SHOE REVIEW: Saucony Ride 17

The Ride 17 from Saucony is one of the brand’s best versions of the Ride to date. And here’s why.

In recent years, the Ride series from Saucony has wrestled with an identity crisis, struggling to find its place among the brand’s extensive lineup of everyday trainers. However, the new Ride 17 is a significant upgrade from its predecessor, boasting a new complete PWRRUN+ midsole that prioritizes comfort and enhances energy return. From the moment I slipped the Ride 17 on, I’ve been enamoured of them. Whether it’s speed workouts, easy runs, or simply strolling around during my lunch break, these shoes have exceeded my expectations. With their unmatched comfort and plush feel, it’s like walking on clouds with every step.

Specs

Category: Neutral Cushioning
Weight: 282 grams (men’s 9), 238 grams (women’s 8)
Drop: 8 mm
Price: $179.99
Release date: Now

Upper

The Ride 17 showcases a new mesh upper designed to prioritize breathability and comfort, ensuring a cool and comfy feel. Saucony has constructed a lighter upper to enhance airflow, keeping your feet feeling fresh. You may want to save the Ride 17  for dry days since the perforations at the front let water in easily. The upper is characterized by a flexible plastic midfoot wrap, delivering a snug yet comfortable lockdown that securely holds your foot throughout your run.

In contrast to its predecessor, the Ride 17’s upper is more flexible and comfortable while maintaining essential support. The heel collar may feel slightly stiff at first, but it won’t impede your performance. The Ride 17’s wide forefoot design accommodates various foot shapes, allowing for natural toe splay and ensuring a comfortable fit. My only issue with the shoe is the lacing system, which requires a bit of effort to tighten snugly, due to the padding on the tongue. 

Midsole

The Ride 17 made a big transition from PWRRUN to PWRRUN+, shedding weight while enhancing energy return for the runner. The PWRRUN+ foam midsole is engineered to deliver a blend of plush cushioning and responsiveness, ensuring each stride feels effortlessly light and springy. I found that the new midsole is the standout feature of the shoe. Despite a slight increase in weight compared to its predecessor, the Ride 17 offers a softer and bouncier ride, making it well suited for both short and long-distance runs, plus tempo efforts. Additionally, the transitions from midfoot to forefoot feel smooth, aided by a subtle rocker which helps push each stride forward. I felt like the new midsole added pop to the shoe that it didn’t previously have, making the shoe a little more versatile.

Outsole

Going hand-in-hand with the upgraded midsole is the shoe’s increased outsole coverage, which provides enhanced protection and durability for various running surfaces. There’s a noticeable increase in rubber coverage in comparison to the Ride 16, and more rubber in high ground-contact points to give the shoe more durability and longevity.

I’ve put around 120 kilometres on the Ride 17 so far this year, and they still feel brand new. I consider it a reliable and durable option for daily training.

Verdict

I recommend you go to your local running shop and give the new Ride 17 a try. It is the perfect shoe for someone looking for something they can use for pretty much everything. It is a major improvement from the previous version and combines everything that is currently working for Saucony into one shoe. The Ride 17 also has a high drop, making it suitable for less experienced runners and/or heel strikers, and the foam is not too squishy, unlike some of its high-stack competitors. With its responsive midsole, comfortable upper and durable outsole, the Ride 17 is a great choice for a do-everything daily trainer.