Our verdict
With comfort and lightness in mind, the fifteenth version of the Saucony Ride nails it to a T! Experts even hail it as the "best Saucony Ride to date." As a workhorse, it's ready to make your short to long runs insanely comfy and easy with its plush cushion and smooth ride. Even more, it's got protection written all over it, so don't worry about achy feet and legs after racking up miles on the pavement.
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
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. Consider 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 which are most prone to abrasion.
The rubber layer is only 2.4 mm thick compared to the average of 3.6 mm among 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, the majority of reviewers swear by its impact-dampening quality.
We measured the heel thickness of the Ride 15 at 31.4 mm which is near the average of our lab-tested shoes (32.8 mm). 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 4.7 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," claimed multiple testers. So much so, that you don't have to spend so much energy to get from one step to the next.
But when it comes to speed, runners feel like the 15th edition of the Ride misses out on energy return. So much so, that it can feel like a drag when picking up the pace.
Ride 15 is quite stable for a neutral shoe
More than a few experienced runners have taken note of how steady the Ride's platform is. This is attributed to the midsole shape, the foam firmness and the fact that your heels sits deeper inside the shoe.
Indeed, the width of the platform is wider than average in the forefoot (114.8 mm over the average 111.9 mm). In addition, the parameters of the Ride 15 come pretty close to those of the Guide 15 (a stability version) with only 2.2 mm thinner in the heel and the forefoot.
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," according to the testers.
Even at regular room temperature, the Ride 15 appears to be on the firm side. Our durometer shows 22.5 HA which is stiffer than the average 29.8 HA. But 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!
Experts agree that the Ride 15 holds the foot snugly from the heel to the midfoot, "an ideal hug". And in the forefoot, there's ample space for the toes to wiggle and splay comfortably. One expert also notes that "the bunion gang should be pleased" in reference to the roomy toebox.
It's got a nice average-width forefoot (96.0 mm) which can fit various foot shapes. The average across our lab-tested shoes is 98.7 mm.
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. It receives 4 out of 5 in our heel stiffness check. The reviewers also find the collar and heel areas to be well-padded.
Your feet can breathe in the Ride 15
Because there are loads of perforations, especially in the forefoot area, everyone agrees that this shoe is "very 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.
| Saucony Ride 15 | Average | |
| Whole shoe |
||
| Weight (g) | 238 | 275 |
| Drop (mm) | 6.9 | 8.9 |
| Flexibility of the shoe (N) | 29.0 | 30.2 |
| Flexibility of the shoe (Freezer 20 min) (N) | 36.3 | 40.0 |
| Flexibility of the shoe (% of change) | 25.2 | 32.9 |
| Longitudinal flexibility (1-5 scale, 5 being the stiffest) | 3 | 3.4 |
| Torsional flexibility (1-5 scale, 5 being the stiffest) | 3 | 3.6 |
| Upper |
||
| Thickness - Tongue (mm) | 4.2 | 6.1 |
| Width Upper - Forefoot (mm) | 96.0 | 98.7 |
| Width Upper - Heel (mm) | 73.8 | 76.4 |
| Lace Stretch (1-5 scale, 5 being the most stretchy) | 4 | 2.6 |
| Flexibility of the heel counter (1-5 scale, 5 being the stiffest) | 4 | 3.1 |
| Tongue: gusset type | both sides (fully-gusseted) | - |
| Heel: pull tab | finger loop | - |
| Midsole |
||
| Width Midsole - Forefoot (mm) | 114.8 | 111.9 |
| Width Midsole - Heel (mm) | 85.4 | 89.0 |
| Stack - Forefoot with insole (mm) | 24.5 | 24.1 |
| Stack - Heel with insole (mm) | 31.4 | 32.8 |
| Durometer Midsole Heel (Room temperature) (HA) | 22.5 | 29.8 |
| Outsole |
||
| Outsole thickness (Heel) (mm) | 2.4 | 3.6 |
| Lugs Depth (mm) | - | 3.4 |
| Durometer Outsole Heel (Room temperature) (HC) | 82.5 | 81.2 |
| Insole | ||
| Insole Heel Thickness (mm) | 6.4 | 4.7 |
| Insole: removable | yes | - |
