Saucony
Ride 18 Running Shoe – Women's
$149.95
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The Grivet Take
The Ride 18 is Saucony's reliable neutral daily trainer with the upper problems of past versions finally sorted out. The midfoot locks down properly now, and the reworked PWRRUN+ beaded TPU underfoot reads moderately cushioned with a small bounce rather than a soft sink. This is the right shoe for newer runners stacking daily mileage and walkers logging long shifts on their feet. Faster efforts belong in a different shoe; the foam does not have the supercritical-foam pop to keep up at tempo or race pace. Runners specifically chasing modern PEBA bounce should reach for the Endorphin Speed instead.
Fit & Feel snapshot
Fit
LengthHow the shoe fits compared with true-to-size expectations.
True to size
Toe box widthHow much side-to-side room the shoe has across the front of the foot.3 of 5
NarrowWide
Toe box volumeHow much vertical room the shoe has above the toes.3 of 5
LowHigh
MidfootHow snug or roomy the shoe feels through the arch and laces.3 of 5
SnugRoomy
Heel holdHow securely the back of the shoe holds the heel.4 of 5
LooseLocked
Ride
CushionHow much material sits underfoot. This is about amount of cushioning, not how soft it feels.3 of 5
MinimalMaximal
SoftnessHow soft or firm the cushioning feels underfoot.3 of 5
FirmPlush
RockerHow much the shoe's shape rolls you forward through the step.2 of 5
FlatAggressive
ResponsivenessHow much pop or energy return the shoe feels like it gives back.3 of 5
DeadBouncy
Support
Support TypeSupport Type describes how much built-in guidance the shoe has. Neutral shoes do not add support structure. Stability shoes use geometry, rails, firmer foam, or frame designs to create a more guided feel. Motion control shoes are the maximum-support category and are rare in modern running.
Neutral
Stability
Motion Control
No added support structure
PlatformPlatform describes the width and shape of the shoe's base underfoot. A wider platform can feel steadier even when the shoe is neutral. This is separate from Support Type.
Standard platform
How it fits
Fits true to size for most runners. Toe box runs standard width with normal vertical volume; runners with high-volume forefeet may find the upper sits closer on the outer toes for the first few miles before it breaks in. Customer reviews consistently note that the v18 toe box runs slightly snugger and more closed than the v17, so customers transitioning from the v17 should expect a closer fit through the forefoot. Midfoot is secure and well held thanks to the new lacing system and elastic eyelet loops, a clear improvement over the Ride 17. Heel hold is excellent, with a stiff internal counter and added collar padding; some runners with prominent Achilles will prefer a softer counter elsewhere. Available in standard (B) and wide (D) for women.
How it feels
Cushion is moderate and balanced, leaning slightly firm under the heel and slightly springy at the forefoot thanks to the reformulated PWRRUN+ beaded TPU. Energy return is moderate. The shoe runs grounded rather than bouncy, with a flexible forefoot that bends naturally through toe-off rather than rolling on a rocker. Heel transition is smooth at moderate paces but feels a touch abrupt at slower paces, where the soft heel foam compresses and shortens the effective drop. This shoe protects on daily miles and stays out of the way on long efforts. It does not propel.
Quick specs
- Category
- Daily trainer
- Surface
- Pavement · Treadmill · Road plus light trail
- Heel stackHow much shoe sits between your foot and the ground.
- 35.0 mm
- Forefoot stack
- 27.0 mm
- DropThe difference between heel height and forefoot height, measured in millimeters.
- 8.0 mm
- Weight (women's 8)
- 8.0 oz · 228 g
- CushionHow much material sits underfoot. This is about amount of cushioning, not how soft it feels.
- 3 / 5
- Support TypeSupport Type describes how much built-in guidance the shoe has. Neutral shoes do not add support structure. Stability shoes use geometry, rails, firmer foam, or frame designs to create a more guided feel. Motion control shoes are the maximum-support category and are rare in modern running.
- Neutral
- PlatformPlatform describes the width and shape of the shoe's base underfoot. A wider platform can feel steadier even when the shoe is neutral. This is separate from Support Type.
- Standard platform
- Midsole
- PWRRUN+
- Outsole
- XT-900 rubber
- PlateA stiff layer, usually carbon, nylon, or TPU, built into some shoes to add structure, snap, or propulsion.
- No
- WidthsThe width options this shoe is made in. Actual availability depends on current inventory.
- B · D
Tech, translated
PWRRUN+ is Saucony's expanded-bead TPU midsole foam, reformulated for the v18 to be lighter and slightly softer than the Ride 17's compound while keeping the same durability. The bead structure gives a small bounce on landing without going pillowy.
