Saucony Ride 17 Review: The Safe Daily Trainer That Actually Delivers
A balanced neutral trainer with enough cushioning for daily miles—just not the softest or most supportive option.
Shortlistd Editorial
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Saucony Ride 17 Review: The Safe Daily Trainer That Actually Delivers
By Editorial Team | April 2026
The Saucony Ride 17 is the shoe you buy when you want one pair to do most of the work. It’s the most sensible choice here: cushioned enough for daily mileage, smooth enough for long walks, and not so soft that it turns sloppy. At £85.49, it earns its keep by being reliable rather than flashy.
Our pick: Saucony Ride 17
Saucony Ride 17 — £85.49
The Ride 17 is a straightforward neutral daily trainer that makes ordinary runs feel easier. With a score of 7.8/10, it lands in the useful middle ground: good cushioning, a smooth transition, and enough structure to feel stable without adding a true stability system.
Why it works:
- The full-length PWRRUN+ midsole gives you a springier, less dead feel than a lot of standard daily trainers.
- The rockered sole design helps heel-to-toe transitions feel smoother, which matters when you’re stacking up easy miles.
- The engineered mesh upper and midfoot wrap keep the fit secure and breathable without making the shoe feel overbuilt.
The honest trade-off: it is not a stability shoe, and it is not max-cushion soft, so runners who want one of those extremes should look elsewhere.
If you want a dependable neutral trainer for regular training, buy the Saucony Ride 17.
Best upgrade: Saucony Triumph 23
Saucony Triumph 23 — premium neutral trainer
The Triumph 23 is the obvious step up if you want more cushioning and a more luxurious long-run feel. It’s the better call for runners who spend more time on easy mileage and less time caring about a shoe that feels nimble.
Worth it if: you want a max-cushioned neutral shoe and you’re happy to pay extra for comfort over versatility.
Best budget pick: Brooks Ghost 17
Brooks Ghost 17 — mid-range daily trainer
The Ghost 17 is the safer budget-adjacent alternative if you want a classic, easygoing ride with a slightly softer, more comfort-first personality. It gives up some liveliness compared with the Ride 17, but that’s the trade: a calmer feel for runners who just want a dependable workhorse.
Worth it if: you prefer a softer everyday shoe and don’t mind a less energetic ride.
How we chose
We looked at what matters most in a neutral daily trainer: cushioning that holds up over easy miles, a ride that feels smooth rather than clumsy, fit security, and enough outsole durability for regular road use. We also checked current real-world alternatives to make sure the Ride 17 is being judged against shoes runners actually buy.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Saucony Ride 17 good for beginners? Yes. It’s neutral, predictable, and cushioned enough for new runners who want one shoe for training and long walks.
Is £85.49 good value? Yes, if you want a daily trainer that does the basics well. It’s not cheap, but it is priced below a lot of premium max-cushion shoes.
Will it help with overpronation? No. The Ride 17 has no stability system, so it is not the right choice if you need support for overpronation.
