Details
Brand
Saucony
Heel To Toe Drop
8mm
Breathability
7.7/10
Latest Version
No
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• SSL EVA midsole material• Powergrid cushioning• FlexFilm upper design• Carbon Rubber outsole• Strong durability
Upper
The upper of the Ride 8 is made with Open Mesh technology, which allows for good circulation throughout the shoes, for better breathability. The upper also uses Saucony’s Flex Film Overlay, which provides a good fit for the foot and while also being lightweight and offering support.
Midsole
The midsole is the layer between the outsole and the inner sole. The midsole of the Ride 8 is made with SSL EVA, or Saucony Super Light ethylene vinyl, which is essentially a foam substance.;Like its name suggests, the SSL EVA material is very lightweight, but another key feature of it is that it provides great energy return and rebound with every step. The midsole also features an impact zone, that runs from the heel to the middle of the shoe. This impact zone is designed to promote a smoother stride, and natural motion of the foot. Finally, the midsole has a sock liner, to add a bit more support. Overall, the midsole of the Ride 8’s offers a great deal of technology and useful features, making it a very solid aspect of the shoe.
Outsole
For obvious reasons, this is a very important part of any running shoe. The outsole is essentially the outside bottom of the shoe. The outsole of the Saucony Ride 8 uses a rubber material known as XT-900 under the heel and toe of the shoe. This material is known for providing traction, while also being very durable and long lasting. The forefoot uses injection blown rubber (iBR), which is known for providing good energy return, and cushioning as well. Overall, the outsole of the Ride 8 has a lot to offer and is a very strong component of the shoe.
Breathability
The Saucony Ride 8’s are fairly breathable as a product of the design of the upper, with its Open Mesh technology. The slats that provide ventilation do a good job of facilitating circulation. Overall, the ride 8 is a fairly breathable and well-ventilated shoe.
Comfort
The Saucony Ride 8 is a comfortable shoe, through the design of the upper and the midsole. The upper is flexible and offers a snug fit, with its previously mentioned Flex Film Overlay, which allows for natural motion of the foot. The midsole’s SSL EVA foam, also contributes to the comfort of this shoe, through its good response and its lightweight and soft nature. Overall, the Ride 8 is a fairly comfortable shoe.
Style
Saucony presents runners with unique style choices in comparison to other popular footwear brands. The Ride 8 comes in robust colors, and unique, bright combinations, like one combination which features silver, citron, and red. The Ride 8’s offer a good variety of color options for both men and women, so there is sure to be a color for everyone. It is worth noting though, that the Ride 8’s would probably be harder to use as an everyday shoe simply due to their bright coloring.
Durability
Luckily, the Ride 8’s are a very durable shoe. The outsole carbon rubber blend is quite resistant to abrasion, and the different material used in the heel does a good job of preventing wear and tear as well. The outsole does this to protect the midsole from wear and does a good job at that. Overall, the combination of midsole and outsole create a very durable shoe in the Ride 8, which is something runners can definitely appreciate.
Protection
In terms of protection, the Ride 8 does a fairly good job. The outsole, as previously mentioned, offers great protection. The upper does as well, with its snug design and Flex Film material. Overall, the Ride 8 offers solid protection from those small grievances that can sometimes plague many runners.
Responsiveness
Responsiveness describes the ability of a shoe to provide energy return upon impact. In essence, this is how a shoe responds to every step. The Saucony Ride 8 is a solidly responsive shoe, though it is important to note that more minimalist styled shoes will offer a greater response. That said, the Ride 8s provide a solid response through the material of the midsole. The SSL EVA material designed by Saucony is the basis for this. It offers very good energy return while also staying lightweight, creating a smooth response with every step. Overall, the responsiveness of the Ride 8 is quite good for the type of neutral trainer that they are.
Support
The support of the Ride 8’s is quite good. The different materials of the outsole, in tandem with the impact zone of the midsole, are big components of this. Together, they do a good job of supporting feet, by providing a good cushion, while not being overbearing or too heavy. The upper also contributes to the support of this shoe with its good flexibility and durability from its material. The Ride 8’s are an overall well-supported shoe. Another thing to note is that the Ride 8’s are neutral, meaning they should be suited for most runners who do not have more unique arches.
Terrain
This shoe is made for the road, but they can safely be used on most terrains, including trails and grass. They are usable in rain as well, but are not waterproof.
Price
The Ride 8’s were on the pricier side when they debuted, but have significantly dropped in price due to the release of the Ride 9’s. Currently, they offer fairly good value for their price and what features they offer.
Drop
The drop on these Ride 8s is 8mm. The drop of a shoe refers to the size of the heel essentially.
Stability
The Ride 8 offers great stability for a pair of trainers. With its great support, flexibility, and protection, the Ride 8 is a very stable shoe and helps protect the feet of those who use it. It is also important to note that the Ride 8’s are a bit more stable than other, more light and minimalist styled shoes.
Flexibility
The Ride 8s are solidly flexible, due to the upper, through its FlexFilm material, and the midsole through its flexible material. Overall, the Ride 8s are a decently flexible shoe, though they probably do not excel in this regard.
Traction
The Ride 8 has great traction, in large part due to the outsole. The rubber of the outsole on its own does a good job of providing traction, but the addition of the forefoot material adds to that effect. The Ride 8 offers overall good traction for any surfaces it might be used on, though, again, the traction will be best when used on the road.
Bottom Line
Overall, the Saucony Ride 8 is a very good pair of running trainers. They offer great stability, support, and overall strong technology. The price of the Ride 8’s is also very reasonable today, though it was a bit expensive at launch. For those seeking very light, barefoot or minimalist styled shoes, the Ride 8 is probably not the best choice. The Rides are a bit of a more traditional style shoe, in comparison to the new wave of lighter and more free-form styled shoes. All that said, for those seeking a neutral running shoe that they can use for long periods of training, with great technology and useful features, the Ride 8 is an excellent choice.
