Saucony Ride 18 Review
By Matthew Klein and David Salas
Saucony Ride 18Price: $139.95 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 9.7 oz, 274g (men's size 9), 8.2 oz, 232g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 37mm heel / 29mm forefoot
Drop: 8mm
Shoe Purpose: Daily Training Shoe
Pros: Very comfortable upper, Good pricing for materials and durability
Cons: May be difficult for those needing a wider forefoot
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The Saucony Ride 18 is a neutral daily training shoe for crushing your daily mileage. The shoe uses a beaded TPU midsole named PWRRUN+ that gives a very durable ride with a touch of bounce. The upper is updated from the previous version to have more padding around the heel, more breathability and stretch throughout the rest of the shoe. The shoe also drops 0.2 oz from last year's version with the changes to the upper. A shoe that features some versatility for uptempo running/workouts and the toughness to handle daily training and long runs, the Saucony Ride 18 continues as a long standing workhorse for a variety of runners.
SIMILAR SHOES: Nike Pegasus 41, Puma Velocity Nitro 3
PAST MODEL: Saucony Ride 17
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
Matt: The Saucony Ride 18 fits me true to size in my normal men's US size 10. The fit was initially slightly short due the partially tapered toe box, but that opened up quickly. The Ride 18 does come with wide options. Once the upper breaks in, there is a fairly normal width throughout the length of the shoe with a normal to slightly lower volume. The forefoot is normal in width with a mostly comfortable mesh that provides some stretch that adapts to the foot with time. The volume on the outer sides of the foot is quite low, which can cause some pressure on the sides of the foot until the upper breaks in. This transitions into a slightly snug midfoot with a moderately thick and well-gusseted tongue. The midfoot is fairly secure and only required me to tighten down the laces slightly to get a secure fit. The heel is normal to slightly snug with a large amount of heel collar padding. There is a stiff heel counter that was noticeable to me, so those sensitive to heel counters may not do well and those who like stiff counters will. The inner liner of upper is extremely comfortable with minimal seams and only a mild toe guard. This has been an excellent shoe for sockless running so those who want that option may find it in this shoe.
Typical Size: Men's US Size 10
Shoes that have fit Matt well: Saucony Guide 17, ASICS Kayano 30, Hoka Gaviota 5, Saucony Endorphin Elite, Nike Ultrafly
Shoes that have fit snug: Hoka Arahi 7, Saucony Kinvara 14
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2, Altra Timp 5
David: The Saucony Ride 18 fits true to size in my Men's 9.5. The dimensions feel really well laid out and the shoe hugs my foot without overly encroaching in any specific areas. The shoe has pretty normal width throughout the platform. The heel feels much more locked in than the previous version. This is a combination of both the tongue/lacing system and the additional padding around the heel cup. There is a stiff heel counter, but it is padded very well and gave me no issue. The midfoot cinched up pretty well, thanks to the new lacing system. The eyelets are a little different in the Ride 18. They look more like stretchy loops. When the laces pull down on them, it feels like they lock down a little bit more thanks to the elastic nature of them. The tongue is padded well and keeps it from biting too much. The forefoot has normal volume and a surprisingly airy and plush mesh feeling to it. The width is normal though, and I can feel the sides a tad. The mesh does have some stretch to it and I had no issue with the fit in the forefoot for me. I do think those that normally need a lot of width in the forefoot may struggle some with the forefoot fit here. It isn't narrow, it just isn't wide. The general feeling of the upper is nice. The materials feel plush, but don't run overly warm. It reminds me of a slightly thicker and more plush Newton air mesh (Newton has great uppers). For me, this upper and fit design really worked and is one my favorite training uppers.
