Saucony Ride 13 Shoe Review
Simple, Reliable, Distraction-Free Running
Likes
- Versatility
- Lightweight mesh upper
- Adaptable fit
Dislikes
- Low on underfoot protection
- Minimal energy return
What's New
The Saucony Ride 13 features a new PWRRUN midsole that offers a balanced blend of responsiveness and cushion. This combination provides a smooth running experience that will keep runners comfortable no matter the distance. With the introduction of a FormFIT upper design, the Ride 13 accommodates a variety of different foot shapes and running gaits. For added durability, Saucony has added carbon rubber to the outsole, so runners can continue to enjoy the ride for many kilometres to come.
The Bottom Line
Designed with a nice balance of comfort and performance features, the Saucony Ride 13 accommodates a variety of runners, as well as a broad range of running goals. This versatile everyday training shoe performs equally as well on short, uptempo runs as it does on long, slow jogs. The Ride 13's FormFIT upper is lightweight, breathable, and most importantly, comfortable for a variety of different foot shapes. Runners with highly specific training goals may prefer a shoe with more catered performance features. But that being said, the Saucony Ride 13 is a very reliable everyday option that runners can trust to get them where they're going comfortably.
Shoe Performance
Softness i
Ride/Energy Return i
Underfoot Protection i
Flexibility i
Upper Support i
Specifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium | Height: Medium | |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium | |
| Heel Width | Medium | |
| Arch Height | Medium |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 9.9 oz (size 9) | Women's: 8.6 oz (size 8) | |
| Stack Height | 28 mm (Heel), 20 mm (Forefoot) | |
| Terrain | Road | |
| Stability | Neutral | |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softness i
The Saucony Ride 13 scored almost right down the middle on our softness scale. This balanced approach may not meet the needs of runners with stronger preferences for softness, but the Ride 13 is a great option for those who enjoy a simple shoe that can answer the call for just about every training run.
Jonathan: "The Ride 13 strikes a balance between being soft enough to deliver comfort at heel strike and firm enough to feel fast as I pick up the pace."
Mark: "The underfoot cushioning leans toward the softer side. It wasn't the softest shoe by any means, but also wasn't very firm."
Ride/Energy Return i
Balance is once again the trend as the PWRRUN midsole delivers an even combination of energy return and cushioning. The Ride 13 offers a carefree ride that enables runners to cruise through their training runs. This shoe is an excellent option for those new to the running world and is a welcome addition to the more advanced runner's shoe rotation.
Jonathan: "Again, the Ride 13 is very balanced. It doesn't zap your energy, but it also doesn't feel snappy. The middle-of-the-road feel is just right for logging kilometres at a variety of paces."
Mark: "This shoe didn't have a crazy amount of spring, but it didn't feel dead either."
Underfoot Protection i
When it comes to underfoot protection, the Saucony Ride 13 provides just enough cushioning to keep runners comfortable. Both beginner and intermediate runners will appreciate the Ride 13's versatility and should enjoy adequate protection regardless of the distance. More advanced runners who are consistently tackling big runs may prefer saving the Ride 13 for their lighter training days.
Jonathan: "There is plenty of protection for runs up to two hours. Beyond that length, I would look for a shoe that has a little more padding."
Mark: "The Ride 13 felt much less protective than its previous versions. I would not feel particularly comfortable logging my daily training kilometres in this shoe due to its lack of protective feeling."
Underfoot Flexibility i
As mentioned previously, the Ride 13 is an excellent shoe for cruising through training kilometres. It offers a good amount of flexibility and a smooth heel-to-toe transition that works with the wearer's stride, not against it.
Jonathan: "The Ride 13 basically just rolls along nicely with my stride without getting in the way."
Mark: "This shoe has pretty good flexibility. Its transition feels smooth with each stride."
Upper Feel i
Our testers were pleased with the Ride 13's FormFIT upper design. The adaptable upper was both lightweight and breathable. Our testers found it to hold their feet securely in place, and they agreed that it would work well for a variety of different foot shapes. The simple-yet-adaptable feel of the Ride 13 will meet the preferences of most runners.
Jonathan: "The fit is not loose, but it's also not super secure. It just fits comfortably around the foot. I had no issues with foot movement during faster paces around corners, so the upper support does the job of keeping my foot in place."
Mark: "The FormFIT upper was fairly adaptable. It took the shape of my foot and felt locked in."
Men's Saucony Ride Running Shoes
Women's Saucony Ride Running Shoes
Individual Thoughts
The Ride 13 delivers on what it's supposed to be: a good, all-around running shoe. It's the Toyota Camry or Honda Accord of shoes. It's reliable and gets the job done, but there's no excitement. I was completely fine running in the Ride at a variety of paces, so if I were to only have one shoe for all my runs, the Ride 13 fits the bill. I would prefer a softer feel for easy runs and a snappier feel for faster runs, but that means I'd need two shoes. Actually, I would need three shoes, as the Ride 13 would be my choice for average distance (5 to 16 kilometres) runs at average paces. It's a good shoe, but with so many other great options, the Ride 13 will spend a lot of time in my closet.
Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
To be honest, the Ride 13 was pretty underwhelming compared to previous models in terms of underfoot protection and feel. However, it will still get the job done for logging in the kilometres. This shoe provides enough protection for the daily grind and fits comfortably. If you're looking for your typical workhorse shoe to get in some runs without dropping too much money, the Saucony Ride 13 will get the job done for you.