Our verdict
Pros
- Lighter than it seems
- Smooth heel to toe transitions
- Protective cushion
- Well-fitting
- Stable for a neutral shoe
- Airy for summer runs
- Tongue stays in place
- Reflective elements
Cons
- Not for fast runs
- Gets firmer in cold
Audience verdict
Comparison
The most similar running shoes compared
+ + Add a shoe | |||||
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Audience score | 89 Great! | 96 Superb! | 87 Good! | 87 Good! | |
Price | $130 | $110 | $90 | $140 | |
Pace | Daily running | Daily running | Daily running | Daily running | |
Arch-support | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | |
Weight lab Weight brand | 8.9 oz / 253g 9 oz / 255g | 9.2 oz / 262g 9.3 oz / 264g | 9.2 oz / 261g 9.3 oz / 263g | 10.2 oz / 288g 9.9 oz / 282g | |
Drop lab Drop brand | 6.9 mm 8.0 mm | 6.4 mm 8.0 mm | 6.0 mm 6.0 mm | 8.5 mm 8.0 mm | |
Strike pattern | Mid/forefoot | Mid/forefoot | Mid/forefoot | HeelMid/forefoot | |
Midsole softness | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced | Soft | |
Difference in midsole softness in cold | Normal | Small | Small | Small | |
Toebox durability | - | Good | Bad | Decent | |
Heel padding durability | - | Good | Decent | Good | |
Outsole durability | - | Good | Good | Good | |
Breathability | - | Warm | Breathable | Warm | |
Toebox width at the widest part | Medium | Medium | Wide | Medium | |
Toebox width at the big toe | - | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
Stiffness | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | |
Difference in stiffness in cold | Normal | Small | Small | Small | |
Torsional rigidity | Moderate | Moderate | Stiff | Moderate | |
Heel counter stiffness | Stiff | Stiff | Moderate | Moderate | |
Rocker | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | |
Heel lab Heel brand | 31.4 mm 35.0 mm | 32.6 mm 34.0 mm | 32.7 mm 29.0 mm | 35.1 mm 35.0 mm | |
Forefoot lab Forefoot brand | 24.5 mm 27.0 mm | 26.2 mm 26.0 mm | 26.7 mm 23.0 mm | 26.6 mm 27.0 mm | |
Widths available | NormalWide | Normal | Normal | NormalWide | |
Orthotic-friendly | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Season | - | Winter | SummerAll seasons | All seasons | |
Removable-insole | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Ranking | #155 Top 35% | #3 Top 2% | #144 Bottom 45% | #137 Bottom 48% | |
Popularity | #171 Top 38% | #186 Bottom 30% | #152 Bottom 42% | #37 Top 14% |
Who should buy the Saucony Ride 15
The Ride 15 from Saucony is a daily trainer that's perfect for runners who:
- tackle easy to moderate short to long-distance runs
- prioritize comfort in their daily runs
- want a cushier, more forgiving version of the Saucony Ride 14
Who should NOT buy it
If you're looking to set PBs, don't get the Saucony Ride 15. We advise opting for the energetic Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 or the Saucony Kinvara 13 instead.
Saucony Ride 15 vs. 14
From the ground up, the Saucony Ride 15 has been reworked to take comfort up a notch and strip down the weight (1.7 oz / 48 g lighter). It has:
- a lot more cushioning (3mm more) for a plusher experience
- a contoured midsole that cradles the foot for a more stable ride
- an updated rubber placement on the forefoot and heel for traction and strength
- redesigned flex grooves for a more flexible ride
- new upper overlays and a snugger midfoot wrap for a supportive fit
Weight is as promised
Visually, it looks bulky with its maxed-out cushion. But in hand and on foot, the Saucony Ride 15 is strikingly light.
At 8.4 oz (238 g), it's more than an ounce lighter than most daily trainers with an average weight of 9.9 oz (281 g). This said the brand stays true to its promise.
For Saucony fans, think of the luxe cushion from the Triumph collection but with a little less weight.
One of the weight-saving factors is the minimal use of rubber on the outsole. The stripes are rather thin and are strategically placed in the areas that are most prone to abrasion.
The rubber layer is only 2.4 mm thick compared to the average of 3.5 mm of running shoes. While the rubber thickness is often associated with its durability, given the long shelf life of Saucony shoes in general, we expect it to last.
Keeps your feet free from strain and impact
Thanks to the shoe's copious cushion, its impact-dampening quality is just fabulous!
We measured the heel thickness of the Ride 15 at 31.4 mm which is near the average of our lab-tested shoes. Still, it puts the shoe into the max-cushioned category.
A generously padded insole also contributes to underfoot comfort and cushioning. It is 6.4 mm thick which is above the average 4.5 mm of running shoes.
In case you need to use custom orthotics, the insole is easily removable.
Runs smoothly but NOT for tempo runs
Contrary to past versions of the Saucony Ride, this iteration feels more rockered. So much so, that we felt like spending less energy to get from one step to the next.
But when it comes to speed, we found that the 15th edition of the Ride misses out on energy return. Picking up the pace felt like a bit of a drag.
Ride 15 is quite stable for a neutral shoe
For a neutral shoe, the Saucony Ride really impressed us with its steady platform. We believe that it comes from the combination of the midsole shape, the foam firmness, and the fact that our heels sit deeper inside the shoe.
Based on our caliper measurements of the platform, it is a little bit wider than average in the forefoot (114.8 mm).
For those with flat feet and overpronation, a dedicated stability shoe like Saucony Guide 15 is a better idea.
A big no-no for cold conditions
When it's freezing, the midsole stiffens up; it becomes as solid as a brick!
Once the foam is exposed to cold (like spending 20 minutes in the freezer), it becomes 26.7% stiffer.
The Saucony Ride 15 fits just right!
The Ride 15 holds the foot snugly like an ideal hug. And in the forefoot, there's ample space for the toes to wiggle and splay comfortably.
The shoe's got a nice average-width forefoot (96.0 mm) which can fit various foot shapes.
Gusseted tongue holds the foot in place
There is no shifting and sliding around with the gusseted tongue of the Ride 15. In addition, it's padded enough (4 mm) to prevent the shoe's rather rough laces from digging into the skin.
No issues with heel slippage
The heel area is nice and structured in this Saucony shoe. We gave it 4 out of 5 in our heel stiffness check. The collar and heel areas are nicely padded as well.
Your feet can breathe in the Ride 15
Because there are loads of perforations, especially in the forefoot area, this shoe is pretty breathable! Even under hot temps, it doesn't feel warm.
Remain visible in the dark
The Saucony logo as well as a few other pieces throughout the upper are made of reflective material.