Saucony Ride 19 First Run Review: A Familiar Favorite Gets Small, Smart Upgrades

Introduction

The Saucony Ride has built its reputation on being a comfortable, versatile daily trainer at a price that does not ask too much of your wallet. The Ride 19 continues that formula, making a series of small, targeted updates across the shoe rather than any sweeping overhaul. It costs $140 at launch, weighs 284g (10 oz) for men in a US size 8, and has an 8mm drop.

If you liked the Ride 18, you will almost certainly like this. The updates are modest, but they lean in the right direction: a slightly softer midsole, improved forefoot grip, and a more accommodating fit. Here is what stood out during the first runs.

What Has Changed

Saucony has touched nearly every part of the shoe, but only slightly. The most noticeable change is the modified PWRRUN (Power Plus) midsole foam, which is now lighter, softer, and more responsive than the foam in the previous version. Interestingly, despite the lighter foam, the Ride 19 weighs slightly more overall than the Ride 18.

Other updates include improved forefoot rubber grip on the outsole, added flex grooves for a smoother transition, and a new engineered mesh upper designed for better breathability and a stretchier fit, with additional cushioning in the heel collar.

Fit and Sizing

Fit is very similar to the Ride 18, which is good news because that shoe already got a lot right. The toe box keeps its comfortable space up front, and the lacing and tongue feel the same. The two changes worth knowing about: the midfoot feels slightly more forgiving and less locked-in than before, and the heel collar padding is noticeably plusher.

For sizing, there is nothing peculiar here. If you wore the Ride 18, stick with the same size. For average-width feet, the fit is close to spot on, with a nice amount of wiggle room in the forefoot and midfoot. This is a comfort-oriented shoe rather than a restrictive race shoe.

Ride Feel and Midsole

On a first 10K run at comfortable pace, with a few kilometers pushed toward tempo effort around 4:40 per kilometer, the Ride 19 felt very much like its predecessor, with one small difference: the midsole feels slightly softer. It is not a dramatic change, just a touch more sink underfoot.

That softness brings a better balance to the shoe. The Ride 18 felt a little snappier at the forefoot, and the Ride 19 keeps that quality but feels more even. Where the previous version rewarded hard running if you put the work in, the new foam seems to offer a bit more assistance. There is still a pleasant bounce and a good rocker that carries you forward smoothly at uptempo paces, but it also feels more comfortable when you ease off.

Outsole and Grip

The outsole update is one of the more noticeable changes out on the road. The rubber coverage differs from the Ride 18, though the thickness feels similar. The improved forefoot grip and flex grooves contribute to a smoother, more confident feel, especially in the early kilometers. If extra traction and grip are what you were hoping for, this genuinely feels like an upgrade over the previous version.

Who It Is For

The Ride line has long been a solid all-rounder for easy runs and training sessions, and the 19 keeps that identity. It works well for beginners who want a bit of stability, comfort, and versatility as their training ramps up. It is also a dependable workhorse for anyone who just wants one shoe for everything.

It is not as versatile as something like the Adidas Evo SL, but it can do considerably more than dedicated max-cushion options such as the Brooks Glycerin line. Compared with Saucony’s own Triumph, which has drifted away from what many runners enjoyed in recent versions, the Ride has arguably taken over as the brand’s best value all-rounder, and it is significantly cheaper.

Early Verdict

The Ride 19 is a slight, sensible update to an already very good shoe. The midsole change makes it marginally better than the Ride 18, while the other tweaks are unlikely to feel dramatic. If you are replacing worn-out Ride 18s, you will be pleased: it is more of the same, but slightly better.

At $140 (up $10 from the previous UK pricing, now sitting at £140 in the UK), it remains reasonable for a do-everything daily trainer. Saucony is also launching the Azura, an uptempo daily trainer at a similar price, so buyers will have a choice within the lineup, but based on these first runs the Ride 19 is shaping up to be one of the most solid all-round daily shoes you can get for the money.

Conclusion

The Saucony Ride 19 does not reinvent anything, and that is precisely the point. A lighter, softer midsole, better forefoot grip, and a plusher heel collar make small but real improvements without losing the balanced, comfortable ride that made this line popular. If you want a reliable, comfortable, versatile daily trainer at a fair price, this belongs on your shortlist.