Saucony Ride 18 Multi Tester Review with 7 Comparisons

Article by Sam Winebaum and Sally Reiley

Saucony Journey 18 ($140)

Introduction

Sam: The Journey has historically been Saucony’s workhorse, impartial, every day throughout street coach and stays so right here with its18th version.

reasonably stacked, at 35mm heel / 27mm forefoot, at the least in comparison with the present “max” tendencies

underneath 10 oz at 9.7 oz / 275g in a US9, a small weight drop

Pretty priced at $140

It checks many containers for me however how does it run? Please learn on for Sally and my take.

Execs and Cons

Execs:

Versatile every day coach: decently gentle, decently energetic, any tempo pleasant, nice worth: Sam/Sally

Snug and pleasing throughout: from easy becoming higher to forgiving midsole: Sam/Sally

Dependable and constantly stable and sturdy: Sally

Cons:

Miss the extra decisive forefoot response of Rides off yesteryears

Whereas an 8mm drop shoe. the heel feels low and particularly at slower paces, seemingly as a consequence of delicate foam: Sam/Sally

PWRRUN+ continues to be a fantastic driving foam however in 2025 many opponents will transfer to extra energetic lighter PEBA, TPEE and eTPU foams in trainers in its class.

Most comparable sneakers

Diadora Cellula

New Steadiness 1080 v14

Adidas Supernova Rise 2

Adidas Supernova Prima

Please discover the testers full run bios on the finish of the article after Comparisons.

Stats

Approx. Weight: males’s 9.7 oz / 275g

Pattern Weight: males’s 9.35oz / 265g US8.5 ( Prior Model males’s 9.63 oz / 273g US8.5

girls’s 8.1 oz / 231 g US W8 (prior model 8.8 oz / 252 g US W8)

Stack Peak: males’s 35 mm heel / 27mm forefoot, 8mm drop identical as Journey 17)

Platform Width: 90mm heel / 70mm midfoot / 110mm forefoot (US M8.5)

$140. Accessible now at Saucony HERE

First Impressions, Match and Higher

Sam: The colorway, no different phrases to explain it: conventional and conservative, elegant and fashionable. No garish or brilliant colours and in addition no darkish tones. The distinction between the army olive inexperienced and really slight off white says critical objective and self-discipline to me. Saucony does an attractive job with this colorway and their extra vibrant and colourful ones. A increase for the visible and colours designers I saY!

The higher is fabricated from a fairly skinny and reasonably delicate engineered mesh but it’s nicely structured by its variable density. Proper up entrance I’ll say the foothold is safer for my slim to medium quantity ft than the extra deluxe Endorphin Coach (RTR Evaluation) we simply reviewed.One can clearly see within the photograph beneath the relative bagginess of the Endorphin Coach toe field and its peak in comparison with the Journey’s.

It puzzles me why manufacturers at greater value factors than right here over plush, over soften, over quantity normal D width dimension uppers. It might be that at the least for the Coach initially there received’t be extensive sizing whereas with the Journey 18 there might be 2E extensive sizing with the concept to accommodate a variety of foot volumes. Regardless, the visible and preliminary step in really feel of an higher is for me much less essential than its efficiency on the run and right here we now have one fantastic higher.

The toe field is nicely held and cozy.

It has average width and quantity in my D width for my narrower to medium ft.

The tongue is reasonably padded with a stout gusset. I significantly just like the wire lace loops which permit easy and straightforward lace up.

Midfoot maintain is great.

The heel counter is inflexible and extends fairly far ahead with the collars nicely padded and tying in excellent to the lace up, a weak spot of the Endorphin Coach for me. Heel maintain is great however I believe general the heel counter might be made a contact much less inflexible and obtain the identical stable maintain with elevated rear consolation.

In comparison with the Journey 17 with its awkward plasticky midfoot panel the Journey 18 has a a lot smoother pulled collectively and safe match for me.

