While super trainers dominate the limelight in the run-iverse, shoes like the Saucony Ride 18 can be unjustly overlooked. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of how running shoes have evolved over the years, but in this era of carbon-plated trainers the Ride 18 deserves some love too.
Saucony has provided some of the most dependable running shoes over the years and their flagship Ride series is a prime example. Moderately cushioned with above-average durability, this baby was designed to eat up most of your mileage during a training cycle and still have some life left afterwards. Anything from a recovery run to some hill repeats, the Ride has you covered.
I’ve shared my thoughts on the previous Saucony Ride 17 update, which I would say was a net positive. However, the overall weight increase left a bit to be desired. The new Ride 18 features several tweaks to the formula but makes amends for its past transgressions by dropping nearly a full ounce of weight. If you’re curious about what else has changed, let’s dive into it.
The Process:
Marathon Sports has tasked me with testing the Saucony Ride 18 to truly understand the ins and outs of it all. To reach this point, I put in just over 50 miles in the shoe. This included easy runs, an uptempo workout to see how it performed at higher speeds, and a longer run to see how it held up over time. At this point, I’ve had plenty of time in the previous version to compare the update but a refresher couldn’t hurt. So I
Ride 18 Highlights and Specs
I would never recommend judging a book (or shoe) by its cover, but these highlights can give you a quick snapshot of what makes it tick.
- Stack height (heel/forefoot): 35 mm/27 mm
- Offset: 8 mm
- Weight: 8 oz (W), 9.1 oz (M)
- Price: $139.95
- Midsole made with updated PWRRUN+ foam
- Sockliner also made with PWRRUN+
- Outsole uses XT-900 carbon rubber for traction and durability
- Increased flex grooves in the outsole offer more flexibility
- Engineered mesh upper with plush padding on the tongue and collar
- Loop lacing design reminiscent of Flywire technology from Nike
More on the Midsole
The Saucony Ride first moved from PWRRUN foam to PWRRUN+ last year with the Ride 17. This time around, the Saucony team made some tweaks to the formula to make it lighter, softer, and more responsive. Previously only found in the Saucony Triumph, PWRRUN+ appears to be here to stay.
PWRRUN+ is a beaded TPU that excels in shock absorption, energy return, and durability. Popularized by the adidas Ultra Boost lineup, this type of foam does a phenomenal job balancing responsiveness and cushioning without weighing you down. It’s such a solid midsole material that several Saucony running shoes also use it in the sockliner for an extra layer of comfort.
Upper Update
I have to mention this first before anything else: the new lacing system in this version of the Ride is probably my favorite. Instead of traditional eyelets punched out of the upper, the Ride 18 uses small, stretchy cords for the laces to loop through. It reminds me of the Flywire style you’d find on certain Nike shoes. As you tighten the laces, these cords help lock in your foot and create a secure-feeling fit.
Beyond the laces, the upper on the Ride 18 continues using an engineered mesh construction. There’s a reason it’s consistently found in running shoes as an upper material. It offers great breathability, soft padding, and is fairly lightweight. Those last two will ebb and flow depending on the thickness but you’re picking up what I’m putting down.
A big plus for the upper is the increased padding around the heel collar and tongue. It helps add another level of comfort and can accommodate those with narrower heels who need extra material in that area. A gusseted tongue has always been my preference so I love seeing it here as well. It creates a sock-like fit that, combined with the extra padding, feels more comfortable than ever.
Outsole Outlook
Along the Ride 18’s outsole you’ll find XT-900 carbon rubber to help increase traction and enhance durability. My Ride 17 shoes have seen 250+ miles running and even more from general day-to-day use, they have hardly any sign of wear on the outsole. I’m not going to ham up the traction, it does what I expect a daily trainer to do, but the durability from this rubber is pretty impressive.
An increased number of flex grooves are incorporated into the outsole to allow for smoother transitions as you move. The increased flexibility is mostly noticed in the forefoot, feeling less stiff and generally more comfortable but with a little less pop.
