Saucony Ride 18 running shoes

The Saucony Ride 18 Running Shoe is the latest version of one of the Saucony brand’s most popular lines, a versatile, daily running shoe. It doesn’t have any outstanding features, it’s not the fastest, it’s not the most durable, it’s not the most comfortable, but it does everything a little better than average and that’s the good thing about it. You can wear them to any workout without thinking twice. If you only have 1 pair of running shoes, the Saucony Ride 18 is perfect as an all-around running shoe. It can be a good choice for beginners, but it’s also a good choice for advanced runners for their general daily runs to rack up the miles. Compared to the previous version, the Saucony Ride 17 running shoe, basically only the upper has changed, but thanks to this change, the weight has been significantly reduced by 23 grams, making it a little faster.

Saucony Ride 18 upper

The upper of the Saucony Ride 18 Running Shoe is made of a dual layered engineered mesh material that provides good breathability. The upper of the Ride 18 is all about comfort and good foot support, so all parts are cushioned. The upper fits true to size and is medium wide, but you can also buy a wide version to accommodate those with wider feet. The toebox is well ventilated and wide enough. The tongue of the shoe is thick, cushioned and fixed, making it comfortable to run on. The lacing system has been changed, the laces are not threaded through eyelets, but through an elastic cord, so the laces can be tightened much better, fit the foot better and lock the foot more securely. The heel collar is also heavily padded and rigid for a secure and comfortable fit. In addition to a more comfortable upper, the weight has also been reduced.

Saucony Ride 18 midsole

The Saucony Ride 18 Running Shoe Midsole is made entirely of PWRRUN+ foam, just like the midsole of the shoe’s predecessor. There are minimal changes from the previous version, the PWRRUN+ foam has been slightly reworked, but the height remains the same (35mm at the heel and 27mm at the forefoot) and the drop remains the same (8mm). The Saucony Ride 18 midsole is very versatile. It’s dynamic enough for faster runs, but forgiving and flexible enough to be comfortable for slower runs. The midfoot is not high by today’s standards, but it is perfectly shock-absorbing up to half-marathon distances, and experienced runners can run longer distances in it. While the Ride 18 is a neutral shoe, the midsole has good stability, is wide in the forefoot, and is stiff enough to provide a stable run.

Saucony Ride 18 Outsole

The Saucony Ride 18 Running Shoe Outsole is made of Saucony’s XT 900 carbonized rubber compound, which has average durability and good grip, but not perfect grip on wet surfaces (like most running shoes). The outsole doesn’t cover the entire midsole, but where the shoe is more demanding, it covers the midsole well. The longitudinal cut in the outsole improves the torsional flexibility of the shoe, but there is some cross reinforcement in the forefoot to make transitions in the shoe smoother and faster.

Who and for what kind of runs is the Saucony Ride 18 running shoe for? Summary

The Saucony Ride 18 Running Shoe is a versatile daily running shoe, one of Saucony’s most popular running shoes. Its popularity is due to the fact that it is suitable for most runners and most types of running. It doesn’t have any outstanding features, but it ticks all the important boxes. It has a comfortable upper and holds the foot well and securely. The midsole is light, responsive and has a dynamic feel, but is also comfortable for slower runs. The outsole is grippy and durable. Considering its versatility and the price of the shoe, the Saucony Ride 18 is very good value for money.