The Cumulus 26 is Asics' medium cushioned, mid-priced neutral trainer. It doesn't have all the latest technology Asics has to offer but it's designed to get the job done and to last a long time.
The Ride 18 is Saucony's version of a mid-priced, medium cushioned trainer. The Ride 18 has the ability to adapt to various running conditions and can handle any type of run you throw at it. The Ride 18 is the same price as the Cumulus 26. Which of these shoes is right for you?
The midsole of the Cumulus is made of single-density FF Blast+. There is a gel insert in the heel of the Cumulus which absorbs some of the shock when striking the ground.
The midsole of the Ride is made of TPE foam called PWRRUN+. The Ride doesn’t have any gel in it but instead has a thick insole. This TPE insole provides step in comfort and extra responsiveness.
Both shoes have a medium-soft ride but the Cumulus is slightly softer and plusher. The Cumulus is better suited to longer runs at relaxed speeds while the Ride can handle short tempo runs better. The Ride is also great on long runs which makes it the more versatile shoe.
Stability in the Cumulus is good because its midsole flares out at the base but the Ride is the more stable of the two shoes thanks to its firmer midsole with no lean bias.
On the outsole of the Cumulus, there is no hard rubber. Instead, it has a rubberised EVA outsole which provides more ground feel but less durability. The Ride has 2 types of rubber on its outsole: carbon rubber and softer blown rubber. The carbon rubber situated under the heel is extremely durable but the blown rubber will wear down faster. You can expect the Ride to last longer when it comes to the outsole.
The upper of the Cumulus is made from a porous, breathable engineered mesh which is 3D printed. Its heel counter is generously filled with foam and the smooth lining inside makes the upper very comfortable. Foot lockdown is excellent and there is no heel slippage. The Cumulus fits true to size and is available in regular, wide and extra wide versions.
The Ride has an engineered mesh upper and also has a padded heel counter and tongue. The biggest difference between the two uppers is that the Ride has an inner sleeve which is connected to the tongue so no tongue slide occurs. The tongue of the Cumulus slides laterally. There is extra toe reinforcement on the Ride for more protection and durability. The Ride also fits true to size but only comes in an additional wide (2E) version.
If you’re looking for a softer shoe for long runs, the Cumulus is the right choice. The Cumulus has a comfortable upper with a good lockdown and won’t give you any hotspots or blisters. There is a gel insert in the Cumulus for shock absorption that the Ride doesn’t have.
If you want a more versatile shoe that can handle all types of runs, the Ride is for you. The firmer midsole of the Ride gives it a firmer toe-off which results in more efficient ride. There is a TPE insole in the Ride which gives the Ride more responsiveness.