Sally: I’ve been a fan of the tried and true Saucony RIDE line for various years now; I additionally recall that Molly Seidel wore the RIDE as her workhorse every day coach again within the day.

My girls’s pair got here in a basic vanilla shade with gold accents, engaging and easy and universally pleasing. Step in really feel is straight away snug, and the sizing is refreshingly true to dimension with a midfoot of average width – not overly extensive (as within the Endorphin Coach) and but additionally not too slim. This matches my barely slim girl’s foot properly and the general maintain is snug and safe. It’s a pleasure to not expertise any scorching spots in any way after a number of respectable runs.

Every part about this easy higher works nicely. Like Sam, I additionally observed the welcome utility of the wire lace loops, contributing to the straightforward and safe match. There may be simply sufficient plush all through with out being overly plush.

Midsole & Platform

Sam: The midsole foam continues with PWRRUN+, an expanded beads TPU foam that isn’t supercritical however will get shut with a delicate really feel and respectable vitality return. With many 2025 trainers shifting to supercritical foams with their greater vitality “returns” at $140 we’re on the border when it comes to pricing for sneakers with the newer foams. I might need wished for a similar right here however the midsole is simply fantastic with a full of life journey and loads of cushion.

The platform stays at what’s nowadays a average stack peak of 35mm on the heel and 27mm on the forefoot with an 8mm drop. I are inclined to desire such simply sub max stack heights as these sneakers are typically extra versatile and extra agile than these with over 30mm on the forefoot and that’s the case with the Journey 18.

I did discover the heel a bit decrease driving at slower paces than the 8mm drop would point out I believe because of the comparatively delicate foam

Backside Line: The midsole delivers a extra conventional journey within the sense that it’s comparatively low stack and better drop with a extra versatile and agile forefoot really feel than the latest and greater stack supercritical foam sneakers have. It has loads of cushion and respectable if not excellent vitality return. For positive a impartial shoe, in the event you want extra pronation help head over to the Saucony Information

Sally: The earlier mannequin the RIDE 17 made the change to PWRRUN+ foam for the midsole, and that’s what we discover right here within the RIDE 18. There’s a good nicely cushioned detachable insole (additionally PWRRUN+) that contributes to the considerably delicate underfoot really feel. Runners preferring to swap out the producer’s insole for their very own customized footbeds will recognize this characteristic.

I discover the journey refreshingly conventional with average however ample cushioning and average but ample responsiveness. It’s steady impartial however feels a bit extra on the steadiness facet to me. There may be loads of flex with no stiff plate or loopy firmness to it, including to the flexibility of this shoe as a put on it to the health club shoe after your run.

Outsole

Sam: The outsole has loads of protection in all the suitable locations and may show sturdy. There may be sufficient patterning in a flat lugged design to offer good traction.

Saucony Journey 17 outsole

There may be extra in depth entrance outsole protection within the 18 than the 17 with a flex level in the direction of the midfoot. This offered me with a barely extra steady and responsive toe off than the 17 and one extra paying homage to Rides of previous however one not fairly as decisive as these older variations..

Sally: The rubber protection of the outsole proved to do its job for me, quietly and with loads of grip on moist surfaces. I can guess it’s going to show to be a really sturdy outsole as nicely; RIDEs have been recognized to final lots of of miles. This outsole checks all of the containers for me: traction/grip, sturdiness, and quiet footstrikes.

Journey, Conclusions and Suggestions

Sally: The RIDE continues to be a stable dependable impartial every day coach that matches comfortably with out overdone plushness. It performs nicely on the run with out the bells and whistles of carbon plates and tremendous foams. This can be a reliable workhorse of a every day coach that responds properly to quicker paces however excels on these every day runs of average mileage. The PWRRUN+ midsole provides some snappiness and pep to the equation, and the higher has been refined to be the very best but : safe and cozy.

