The Saucony Ride 17 is an exceptional neutral everyday shoe that stands out for its versatility. Although it lacks a touch of style, it offers impressive stability and durability, making it a worthwhile investment. With its upgraded PWRRUN+ midsole, the 17th edition delivers a more contemporary riding experience compared to its predecessor, the 16th version. This enhanced midsole provides a noticeable increase in energy return, although it does add some extra weight to the shoe.
Do you deserve Saucony Ride 17?
If the Saucony Triumph was not to your liking due to its excessive softness and lack of stability, then the Ride 17 can serve as a wonderful substitute. Should you desire a simple and straightforward trainer akin to the Pegasus or Ghost, but with a more vibrant and invigorating feel, the Ride 17 presents itself as a favorable choice.
If your main focus is on speed training and you want a trainer that is light in weight, the Ride 17 may not be the right choice for you.
Saucony Ride 17 Brief Introduction
The Ride series from Saucony, despite being a mid-range, neutral daily trainer, does not enjoy the same level of popularity as other similar shoes such as the Pegasus, Ghosts, Cliftons, or Novablasts. This can be attributed to the fact that the Ride is not particularly flashy or attention-grabbing.
The lack of excitement is evident in its unimpressive appearance and absence of a thrilling experience, primarily attributed to its outdated EVA midsole. Similarly, the Nike Pegasus and Brooks Ghost fail to exude any flair, yet they have managed to cultivate devoted followings.
The Saucony collection features the Endorphin Speed, which offers a greater sense of style compared to the Ride. This shoe is more cushioned, livelier, and lighter, with a midsole plate for added support. While originally intended as a speed training shoe, it has gained popularity among runners as a daily training option over the Ride.
In my evaluation of the Ride 16 before, I was greatly impressed by its versatility. As someone who typically favors cushioned footwear, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it didn't feel overly rigid. However, what truly stood out to me was its remarkable ability to accelerate effortlessly. Undoubtedly, it ranked among my top choices for everyday training in that year.
In the hierarchy of Saucony midsole foam, PWRRUN HG reigns supreme, followed by PWRRUN PB, PWRRUN+, and finally PWRRUN. For the past four iterations, starting with the Ride 13, the Ride series has relied on PWRRUN as its primary midsole foam. It is only logical, then, that this year's Ride 17 midsole receives an upgrade to PWRRUN+.
The weight of the Ride 17 has been boosted by 1.3 oz (37 g) compared to the Ride 16, now totaling 10.1 oz (286 g). Additionally, the stack height has been raised by 2 mm. The new measurements for the heel and forefoot are 37 mm and 29 mm respectively. The price remains unchanged at $140.
Saucony Ride 17 Try-on Experience
I went for a leisurely 8 km jog for my first run. It didn't amaze me, but I was genuinely satisfied with how steady and even it felt. What stood out to me the most was that the experience felt more contemporary compared to previous versions. It had a greater bounce and more depth in terms of cushioning.
I also found it pleasing that there was no squeaking noise when my feet hit the ground. This was particularly noticeable in the Ride 15 due to its shiny EVA midsole.
The Saucony Freedom 4 came to mind when I saw this shoe. It had a PWRRUN PB midsole, slightly higher than PWRRUN+, but the overall feel of the rides was comparable. However, the Ride 17 provided a greater level of cushioning and comfort compared to the Freedom 4.
Saucony Ride 17 Upper/Vamp
The Ride 17 boasts a straightforward yet efficient upper constructed from a moderately breathable mesh. One standout aspect is the inclusion of perforated side panels, promoting air circulation.
Saucony's oversight of omitting a loop on the tongue resulted in some tongue movement, despite its gusseted design. However, the heel lockdown remains excellent, eliminating the necessity for a runner's knot.
The shoe fits accurately, with a regular heel and ample space in the middle and front sections. However, the toe area is narrow, requiring me to tighten the laces more than usual for a secure fit. I believe the middle part could benefit from a slightly tighter feel.