David's Typical Size: Men's US Size 9.5
Shoes that have fit David well: Nike Vomero 17, Saucony Ride 16, Puma Velocity Nitro 3
Shoes that have fit snug: HOKA Arahi 7
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon Aero Glide
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: Yes
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: Yes
Is the Forefoot Flexible: Somewhat
How Flexible is the Shoe: Mild to moderate
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Mostly Yes
Recommended for Haglunds: No
Recommended for Sockless: Yes
Durability Expectation: Above Average
PERFORMANCE
Matt: The Saucony Ride 18 is a daily training shoe that can handle a variety of efforts. While this shoe isn't crazy in any way, it has an updated PWRRUN+ midsole that provides a moderately cushioned and responsive ride. The reworked midsole is a little less aggressively bouncy than the prior version and the additional flex grooves in the forefoot allow for an easier transition off the forefoot. It feels protective but slightly firm, with a slightly softer ride in the heel compared to the forefoot. The weight is lower compared to the prior version and the Ride 18 feels lighter than the listed 9.7 oz (men's size 9). It feels like a lightweight trainer, which is further emphasized by its ability to handle easy runs, uptempo runs and basic workouts. It isn't the fastest shoe on the market, but will work well for those who need a shoe that can handle a variety of efforts. There is an 8mm heel drop and it feels like this or slightly lower, which makes to shoe feel a bit faster. The heel transition is a bit abrupt for me despite the large heel bevel. The bevel is centered if slightly medial, which makes for a slightly abrupt transition for me landing on the lateral side. This transitions into a smooth midfoot and forefoot. The forefoot has moderate flexibility that feels smooth transitioning through. It is not stiff enough for those with toe mobility issues to use but is also not overly flexible. This middle ground allows some versatility across a variety of efforts, making it a great all-around daily trainer, especially for those who want a single shoe or who are new to running. The outsole traction is consistent with a road shoe as it provides decent traction on smooth surfaces but not on trail or challenging terrain. The outsole has been redone, but I have noticed slightly earlier wear than its predecessor. It is still going strong after 30 miles, so I expect an average to above average number of miles out of this solid daily trainer.
David: The Saucony Ride 18 performed very well for me. I have been a long time fan of the Ride series and this one did not disappoint. There isn't anything revolutionary in the shoe, and that is one of the reasons why I like it. For daily training shoes, I don't reach for too many extremes. I like a shoe that is very balanced underfoot, provides decent traction and security, and can handle long miles. The Saucony Ride 18 fits those boxes for me. It won't be a go to for speed sessions, but for easy day miles it is quite nice.
The Saucony Ride 18 continues its usage of PWRRUN+ as its midsole. They made some small tweaks to it to make it a little bit lighter and responsive. It is a beaded TPU and definitely feels like it. These foams hold their structure well and provide a small bounce. When you land, you can definitely feel the cushioning underfoot, but it is not overly compliant. This makes the foam have less of a soft feeling and a little bit more of a firmer and slightly springy feeling. The geometry of the shoe is very balanced. This shoe does not boast a dramatic rocker, but does use a gentle heel bevel and forefoot rocker. The 8mm drop feels accurate. The forefoot has mild to moderate flexibility. There is no stiffening agent in the Ride 18 and the toe off feels decently natural for how much foam there is. The outsole traction and coverage is pretty good throughout and I had no issues there. I am seeing a little bit of wear in the posterior lateral heel, but nothing outside of normal usage. For the price point, the Saucony Ride 18 will definitely be a competitive shoe in the neutral category. Again, this shoe has a very balanced feel to it. If you are looking for an extreme bounce, rocker, softness/compliancy, etc you won't find this here. This is a shoe that runs right in the middle of most categories.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
Matt: The Saucony Ride 18 is a neutral daily training shoe. There are some mild forms of guidance that are offset except in the forefoot. The heel and midfoot are on the narrow side, with the medial biased bevel creating a slightly awkward transition. There is more medial than lateral sole flare at the heel, but the medial bevel creates an angle that pushes the heel inward. This is slightly offset by the medial flare, but not by the narrowed midfoot. There are mild sidewalls at the midfoot but they only slightly offset this. The forefoot is the most guided part with a wider shape due to a large amount of medial and lateral sole flare. Overall, the Ride 18 is quite neutral except for some mild guidance in the forefoot.
David: The Saucony Ride 18 is a neutral training shoe but does some things decently well for stability. The upper does a good job of locking you down onto the platform. The outsole traction is pretty good underfoot with good coverage. There are some gentle sidewalls with mild to moderate sole flaring as well. The width of the platform and the foam integration still make this feel like a very neutral offering though.
Thoughts as a DPT: How Forefoot Flexibility Can Impact Ride Perception
By Matthew Klein
One of the major changes in the Ride 18 was to increase the forefoot flexibility. This has primarily been achieved through additional flex grooves in the forefoot. The most noticeable difference to me between version 17 and 18 has been how aggressive the ride feels. While version 17 felt more like an aggressive lightweight trainer that I did mostly fast workouts in, despite being lighter I have used version 18 for more easy runs. Version 18 can still move quickly given the moderately responsive PWRRUN+ foam and the lighter ride, but the change in the forefoot flexibility has made it feel slightly better at easier efforts. Although the midsole has also been reworked, a major reason for this is the change in forefoot flexibility.
