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Other Hearst Subscriptions: Saucony’s Ride remains a simple, well-cushioned, and reliable trainer—now improved with a sleeker, comfier upper. Still a classic “bread-and-butter” shoe, only it looks more like a stylish “artisanal-sourdough-with-ghee.”
- Firm, consistent Pwrrun cushioning supports over long distances without bottoming out under heavy foot strikes.
- Outsole rubber is durable, grippy on slick terrain, and resilient on light rocks and gravel.
- More perforations in the upper’s outer mesh and inner padding improve breathability.
Price: $130
Type: Road
Weight: 9.8 oz. (M), 8.4 oz. (W)
Drop: 8mm
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Right at the turn of the 20th century, workers started making children’s shoes inside a little red brick factory that sprung up along a creek in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. (This building still stands today, and coincidentally, it’s not two marathons away from the current Runner’s World HQ in Easton.) Naturally, the factory took its name from that long, winding creek, called Saucony, that flowed right outside its doorstep. This tiny factory eventually became today’s running powerhouse, but it still pays homage to those humble beginnings with a squiggly stream-like logo. So, to make the most of the Ride’s off-year update, Saucony kept that very special logo looking sharp on a much improved upper. The new engineered mesh is lighter and more breathable than the thick material of the 13, while crafted suede accents replace the traditional plasticky overlays on the tongue, heel, and eyelets.
Pros
- Credit: Lakota Gambill
- Versatile cushioning responds well for both easy runs and uptempos
- Nutrition - Weight Loss
Cons
- Doesn’t use Saucony’s newer, bouncier foams (like Pwrrun+ or Pwrrun PB)
Besides the upper, not much has changed. The 14th version still has ample cushioning and a decidedly firmer feel, courtesy of its mostly EVA Pwrrun midsole, which surprised testers who expected buttery softness more similar the Triumph’s TPU Pwrrun+. Still, the Ride is snappier and quicker than you’d think from a trainer that looks so cushy, according to one tester, who thought the shoe had enough foam underfoot for his half marathon but still felt fast during a 5K race.
Firmer Foam Could Keep Your Form Honest
Even just three years ago, more runners (myself included) would consider the Ride a semi-soft shoe. But, given the recent advancements in foam, I think many of us have grown accustomed to a bouncier and softer feel underfoot. Though that’s not necessarily a bad thing, it definitely skews the impression of the Ride’s midsole to the firm side. I dig über-soft midsoles, so the Ride felt a touch too firm for me. However, I’ve found that while pillowy cushioning lets me relax into easy pace, it also tempts me to get a little sloppy with my stride—I’ll typically touch down harder if I’m anticipating marshmallows underfoot. For that reason, I appreciate a shoe like the Ride, with its firmer midsole that helps me lighten my footstrike and quicken my turnover.
The benefit of Saucony’s Pwrrun cushioning is that it’s fairly firm, moderately responsive, and feels very controlled. (Perhaps even “controlled” to a fault, as I did want maybe a little more pep and spring and would have traded some of that smooth predictability for livelier energy return.) However, the shoe’s more pronounced toe spring does help roll the foot quickly through push off—though I wouldn’t go so far to call it a rocker sole, since the heel has only a slight bevel and doesn’t quite match the smoother ride at the forefoot. “The split tread on the sole made toe-off more effortless for a natural-feeling run. I didn’t feel like I had to really push off to make the shoe go,” one tester said. “The cushioning felt just as good on mile one as it did through the end of my long runs.”
High-Mileage Requirement: Cozy Yet Durable
The Ride’s upper became exactly what it needed to be to match its long-run-capable midsole: a bit more supportive and a lot more comfy. The double-layered engineered mesh doesn’t stretch much, which gives the shoe more structure surrounding the soft, flexible inner bootie. Both testers and I liked the fully gusseted tongue’s slight squishiness that eased pressure behind the lacing and created a snug, secure sleeve around midfoot. This kept the tongue from sliding and added support to the front of the shoe, while a sturdy heel cup and plush collar helped stabilize the rear. “Though the Guide is Saucony’s comparable stability shoe, the Ride also felt supportive for a mild overpronator like myself,” one tester said. “I had no knee pain after 8- to 10-mile runs, which can sometimes occur when I run in a neutral shoe.”
What Our Wear Testers Said
Michael M. | Tester since 2017
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“The new Saucony Ride 14 is wonderful, comfortable, and confidence-inspiring. The Pwrrun cushioning was very supportive and provided good return of energy without feeling like a marshmallow. Combined with the more flexible forefoot, this allowed the shoe to feel fast on toe-off even though it’s not super lightweight. The very end of the toe box tapers to more of a point than I like, and that may pose an issue on longer runs depending on the runner’s foot shape. I only had very minor pressure on my little toe.”
Michael M. | Tester since 2017
Arch: Medium | Gait: Neutral | Footstrike: Heel
“Compared to other shoes I’ve tested, the Ride 14 stands out for its durability, heat management, and comfort. I loved this shoe for all of those reasons, but what I liked most was its durability. This shoe ran through some tough snowy February months on hard, paved trails. Except for getting wet, this shoe proved to be quite durable and have good traction for poor weather conditions. Despite rounding corners in the snow, I never slipped while running in this shoe. I am always on the lookout for comfortable and durable shoes that can stand up to the punishment I put them through, and this shoe stood up to the test. It was so comfortable and consistent run after run that I hardly thought of my feet. For me, Saucony shoes are like pizza—even when it’s bad, it’s good.”
