Saucony Ride 18 Introduction

18 is a special number. It was the shirt number of the legendary Man United midfielder, Paul Scholes who was known for his incredible passing range. Scholes was the engine that powered the Man United attack, controlling the tempo of the game and dictating pace.

The Ride, on its 18 iteration, is Saucony’s neutral, mid-range daily trainer. Like Paul Scholes, the Ride 18 is a great all-rounder; consistent and adaptable, without any flashy stats. A simple, comfortable and reliable trainer for eating up mileage.

It’s a do-it-all workhorse designed to cater to everyone from beginners to elites. Two of the Ride’s main focuses are durability and affordability, so it doesn’t have Saucony’s exciting racing foams (Incredirun, Pwrrun HG, Pwrrun PB) in its midsole.

With the growing popularity of super trainers such as the Saucony Endorphin Speed & Kinvara Pro, the boring mid-range daily trainers have lost their hype. Often un-plated, slower and cheaper than super trainers, mid-range daily trainers are no longer held in such high esteem like they were in the days of yesteryear. However, the Ride remains a cornerstone of Saucony’s performance running range.

I’ve tested 3 Ride versions in the past 5 years and I’ve found that all of them to be really solid, versatile daily trainers. Last year’s Ride 17 was the best version to date: it had more stack height, more cushioning and more energy return than its predecessors.

The Ride 17 was a major overhaul but the Ride 18 is a minor update. According to the Saucony website, it weighs 0.8 oz (23 g) less than the Ride 17. It has the same stack height as v17 which is 37 mm/29 mm and its price remains $140.

Saucony Ride 18 First Impressions

During my initial 10 km easy-paced run, the first thing that struck me was the significant improvement in the fit of the upper. Unlike version 17, which felt baggy and had an excess of material, version 18 felt much more dialed in and provided a more comfortable fit.

The ride felt remarkably similar to its predecessor: balanced, well-cushioned and smooth. The forefoot felt a little bit more flexible and the cushioning felt ever so slightly softer than v17.

The thing that I enjoyed most was how premium and well-built the Ride 18 felt. The thick insole made from PWRRUN+ delivered a really luxurious, plush step in feel which is exclusive to the Ride and Triumph series.

Saucony Ride 18 Upper

The upper is the most noticeable difference between v17 and v18. In version 17, I experienced some tongue slide because although it was semi-gusseted, there was no loop on the tongue for the laces to pass through. Version 18 fixes this by implementing a loop on the tongue so now the laces hold in in place and prevent it from sliding around.

The engineered mesh upper of the Ride 18 has undergone a minor upgrade, resulting in a softer and more flexible feel that elevates the overall sense of quality. Additionally, the shoe maintains the smooth lining inside the collar and heel that was present in version 17, ensuring a comfortable fit around the ankle and heel. This design, combined with the overall structure of the internal heel counter, results in excellent heel lockdown.

The Ride 18 offers a true-to-size fit and features an accommodating design that caters to a wide range of foot types. This improved fit represents a notable improvement over version 17, where the upper material felt excessive and somewhat loose. In contrast, version 18 provides a more tailored and secure feel.

Saucony Ride 18 Sole Unit

While the Saucony Triumph 22 has been updated to a Pwrrun PB midsole and has become (surprisingly) softer, the Ride 18 maintains its Pwrrun+ midsole so it retains the versatile ride character that made the Ride 17 such a great daily trainer.

The Ride 18 is a remarkably versatile daily trainer, and is able to handle a wide range of running paces and distances. Its exceptional comfort and adaptability make it a reliable choice for various types of runs. Whether embarking on a relaxed easy run, maintaining a moderate pace, or pushing the tempo on shorter distances, the Ride 18 consistently delivers a smooth and comfortable experience.

This shoe embodies the essence of a quintessential daily trainer, and caters to the diverse needs of runners seeking a single, go-to option for everyday training. It has a bit of something for everyone.

The Ride 18 even has enough cushioning depth to run a full marathon in. I used it for a 40 kilometre training run and it felt comfortable for the entirety of the run. My legs also didn’t feel beat up or sore after the run.

The Ride distinguishes itself from other daily trainers in its category through its incorporation of a thick, Pwrrun+ insole. This feature delivers heightened cushioning and comfort directly beneath your feet, creating plush and luxurious transitions.

This level of comfort surpasses even that of higher priced models like the Saucony Endorphin Speed, which lack a Pwrrun+ insole.

The outsole of the Ride 18 has a similar design to the Ride 17 but there is more forefoot rubber and the pattern on the lugs is different. The lines on the rubber lugs are spaced further apart than v17 but I didn’t notice an improvement in traction. Grip is fine in dry conditions but not great on wet surfaces due to how firm the rubber is.

Durability is very high and there’s barely any outsole wear on my pair after 90 kilometres of testing. I expect it to have the ability to handle upwards of 800 kilometres.

Saucony Ride 18 Conclusions

The Saucony Ride 18 is a really polished daily trainer with no major flaws. It doesn’t have the exciting ride of a super trainer, but it is extremely comfortable, can perform every type of training run, is really well built and has a fair price.

My favourite feature is the thick Pwrrun+ insole which provides a premium level of plushness right below my feet. The Ride 18 will stay in my rotation for easy runs which are short or middle-distance. For longer runs, I prefer something with an energy-saving rocker.

The Ride 18, while an excellent running shoe, presents only a minor update from its predecessor. The overall ride experience between the two models remains largely unchanged. Therefore, for those who already own the Ride 17, upgrading to the Ride 18 isn’t a necessity.

However, there is room for improvement. A slight increase in stack height would elevate the Ride 18’s performance, bring it in line with more modern running shoes and enhance its overall cushioning depth. This adjustment would provide a more plush and comfortable ride, and appeal to a wider range of runners. The wet-weather grip also needs to be improved.