Quick Comparisons
| Tech Specs | Saucony Ride 18 | Saucony Ride 17 | Asics Cumulus 27 |
| Weight (Women’s/Men’s) | 8.0 oz/9.1 oz | 8.4 oz/9.9 oz | 8.1 oz/9.3 oz |
| Stack height (heel/forefoot) | 35 mm/27 mm | 35 mm/27 mm | 37.5 mm/29.5 mm(W) 38.5 mm/30.5 mm(M) |
| Offset | 8 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm |
| Cushioning | PWRRUN+ | PWRRUN+ | FF Blast™ Plus/PureGel™ |
Overall Fit
As I mentioned in the breakdown for the upper, I am a huge fan of the route Saucony took with the lacing on the Ride 18. This update combined with the plush upper matches my feet well. But I’m not the only one with an opinion, so I asked around our Marathon Sports stores to see what others thought about the Ride 18 fit.
Grady seemed to enjoy the balance of it all, mentioning it “provides a comfortable fit, snug enough but not constricting.” A similar sentiment shared by Brian: “It seems to balance a lot of things well. Soft but not too soft, snug but not tight, lightweight but not minimal.”
The Ride can’t be everyone’s glass slipper, however. Kathy shared, “I found it to be nice and springy for my 5K loop around town. Lightweight too. Just a little narrow for me but still great for short distances.”
The upper is made with an engineered mesh and offers a little bit of stretch, appealing to a wider variety of foot shapes. If you have a wider foot or like extra space in the toe box, I could see the Ride not being your top choice. But as is the case with any shoe I write about, I always recommend trying it out for yourself to know for certain. The best running shoes for you can be drastically different from someone else’s.
Road Results
Truly the best part of any shoe review happens during the actual running. I swapped the Ride 17 and 18 out halfway through a run and even completed a short run with one on each foot. Yes, it was weird but I did it science.
As I briefly touched on in the outsole section, the shoe did lose a bit of pop with the added flex grooves. However, I will happily take this tradeoff with the extra flexibility through the midfoot. Transitions felt way more natural in the Ride 18 compared to the older version, elevating the overall experience.
The weight reduction was certainly noticeable after moving between different versions of the shoe, and the overall fit made me feel secure throughout my runs. There are some mild stability elements incorporated in the Ride 18 but I honestly don’t want to dive into them to avoid confusion. These fall squarely into the neutral running shoes category, even with those mild stability elements.
Some claim the midsole feels a bit softer, others say slightly firmer, but I honestly didn’t notice a drastic enough change either way to make a claim. The good news, however, is it still feels well-balanced between soft and firm. Plus, I believe the important question isn’t “does the midsole feel softer?” but rather “does the shoe perform better than before?” The answer to the second question, I say aye.
Final Say: Saucony Ride 18
The Saucony Ride 18 continues to improve after reinventing itself in the previous version. A more flexible forefoot creates smoother heel-to-toe transitions while the updated upper improves the overall fit. It feels very much like a traditional running shoe but in such a great way. It doesn’t try to do too much and maintains balance in nearly every aspect, making it a great option to handle your daily training.
A true neutral shoe at heart, there’s no medial post or anything beyond some mild inherent stability elements. So those looking for extra stability, check out the Saucony Ride vs Guide comparison blog to see those details. It may have shaved some weight, but it’s still not what I would reach for on race day. Check out the new Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 for a dedicated race shoe.
I know not every runner will have 3 or 4 pairs of running shoes in their arsenal. So if you’re looking for your one and only, the Ride 18 is well worth your consideration. It can handle a wide range of workouts and has that familiar, traditional style you can’t help but love. It may not be a java chip frappuccino with double whipped cream but it’s a damn good cup of coffee.
Find Ride 18 Running Shoes at Your Local Marathon Sports
The Saucony Ride 18 can be found at any of our retail locations or here on our website. Marathon Sports houses plenty of Saucony shoes for you to try, but if you’re not nearby, check out our online selection and find your Right Fit™. Whether you’re looking for shoes, or any other running gear, we have you covered.
