I was excited to try the Saucony Ride 18. I’ve been using the Ride since the ninth version. Whew, time flies. The Saucony Ride series has long been a staple in the neutral daily trainer category. Known for its moderate stack height and well-balanced ride, the Ride is a reliable workhorse for daily miles. It hasn’t been the most glamorous shoe from Saucony, but it’s been a consistent model that you can trust.
The Ride 18 brings several updates, including a reworked PWRRUN+ midsole, increased outsole coverage, additional flex grooves, and more heel collar padding. These refinements enhance durability, comfort, and versatility while slightly reducing the shoe’s weight.
Before trying the Saucony Ride 18, I had a few questions:
- Does the Saucony Ride 18 fit true to size? It does fit mostly true to size, but some may find the upper a bit narrow.
- Is the Saucony Ride 18 good?
- Was there a big update in the Saucony Ride 18?
Read this honest review of the Saucony Ride 18 and see if it’s right for you.
Quick Facts
- Price: $139.95
- Weight: 9.7 oz (men’s size 9), 8.2 oz (women’s size 8)
- Stack Height: 37mm heel / 29mm forefoot
- Drop: 8mm
Saucony Ride 18 Fit
The Ride 18 fits true to size, with a slightly snug forefoot that adapts over time. The engineered mesh upper is breathable and provides some stretch, while the increased heel padding enhances comfort and security.
The updated lacing system locks down the midfoot well, ensuring a secure fit for various foot shapes. I’ve found it to be on the slightly narrow side, and if you have bunions or need a wider shoe, you may consider going up a half size.
Overall, the Saucony Ride 18 upper is fairly basic to me. It’s no-frills, and there isn’t anything super exciting or interesting, but it does the trick. We don’t always need a glamorous and exciting shoe.
In running shoes, I wear between a women’s size 10–11 wide. I found the size 11 wide to fit best in the Saucony Ride 18. I do think it fits a little too narrow for me to be comfortable in the regular width.
Saucony Ride 18 Ride
Saucony continues using PWRRUN+ in the Ride 18, offering a firm yet responsive ride. The updated midsole is slightly lighter and provides a more balanced feel, making the shoe suitable for both easy and uptempo efforts. The 8mm drop allows for smooth transitions, and the increased forefoot flexibility makes the shoe more forgiving at slower paces. A lot of people appreciate how light but cushioned the Ride is.
While Saucony made some tweaks to the midsole, it mostly feels the same to me. I really couldn’t feel much difference between the Ride 17 and 18. There isn’t anything super exciting about the update, but sometimes you just want a daily trainer that’s consistent. So I guess I can’t really complain.
Where does the Saucony Ride 18 fit into my rotation? The Saucony Ride has always been a daily trainer, and that is where it fits into my rotation. It’s a shoe you can take out when you have no idea what kind of run you’re doing for the day (or when you only want to pack a single shoe for the workday). It can handle easy miles, but it’s also not the worst option if you want to pick up the pace.
Outsole
The Ride 18 features expanded rubber coverage, improving durability and traction. Additional flex grooves in the forefoot enhance flexibility, resulting in a more natural toe-off.
I was surprised because it really isn’t that durable. I already noticed wear and tear after about 50 miles. I expect it will likely last around 200–300 miles, which is unfortunate because you want a daily trainer that will last a while.
I’ve taken it on sandy desert trails with no issues, but I wouldn’t take it anywhere that required significant traction because you’re going to slide around.
Saucony Ride 18 Conclusion
The Saucony Ride 18 remains a well-rounded daily trainer that offers versatility for a range of paces. With improvements to the midsole, outsole, and upper, I can’t really feel or notice a difference between the Ride 17 and Ride 18. If you are looking for a daily trainer that can handle the miles, the Saucony Ride 18 is a good option.
Who Should Buy the Saucony Ride 18?
- Runners seeking a versatile daily trainer for easy miles and light workouts
- Those who prefer a neutral shoe with a slightly firm yet cushioned feel
- Runners who appreciate a snug, secure fit with a structured heel counter
Who Should Not Buy the Saucony Ride 18?
- Runners needing an ultra-plush, highly cushioned shoe
- Those who require a wider toe box for extra space
- Athletes looking for a maximalist or highly rockered shoe
My Current Shoe Rotation:
Easy/Daily Runs: Mizuno Neo Zen, Topo Magnifly 5, Antepes Muscle Runners, New Balance 1080v13 Shoe Review , Newton Gravity 12, ASICS Superblast 2
Speed Work: 361 Degrees Furious Future 2.0 Nike Tempo Next%, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro, Nike ZoomX Streakfly, Nike Alphafly 3
Long Runs: Topo Specter 2, 361 Degrees Eleos Shoe Review
Trail Running/Hiking: 361 Futura, Hoka Tecton X2 Shoe Review Speedland SL: PDX,
Races: 361 Degrees Furious Future 2.0, ASICS Metaspeed Edge Paris, New Balance Fuelcell 5280, Reebok Run fast Pro ,Nike Vaporfly 3 ,
Curious about how I do gear reviews? You can read about that here.
You Can See All Current Shoe Reviews Here.
Looking to learn more about running shoes? In my ebook, I talk about why you need a good running shoe, a shoe’s anatomy, neutral vs. stable, and even myths of running shoes.
Questions for you:
What is your favorite daily trainer?
What is one shoe you’ve used for years?