Great news for your feet. Saucony is ready with the 19th edition of their absolute classics: Guide and Ride. We've tested both models on asphalt to see if they live up to their legacy and what the new updates mean for you. We start with Jakob's test of the stable Guide 19.
Saucony Guide 19 - Stable and Comfortable Mile After Mile
is a staple in Saucony's stability shoe category, and as you've probably guessed, we're now at number 19 in the series. Saucony Guide 19 continues with a midsole made of PWRRUN and a height of 35 mm in the heel and 29 mm in the forefoot (6 mm drop). However, it's not quite the same PWRRUN formulation as in Guide 18, and Guide 19 is actually slightly heavier than its predecessor.
The primary reason for the weight increase is the extra amount of outsole material the shoe has received. Saucony listened and created Guide 19 to be more durable than before. Considering what this shoe is meant for, namely volume training, it makes perfect sense, so personally, I'm not too worried about this weight gain.
The PWRRUN material in Guide 19 has also received some small tweaks and feels slightly softer than before. This could immediately speak against the shoe's stability, but Saucony has also accounted for that. They've worked with the midsole's geometry so it compresses a bit more on the outside than the inside.
Guide 19 is built on a very wide platform, which I personally can't get enough of in my running shoes. It's a fantastic way to create stability without having to disturb the shoe's foam too much. Guide 19 also provides a good amount of arch support, so you should certainly be into that if Guide 19 is to be something for you.
Saucony Guide 19 continues its legacy and positions itself as a mildly supportive training shoe. It excels as a straightforward running shoe, easily accessible, especially for beginners. When I say straightforward, I truly mean it in the best way, because if you've run in a non-straightforward shoe, you know how cumbersome it can be. Guide 19 has the classic roll from rocker geometry, which Saucony executes excellently. It does what it promises and guides you mile after mile, roll after roll.
Drop: 6 mm
Weight (Men): 275g (US 9 / EUR 42.5)
Weight (Women): 258g (US 7.5 / EUR 38.5)
Saucony Ride 19 - Uncomplicated Comfort from the First Step
While my colleague Jakob highlights Guide as the stable partner, is the neutral alternative. Still reliable, just with a freer and more lively feel. If you know the Ride series, you know it's the everyday hero in Saucony's lineup. It's the shoe that rarely steals headlines with wild gimmicks, but instead just works.
Right from the first encounter with Ride 19, I felt in great company. There was an immediate "ahhh" experience. Saucony has updated the upper with a new mesh and added extra padding around the heel cap, which you can really feel. Along with the soft tongue (under the laces), the "step-in" comfort is sky-high.
Underfoot, you'll find one of the biggest differences from its predecessor. Ride 19 still runs on PWRRUN+ foam, but the formula has been adjusted to feel softer and more springy than the 18. The shoe maintains the classic 8 mm drop, ensuring a smooth roll-off. The platform is still wonderfully wide, providing natural stability, making it incredibly easy to use for both new and experienced runners.
Another significant upgrade is found under the shoe. Like Jakob mentions with Guide 19, Ride 19 has also received some extra rubber on the outsole. This is a clear response to durability, meaning you'll get a shoe that can handle more miles before needing replacement.
Saucony Ride 19 is that annoyingly competent classmate who can do it all. It works on long Sunday runs thanks to its softer foam and is also great for everyday runs with a bit more pace. It never complains. It's a shoe I believe will suit many runners simply because it doesn't try to be too special. It just tries to be a really good running shoe. And it succeeds.
Drop: 8 mm
Weight (Men): 270g (US 9 / EUR 42.5)
Weight (Women): 236g (US 7.5 / EUR 38.5)
In Short: Guide or Ride?
Both shoes are fundamentally designed to be your preferred training shoe, but they do it in their own ways.
Go with , if you seek stability, security, and arch support. It's the perfect companion when feet and legs tire, or if you've previously enjoyed shoes with pronation support.
Instead, choose Ride 19, if you are a neutral runner and want a freer feeling. Here you get a livelier stride, bouncier foam, and a shoe that moves with you. Which will be your next favorite?
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