Details
Brand
Saucony
Heel To Toe Drop
8mm
Breathability
7.6/10
Latest Version
Ride 11
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Lightweight Flexifilm upper• iBR+ blown rubber outsole• SRC helps absorb impact and soften landings• EVERUN technology boasts 83% energy return• Rundry inner lining wicks moisture away• Triflex outsole provides a high level of contact with the ground as well as better toe offs compared to designs• XT-900 carbon in the outsole provides superior durability and traction
Upper
The upper is both durable and lightweight. It is made of mesh and synthetic overlays, featuring Saucony’s FlexFilm technology. FlexiFilm is the overlay system which provides the shoe with a customizable secure fit while still being very breathable. The flex film is also lighter than the previously stitched upper. However, there are some concerns about its overall durability as some runners have seen some small tears in the upper. The upper is still an improvement over the previously stitched upper. Saucony has also made improvements to the look of the upper in this edition. IT is sleeker and smoother than the Ride 8.
Midsole
With a stack height of 19mm, this shoe provides some good impact protection throughout the midsole. The EVERUN provides moderate cushioning, a great responsive feel and returns more energy than other types of EVA material. The midsole also features the SRC (super rebound compound) that replaces the extra cushioning near the heel portion of the foot to absorb shock, should you land on your heels. The Saucony Ride 9 midsole does a nice job cushioning the wearer’s ride from landings to lift offs.
Outsole
The outsole utilizes a blend of two different kinds of rubber: a special blend of XT-900 carbon rubber and iBR+ blown rubber. iBR+ is one-third lighter than other blown rubbers. It also helps to absorb impact and cushion the overall ride of the shoe.;Saucony also used their Tri-flex layout for the outsole pattern, which is present in a lot of their models. This outsole design maintains better contact with the ground during toe offs when compared to other layouts. The difference in traction is slightly noticeable when running on wet conditions or gravel.
Breathability
The FlexiFilm in the upper is very breathable, making this a great all weather shoe. The breathability allows air to pass throughout the shoe, cooling the foot but still providing a nice balance between breathability and warmth. It is highly recommended for any season and dries relatively quickly if you get caught in the rain.
Comfort
The cushion in this shoe is moderate to plush, although many describe it as walking on little clouds. There is a huge amount of impact protection making this a great shoe for people plagued with overuse injuries such as shin splints or knee problems.;Some people describe this as their go-to shoe when they know they are going to be on their feet for extended periods of time, whether it is running or working. There does seem to be a little time needed in order to break them in, which some people find annoying. Do not expect to do a long run with this shoe right out of the box. The forefoot cushioning is also great, for keeping you up on your toes. The shoe is also available in regular and wide widths, great for people with extra wide feet.
Style
This shoe comes in lots of color variations. Both the men’s and the women’s have five different color options. Whether you like more neutral, toned down colors or brighter more extreme colors, there is an option for everyone. The majority of the five designs are two-tone except for two very bold monotone designs: bright orange in men’s and lime green for women. The upper also ties in nicely with the outsole, making for a very slick design.
Durability
This shoe has some very durable qualities such as the outsole which is made with two different types of rubber to achieve the balance between durability in high-impact areas and grip in areas under the toes and joints. For the most part, the upper is very durable, but some runners have reported a bit of tearing in the in the FlexiFilm material after particularly rigorous use, such as speed work. Overall, it is a durably-designed shoe that is able to last. After a few hundred miles, the shoe’s cushion holds up fantastically, and they still feel just as good as they did the day they were taken out of the box.
Protection
With a 19mm cushion underfoot, this shoe offers great protection from anything underfoot. It also has great support for any foot strike pattern, protecting runners from overuse injuries, such as stress to muscles, joints, and tissues. The upper is generally very durable, unless as previously mentioned it is used for intense runs, and protects the foot in any weather, whether it be hot or cold, wind or rain. It does a good job of keeping debris out as well as a good job of protecting the toes from debris.
