Saucony has had one of its most successful years of late with the new shoes they are pushing out and whether it is updates to existing model lineups or their all new releases, everything just feels really dialed in. In this case, the Ride 13 gets which is a staple in their everyday cushioned runner gets an all-new midsole, and some well thought out upper updates to boot. This somewhat unassuming shoe suddenly has emerged as a highly capable shoe that any runner can really enjoy regardless of their skill level.
Quick Details, Specs, and Availability
- The Ride gets a full PWRRUN cushioning system to give the shoe a softer more responsive feel.
- Weighs in at 9.7oz or 275g for a US Men’s 9, 8.6oz, or 244g for a US Women’s 7.
- Features 28mm of cushion and has an 8mm heel/toe drop.
- Retails at $130.00 USD and comes in 4 colors for Men and Women, but the mutant color has disappeared!
Run Test
It is definitely that time of year when everyone is looking for their next easy running daily trainer, so it is the perfect time for Saucony to drop the Ride 13 and we were stoked to test them out. It is the biggest question we get because while Speed shoes are great, most folks just need something simple that lets them knock down the miles.
The colorway out of the box is totally awesome, we love a good color shock as it can really make an average shoe feel fast. On the foot, the upper feels soft and breathable, but that padded gusseted tongue really envelops your foot and snuggle you in place. Laces are a bit wonky, but they don’t cause pressure which is a plus and they don’t seem to back off. The midsole feels soft underfoot and seems to flex really well. So onto the roads…
In run, the Ride 13 really comes to life. That upper allows air to move freely and still holds you really well. The PWRRUN midsole really springs to life when put into use so that cushy first experience turns into something with a little more bounce and definitely keeps those legs going. It actually can start to even feel a little stiff, but this is a good thing because too much cushion sometimes makes it feel like you are running in sand. The PWRRUN has a nice balance giving you a comfortable landing and then giving you that kick-off.
Classifying this shoe is easy, really anyone can enjoy them, but it is a great fit for newer runners. It is going to give them the comfort they need, but also provide a slight peek at the performance. The aggressive 8mm drop will be advantageous for most newer runners who tend to heel strike more often and need shoe based encouragement to accelerate. The bottom line, this can easily be your first 5k, 10k, half marathon, and even marathon shoe. It is that diverse and unassuming.
Construction: Upper
The upper is a mix of a double-layered engineered mesh coupled with their FORMFIT overlays. The mesh flexes well so the toebox is wide and breathable. The overlays start at the midfoot and provide side to side stability. Internally, you find a well ventilated and padded gusseted tongue as well as a very structured internal heel counter. The laces are cylindrical and flexible and this may be the shoe’s only oddity, much would have preferred a flatter lace but many folks are adopting this style.
Close-up on the double layered engineered mesh upper A look at those wonky cylindrical laces The ventilated internal gusset Nicely padded ankle collar and tongue
Construction: Midsole
Saucony took a big risk here (potentially) by bringing their new PWRRUN cushioning to the Ride, but it delivers on the premise. It sits more at the front 2/3 of the midsole so you get a softer heel strike potentially and then more push during forefoot flex. The general feeling is plush, but then you get that little extra when you push off.
Midsole – lateral front Midsole – lateral rear Midsole – medial rear Midsole – medial front
Construction: Outsole
The outsole on the Ride 13 uses Saucony’s TRIFLEX technology which we is found across many of their models. This design spaces the durable rubber contacts at specific intervals closer together at the front of the foot and then wider apart as you approach the heel. This allows the foot to flex in the most optimal way as your foot moves through its natural rotation during a stride. Additionally, the rubber does a great job with grip and enhancing durability.
Overhead on the Ride 13 TRIFLEX outsole
Style & Aesthetics
We have to give Saucony a bit of flak here because the mutant colorway which many of us tested has disappeared after launching in favor of a much more muted set of Fall colors. They still look great in this new palette, but we loved the brighter option. It does have a very traditional profile and if you have seen a Saucony shoe in the past, then it will feel very familiar.
Overall Conclusion
The Ride 13 may win the title of this year’s most unassuming superstar. It is a really simple looking shoe in the end, but under the hood, you have Saucony’s great PWRRUN midsole tech that delivers a soft and responsive ride, a comfortable and supportive upper, and finishes with their TRIFLEX outsole that allows your foot to flex properly during the transition. Any nitpicks here are really subtle and going to be very personal, but overall the Ride is just an enjoyable experience. If you are looking for something for easy everyday runs and require no stability, then the Ride 13 needs to be on your list to check out.
Learn more on the Saucony website
Check Out Other Reviewers Thoughts
As always, we gather together some of our favorite reviewers so you can get a well-rounded view of the shoe. Here are our favorites.
