Saucony Ride 17 Review
A comfortable and bouncy trainer for everyday miles
Likes
- Softer, more responsive midsole
- Secure and breathable upper
- Consistent ride and reliable durability
Dislikes
- Not the most exciting ride
What's New
The Bottom Line
After testing, our team is praising the new Ride 17, as the shoe represents a big upgrade that shifts the Ride ever so slightly towards the comfort-oriented Triumph model with the inclusion of PWRRUN+ foam. The shoe now offers a softer, more protective ride with a new level of responsiveness, making version 17 a more versatile daily trainer that's better equipped to handle a wide range of distances and pace.
That said, the PWRRUN+ foam midsole did not reinvent the Saucony Ride, and our testers noted that they still would have appreciated more responsiveness from the daily trainer. Despite not overly wowing with its performance, the Ride 17 represents a big improvement over previous versions of the shoe, all while remaining a highly reliable and durable option for runners looking to chew up a lot of daily mileage.
Our RW team also appreciated the Saucony Ride 17's updated engineered mesh upper, which provides a comfortably spacious on-foot experience that wider-footed runners will feel right at home running in. However, if you happen to have a narrower foot, then the Ride's new feel might not be ideal for you. Overall, the Ride has made great strides with the improvements it has received in version 17, and this mile-eater will get the job done for your daily training needs.
Specifications & Fit
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 9.9 oz (size 9) | Women's: 8.4 oz (size 8) |
| Midfoot Volume | 35 mm (Heel), 27 mm (Forefoot) | 8 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | Spacious |
Our In-Depth Look
Upper
Caroline: "The Ride 17 has a breathable upper and offers a secure lockdown through the midfoot. It has a simple, clean aesthetic with a gusseted tongue, and the padding in the heel is not overdone, providing consistent comfort on the run. I did not experience any hot spots or irritations during the testing period, and I always felt comfortable during my test runs.
My main issue with the upper was in terms of the fit. I prefer a more snug fit with a secure, wrap-around feel. While the roomier fit will likely accommodate many different foot shapes, I was not the biggest fan of the new platform design. I felt this iteration ran a half-size big and would personally recommend sizing down."
Risa: "I really liked the upper of the Ride 17. It felt almost sock-like and was a big improvement over the Ride 16. It was soft and comfortable, and the breathability has definitely been upgraded."
Kaleb: "The Ride 17’s updated mesh upper is very comfortable and spacious compared to previous models. I really liked having this daily trainer on foot for easy daily runs, walks, and casual wear. I did not experience any hot spots or discomfort, but those with narrower foot shapes might find the forefoot too spacious. That said, the updated upper is undoubtedly an upgrade that I think runners familiar with the Saucony Ride model line will really appreciate."
Midsole
Caroline: "The new full-length PWRRUN+ midsole offers a moderate level of cushioning with a slightly firm yet bouncy ride. The shoe provides an immediate soft, step-in feel that is not overpowering or overly mushy. There is solid underfoot protection for shorter mileage runs, but it starts to lean on the firmer side in the forefoot/midfoot whenever I pass the daily 10km mark. Despite switching the foam to PWRRUN+, version 17 was not overly responsive or as fun as I anticipated. That said, the 17 is a good option for shorter daily training miles."
Risa: "I described the Ride 16's midsole as being on the firmer side. This is not the case with the Ride 17. I would not hesitate to call the Ride 17 a plush shoe, but I would describe the foam as feeling somewhat dense. I felt like the shoe was providing some energy return and was not mushy at all. I think the shoe's midsole experience has greatly improved with the updates to version 17."
Kaleb: "This is the Saucony Ride we are talking about here, so everyone should temper expectations slightly. This shoe may not have the wow factor of shoes like the ASICS Novablast or NB Rebel. That said, I have had a lot of experience running in the Saucony Ride over the years, and version 17 is by far the best iteration, so far. The midsole is softer and more lively, which has helped greatly improve the overall running experience in the shoe. However, the Ride remains a simple, no-fuss daily trainer that will not overly wow when evaluating performance while on the run. It is a highly reliable shoe that will deliver a consistent ride and excellent durability so you can rack up the daily mileage without breaking the bank."
Outsole
Caroline: "My test runs were mainly on smooth roads and paved trails with some boardwalks in between, and I did not experience any issues on those surfaces. I was concerned about slippage when traversing through fallen foliage on the ground, but I felt protected overall. I did not experience any wet conditions, but I do not believe wet surfaces will slow down the Ride 17 much. While it is not the most durable or grippy shoe on the market, the outsole is holding up well so far, and I expect version 17 to last the typical 600+ kilometres."
