsiveness.

If you’re knowledgeable about Saucony’s lineup history, you are likely aware that the Triumph series traditionally had PWRRUN Plus, at least up through the Triumph 21. Saucony then changed the Triumph 22 to incorporate PWRRUN PB, its more elite, PEBA-based foam, also found in the Endorphin lineup.

In my review, I affectionately referred to the Ride 17 as the Triumph 21.5, largely because they were released only about six months apart and ended up being pretty much the same shoe but with a different name. However, that said, I was also very pleased with how the Ride 17 performed, so the question becomes, how does the Ride 18 compare?

KALEB: Ride. It’s the term we runners use for the unique feel of any given shoe on the run, taking all the underfoot sensations into account and seeking to put words to them. Midsole density, weight distribution, bounce, geometry, and drop all come together to create a one-of-a-kind flavor for each shoe, and we dub that flavor the ride. The outsole grip, the upper security, the lacing system, they’re all vital aspects of making a quality shoe, but the ride… the ride is really what we’re all here for; everything else just plays a supporting role.

About two and a half years ago now, I was given the privilege of joining the Believe in the Run review team. Now, before fresh blood, such as myself, was allowed to go slapping my hot takes all over the internet, I was asked to prove myself by writing a hypothetical sample review for any shoe I wished. The shoe I selected was the Saucony Ride 14. The Ride, ever since its 12th version — the Ride ISO 2 — was my first true running shoe and one that I trusted with all my miles and my very life. It wasn’t perfect, but it was simple: a firm bed of PWRRUN cushioning set on an 8mm slant, sandwiched by rubber on one side and a secure upper on the other.

Sure, it was a bit heavy and not bouncy in the slightest, but having a firm yet protective platform to push off of was all I needed as a youngster to train consistently for years of my running journey. However, after version 14, I began receiving shoes from Believe in the Run to review, and the Ride and I parted ways for a time, only meeting back up for walks in the park.

Reviewing the 18th version of my beloved Saucony Ride feels like coming home, in a way. At the same time, I was a little nervous. So much had changed, both in me and in the Ride, and I wasn’t sure we’d have the same chemistry that we used to. I had fallen out of love with the dull formula of PWRRUN cushioning of the Ride 14, but PWRRUN was still the formula that I had once fallen in love with… was I really ready for the transition to PWRRUN Plus? Could I accept a new Ride? Could the new Ride accept me?

Fortunately, like any old Hallmark movie, it turns out that we were perfect for one another all along. The Ride 18 was love at first run — let me explain why.

What we like about the Saucony Ride 18

CHAD: The step-in comfort of the Ride 18 has the premium feel I look for in a daily trainer. The heel collar is well-padded (which will be discussed later), the fit is reasonably accommodating but too expansive, and the PWRRUN Plus sockliner provides some added cushioning immediately underfoot. The tongue is gusseted, which is ALWAYS a plus here at Believe in the Run, and is well padded to protect the top of the foot. The loop lacing system also creates a fairly secure lockdown over the top of the foot, which I identified as an issue last year. Also, Saucony’s engineered mesh upper is similarly comfortable and breathable on the foot, giving that premium feel we’ve come to expect. I also really dig the aesthetic that Saucony implemented, with the sage green midsole and accents and white upper.

Saucony touts the Ride 18 as being its most versatile offering, claiming that it “feels as good on a 10-mile run as it does in a session at the gym or a well-earned recovery walk.” While I didn’t wear this to the gym (which I actually would consider doing if my workout would contain some cardio element), I can say they are spot on regarding the comfort of this shoe on the run. The PWRRUN Plus midsole is a great blend of softness for comfort and responsiveness to help the legs turn over.

My first run out of the box was a 10km easy run, which felt great. I also did a short 5km run where I tried to run at a faster clip, which I was able to achieve fairly easily. My runs in this shoe also included a treadmill run on a cold and rainy day, and once again, the Ride 18 performed admirably. The Ride 18 really can handle whatever you throw at it.

KALEB: The step-in feel of the Ride is fantastic; not only is the midsole PWRRUN Plus, but the insole is as well, which really makes for that “premium feel,” as Chad said. I think a lot of the magic of the Ride 18 is due to the different densities of the PWRRUN Plus found in the insole and midsole of the shoe.

Saucony, in general, has always tended to produce shoes on the firmer end of the durometer spectrum. Part of what made earlier versions of the Ride so great for all-around training was that PWRRUN created a nice firm surface to really push into when it’s time to speed things up. PWRRUN Plus is still reasonably firm as far as foams across the board go, but it packs in a lot more energy return (and great durability) since it’s a TPU beaded foam. However, the PWRRUN Plus insole is a good bit softer, which means the Ride 18 still provides a stable, firm surface with enough pop to pick up the pace but with a lot more underfoot forgiveness due to the softer perceived density underfoot.

