Saucony Ride 19 Review: Benchmark Daily Trainer? (2026)
Every brand has its “best-seller.” Mizuno has the Wave Rider, New Balance the 1080. At Saucony, it’s the Ride. But the situation is not so clear-cut. The dazzling success of the Endorphin range (notably the Speed) is reshuffling the cards.
Moreover, popularity does not always equate to quality: some versions are mere “copy-paste” of the previous year’s edition without real innovation.
What about this new Saucony Ride 19? Does it deserve a place in your rotation? Can it suit your daily sessions?
This is what we will see with this complete field test.
Why trust me?
With a personal record of 2 h 38 in the marathon and significant weekly training volume, I have the opportunity to test numerous running shoe models to aid my practice.
I conducted my field test of the Saucony Ride 19 on various types of sessions to evaluate their comfort and running sensations. Additionally, I also consulted other runners of different levels to validate my feelings and ensure that my recommendations are useful to as many runners as possible.
Our verdict
Very good versatile running shoes to tackle all training scenarios.
- 9.3 oz/263 g (in men’s size 42)
- PWRRUN+
- Height: 36 mm (heel), 28 mm (forefoot)
- Drop: 8 mm
- Training for all distances
It’s not easy to find the right balance between satisfying fans and introducing novelties for such a popular series as the Ride. This is the case here: we have a Saucony Ride 19 that does not upset the series.
We have the same TPU PWRRUN+ foam, even if the brand promises a new formula softer and more responsive. In practice, I found the sensation quite similar to the version 18: very well balanced, between firmness and softness, for a great and pleasan ride.
Shock absorption is excellent and should allow you to push the distance regardless of your profile (e.g. weight, experience).
The FORMFIT engineered mesh upper features the main changes and continues to offer a very good fit and comfort on par with previous versions.
Finally, the XT-900 carbon rubber’s new arrangement results in greater durability and equally good traction on urban surfaces (even wet ones).
In summary, the Saucony Ride 19 continues to establish itself as one of the best 2026 shoes for daily training.
Pros
- Relevant shoe for beginners as well as advanced runners
- Stable shoe for a safe ride
- Very comfortable and well-fitted upper
- Suitable for all types of training sessions
- Significant cushioning for all distances
Cons
- Some testers would have liked more modernity and changes, particularly in the foam
Cushioning
The brand reiterates the PWRRUN + TPU foam for the midsole, a durable material that ensures good longevity. However, Saucony announces a new less dense and softer formula.
It’s hard for me to compare with the version 18, as it has accumulated miles over the past year. But from my memory, I find the sensation very close, with a very well-balanced feel (between firmness and softness).
The shoe is indeed a bit softer than the v18, but it’s marginal. The ride should suit a very large number of runners thanks to the very good comfort of the run.
Dimensions slightly change with 36 mm under the heel and 28 mm under the forefoot (+1 mm). Without reaching the maximalism of some models, the cushioning is substantial and should suit all runner profiles for long distances and accumulating miles in training.
For the rest, the shoe’s geometry evolves very little (if not at all).
Same goes for the drop which remains at 8 mm. It’s a classic configuration that makes this model accessible (no particular adaptation needed).
Energy Return
At 263 g in size 42, the Saucony Ride 19 is about the same weight as the previous version and remains within the norm of current standards.
Even if it’s a new formula, the TPU PWRRUN+ foam is starting to age, which is a point raised by several testers.
It’s true that Saucony has more advanced new-generation foams and this is certainly an area for improvement for version 20. Nonetheless, the shoe offers good reactivity, slightly better than the v18.
Moreover, the rocker ensures smooth and quick transitions.
In short, the Ride 19 is capable of accommodating a wide range of paces.
Support and Stability
The shoe is neutral and has no technology to stabilize the stride and prevent overpronation.
Nevertheless, effective traction and precise fit ensure good stability for a safe ride.
Foot Lockdown
The upper uses FORMFIT technology (like in the v18) but is now in technical mesh.
The brand claims it’s more breathable, more elastic, and more comfortable – but what about in practice?
I can confirm better breathability. The upper offers very good ventilation without sacrificing coverage in cold weather (ideal for running year-round regardless of the weather).
However, some testers found the openings on the upper too large, allowing dirt and small stones to get in. This was not my experience, but I wanted to point it out.
It is true that I stayed on the road – I did not push the shoe on muddy or more technical terrains.
