Shoe Of The Week: Saucony Ride 7

The latest edition of the Ride is a little lighter and has a more athletic fit. 

Sometimes runners just want their favorite running shoe model to be left alone, but sometimes updates result in an even better shoe. Saucony re-engineered its popular, neutral cushioning shoe and the results were outstanding. For starters, it reconfigured the outsole with deeper flex grooves in the forefoot and larger landing zones in the heel. Additional ground contact (made possible by the removal of a plastic midfoot shank) allows for a smoother, more stable ride. The slightly modified upper allows for better midfoot support and a more athletic fit. It has an enhanced interior that provides both a plush, comfy step-in feel and snug fit, but also helps pull moisture away from the sweaty socks. The Ride 7 serves up a soft but moderately stiff ride, a combination most Competitor wear-testers thought added to the shoe’s versatility. (It’s ideal for slow and moderate distance runs but can also be used for some up-tempo workouts like fartleks or tempo runs.) The best news is that it’s about half an ounce lighter than the previous incarnation. It’s not super light, but it’s light enough and has enough structure and arch support for most runners to be a workhorse high-mileage trainer. As far as updates go, this one is a win-win, even if the price has crept up $10. (That’s a sign of the times in therunning shoe industry, not necessarily a reflection of this shoe’s features.)

Saucony Ride 7
Price: $120
Weights: 9.3 oz. (men’s size 9.0); 8.1 oz. (women’s size 7)
Heel-Toe Drop: 8mm
Info: saucony.com

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