Saucony Ride 18 Complete Review

The Saucony Ride series has long been a staple in the running world, known for its reliability and no-nonsense approach to daily training. It's the shoe you grab when you just want to go for a run without thinking about it. With the new Ride 18, Saucony has introduced some significant updates, particularly to the midsole and upper, aiming to refine that "workhorse" experience.

I've taken a deep dive into the specs, reviews, and feedback to see if this iteration lives up to its legacy and, more importantly, if it's the right shoe for your running needs.

Quick Take

Overall Rating: 4.3/5

Best For: Neutral runners looking for a versatile, durable daily trainer for everything from easy miles to tempo runs. It's an excellent choice for beginners and marathon runners alike.

Key Strengths: Exceptional comfort from the new upper, a balanced and responsive ride thanks to the PWRRUN+ midsole, and outstanding durability.

Notable Limitations: The outsole grip is poor in wet conditions. Some users may find the cushioning firmer than expected.

What Makes the Saucony Ride 18 Stand Out?

The Saucony Ride 18 isn't trying to be the flashiest shoe on the block. It’s not a super-shoe with carbon plates, nor is it a pillowy-soft recovery day cruiser. Its strength lies in its balance and versatility. The biggest update is the full-length PWRRUN+ midsole, a change from the previous model. This material is lighter, more durable, and provides a noticeable "pop" or energy return that was less pronounced in earlier versions.

What this means for you is a shoe that feels protective enough for long runs but has enough life to handle quicker paces when you decide to pick it up. It's that reliable "do-it-all" option.

Combine this with a completely redesigned upper, and you've got a shoe that just fits right. It’s plush, breathable, and secure, solving some of the "baggy" fit issues of its predecessor. As one runner put it, "The step-in feel is fantastic, thanks to that thick sockliner and padded heel. It felt locked-in from mile one." It’s this combination of a lively ride and a comfortable, secure fit that makes the Ride 18 a standout choice in the crowded daily trainer market.

Real Customer Experiences

Here’s a snapshot of what runners are saying after putting miles on the Ride 18:

• Positive: The comfort of the upper is a clear winner. Users consistently praise the soft, plush feel around the ankle collar and the breathable mesh, calling it a significant upgrade.
• Positive: Its "workhorse" nature is frequently mentioned. Runners love that they can use it for daily mileage, long runs, and even some faster workouts without issue.
• Negative: The most common complaint by far is the poor grip on wet surfaces. Many users report feeling a lack of confidence on slick pavement or painted lines.

Here are a couple of quotes that sum up the general sentiment:

"I've taken this shoe on long runs, tempo day, and just for walking around. It handles everything beautifully. The new foam feels bouncy but still supportive."

"Absolutely love the new upper, it feels like it was custom-made for my foot. However, I almost slipped on some wet pavement, so be careful in the rain."

Design and Build Quality

Let's break down the components of the Ride 18.

• Upper: The upper is a new engineered mesh that’s both soft and breathable. It features a well-padded, gusseted tongue that locks the midfoot down securely. The lacing system has also been updated to loops, which helps in achieving a more customized fit.
• Midsole: This is the star of the show. The full-length PWRRUN+ midsole is a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) based foam, which is known for being more resilient and responsive than traditional EVA foams. It's reportedly 28% lighter and absorbs 5% more shock than previous foam iterations. It has a measured firmness of 26.1 HA, which is on the firmer side of "medium," providing a stable and protective ride rather than a sink-in soft feel. A thick PWRRUN+ sockliner sits on top, adding a nice layer of immediate comfort.
• Outsole: The outsole uses XT-900 carbon rubber, which is known for its durability. It now features more rubber coverage than previous versions and four deep flex grooves in the forefoot, making the shoe much more flexible and promoting a smoother toe-off. However, as mentioned, its major flaw is its performance on wet surfaces.
• Weight: The men's size 9 comes in at 283g (9.98 oz), while the women's size 7 is 227g (8.0 oz). This is a respectable weight for a daily trainer and a noticeable reduction from the Ride 17.
• Durability: Aside from the grip, durability is a massive plus. The combination of the resilient PWRRUN+ foam and the robust XT-900 rubber outsole means this shoe is built to last, with many expecting to get 500+ miles (800km) out of it.

Comfort and Fit

When it comes to fit, the consensus is that the Saucony Ride 18 runs true to size. If you've worn Saucony before, your usual size should be perfect.

The new engineered mesh upper really shines here, offering a comfortable and secure fit that adapts to the foot. It’s a bit more "dialed-in" than the previous version, which some felt was a bit "baggy". It offers a standard to slightly accommodating fit, and for those who need it, it's also available in a 2E (wide) option for men and a D (wide) for women.

While the toe box is generally described as roomy, a few reviewers noted it felt slightly shorter or more tapered than the last model, so that's something to keep in mind if you're between sizes or have very wide feet.

One of the best parts is the "step-in" comfort. As one reviewer noted, "The plushness of the heel collar and tongue immediately makes the shoe feel premium, and that feeling doesn't go away on the run." This shoe requires virtually no break-in period; it's ready to go right out of the box.

Style and Versatility

The Ride 18 isn't just a running shoe; it's a very capable "all-day" shoe. Aesthetically, it's got a clean and modern look without being overly aggressive. It's the kind of sneaker you can wear on your run and then keep on for errands, coffee, or even a casual day at the office.

Its versatility is its biggest selling point. It’s designed as a neutral daily trainer, but it has the responsiveness for tempo runs and the cushioning for long-distance efforts. Beyond running, it's stable enough for gym workouts and comfortable enough for long days of walking, making it a fantastic travel shoe.

Quality and Durability

Durability is where the Ride 18 truly excels and provides its main value proposition. The PWRRUN+ midsole is not just bouncy; it's incredibly resilient. Unlike some lighter foams that "die" or flatten out after a couple hundred miles, this TPU-based foam is known to maintain its cushioning and responsiveness for a very long time.

The XT-900 carbon rubber on the outsole is also a tank. With increased coverage in this version, you can expect this shoe to last a long time. Most testers reported minimal to no wear even after 60+ miles (100km) and projected a lifespan of well over 500 miles.

There was one outlier report mentioning potential breakdown around 200 miles, but this seems to be an isolated case, as the overwhelming majority of reviews praise its long-lasting construction. The only real quality complaint remains the poor grip in wet conditions.

Decision Matrix

Legend: ✓ = Good ○ = Average ✕ = Poor

Further Reading

1. The Ultimate Guide to Saucony Running Shoes: Reviews, Tech & Buyer’s Guide.
2. Saucony Running Shoe Technologies Explained: PWRRUN, Speedroll, FORMFIT
3. Saucony Triumph 22 Review
4. Saucony Peregrine 14 Review