Different people respond differently to different levels of shoe stiffness, also called longitudinal bending stiffness (Mcleod et al., 2020). Most of our understanding of this suggests that if the stiffness and biomechanics of the shoe match up with those of your metatarsophalangeal joint (major toe joint) biomechanics, then it is likely to be beneficial to your running economy (Oh & Park, 2017). This can also vary in one person as joint mechanics can change at different speeds. Faster speeds often require greater range of motion and higher forces compared to slower speeds, which often require less range of motion and lower forces (although not always). Additionally, increased longitudinal bending stiffness can not impact speed but can also impact perception of cushioning. A stiffer shoe will naturally feel firmer while a more flexible shoe may feel softer if cushioning level is controlled. These factors and many more play into ride perception and their individual impact may also vary between individuals. So when companies change one factor, don't be surprised if other factors feel like they change given the relationships between all of them.
Oh, K., & Park, S. (2017). The bending stiffness of shoes is beneficial to running energetics if it does not disturb the natural MTP joint flexion. Journal of Biomechanics, 53, 127-135.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Matt: The Ride is a stable neutral trainer, although I personally do not think it is different enough for most people to consider upgrading from version 17. I'm hoping the following can be integrating to really set it apart in version 19. My first suggestion echos David's comment below that I think the volume tapers off too quickly on the side of the forefoot. Adding a bit more room may offset some of the rubbing I have experienced. My biggest recommendation, as always, it to create a better heel bevel. I really don't understand the point of a medial bevel as only a tiny portion of the population at most land there. The majority land at the posteriolateral side. The point of a bevel is to help ease the initial contact phase of gait at heel strike. The bevel is angled the wrong way, so if that can be fixed, the heel transition will smooth out quite a bit.
David: This is one my favorite Ride models so far, which is saying a lot. The only thing that I think I would appreciate on this model would be widening the forefoot just a tad on the fit. I didn't have any problems personally, but I could feel the material pressing the sides of my toes a little bit. I know if I can feel it, those needing space in that area are really going to feel it.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
Matt: The Saucony Ride 18 is for those who want a neutral training shoe with a normal width fit that can handle a variety of training efforts, making it an excellent shoe to logging miles. The midsole provides a slightly firm feel with some bounce while a moderately flexible forefoot gives it reach into easier and uptempo paces. The fit is normal and secure with a slightly lower volume around the edges of the forefoot and extra padding in this version. This is the kind of shoe that sits in the middle, meaning it isn't too soft/slow or super fast/firm. It is an excellent option for the newer runner or the runner that just wants a simple trainer that still has some pace options. At this time, it is still not a major update over version 17, so those on a budget should consider the prior version knowing they won't miss out on too much. However, those who want a little more forefoot flexibility, a slightly less aggressive ride and a little more heel padding may want to consider upgrading.
David: The Saucony Ride 18 is for someone that is looking to have a neutral workhorse trainer that rides right in the middle of most categories. It uses a nice midsole for logging big miles that has decent responsiveness, but not anything crazy. The shoe has a gentle rocker, but not so much so I would classify it as being a rockered shoe. Forefoot flexibility is also mild to moderate under load. This shoe does not dance on the extremes and will agree with those looking for that type of training shoe.
GRADES
Matt
Fit: B+/A- (Normal width with slightly snug heel/midfoot. Good security with slightly lower volume on sides of forefoot)
Performance: A- (Slightly firmer and moderately responsive midsole that works well from easy to uptempo/workout paces)
Stability: B [Neutral] (Neutral ride in heel/midfoot. Slightly guided forefoot from wider shape)
Value: A- (Solid durability and versatility make this an excellent deal for $140 and an even better deal getting version 17 on sale)
Personal: B (Solid shoe just not stable enough for me. Medial heel bevel feels awkward but those who land farther forward will probably do better.)
Overall Design: B+
David
Fit: A- (Surprisingly plush and breathable, fits well throughout, but a little bit of forefoot width would improve experience)
Performance: A (As a balanced daily trainer for chipping away at daily mileage the shoe performed very well, decent responsiveness for a workhorse)
Stability: B (Definitely a neutral shoe but upper and outsole traction help with some stability)
Value: A (I think $140 is a very fair price for this model)
Personal: A- (One of my favorite daily trainers so far. My only thing is feeling the upper press on the side of my toes some, but not enough to not run in it. No irritation noted.)
Overall Design: A-
SHOP | SUPPORT DORSaucony Ride 18Price: $139.95 at Running Warehouse
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FURTHER READING
Find all Shoe Reviews at Doctors of Running here.
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