American has, since its humble beginnings in Pennsylvania over 100 years ago, refined technologies and comfort. This has made Saucony one of the most established brands on the running track.
The brand is perhaps best known for its incredibly reliable daily training shoes, and their distinctive FormFit, which hugs the foot from the first time you put on the shoe until they can't anymore.
has long lived in the shadow of the bigger sibling , but this year the roles may be different. 18 has certainly received a noticeable midsole upgrade. But who is the shoe now suited for?
Read on to find out if Saucony Ride 18 should be your next ?
Soft heel and tongue hug
The shoe's upper is of a type and quality that you, if you are familiar with the brand, can expect from Saucony: The FormFit upper delivers a hugging sensation that locks your heel but allows room for the toes.
The narrow shape of the heel cap might initially seem worrying for discomfort, but it hasn't troubled me. On the contrary, it ensures a snug fit and can be well-padded without being an issue to lace tightly.
The tongue, like the heel cap, is padded and soft. There's nothing about the shoe's upper that makes you think, “I wish I'd bought the more premium Triumph 22.” However, the midsole is the big difference between the two shoes.
Midsole without shortcomings
Like its predecessor, Ride 17, Saucony Ride 18 features a midsole made of PWRRUN+. The foam type was only used in the Triumph series until last year because the feel is extremely premium: Springy, without sinking into it.
The EVA foam type has many advantages: It's light, durable, and retains its softness in all temperatures.
In Ride 18, the midsole is crafted with an 8mm drop, delivering a classic feel. The sole's flexibility and lack of rocker technology, used in many shoes, give it a characteristic feel best described as flat. Not in a bad way, where there's no responsiveness — there's plenty of that — but more flat as in the sensation of a lower drop. I land quite flat on my foot, contributing to a more active take-off.
Precisely the shoe's responsiveness is what Saucony focused on in Ride 18. The series has historically been characterized by a slightly firmer midsole, and it’s felt this year. Although the foam is the same as last year, Saucony has made the midsole more responsive.
Whether the firmer feel comes from the three percent extra foam added in Ride 18 compared to Ride 17 is hard to say. But it's quite impressive that the shoe feels as it does — premium and responsive — and is also 14 grams lighter than its predecessor.
Compared to its big brother, Triumph, this one has a midsole of PWRRUNPB. The foam is even softer and more lively — some might say unstable. If you're looking for a classic daily trainer from Saucony, Ride 18 is your choice.
20 percent better protection
The outsole is something that, in these winter months, should not be underestimated. Ride 18 is equipped with a comprehensive outsole that covers 20 percent more than before.
Even though EVA midsoles generally last long, it's still a foam type vulnerable to terrain like forest floors. That's why it's good that has taken the outsole seriously on the shoe.
One of my first runs in snow this year was in Ride 18. Should more snow come, I recommend finding a winter training shoe with better grip, like Saucony's series. That way, you'll stand more firmly.
You can read more about the best running shoes for winter runs.
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