Responsiveness
The EVERUN material is more lively and responsive when compared to other EVA foams and boasts 83% return on energy. This means the user gets a nice firm, responsive cushion underfoot, great for runners who want feedback from the ground without excessive ground feeling. It also allows the user to pick up speed and keep up a nice, even pace. Again, this makes this a good shoe for those long distances and even good for those competing in half or full marathons.
Support
This shoe offers good support while still being a neutral running shoe. It is designed to be form-fitting and also help light overpronation. There is lots of cushion in the heel and soft material inside the upper to provide a secure fit with no slippage. The Ride 9 also offers good support for runners with normal to high arch, which helps prevent rolling or twisting injuries in neutral runners.
Terrain
The outsole’s Triflex technology in its grooves and treads makes it great for the roads. The shoe also does great on pavement, track and cement, as well as light trail. Although you can tread lightly on trail with this shoe, keep in mind that it is better suited for the road because it was designed to grip hard surfaces. The outsole design is particularly good at giving runners increased traction when toeing off, even in wet conditions, although it is not good in slippery conditions.
Price
The Saucony Ride 9 retails at $120 USD which some might find a little high for a road shoe, but the features it offers justify the price. It is a lightweight, durable, highly cushioned shoe that will give you miles of comfortable running. This is great for someone looking for a shoe for a marathon or half marathon, or someone looking to invest in a single shoe that is able to run in any weather condition.
Drop
With an 8mm heel to toe drop, this shoe provides light stability. It encourages runners to get on their toes for a nice springy toe off. The heel cushioning is especially beneficial to heel strikers as well as those who suffer from plantar fasciitis, although cushion throughout the shoe allows all strike patterns to wear this shoe. It is less than the old standard 12mm drop, so it helps strengthen tendons and muscles and help the wearer obtain a proper running form.
Stability
This shoe offers some nice stability features without being overwhelming. The sole is designed to keep runners from light overpronating, keeping their stride straight and consistent, although a stability shoe rather than a neutral shoe will be necessary for heavy or moderate over-pronators. It has some light arch support and a heel counter to stabilize the foot from twisting and other injuries related to stepping incorrectly or having an incorrect running form. This is a good shoe for runners who tend to have overuse injuries such as knee problems or shin splints. The EVERUN technology offers great cushioning throughout for a consistent run.
Flexibility
Given that that cushioning is the aim of the Saucony Ride 9, there is not much flexibility in this shoe. The lack of flexibility is great for providing a consistent, comfortable ride for a long run. The upper is less structured then previous versions and the Triflex outsole is designed with some flexibility in mind. This shoe is great for runners who still need to work on their foot strength or are looking for a more consistent, supportive ride for those long training runs. The low flexibility also helps with going down and up hills as well as allowing the shoe to move freely over the terrain and the foot inside the shoe.
Traction
This shoe offers superb traction on just about any relatively flat surface, dry or wet. It even performs well on a light trail and going up and down hills. The outsole pattern is perfect for forefoot traction and toe-off. Along with the support features and the cushioning from heel to toe, this is a great shoe for any foot strike. The Triflex outsole pattern can be found on many of Saucony’s shoes because it offers such great traction with a little flexibility. The higher impact forefoot and outside midfoot and heel have a zigzag pattern of treads and grooves, as well as two big treads on the lower impact inside midfoot and heel, which all work together to allow the shoe to grip areas directly under the foot.
Bottom Line
The Saucony Ride 9 is designed to be comfortable and with a neutral stride in mind. For many runners, this is their go-to trainer for longer distance runs. For others, this is a great shoe for the marathon or half marathon races. The lightweight comfort is built into every aspect of this shoe, including the FlexiFilm upper and the EVERUN cushion. The Ride 9 does a good job of balancing weight, cushion, stability, and responsiveness. Although some might argue the price is a little high, many runners would certainly argue that this is a shoe worth its retail value, if not a little more. If you are looking for an excellent uptempo trainer that will go the distance and keep you comfortable, definitely check out the Saucony Ride 9.
