The Ride is the classic daily trainer in the Saucony performance range. It's designed to be your 1 shoe for everything whether you are a beginner or an elite runner. It's always been a very well-balanced trainer; affordable, widely available and consistent from iteration to iteration.
The Ride 18 has been updated from the ground up, getting a new outsole, midsole and upper yet it has a relatively similar ride to the Ride 17 but with some small differences. This comparison will tell you which version is better for you.
The midsoles of both the Ride 18 and 17 are made of PWRRUN+, which is a beaded TPU foam. They provide a decent amount of energy return and a high amount of cushioning. The Ride 18 has a slightly softer ride than the Ride 17 but you can only feel it if you have both of them on at the same time, one on each foot.
They don’t have any stiffening device in their midsoles so they have a flexible forefoot. The Ride 17 has a slightly stiffer forefoot though due to its outsole design. This makes it feel a little bit more snappy during toe-offs.
The Ride 18 is better for slower and longer runs due to its softer ride and more flexible forefoot. The Ride 17 is better for faster and shorter runs due to its firmer, faster ride.
They both have thick insoles make of PWRRUN+. This is what sets them apart from other daily trainers. The thick insole gives it a plusher, more cushioned ride.
The Ride 17 has better stability thanks to its firmer ride. It feels more stable when turning corners and foot strikes feel more planted in the Ride 17.
The outsoles have similar designs but the Ride 18 rubber lugs have wider grooves than the Ride 17. The rubber is on the firm side so grip is good on dry surfaces but lacking on wet surfaces. Tractions is the same in both versions.
The Ride 18 has a much better upper. It has a better fit and it feels more comfortable. Its tongue has a loop in the middle of it for the laces to go through in order to stop tongue slide and it has better breathability. It fits true to size and is also available in wide options.
The Ride 17 has a more spacious upper which is suited to wide, high-volume feet. There’s no loop on the tongue so there is some tongue slide during runs. It has a heel pull tab which the 18 doesn’t have and this makes it more convenient to put on.
If you’re looking for a trainer with a softer ride for slower, longer runs, the Ride 18 is the better version for you. It has a softer ride and it has a more flexible forefoot. It also has a lighter weight which makes it feel more efficient. If you have narrow or low-volume feet, the Ride 18 will fit you better.
If you want a trainer with a firmer ride for faster, shorter runs, the Ride 17 is the better version for you. It has a more snappy forefoot and it has better stability. It’s also the better version if you have wide or high-volume feet.
