Saucony Ride 14 Review

Published: July 12, 2021

Simplicity That Hits the Mark

The Ride 14 remains a reliable workhorse at an enticing price point

Likes

Reliable ride
Plush upper and solid fit
Ample underfoot support
Versatile daily trainer

Dislikes

Midsole isn't very responsive

What's New

Saucony has made minor tweaks to the Ride 14 to enhance its on-foot comfort. Most of the updates can be seen in the upper, making it more breathable and more capable of keeping runners' feet cool on hot days. Aside from the upper, the Ride 14 offers runners a familiar feel and the same trusted performance that has made the Ride a favourite within the running community.

The Bottom Line

The versatile ride, comfortable upper and accessible price point make this daily trainer a beginner runners dream. While the Ride 14 may not be the “belle of the ball” in terms of features, it does have all the tools necessary to get the job done right. These reliable daily trainers have enough responsiveness and protection to meet the demands of a variety of different types of runs. The updates to the upper improve the Ride's breathability without revolutionising what was already a comfortable upper feel. Regardless, the Ride 14 will have no difficulty getting wearers where they need to go, and with a price point of $199, runners will get a lot more than they pay for with this shoe.

Shop Men's Shop Women's

Shoe Performance

Shoe Softnessi

FirmSoft

Ride/Energy Returni

Less SpringyMore Springy

Underfoot Protectioni

LowHigh

Flexibilityi

RigidElastic

Upper Supporti

StructuredAdaptable

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: 10.0 oz (size 9) \| Women's: 8.6 oz (size 8)
Stack Height	36 mm (Heel), 30 mm (Forefoot) - includes removable sock liner
Terrain	Road
Stability	Neutral
Sizing	True to Size

Saucony Ride 14 Shoe Review - pair of shoe

Saucony Ride 14 Shoe Review - forefoot view

Saucony Ride 14 Shoe Review - outsole view

Our In-Depth Look

Shoe Softnessi

Our testers did not find the Ride 14 to be particularly soft underfoot. Instead, the shoe offered a relatively firm feel that supplied ample protection from the road. Ideal for anything from all-day wear to long-distance runs, the Ride 14 will deliver dependable comfort for every run.

Kaleb: "The midsole of the Ride 14 is relatively firm, which I appreciated as it allowed me to run at a variety of paces. That said, I do not think that these shoes lacked any protection, as I was comfortable throughout all my test runs."

Mark: "This shoe features a firmer underfoot feel than your average daily trainer. This is definitely for the runner who needs protection but is not a fan of a squishier midsole."

Ride/Energy Returni

The PWRRUN foam makes for a great all-around midsole, particularly given the Ride 14's price point. It feels firm and has just enough flexibility to offer a smooth ride that can be enjoyed on any run. There may be fancier, more responsive, or more protective shoes out there, but given its accessible price, the Ride 14 performs very well, especially for beginner runners seeking a reliable do-it-all shoe.

Kaleb: "The PWRRUN midsole is not the most responsive, and it offers more of a neutral energy return. I think the firmness and flexibility of the Ride enabled me to run at a variety of paces for an assortment of different training runs. For a daily trainer at $199, I have no complaints, but those looking for a snappier return may want to try something else."

Mark: "This shoe is a bit on the 'flat' side when it comes down to spring. It's not going to propel by any means, but it's not dead underfoot either."

Saucony Ride 14 Shoe Review - cushioning view

Underfoot Protectioni

Despite being relatively firm, the PWRRUN midsole is highly protective and will prevent the wearer's legs from feeling beat up while out on the run. Runners who like a squishier midsole might want a more maximalist shoe, but those who don't mind a firm midsole will love the protection they get from the Ride 14. The blown rubber outsole is also impressively durable and offers high-level traction that is excellent for care-free running.

Kaleb: "Protection was not lacking in the Ride 14. I wore these shoes for some longer runs, which unfortunately is only 10K at the moment, but my legs and feet never felt like they were getting beat up by the road while wearing the Ride 14."

Mark: "The Ride provides enough protection to last the duration of any run you may throw in its direction. I've used it for easy kilometres and long runs with satisfactory performance for both."

Flexibilityi

The Ride 14 is relatively flexible thanks to its Tri-Flex outsole design. This contributes to a super-smooth ride that rolls efficiently through the gait cycle. Runners will love having the Ride 14 in their shoe rotation for fun and easy long runs.

Kaleb: "With the updated Tri-Flex design, the Saucony Ride 14 is moderately flexible and helps create an ultra-smooth ride."

Mark: "This shoe has pretty good flexibility. It offers a smooth transition with each stride."

Saucony Ride 14 Shoe Review - upper view

Upper Supporti

The most significant update is seen in the Ride 14's upper, and it remains the highlight of this shoe. Comfortable in nearly any environment or on any run, the FORMFIT upper construction is accommodating for a variety of foot shapes. Designed to be more breathable, the upper feels light on foot and has no trouble keeping feet cool in hot conditions. The Ride 14 fits securely throughout and promises to deliver an irritation-free running experience.

Kaleb: "The upper is where the Ride 14 truly shines. The fit was so comfortable that I have been wearing them for everyday usage. While running, I felt like the hold was very secure, and I had no irritation. Furthermore, I thought the upper felt very light on foot and did reasonably well at keeping my feet cool."

Mark: "What stands out most about this shoe is the plush upper. This shoe feels soft and premium, and the support is just enough to keep me comfortable when my feet begin to swell after some kilometres."

Men's Saucony Ride Running Shoes

The Ride is Saucony's moderately priced neutral everyday running shoe that features a plush, excellent fitting upper and a generous amount of cushioning

Women's Saucony Ride Running Shoes

The Ride is Saucony's moderately priced neutral everyday running shoe that features a plush, excellent fitting upper and a generous amount of cushioning

Individual Thoughts

KalebOverall Score: 8/10

Getting straight to the point, the Saucony Ride 14 is a simple yet reliable daily trainer that can do it all. It is not the most responsive and isn't outfitted with all the bells and whistles you'd see in some top-end shoes, but it is a rockstar for its value. Also, the plush upper is a real winner and will keep your feet comfortable no matter what kind of run you are on, or even if you are looking for a comfy everyday shoe to wear around during your daily routines. If you want to get a lot of shoe and a lot of running for a relatively small price, then you need to get the Saucony Ride 14.

Shoe Softness

FirmSoft

Ride/Energy Return

Less SpringyMore Springy

Underfoot Protection

LowHigh

Flexibility

RigidElastic

Upper Support

StructuredAdaptable

MarkOverall Score: 7/10

The Saucony Ride 14 is a solid workhorse, and it does what it sets out to do. Its best feature by far is the upper. It doesn't exceed expectations, but it will definitely get the job done. If you're a runner looking for a reliable shoe that will handle some mileage with good protection, the Saucony Ride 14 is the shoe for you.