Best Daily Trainers Compared: Saucony Ride 18 vs New Balance 860 v14 vs Asics Novablast 5

Introduction

The $140 daily trainer category is not the loudest corner of the running shoe market. It has no super max stack, no carbon plate, no headline-grabbing gimmick. What it offers instead is something many runners actually need: a durable, comfortable, do-it-all shoe that is just cushioned enough and just light enough to handle everything from easy miles to the occasional quicker session.

That is exactly the space the Saucony Ride 18, New Balance 860 v14, and Asics Novablast 5 occupy, and each takes a slightly different route to getting the job done. Here is how they compare.

Why This Category Still Matters

Plenty of runners have drifted toward softer, taller, more exciting daily trainers. But there is a reason shoes like the Brooks Ghost, Nike Pegasus, and Saucony Ride have held on: simple, sturdy trainers remain the easiest entry point into a brand’s lineup and the easiest shoe to live in. For beginners, for half marathon training, and for anyone who does not want to manage a rotation of a dozen specialized shoes, this category is the practical choice.

The newest entry tested here ran six miles on cold, icy pavement right out of the box, covering everything from easy recovery pace to short pushes when conditions allowed.

Saucony Ride 18: A Meaningful Update

The Ride 18 is mostly an upper and weight story. On the scale, it measures around 284.5g in a standard setup, a significant drop from the roughly 304.5g of the Ride 17. The stack sits at approximately 35mm in the heel with an 8mm drop that feels a touch lower in practice, and the heel does not feel chunky even for midfoot and forefoot runners.

The new upper is the standout improvement. It is soft, stretchy, and comfortably padded, a complete reversal from the stiffer fit of the previous version. It also pairs well with the clean white colorway and gum sole treatment that many runners will find appealing. The XT-900 rubber outsole is better in the wet than expected, though it is not built for ice.

The PWRRUN+ foam has more bounce and a touch more sink than before, and it feels closest to the Ride 17’s intended promise finally delivered: a reliable, no-drama platform with just enough comfort and balance to run for an hour or more. It is not the softest or fastest option at this price, but there is very little wrong with it, and it should improve further as the foam breaks in.

New Balance 860 v14: The Steady All-Rounder

The New Balance 860 v14 measures around 305.5g, so it is heavier than the Ride 18 by a noticeable margin. But it brings qualities the Ride previously lacked: a great rocker shape and genuinely lively bounce from its foam. Its stack is nearly identical to the Ride’s at roughly 35.4mm in the heel, with an 8mm drop and a flatter, more traditional underfoot profile rather than an aggressive rocker.

That traditional geometry matters. Runners who do not want the pronounced rolling motion of shoes like the Saucony Guide will feel at home here. The ride is balanced, stable, and consistent, which is why it served as the benchmark in this category for the newest arrivals to be measured against.

If you want a dependable trainer with a smoother, bouncier feel and you do not mind carrying a bit more weight, the 860 v14 remains one of the strongest picks at this price.

Asics Novablast 5: The Light, Bouncy Alternative

The Asics Novablast 5 is the lightweight option of the three, measuring around 271g. It is more of a fun, speed-oriented daily trainer than the other two, and it has quietly reshaped expectations for what a daily shoe can be: more foam, more stack, more width, all at a lighter weight than traditional trainers like the Ride.

Its range is impressive. It handles strides and faster sessions, yet it was also taken straight out of the box for a 20-mile long run. That versatility is precisely why brands across the market have been cutting weight in their daily trainers.

If you want a daily shoe that leans fun and fast rather than plain and sturdy, the Novablast 5 is the pick here.

How to Choose Between Them

The Ride 18 is the best fit for runners who want a no-frills, comfortable, versatile shoe that simply gets out of the way. It is especially well suited to beginners and half marathon training, and the price has stayed firmly at $140, which counts as real value in a market where plenty of trainers keep creeping upward.

The 860 v14 suits runners who want more bounce and a traditional flatter profile, and who are happy to trade some weight for that smoother ride. The Novablast 5 is for those who want their daily miles to feel lighter and livelier. If you cannot decide between the Ride and the Novablast, a head-to-head trial is worth the effort: one is a steady workhorse, the other a bouncy everyday performer.

Conclusion

Three good shoes, three different personalities. The Saucony Ride 18 is the most improved of the group and a genuinely solid pick for everyday miles. The New Balance 860 v14 remains the dependable benchmark with a bouncier, more traditional ride. The Asics Novablast 5 shows how light and fun a daily trainer can be. Match the shoe to how you actually run, and all three will serve you well.