Saucony Ride 18 vs Saucony Ride 19
A side-by-side comparison grounded in verdicts from 4 reviewers with every source linked. We don't invent quotes; every claim below is attributed.
Specs at a glance
The consensus read
Each paragraph is a synthesis across every reviewer in our database for that shoe — what they collectively concluded after wear-testing. Not a quote. Not one person's take. The shape of the room.
Saucony Ride 18
A versatile daily trainer with a responsive, balanced midsole that handles easy runs through tempo work with equal competence, offering strong value against pricier alternatives in its class.
Saucony Ride 19
A dependable daily trainer that prioritizes comfort and stability over flashy features, the Ride 19 delivers a balanced ride suited to easy and moderate-pace running with a roomy fit and smooth transitions.
Reviewers who wore both
Direct paired observations — reviewers who actually ran in both of these and wrote the contrast. This is the strongest comparative signal on the page.
Ride 19 adds heel width and more extreme bevel, slightly heavier, better outsole rubber coverage
Ride 19 carries on from the 18 with slightly more stack (36/28 vs 35/29) and added weight (292g vs 270g in UK 9.5)
Ride 19 is softer and slightly heavier but less snappy and responsive at faster paces
Minor tweaks across upper, midsole, outsole; slightly softer and more balanced, more padded heel collar, $10 more expensive.
Saucony Ride 18 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , neutral stability .
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A firmer, more versatile daily trainer than the Novablast 5 that both testers preferred for its snappier ride and broader pace range; great value that outperforms pricier options in the Saucony lineup.
Ride:Firmer, balanced midsole (Power Run Plus / PWRRUN PB) that is soft enough for easy runs but more responsive than the Novablast 5 for tempo and consistent marathon-training paces. Sits closer to the ground, rolls through smoothly, and feels snappier when picking up the pace. Thick, grippy rubber outsole with no wear showing.
Fit:True to size with good toe-box room, secure lockdown, and a hugging midfoot. Heavily padded (but not overdone) tongue and consistent heel collar. Slightly thinner/narrower than the Novablast 5. Also available in a wide version.
In their words: "a little bit firmer" · "a little bit more responsive" · "a touch more versatile for me"
Saucony Ride 19 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , soft_plush feel , low energy return , neutral stability .
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A solid but unspectacular update to the Ride line that trades some of the previous version's snappy responsiveness for softer cushioning. Competent and comfortable for easy and steady miles but lacks the versatility and excitement of some similarly priced competitors.
Ride:Softer version of PWRRUN+ foam compared to the Ride 18 with extra stack height. Delivers good comfort at easy paces but lacks the snappier, more responsive feel of the previous version. Smooth transitions and stable platform. Can handle moderate tempo paces but not suited for faster interval work. Outsole redesigned with more rubber for improved grip including light trails.
Fit:True to size across all three testers. Roomy forefoot with ample toe box space. Good midfoot lockdown and well-padded heel collar with a slightly deeper heel cup for secure hold. Regular and wide width options available.
In their words: "find them a little bit sluggish" · "perfect for easy runs" · "don't think it's got that many gears"
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A slightly heavier but more accommodating update to the Ride with wider heel and better outsole; a dependable, traditional daily trainer that is the antithesis of soft, hyped shoes like the Evo SL.
Ride:Wider heel (~5mm) and more extreme heel bevel for heel/midfoot strikers. Power Run Plus midsole ~28 Shore A, reliable and consistent, not wildly soft. Decoupled, aggressive outsole with added medial arch rubber.
Fit:Improved toe-box breathability, low-profile ankle collar, better lockdown from eyelets starting further down toe box. Stretchy laces slightly long with standard bow; runner's knot ideal.
In their words: "by no means a wildly soft shoe" · "spoton for most folks" · "still a relatively light shoe"
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The best Ride Kofuzi has run in; a soft, bouncy, genuinely neutral daily trainer ideal for easy and recovery days.
Ride:Goldilocks daily trainer, cushioned but not mushy, bouncy but not firm, wider footprint gives stable neutral landing
Fit:True to size, soft engineered mesh, reduced puffiness in tongue and heel cup versus prior versions
In their words: "cushioned but not mushy" · "Goldilocks shoe of a daily trainer" · "the best ride that I've run in"
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A back-to-basics daily trainer that does the fundamentals exceptionally well — stable, comfortable, and versatile without flashy gimmicks.
Ride:Stable, wide platform with comfortable PWRRUN PB Plus midsole that can pick up pace but isn't an interval shoe.
Fit:Fits true to size with good lockdown and comfort; no blistering or overheating issues.
In their words: "the shoe's inherently stable" · "a nice stable ride" · "very capable of doing multiple different things"
Who should buy which
Use cases the reviewers above actually call out — one bullet per distinct take, attributed. Where reviewers converge (e.g. "5K to half marathon" appearing across multiple takes) the agreement is a stronger buying signal than any single voice.
Consider the Saucony Ride 18 if
- Workhorse daily trainer that spans easy runs through tempo; a strong one-shoe-does-it-all pick for marathon training and travel — The Run Testers
- A versatile workhorse daily trainer for runners who want a single shoe that handles easy miles and tempo sessions. — The Run Testers
- Comfortable marathon training and racing across multiple blocks — The Run Testers
- Runners wanting one versatile daily trainer that can handle easy miles, long runs and faster workouts at a lower price. — The Run Testers
Consider the Saucony Ride 19 if
- Runners wanting a reliable, traditional daily trainer with light stability and a bit below max stack — EDDBUD
- Neutral daily training and recovery runs — Kofuzi
- Runners wanting a back-to-basics, stable, comfortable daily trainer for everyday mileage and parkrun-style outings. — FORDY RUNS
- Runners seeking a comfortable, reliable cushioned daily trainer for easy to moderate pace running. — The Run Testers
- Versatile, reliable daily trainer for beginners and runners wanting a comfortable workhorse at a reasonable price. — The Run Testers
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the Saucony Ride 18 and the Saucony Ride 19?
The Saucony Ride 18 is a daily trainer and the Saucony Ride 19 is a daily trainer. By the numbers, the Saucony Ride 18 weighs 269g, has a 37mm heel stack and an 8mm drop, while the Saucony Ride 19 weighs 255g, has a 38mm heel stack and an 8mm drop. MSRP is $140 for the Saucony Ride 18 and $140 for the Saucony Ride 19.
Should I buy the Saucony Ride 18 or the Saucony Ride 19?
The Run Testers on the Saucony Ride 18: Workhorse daily trainer that spans easy runs through tempo; a strong one-shoe-does-it-all pick for marathon training and travel. EDDBUD on the Saucony Ride 19: Runners wanting a reliable, traditional daily trainer with light stability and a bit below max stack.
Per The Run Testers, EDDBUD.
Has anyone reviewed both the Saucony Ride 18 and the Saucony Ride 19?
Yes — EDDBUD, FORDY RUNS, and The Run Testers directly compared the Saucony Ride 18 and the Saucony Ride 19 in their reviews.
Per EDDBUD, FORDY RUNS, The Run Testers.
Which is lighter, the Saucony Ride 18 or the Saucony Ride 19?
The Saucony Ride 19 is lighter, at 255g versus 269g (men's 9) — about 14g less.