XT-900 rubber is the outsole compound, designed to hold up over hundreds of miles on pavement and concrete. Coverage on the v18 is more extensive across the forefoot than the v17, with a flat lugged pattern that handles dry roads and gravel paths well. Wet pavement traction is adequate but not the shoe's strongest feature.
There is no plate. The forefoot bends through dedicated flex grooves rather than rolling through a rigid structure.
Frequently asked
Does the Saucony Ride 18 run true to size?
The Ride 18 runs true to size for most runners. The toe box is standard width with normal vertical volume; runners with high-volume forefeet may find the outer-toe area sits closer for the first few miles, then opens up as the upper breaks in. Available in standard (B) and wide (D) for women's sizes, which gives most foot shapes a workable fit.
How does the Saucony Ride 18 compare to the Brooks Ghost 17?
Both are daily neutral trainers built for easy miles and longer efforts. The Ride 18 has a more locked-in midfoot thanks to the redesigned upper and lacing system, plus a softer PEBA-style PWRRUN+ midsole. The Ghost 17 has a slightly plusher heel and a more familiar feel for runners with Brooks history. Pick the Ride 18 if midfoot security matters; pick the Ghost 17 if you want a softer step-in.
Is the Saucony Ride 18 firm or soft underfoot?
The Ride 18 is balanced; not firm, not pillowy. The reworked PWRRUN+ foam reads slightly firmer at the heel and a touch springier through the forefoot. It comes across as moderately cushioned with a small bounce rather than the soft, sinking feel of a max-cushion shoe. Runners who want a plush ride should look at the Saucony Triumph 22 instead.
Is the Saucony Ride 18 good for walking?
Yes. Saucony lists daily walking among the shoe's intended uses, and the design backs it up: a moderate stack, balanced cushion, and flexible forefoot all suit long stretches on foot. The 8mm drop suits walkers who prefer a higher heel feel rather than a flat platform. The Ride 18 works for all-day-on-feet shifts and recovery walks alongside its daily-running role.
Is the Saucony Ride 18 good for wide feet?
Standard (B) fits most foot shapes, and Saucony also offers a Wide (D) for women's sizes. The toe box accommodates slightly-wider forefeet without going as roomy as Altra's foot-shaped lasts. Runners with very wide forefeet should size up to the Wide for the most comfortable long-mileage fit.
Is the Saucony Ride 18 good for treadmill running?
Yes. Saucony explicitly lists treadmill running as an intended use, and the XT-900 rubber outsole provides reliable traction on belt surfaces. The moderate cushion absorbs the harder treadmill landing well, and the 8.0 oz women's weight is light enough to keep cadence honest across longer treadmill sessions. There are lighter trainers for fast treadmill workouts; the Ride 18 is the daily-mileage option.
Can the Saucony Ride 18 handle tempo workouts?
It can, but it is not the right tool for it. The Ride 18 is moderately responsive rather than snappy, and the lack of a forefoot rocker or plate keeps the ride grounded at faster paces. For a Saucony shoe that loves tempo work, look at the Endorphin Speed; for occasional tempo within a daily trainer, the Ride 18 is honest at moderate paces but loses interest above that.
Compare it toSimilar shoes or common alternatives, with the key fit and ride differences called out.
Brooks Ghost 17
Choose the Ride 18 if you want a more secure midfoot lockdown and a slightly softer PEBA-style midsole. Choose the Ghost 17 if you want a softer step-in feel and a more familiar daily neutral cushion.
Compare Brooks Ghost 17 →
Saucony Guide 18
Choose the Ride 18 for Saucony's neutral PWRRUN+ daily trainer. Choose the Guide 18 for Saucony's lightweight moderate-stability daily trainer with frame-style stability when you need gentle correction.
Compare Saucony Guide 18 →
Hoka Clifton 10
Choose the Ride 18 if you want a more grounded ride and a flexible forefoot that lets your foot bend naturally. Choose the Clifton 10 if you want a more pronounced rocker and a higher, more cushioned platform.
Compare Hoka Clifton 10 →
Saucony Triumph 22
Choose the Ride 18 if you want a moderate-cushion daily trainer at a daily-trainer price. Choose the Triumph 22 if you want max cushion and the softer PWRRUN PB foam for high-mileage weeks.
Compare Saucony Triumph 22 →
Buyer's guide
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A clear framework for picking running shoes by surface, cushion, drop, stability, and fit.
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