Saucony Ride 17 running shoes

One of Saucony’s more popular product lines is the Ride (the most popular being the Ghost) , of which the latest version, the Saucony Ride 17 running shoe, will be available for purchase from 1 January 2024. The popularity of the Ride is no coincidence, as it is a versatile, durable, comfortable, stable running shoe that is suitable for beginner runners, those who use one running shoe for all their asphalt running, and even experienced runners who own multiple running shoes.

The biggest change in the 17 version is that the midsole thickness has increased by 2mm, which gives you noticeably more momentum, more energy return, better shock absorption and is softer. This change is not only due to the increase in height, but also to the change in the main component of the midsole. This change has been accompanied by a 37 gram weight gain, which is significant but does not detract from the shoe’s image. The Ride’s other, but undeserved, downside is that it’s not one of the most exciting running shoes, it doesn’t have any standout features, and it doesn’t look the best, but that’s why it’s one of the best mid-range.

The upper of the Saucony Ride 17 running shoe is made from a mesh material that’s slightly lighter and more flexible than the previous version. It has good breathability, which is aided by the fact that not only is the front section perforated, but there are also large holes on the sides on both sides of the heater. The tongue is padded and fixed on both sides. It may seem like a small thing, but the tongue has no eyelet loop, the laces cannot be threaded through it, which would give the tongue more stability. Heel fastening is very good, stiff but well padded heel collar. The upper is wide enough, but a Wide version of the shoe will be available to suit runners with wide feet. One downside of the upper is that it is difficult to tighten the laces as the loops are slippery, this might be worth fixing.

The midsole material of the Saucony Ride 17 running shoe is different to previous versions, the 17 has received the more premium PWRRUN+ midsole foam, which is more flexible and resilient than the previous PWRRUN foam. The midsole has been made 2mm beefier and wider, so the Ride is still a stable shoe. The midsole is multi-sided, so you can run faster sections in it, but it’s comfortable enough with good cushioning to run a marathon in. Despite the better and higher midsole, it is not a soft shoe, but rather a dynamic, faster everyday running shoe. The new foam also has a better energy dissipation and tires the foot more slowly than the previous version.

The outsole of the Saucony Ride 17 running shoe has also changed a lot from the previous version. The material has also changed in shape and pattern, which provides better traction than the previous version. It has a thick outsole and it is also quite tough, so it has good abrasion resistance and is more durable. It doesn’t grip as well on wet surfaces, but that’s true of most running shoes, so it’s not a fault.

Over all, the Saucony Ride 17 running shoe has changed a lot in all areas. It has a more comfortable, breathable upper, a more dynamic, softer midsole and a more durable outsole with better traction. Despite all the changes, the Ride 17 has retained its original character, still a faster daily running shoe. It doesn’t have any standout features, but its versatility makes it one of the best choices if you’re looking for a general running shoe for most types of running. When a new version is released, I often suggest that it’s worth buying the previous version because it’s cheaper and does almost the same thing, but that may not be the case with the Ride 17.