Risa: "I expect the outsole of the Ride to hold up for many miles. I did not have a chance to test it in slippery conditions, but I had no issues with grip on the roads. I always felt stable and protected in the shoe."
Kaleb: "The Ride 17’s blown rubber outsole does its job. It provides dependable traction, though, given the performance of the midsole, I did not test the outsole at very fast paces. The Ride is not designed for speedy runs, and I had no challenges completing easier daily runs while wearing the Ride 17. The highlight of the outsole is its durability, and after 50 kilometres, there are no signs of wear. Runners should be able to pile up the daily mileage in this shoe."
Comparable Shoes
Saucony Ride 17 vs. Saucony Triumph 21
Caroline: "The latest iteration of the Ride is very reminiscent of the Triumph. Both shoes have Saucony’s PWRRUN+ foam in the midsole and a wider platform. The Triumph feels softer, whereas the Ride is a bit firmer in comparison, which makes the Ride a more responsive daily trainer than the Triumph.
Both have breathable mesh uppers and a clean, visually appealing design. In addition, both shoes are also very accommodating for wider-footed runners. If you are looking for more energy return, go with the Ride. If you want more cushioning, go with the Triumph."
Kaleb: "The new Ride 17 reminds me of older versions of the Saucony Triumph. The Triumph has a more protective midsole and a more premium upper design, but the updates to the Ride 17, especially in the midsole, have made the ride much more protective with smoother transitions through the gait cycle, reminiscent of older versions of the Triumph."
Individual Thoughts
Upon initial step in, the Ride 17 delivers an invitingly soft and comfortable on-foot feel. The foam is not too soft or mushy, creating a well-balanced underfoot experience. I liked that the shoe was not overwhelmingly padded in the tongue or heel either, and I have always been a fan of a breathable upper with a gusseted tongue.
In terms of fit, I immediately noticed that the Ride 17 has an all-around wider platform than its predecessors and a more adaptable, accommodating fit. There was ample room for toe-splay, but I felt the shoe had too much volume for my foot shape. While there is a secure hold in the midfoot, the upper did not deliver the snug wraparound I enjoyed from the previous versions of the shoe.
With the switch to the PWRRUN+ midsole, I was expecting the shoe to be bouncier with more energy return, but it felt like your standard trainer in terms of performance. Whenever I passed the 10 kilometre mark, the midsole started to lean towards the firmer side, and I would not recommend using the Ride 17 for shorter daily efforts.
Overall, I was not overly impressed with the latest version of the Ride, and given some of the other offerings within the daily training category, it currently does not have a place in my running shoe rotation. If the upper fit was not an issue, I would have enjoyed this shoe a lot more and used it for my easy-paced recovery runs. With some minor tweaks here and there, I believe Saucony can further fine-tune the next iteration of the Ride to be more competitive within the category. While it does not deliver that “wow” factor, the Ride remains a solid trainer for ticking off daily miles, and version 17 will definitely be a favourite among wider-footed runners.
In years past, the Saucony Ride was a daily trainer to recommend to people who liked a firmer ride without a lot of soft, mushy foam underfoot. My view of the shoe has completely changed with the release of version 17. The Ride 17 represents a major upgrade for the model line, edging closer to its premium comfort relative, the Triumph. Now outfitted with the same PWRRUN+ foam midsole, the Ride 17 feels soft with a small but noticeable bounce, making the Ride 17 a more comfortable and versatile daily trainer. Also, it remains a shoe that runners can rely on to chew up mileage. I loved this update, but I am curious to see if Ride loyalists will also appreciate the new design.
I feel like the Saucony Ride does not always receive the appreciation it deserves. It is not a special or premium shoe, and it is not going to overly wow anyone in terms of performance, but I have tested quite a few pairs of this daily trainer, and it is always one of the most reliable shoes I get to test. Furthermore, with all the new updates, the Ride 17 is the best iteration yet.
The PWRRUN+ midsole is much softer underfoot, improving the Ride’s comfort and protection over longer-distance runs. It also has a new level of bounciness, and though the Ride’s responsiveness is not overly noteworthy, the overall running experience has definitely improved.
What makes the Ride a good option for daily training is its durability, reliability, and price point. I know I can always rely on the Ride to keep me comfortable and protected on my easier daily training runs under the 8-10 kilometre mark. Furthermore, I know I can rack up the mileage in this shoe, which is a huge factor for a runner like me who cannot afford to constantly replace shoes.
Again, it is not going to win awards for performance, but it just may win your heart, as it continues to take a beating for you as you progress towards your running goals.