RIDE lovers of the previous will proceed to like this new model, as a result of if it ain’t broke, don’t repair it. Saucony merely tweaked it to make it a hair higher. I do not know after I began to consider $140 as a lower-priced operating shoe, but it surely appears cheap and a very good worth relative to others in the marketplace. All in all, nothing dramatic right here however I believe the RIDE 18 stays a stable choose within the impartial every day coach class.

Sally’s rating: 9.1 / 10.0

Journey (50%): 8.6 Match (30%): 9.6 Worth (15%): 9.8 Model (5%): 9.4

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Sam: As Sally says “if it ain’t broke, don’t repair it” however.. In an more and more aggressive market the place even sneakers at its $140 value level are getting extra energetic foams and lighter weights for equal stacks, a supercritical midsole foam would have moved the Journey additional into the longer term.

Don’t get me incorrect, the PWRRUN+ foam continues to be stable in being delicate and bouncy but it surely lacks the faster return of the brand new foams corresponding to Hoka’s supercritical EVA within the Bondi 9 or adidas Dreamstrike + within the comparable Supernova Rise 2, the upcoming Salomon Power Foam EVO of their Aero sequence, to not converse of Puma’s Nitro sneakers in on this value vary.

I discovered the rear of the shoe overly delicate, even low and particularly at slower paces, regardless of the 8mm drop and loads of rubber on the heel. I seemingly have been spoiled by the equally delicate however faster responding newer foams. As my tempo picked up, this sensation subsided fairly a bit as I received extra in the direction of the entrance of shoe. Whereas not fairly the response off the entrance of Rides of a number of years in the past we nonetheless have that agile versatile really feel with the rubber offering a pleasant pop.

At its cheap $140 value level, Saucony for positive invested within the higher right here. At this value level you would possibly get nice foam however a so-so higher however not so right here. It’s very good in match (and appears) and a giant enchancment over the unusually mid foot paneled 17’s higher which simply didn’t have as easy and safe a match.

All in all of the Journey stays true to its versatile throughout every day coaching ethos for its 18 version. It’s a fantastic alternative: dependable, snug, refined. Sure it might be lighter and extra energetic with newer foams however for now loyalists and people in search of a dependable coaching companion might be happy with this replace.

Sam’s Rating: 9/10

Deductions for now much less aggressive weight at its stack peak and associated its nonetheless fantastic driving however more and more dated midsole foam.

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7 Comparisons

Saucony Triumph 22 (RTR Evaluation)

Sam: The Triumph has a barely greater heel stack stack and identical forefoot so is at a10mm drop with for the 22 getting PWRRUN Pb supercritical foam as a substitute of the prior PWRRUN+ foam. It sits on a broader platform by 5mm and mixed with its greater heel weighs, a heftier 10.5 oz / 296g US8.5. All in all as a consequence of its extra energetic foam I desire it to the Journey 18 even with its appreciable 1 oz plus weight penalty.

New Steadiness 1080 v14 (RTR Evaluation)

Sally: (W8 in each) Each of those are stable and reliable impartial every day coach workhorses, with the up to date NB 1080 V14 a heftier shoe (8.5 oz vs 8.1 oz) with the next stack (38/30mm vs 35/27 mm) than the RIDE 18. Each match comfortably and will be worn for any paces in need of the quicker tempos. The 1080 has a firmer midsole and fewer softness underfoot, which implies the NB will get my vote if I’ve to decide on one over the opposite. However actually, each are nice choices for a do-it-all coach.

Diadora Cellula (RTR Evaluation)

Sam: With barely greater weight at 9.56 oz / 271g US8.5 and decrease heel peak at 33 mm heel however with at a 5mm drop the Diadora’s non supercritical Anima foam outperforms PWRRUN+ with a extra constant much less mushy really feel and a faster return. The heel is extra steady and fewer low feeling even with its 5mm drop vs.the 8mm for the Journey and it flows extra easily with much less shock vibration transmitted.