The fit was already elastic on the v18, and it’s even more so on this Ride 19, allowing for excellent fit. The fabric wraps the foot well and stretches over time to avoid compressing it too much.
While I agree with the brand on breathability and elasticity, the comfort is exactly the same as on the v18 for me. This is not a criticism, by the way: it was already very good.
The tongue is gusseted (appreciable for a shoe at this price) and it stays in place (no slipping expected).
The rigid heel counter keeps it well in place and the flat laces also contribute to a very good foot lock.
You can easily keep the shoe on for a long time because you feel so good in it.
What about the size? As often, there are sometimes contradictory opinions. Some note too much space in the forefoot, while others find the shoe too narrow.
My opinion? The sizing is totally classic, and you can take your usual size. Furthermore, the elastic upper adapts to a wide variety of feet.
Traction
I found the outsole durable on the previous version, but this was not everyone’s experience. It obviously depends on the foot strike and weight.
The rubber is the same (XT-900 carbon), so we can expect similar remarks in the coming months.
The arrangement is different, but it doesn’t change much in terms of traction, which remains very good. Even on wet surfaces, grip is impeccable.
Also note the numerous micro-grooves that ensure good flexibility to the sole.
This shoe is mainly used on paved roads, but it also performs very well on non-technical trails (e.g., gravel, dry dirt).
Use Scenarios
The versatility is obviously the big strength of the Saucony Ride 19.
From recovery runs at an easy pace to more demanding interval sessions, you can confidently consider all training scenarios.
The shoe is very pleasant at a moderate pace and the responsiveness allows for acceleration when necessary. The very good shock absorption allows extending the distance without constraint up to traditional long runs.
As often, some mention a lack of protection for heavier runners. But it is necessary to relativize and remember that a few years ago, the Ride 19 would have been one of the highest shoes on the market with a 36 mm stack.
Thus, I don’t think there are any restrictions in terms of runner profile (e.g., level, weight): it is more about preference for the sensation at impact.
Limitations
Unsurprisingly, we find the two usual limits on this type of shoe:
- The Ride is less relevant for sharp accelerations (e.g., sprint repetitions)
- It’s not the best option for competition if you’re looking for performance. You’ll find much faster models (but also more expensive ones like the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2.
In any case, the Ride 19 will be more than sufficient for the majority of runners, especially if speed is not your number 1 criterion.
Quality and Durability
I did not personally observe it, but some runners complained about the durability of the outsole on the v18.
This obviously depends on the stride, runner’s weight, training surfaces, etc.
For this Saucony Ride 19, I haven’t yet read any negative comments on this point, nor have I noticed any premature wear. The rubber thus seems very resistant (we will update the article if necessary).
The TPU foam is known for its longevity and the upper is also robust.
Durability is therefore very good and gives the Ride 19 an excellent quality-price ratio.
Finally, the shoe is partially made from recycled materials (but the proportion is undoubtedly low as it is not specified) and has no animal material (vegan).
Saucony Ride 18 vs 19
We can note as novelties:
- A new upper for a more precise fit and better comfort
- New PWRRUN+ foam formula for more softness
- New rubber arrangement on the outsole
- 1mm increase in stack
In all transparency, the two versions are very close and you can buy one or the other depending on promotions. The only point that could play is the better durability, but this does not concern all runners.
Wrapping up…
The Saucony Ride 19 will appeal to runners who loved the previous version as these two iterations are similar. This is actually the only real point that can be criticized. A new foam would, for example, have been welcome.
Nonetheless, the shoe remains an excellent option for daily training and has the advantage of being able to suit the vast majority of runners. One of the best options in 2026 for your daily sessions!
Facts
Technical Specs
| Terrain | Road |
| Pronation type | Neutral |
| Drop | 8 mm |
| Heel height | 36 mm |
| Forefoot height | 28 mm |
| Weight (men) | 263 g/9.3 oz |
| Weight (women) | 246 g/8.7 oz |
| Features | Vegan, Recycled materials, Rocker |
| Athletes | |
| Release year | 2026 |
| Price | Check prices |
Cushioning
| Softness | Balanced |
| Responsiveness | Medium |
Technologies
| Outsole | XT-900 |
| Midsole | PWRRUN+ |
| Upper | Engineered Mesh |
Use
| Speed | Slow, Moderate |
| Distance | Short, 5K, Mid, 10K, Half marathon, Long, Marathon |
| Workout | Daily running |
Reference: official site
