Saucony Ride 15 Review Analysis (2022)

Last update: October 2023

A tried and true staple shoe for daily runing, the Saucony Ride 15 is comfortable, versatile, and stable.

The Consensus

Saucony Ride 15 Complete Review Analysis

Introduction

What’s the future for the Saucony Ride 15? Does the brand’s cruiser give just the right amount of mileage? That’s the question that we should ask ourselves, considering the impressive success of the Endorphin series covering all running sessions (training, uptempo, and competition). We shouldn’t dismiss the Kinvara either; it gets lighter with more cushioning every year.

Without giving it all away at once, it’s clear that Saucony has done a tremendous amount of work on this new Ride and still holds its place in the brand’s series.

Lighter, softer, and with more cushioning with a complete redesign, it seems like it has it all. Or almost. We reveal all you need to know.

Cushioning

Although it retains the same name, we’re dealing with a new PWRRUN foam on the Saucony Ride 15, and it’s clear that this blend of EVA foam and polyurethane (TPU) has undergone some major changes. Indeed, testers note that they feel lighter, almost airy, and softer. In addition, the insole uses PWRRUN+, a different foam found on the brand’s competition models.

With a whopping 35 mm heel stack height and 27 mm forefoot, the Saucony Ride 15 has a serious touch of maximal cushion to offer protection rather than response. Not that the shoe is entirely soft, but it’s certainly not an Endorphin Pro 2 (or even a Shift 2). The extra 3 mm sole gives better shock absorption to run comfortably longer.

The shoe’s heel-to-toe drop is 8 mm, just like the Saucony Ride 14. This medium drop level makes it an excellent choice suited to an entire caliber of runners.

What about the energy return? Read on to find out!

Foot lockdown (upper)

The Ride’s upper is the part that changes the least from the 13 and 14 previous versions — made up of a double-layered engineered mesh with multiple perforations to facilitate breathability in the shoe.

The design has few overlays but provides a precise and comfortable foot lockdown. Notably, we found the A-Strap, (a strap taken from the Endorphin Pro 2) gives a better lock into the foot (in red on the photos). This contributes to the exceptional stability of the shoe.

In addition, the shoe fits properly, neither too big nor too small. The Toe Box is wider than in the past, reassuring runners who have wide feet and need more volume in the front.

The rigid heel counter design feature won’t be a people pleaser for those with Achilles tendon injuries.

Despite its bulky appearance, the shoe is lighter than previous models. With only 250 g/8.8 oz in the men’s model and 221 g/7.8 oz in the women’s version, we are talking about a weight reduction of 30 g/1.06 oz, which can be noticeable.

Grip and durability

Both of the features usually change the least from the previous version. Still, it looks like Saucony decided to shake things up a bit and continue building on the Endorphin series’s success by redefining the sole design.

There’s a lot less resistant rubber with more exposed midsole PWRRUN foam. This could impact long-term durability, but it’s hard to quantify right now. The good news is that runners who tested the shoe did not see any signs of wear after several longer runs, which is reassuring.

The traction has nothing worth reporting: the grip is decent enough even on wet surfaces.

This new sole design shows a guiding line to enable better foot rolling and stabilize the stride, a feature found in several Asics series. This can help reassure runners with a slight overpronation that they can get their hands on a shoe with a stable ride without opting for a specific support model (and we get that).

Lastly, testers noted that the flex grooves are shallower, resulting in a stiffer configuration with a slight rocking motion for smoother transitions.

The ride

The Saucony Ride 15 is a shoe for daily running and long runs. The new, lighter, softer construction makes it even more comfortable and smoother.

The shoe “disappears under the foot,” in one runner’s words while offering considerable protection and cushioning.

However, don’t confuse fluidity with bounce. The Saucony Ride 15 is lively, but don’t expect a trampoline effect like the Nike Vaporfly “super shoes.” There’s none of that here. The stable shoe offers an enjoyable ride, exactly what you need from it.

Conclusion

The Saucony Ride 15 is the ultimate daily trainer, and this new version brings more lightness and comfort to make it the best vintage in the series so far.

Impressive progress, right? With new cushioning, rubber, and upper technologies, you get the privilege of running in a reliable daily trainer for the same weight as a competition shoe from 5 years ago.

This new Ride offers comfort and versatility, suits all levels, and adapts to different types of sessions, even if long runs at a medium pace remain its top use.

Facts

Technical Specs

Cushioning

Technologies

Use

Reference: Saucony

Comparisons – Saucony Ride 15 vs.:

Saucony Ride 14

The Ride 15 is lighter and softer than the 14. Its cushioning is also more generous, with a 35 mm heel stack height compared to the 32 mm on the Ride 14. The Ride 15 heel-to-toe drop remains the same at 8 mm.

Flexibility is a major highlight. The 15 is less flexible under the forefoot. This advantage gives more structure for a slight rocker movement, allowing for an easier ride. However, this is a matter of preference: some runners prefer a sole that bends with movement.

Overall, testers felt that the Saucony Ride 15 was a clear improvement and the best model in the series so far.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)