The Saucony Ride 18 builds on the legacy of its predecessor and offers runners a well-cushioned and versatile daily trainer. The upgraded PWRRUN+ midsole delivers a softer and more responsive ride with better energy return.
The engineered mesh upper has also been refined to improve breathability and stretch, while extra heel collar cushioning enhances comfort. This version is slightly lighter than the Ride 17 but remains a dependable workhorse that can handle different paces and distances.
As far as the best running shoes go, this is one of my favorite daily trainers I’ve tried in a while. I ran 45 miles in these shoes during marathon training, including long runs, tempo efforts, speed sessions, and easy miles. Out and out, they proved to be a comfortable and consistent companion.
The improved midsole adds more bounce to faster runs, while the plush step-in feel makes recovery days easier on the legs. I noticed some minor heel slippage, but overall, the Ride 18 holds up well across different types of runs. Here’s a deeper dive into how I got on testing the Saucony Ride 18.
Saucony Ride 18: price and availability
The Saucony Ride 18 launched on January 1, 2025, for $140/£130. The shoe is available in both men’s and women’s versions with wide fit options and comes in 14 colorways for women and 15 for men. If you require a wide-fit version of the shoe, the colorways available are more limited.
I tested the standard fit in the Vanilla colorway, a sleek cream with metallic gold accents that give it a very stylish, 'clean girl' aesthetic. They didn’t stay pristine for long though, as a few winter runs through my usual park left them covered in muck from many muddy puddles. If light-colored running shoes aren’t for you, the Ride 18 comes in plenty of other options, including bold pink, fiery orange, classic black, and more.
Saucony Ride 18: design and fit
The Ride 18 fits true to size in my usual women’s US 9. The toe box provides enough room for natural toe splay without feeling too wide, while the midfoot and heel offer a snug but not overly tight lockdown.
The shoe features an 8mm drop and maintains the same geometry as its predecessor for a smooth transition from heel to toe. Weighing approximately 8.4oz (238g) for women and 9.9oz (281g) for men, it's slightly lighter than the Saucony Ride 17 yet still has plenty of cushioning packed into the design.
Upper
Moving onwards and upwards from the Saucony Ride 17 (which I enjoyed training in last year) the Ride 18 has an updated upper featuring more padding around the heel, greater breathability and more stretch throughout the rest of the shoe.
I found the upper extremely comfortable and it has become an easy shoe to say yes to when I'm deciding what to throw on before a run.
However, during testing, I found the cushioned heel collar didn't hold my foot securely, which meant my heels didn't feel as stable and as locked in as I would like. I found during longer runs over eight miles I had to stop the watch and tighten my laces to stop my foot slipping.
Midsole
The Saucony Ride 18’s biggest upgrade is its PWRRUN+ midsole, a switch from the standard PWRRUN foam in the previous model. This beaded TPU foam is lighter, more durable, and delivers a springier, more energetic ride. Right out of the box, the cushioning feels plush underfoot, but it doesn’t sap energy.
On long runs, I felt the foam absorbed impact well, keeping my legs fresh deep into longer training runs. During tempo sessions, the added bounce helped maintain momentum, making faster paces feel easier. It’s noticeably more lively than the Ride 17, especially when picking up the pace.
Outsole
The Saucony Ride 18 features XT-900, Saucony's exclusive carbon rubber, to help improve durability and grip. The material helps provide solid traction and extra stability to the shoe. While I haven’t run in much rain, the outsole has performed well on muddy paths.
After 45 miles, the outsole shows no signs of wear, although some mud has settled in the grooves, but I can live with a little dirt. I’ll update this review if my experience changes in wet conditions.
Saucony Ride 18 review: running performance
With so many max-cushioned running shoes hitting the market lately, the Saucony Ride 18 feels like a refreshing change. It’s a daily trainer that strikes the right balance between comfort and support without the added bulk of max-stack models.
It’s versatile enough to handle all types of runs—whether it’s an easy recovery day, a tempo session, or a long-distance effort. During my marathon training, it quickly became my go-to shoe because I knew exactly what I was getting every time I slipped it on. It’s not flashy, but it delivers, and that’s exactly what you want when you’re logging big miles on the regular.
When it came to speed sessions, I liked the energy the Ride 18 gave me. It felt fast and responsive during intervals, which helped me pick up the pace without holding back. However, I did notice that the shoe felt a little snappy during faster paces. If you prefer a more secure, stable feel, you might want to consider a stability shoe or one with a wider base for more support.
Should you buy the Saucony Ride 18?
The Saucony Ride 18 shines as a reliable go-to for daily training. It offers a balance of cushioning and responsiveness that’s perfect for runners looking to log consistent miles in one shoe.
It might not be as flashy as some of the other new releases, but it’s reliable and comfortable, especially with its updated PWRRUN+ midsole that strikes the perfect balance of softness and bounce for both long runs and a bit of speed.
That said, the Saucony Guide 17 might be a better fit if you're looking for more control or structure in your stride. The Guide offers added support for overpronators, and with the Guide 18 on the way (we’ll have a review up soon), you might want to keep that in mind for more stability-focused runners.
For those working with a tighter budget, the Brooks Ghost 16 is a more affordable daily trainer, and its all-around performance makes it a great option for runners who want simplicity without sacrificing performance.
