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The RW Takeaway: Minimally updated, the Ride 16 is a reliable neutral daily trainer that supports and responds well from easy efforts to race pace. Its simple and more traditional style may also appeal to injury-prone runners wary of midsole plates, super foams, and max stack heights.
Preceded by: Ride 13, Ride 14, Ride 15
Key Tech: Pwrrun EVA midsole, Pwrrun+ TPU sockliner, XT-900 carbon rubber outsole, single-layer engineered mesh upper, partially gusseted tongue
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Pros
- Firm, protective, and stable midsole for long runs
- Responds well during faster-paced workouts
- Excellent midfoot lockdown
- Drop may feel gentler on landing (vs. 10-12 mm)
Cons
- Forefoot and toebox on the narrow side
- Slightly bulkier tongue than Ride 15
Key Specs
| Weight | 8.9 oz (M), 7.1 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8 mm |
| Type | Neutral Road |
How do you keep a workhorse trainer relevant in a sea of wicked-fast Endorphin Elites? Simple. Don’t f*ck with it.
Fans of the Ride are loyal to a familiar fit and feel and won’t be tempted by carbon fiber. As a result, Saucony keeps this legend fairly consistent from year to year, while massaging in its latest shoe tech.
For example, the Ride 15 switched to a new Pwrrun EVA midsole, reformulated with bouncy polymers, and added a plush 7mm-thick sockliner. (That’s taller than the overall heel-toe drops of many shoes, but the step-in feel is softer than when you’re up and running.) Both updates boosted cushion while cutting more than an ounce, and they carry over to the 16.
“The Ride met all my running needs: a cushioned semi-soft ride, comfortable lacing, and a flexible upper that did not rub even the widest point of my broad foot,” said one tester who runs with an underpronated gait. “I reached for these shoes for every kind of running workout on the road and treadmill, and even a little strength training at the gym. But to feel super fast, I would want something a little bouncier.”
Without Saucony’s glitzier tech, the Ride relies on a carefully sculpted midsole. Higher sidewalls cradle your foot inside—not on top of—the cushioning, which helps keep you stable. The beveled heel smooths landings only enough to mirror the slight swoop of the toe, so transitions feel consistent from your first to last interaction with the pavement.
“One feature stood out on this shoe. Aptly named, the Ride 16 provides just that, a great ride,” a tester said. “Smooth through the transition and responsive on the strike.”
More Tester Feedback
Sean H. | Tester since 2022
Arch Height: Medium | Pronation: Neutral | Footstrike: Midfoot
“Ideally, I would like a little more room above the forefoot. The toebox did seem a little too snug for an everyday trainer, especially on top of the foot and around the pinky toes. I do have a foot on the wider side, but typically I do not have this problem. The length was true-to-size. The upper mesh was more breathable than Asics and Brooks daily trainers I have previously worn. In fact, the comfort around the heel, tongue, and collar of this shoe was probably the best I’ve ever felt in a trainer. It held my foot snugly without being overly constraining.”