Saucony Ride 17 Sole Units
If you were to decrease the height of the stack on the Triumph and broaden its midsole, you would end up with the Ride 17. Both Saucony running shoes are equipped with PWRRUN+ midsoles, but the Ride 17 offers a firmer and more stable feel. Additionally, it features a broader midsole base compared to the Ride 16.
The Ride 17 is an incredibly versatile daily trainer that stands out among non-plated options. Whether you're going for an easy jog, a moderately paced run, or a quick tempo session, this shoe provides exceptional comfort. It truly embodies what a classic daily trainer should be.
The shoe's midsole provides ample cushioning for completing an entire marathon, while its smooth transitions allow for an effortless rhythm. Although lacking SpeedRoll technology, which includes a high toe spring and rocker, it still maintains a responsive and energetic feel.
The Ride has always been a shoe that lacks softness, and I wouldn't say that the 17th version is any different. While the Brooks Ghost Max (and 15) are sturdier than the Ride 17, the rest of the daily trainers are more cushioned and pliable. The Ride 17 is designed to promote speedy daily runs.
The upgraded PWRRUN+ midsole is a significant improvement from its predecessor, offering a satisfying level of energy rebound. Although it lacks the same level of responsiveness as ZoomX or Puma's Nitro foam, it still manages to inject enough liveliness to transform mundane daily runs into enjoyable experiences.
In comparison to classic trainers such as the Pegasus 40/Ghost 15, the Ride 17 offers a significant advantage in terms of energy expenditure while maintaining the same speed. The Ghost 16 introduces a nitrogen infused midsole, which will be fascinating to observe and compare.
The Ride 17 features a removable insole made of PWWRUN+, adding extra cushioning and comfort beneath your feet. This enhances the overall plushness and luxurious sensation, setting it apart from models like the Endorphin Speed that lack this feature.
The foam on the outsole is safeguarded by a layer of dense rubber, which is thicker and harder than the Ride 16. The foam itself, PWRRUN+, is also long-lasting, so you won't notice much wear in the early stages. In terms of durability, this daily trainer outsole is among the most resilient options available. However, due to its firmness and thickness, it produces a distinctive slapping sound when it hits the road or pavement. It may take a while to become accustomed to this.
PWRRUN+ outperforms PWWRUN in terms of durability against creasing and compression, meaning the Ride 17 will maintain its cushioning for a longer duration compared to previous models.
Saucony Ride 17 Summary
The Ride 17 has received a great upgrade. Although it lacks a flashy design, the wider foundation and the new midsole foam bring about a significant change. The Ride 17 no longer feels flat; it now resembles a sleek and contemporary trainer that can handle various types of runs. Personally, I believe that the additional 2 mm of stack height enhances its versatility even further.
The Ride 17, a reliable and balanced everyday running shoe, doesn't have many flaws. It excels in both durability and comfort, making it a better choice than the Triumph 21, which also features a PWRRUN+ midsole, in terms of value.
The Ride offers a significantly more captivating experience compared to its well-known counterparts like the Pegasus, Ghost, and InfinityRN, which are commonly favored as everyday running shoes.
The main downside of this shoe is its relatively heavy weight for an everyday training shoe when compared to other options in the market. However, it does offer a more energetic and vibrant running experience than many others. Personally, I don't find the extra weight bothersome since I won't be using it for races or high-speed workouts.
The Novablast 3, priced similarly, presents the Ride 17 with a formidable non-plated rival. It boasts a weight reduction of more than one ounce compared to the Ride 17, while offering a contemporary and adaptable running experience. However, the Novablast cannot match the Ride's stability and durability.
- Price: $140
- Style: 58856M
- S20924-112: CANARY | BOUGH
- S20924-100: BLACK | WHITE
- S20924-107: CINDER | BLACK
- S20924-110: SHADOW | PEPPER
- S20924-106: TIDE | SILVER
- S20924-101: TRIPLE BLACK
- S20924-105: WHITE | COBALT
- Usage:
- daily training
- easy runs
- moderately paced runs
- fast paced training
- marathon
- Constructions & Features:
- Neutral Support
- PWRRUN+ Cushioning
- Weight: Men - 9.9oz (282g) / Women - 8.4oz (238g)
- Heel drop: 8mm (35/27mm)
