Saucony Guide 16 vs Ride 17: Which One? (2024 Comparison)
The Saucony Guide and Ride are very similar in appearance. They have a similar design and the same stack height and drop (35 mm in the heel and 27 mm in the forefoot for a heel-to-toe drop of 8 mm).
This configuration offers comfortable cushioning for long, leisurely runs or in preparation for a long race like a marathon. The upper fit is precise for a secure foot lockdown. Last but not least, both shoes are high quality and similarly priced.
Now let’s see where they differ.
The main difference lies in the support type of these models. As its name suggests, the Guide is designed to guide the foot to prevent overpronation. This is what we call stability shoes.
The Ride 17, on the other hand, offers neutral support, and while very stable, it doesn’t feature any gait corrective features to prevent your foot from rolling as you run.
Surprisingly, the Guide is lighter than the Ride, with a difference of around 0.7 oz / 20 grams (usually, it’s the other way around, with stability shoes being heavier).
However, although it’s heavier, the Saucony Ride has a more responsive ride, making it ideal for faster sessions such as tempo training. This is undoubtedly due to its TPU-based PWRRUN+ foam, which is more responsive and delivers more bounce.
Guide or Ride: Which One Should You Pick?
As you can see, the choice between these two models depends, above all, on your type of pronation and your need for support. Supinators and neutral runners will opt for the Ride, while overpronators will choose the Guide.
However, if you’re an overpronator and need more bounce, you can still try the Ride, as it offers good stability. Remember that it’s always possible to use neutral shoes for overpronators and, if necessary, add orthopedic inserts for more personalized guidance.
Side-By-Side Comparison Table
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9.2  |
9.3  |
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|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Description | The Saucony Ride 17 is a highly versatile running shoe that runners love for daily training. | |
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8.5
9.5
9.5
9
9.5
9
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9.5
9
9.5
9.5
9
9.5
9
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| Facts | ||
| Terrain | Road | Road |
| Support | Overpronation (stability) | Neutral |
| Heel stack height | 35 mm | 35 mm |
| Forefoot stack height | 27 mm | 27 mm |
| Heel-to-toe drop | 8 mm | 8 mm |
| Weight (men) | 269 g | 270 g |
| Weight (women) | 235 g | 238 g |
| Features | Vegan, Heavy runner, Recycled materials, Rocker | |
| Athletes | ||
| Release year | 2022 | 2024 |
| Technologies | ||
| Outsole | XT900 Rubber | |
| Midsole | PWRRUN+ | |
| Upper | FORMFIT | |
| Cushioning | ||
| Cushioning | Balanced | |
| Responsiveness | Low | Medium |
| Use | ||
| Distance | Mid|10K|Half marathon|Long|Marathon | Mid, 10K, Half marathon, Long, Marathon |
| Speed | Slow|Moderate | Slow, Moderate |
| Workouts | Daily running | Daily running |
