Saucony Ride 17 review: A reliable everyday running shoe

I’m new to the Saucony Ride range but had heard great things about the versatility of the Saucony Ride 17. My everyday road trainer tends to be a Mizuno Wave Rider, Brooks Ghost, or Hoka Skyward X (when I’m in recovery mode), so I was intrigued to see what the Ride 17 could offer. I knew they were one of the best running shoes for easy miles, but since I have switched focus from ultra marathons to half marathons recently, I was curious to see how they stood up during harder sessions.

With major upgrades to the previous version, the Saucony Ride 17 now offers an upgraded Pwrrun+ midsole foam, a new mesh upper, and increased padding around the heel. This culminates in a poppier run during those speed sessions and a closer fit around the midfoot – both welcome improvements.

But it doesn’t reinvent the wheel and maintains its comfortable 8mm drop fit, lightly padded tongue, and reliable road traction. It even copes well on light trails even if the best performance comes from running on harder, drier terrain.

The shape of the inner sole does take a little getting used to but Ride fans may not notice the raised inside arch which I found a little distracting.

The Saucony Ride 17 is available now but if you are looking for a cheaper option the Ride 16 remains a great alternative.

SAUCONY RIDE 17: SPECIFICATIONS

Saucony Ride 17: Price and availability

The Saucony Ride 17 is available at a moderate price on par with most non-carbon-plated shoes. Priced at $140 / £135 / AU$269.98, it can be found at discounted prices, but limited sizes are available. We’ve spotted it at £80.99 in the UK at Pro Direct Sports, at $104.95 in the US on Saucony’s own website, and as low as AU$139.99 on The Athlete’s Foot in Australia.

Saucony Ride 17: Design

• Engineered mesh upper
• PWRRUN+ sole
• 8mm heel-to-toe drop
• Design score: 3.5/5

The shoe is thoughtfully designed to provide a blend of comfort and support for everyday road running. Its updated engineered mesh upper enhances breathability and offers a tailored fit by contouring closely to the foot. The wider perforations in the mesh allow for increased airflow, helping to keep the foot cool and dry during long runs. High sidewalls ensure stability by cradling the foot, creating a secure and supportive ride.

As someone who prefers a slightly lower heel to drop, I was surprised how quickly I adjusted to the deeper fit. However, this may have been because I was distracted by the internal molding. When slipping the shoes on for the first time I was convinced they were a support shoe, because they felt so similar to the Saucony Guide 15. On closer inspection when I removed the FormFit insole I realised my issue was with the raised inside arch. This felt like it was trying to push my foot outwards as if I were an overpronator. I must admit I was not a fan of this geometry, which aimed to create a rocker effect but actually felt like an unnecessary obstruction.

Faring better was the shoe’s midsole constructed with Saucony’s PWRRUN+ foam, delivering plush cushioning and energy return while maintaining a lightweight feel. This innovative foam enhances both comfort and responsiveness, making it ideal for runners seeking a shoe that can handle both long easy runs and tempo sessions.

The outsole features durable rubber with strategic flex grooves to improve adaptability and efficiency during take-offs and landings. This iteration also boasts increased outsole coverage, providing additional protection and prolonging the shoe’s lifespan.

Finishing touches include a secure lacing system that locks the midfoot in place for a personalized fit. I found this, along with the gentle cushioning in the tongue, and slight padding in the heel, created a comfortable, locked-in feel.

Saucony Ride 17: Performance

• Durable and supportive
• Moderate level of cushion keeps feet comfortable
• Can handle light trails together with road
• Performance: 3.5/5

Given that most of my runs are along the towpath which can become a little leafy and muddy in the winter, these road shoes performed surprisingly well. The white colorway was not the best option for hybrid road and trail runs, however.

Although I was slightly distracted by the shape of the insole, once I got running, I barely noticed the shoes. They seemed to mold to my feet, and I had no niggling feelings that they were too hard or too soft, too sluggish or too bouncy.

I was also impressed with the robustness of the outsole which seemed to handle 40- mile weeks without any wear and tear.

When pushing the pace, they were similar to my Mizuno Wave Rider, albeit with less cushioning, and offered a middle-of-the-road level of propulsion and energy return. While they were not as poppy as a shoe like the Brooks Hyperion Max, they felt like an effective all-rounder, designed for easy to moderate-paced efforts. Ideal for everyday runs but not necessarily the pair you would turn to come race day.

Saucony Ride 17: Should I buy?

Buy it if

Don't buy it if...

Saucony Ride 17: Also consider

For an everyday run around my go- to is always the Mizuno Wave Rider now in its 28^th iteration. It has great grip and is super comfortable. Available for £140 in the UK, $140 in the USA and AU$250 in Australia.

For a durable, versatile hybrid road-to-trail shoe I cannot recommend the Merrell Morphlite highly enough. A bargain at £100 in the UK, but even more of a steal at $59.99 in the US.