In layman’s terms, this means that the Ride 18 makes a fantastic workhorse daily trainer. It’s a shoe that feels soft and responsive underfoot without robbing you of any of the force you put into it. I would hold a shoe called the Ride to a high level of expectations regarding its underfoot ride, and Saucony really has delivered. At easy paces, moderate cruises, uphills (one of my most crucial make-or-break tests for a daily trainer is how good it feels going uphill), and even mile-pace track reps, the Ride 18 was a joy to run in.

I was surprised when I found out it weighs a whole 9 oz because I frankly would have guessed at least a half-ounce lighter. The responsiveness of the PWRRUN Plus combined with the Ride’s geometry makes for an airy, weightless package, at least for my running mechanics.

As for the supporting details, Saucony didn’t slack off. Underfoot is ample rubber coverage to provide solid durability, and between that and the TPU-based midsole, the Ride will last far beyond many trainers these days. Up top is a simple flat lacing system (which is a glorious upgrade from the dumb stretchy laces of ye olde Ride 14) and a tongue and upper with the perfect blend of cushion and performance.

Like Chad, I experienced some slippage at first because of the cushioning in the heel counter, but the Ride has alternative holes on the top two lacing holes, which eliminated the problem without even the need for a runner’s knot, so I won’t count it against Saucony. Last but not least, the fit of the upper is perfect for a daily trainer: relaxed yet secure. Sure, I won’t be yanking 90-degree turns in this sucker, but the long-haul comfort is more than worth it. Better yet, the toe box is generous enough for a perfect amount of toe splay without feeling sloppy or too big.

Oh, also, this shoe officially gets the “sexy” label from me in terms of aesthetics. Maybe I’ve overused that term for shoes, and it’s losing its meaningfulness, but I don’t care.

What we don’t like about the Saucony Ride 18

CHAD: There’s something to be said for consistency, but if I’m being completely honest, I could not for the life of me tell any difference between the Ride 17 and the Ride 18. According to the specs, the shoe lost almost a full ounce of weight, but it wasn’t that noticeable. Saucony got rid of the heel tab that ripped on both my shoe and another reviewer’s shoe, too, but beyond that, it feels like the same shoe with only minor aesthetic updates.

One other thing I noticed is that the well-padded and soft heel collar, which adds comfort on step-in and walking around, also led to a bit of heel slip for me while on the run. Because of the plush material, I could feel my heel wiggling around in the shoe, which is a recipe for either (a) blisters or (b) ankle pain. Luckily, I didn’t experience either, but it would be possible if my runs extended close to double digits.

My other complaint is that even though Saucony claims it added some more XT-900 outsole coverage, the material just doesn’t provide great traction in wet conditions. I went out the day after it rained, and I could feel some slippage on the wet pavement and even more on the lines painted on the road and crosswalks. In dry conditions and on the treadmill, it was fine, but it’s definitely worth keeping in mind for wet climates.

KALEB: Chad’s right. XT-900 rubber doesn’t exactly have Vibram-level grip. It’s not the worst rubber compound, and I still feel safe running in the rain, but it doesn’t inspire fearless underfoot confidence in slick conditions.

Otherwise, I have very few gripes with the Ride 18. It does what it says it will do, and it does it above and beyond the performance offered by other shoes in its category. It’s a shoe that offers a high-end feel at a reasonable price, and it returns Saucony to a place of fondness in my heart.

Final thoughts on the Saucony Ride 18

CHAD: There’s no doubt in my mind that if you want a workhorse daily trainer that will handle whatever you throw at it, the Saucony Ride 18 would fit the bill. I pretty much felt the same about the Ride 17. However, in instances like this, where the upgrades to a new model are so minimal, it may be worth simply picking up the older model on a discount when the new one drops unless you enjoy the aesthetics of the newer model, which I can’t fault anyone for — it’s a good looking shoe.

KALEB: I think the Ride 18 is my current favorite daily trainer. I also know it’s almost certainly not going to make our Best in Gear awards at the end of the year. Why? Because the market we’re in values bigger, bouncier, more technologically exciting shoes. Don’t get me wrong — I love that, and there’s a thrill in putting on a high-tech shoe that the Ride isn’t meant to compete with. But on the flip side, there’s an elegance to the simplicity of the Ride that is truly fun, and it brings a lot of pleasure into the everyday experience of running simply because it doesn’t take anything away from the focus of that experience.

I’ve said this for shoes I dislike, but I should say it for shoes I enjoy as well: every runner is different. I’m a lightweight with a fairly high cadence and a footfall that I aim to keep somewhere around midfoot or forefoot. For me, the Ride 18 sings in harmony with my form to the point of disappearing on foot. For others, it might be pretty meh or even work against them. That’s why Believe in the Run has such a range of folk that test shoes — if you read enough, you’ll find a reviewer who runs like you who will hopefully be of help in picking the right gear for your needs.

You can pick up the Saucony Ride 18 for $140 on January 1, 2025, from Running Warehouse (featuring free shipping and 90-day returns) by using the buttons below.