Salomon Aero Glide 3 (RTR Evaluation quickly)

Sam: Powered by a model new supercritical TPU foam and far lighter at 8.5 oz / 241g US8.5 on the next 40/32 stack peak, the Spring 2025 Salomon has a extra energetic and extra deeply and successfully cushioned journey. Sure, at $160 it’s considerably dearer however is totally fashionable and thrilling coach. Its higher is comparable in match though the Saucony’s is a little more safe.

Hoka Clifton 10 (RTR Evaluation quickly)

Sam: Just one run in however the now 8mm drop Clifton 10 has a extra steady heel, equally fantastic if barely decrease quantity higher and a duller journey than the Journey 17. Its EVA is but extra dated in really feel than the PWRRUN+ expanded bead TPU of the Journey. The newest Cifton in a giant shock is sort of a light-weight stability shoe in its construct and really feel and so is extra steady than the Journey.

361 Eleos (RTR Evaluation)

Sam: One of many massive surprises of 2024 the $145 Eleos has a brilliant enjoyable, softer and energetic PEBA/EVA foam mix midsole sitting on a barely greater than the Journey 36/30 platform which can be broader which additionally helps clarify its greater weight. Its higher can’t contact the Journey 18 being fairly broad and considerably saggy however in normal D width will match broader ft higher, noting the Journey 18 can be out there in 2E extensive.

Adidas Supernova Rise 2 (RTR Evaluation)

Sam: Lghter at 260g / 9.17 oz US8.5 on an analogous however decrease forefoot 35.5mm heel / 25.5mm platform, the Rise 2 is clearly extra steady on the rear of the shoe and considerably thinner and much less agile and versatile upfront. Each have very good true to dimension uppers and are priced the identical.

That mentioned the adidas has a extra energetic supercritical foam midsole however one whose journey really feel is extra constrained and “critical” as a consequence of its underfoot hardened EVA Help Rods. The Journey 18 is extra enjoyable and fewer prescriptive if much less steady and with a decrease feeling heel. That mentioned in the event you want a contact of stability the Rise 2 is a better option.

Index to all RTR evaluations: HERE

Buying at our companions for the Journey 18 is far appreciated and helps help RoadTrailRun

RIDE 18 AVAILABLE NOW AT SAUCONY

Tester Profiles

Sam is the Editor and Founding father of Highway Path Run. He’s in his 60’s with 2024 Sam’s 52th yr of operating roads and trails. He has a many years previous 2:28 marathon PR. Nowadays he runs halves within the simply sub 1:40 vary if he will get very, very fortunate. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week principally at average paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, mountaineering or on nordic skis. He’s 5’9” tall and weighs about 160 lbs, if he isn’t having fun with too many fantastic New England IPA’s.

Sally is a lifelong runner and mom of 5 who agreed in opposition to her higher judgment to run her first marathon at age 54; she has since run the previous eleven Boston Marathons, three NYC Marathons, two Chicagos, and one London with the WMM Six Star Medal now in her sights (Berlin in 2025). With a Boston PR of three:25:55 in 2022 (ninth place in AG) and three consecutive 2nd place in Age Group awards in NYC, she has competed in a number of Abbott WMM Age Group World Championships and positioned sixth on the earth in W 60-64 when she ran an all-time PR of three:24:02 at age 63 on the 2022 London Marathon. She additionally competes in USATF races of all distances with the Better Lowell Highway Runners crew. So as to add which means to her Boston Marathon races she runs with Crew Eye and Ear and has raised over $320,000 for Massachusetts Eye and Ear Hospital. Sally stands tall at 5’2’’ and 105 kilos, and lives in Marblehead, MA the place she trains outside yr spherical. She blames her love of snowboarding out West for any and all Boston Marathon coaching challenges.

Samples had been offered at no cost for evaluate functions. RoadTrail Run has affiliate partnerships and should earn fee on merchandise bought by way of buying hyperlinks on this article. These partnerships don’t affect our editorial content material. The opinions herein are fully the authors’.

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