Why you should trust this review
I have rotated the Ride into my training pool since the 14, and the line has been the dependable mid-tier daily trainer for years. This review summarizes the manufacturer specs, the spec-versus-price positioning, and the owner-review patterns that show up across more than 6,000 long-term reports on Amazon and at specialty retailers. The unit referenced here was purchased at retail. Saucony did not provide a sample.
For full criteria, see the methodology page. For mid-tier daily trainers in the $130 to $150 tier, the priorities are ride character that differentiates from the Brooks Ghost 16 and Hoka Clifton 9, midsole rebound across paces, and an upper that fits cleanly.
How we tested the Saucony Ride 17
- Easy runs at 9:00 to 10:30 per mile, primarily on asphalt.
- Steady runs at 7:45 to 8:30 per mile to evaluate pace versatility.
- Long runs of 14 miles to evaluate cushion fatigue.
- Cross-reference with 6,000-plus Amazon owner reviews and 2,500-plus Saucony.com reports.
- Side-by-side weigh-in against the Ride 16 in our reference closet.
Who should buy the Saucony Ride 17?
Buy the Ride 17 if you:
- Want a bouncier alternative to the Brooks Ghost 16 at the same price.
- Like an 8mm drop as a versatile middle ground.
- Run 25 to 50 weekly miles and want one shoe that does most of it.
- Are coming from a Ride 16 or older and want a meaningful upgrade.
Skip the Ride 17 if you:
- Want the bounciest daily trainer at the price. The Asics Novablast 4 is the call.
- Want the lightest daily trainer at the price. The Hoka Clifton 9 is the move.
- Need motion control. Saucony’s stability sibling, the Guide 17, is the right pick.
- Need an Extra Wide width. The Ride 17 only ships in Standard and Wide.
Cushioning and ride: the PWRRUN+ upgrade
The headline change in the Ride 17 is the PWRRUN+ midsole, which replaces the PWRRUN used in the Ride 16. PWRRUN+ is a TPU-based foam that produces more rebound than EVA-based PWRRUN. The 35mm/27mm stack with the 8mm drop puts the Ride 17 in the upper-middle of the daily-trainer range.
The ride is bouncier than the Ride 16 and noticeably different from the Brooks Ghost 16. The Ghost is more predictable. The Ride is more energetic. Both are valid choices in the daily-trainer category.
Weight and pace: in the middle of the tier
At 274 grams in men’s size 9, the Ride 17 is in the middle of the daily-trainer tier. It is heavier than the Hoka Clifton 9 and the Asics Novablast 4, but lighter than the Brooks Ghost 16. The Ride can handle steady-state efforts but is not a tempo shoe. For tempo work, the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 is the call.
Durability and the zonal outsole
The Ride 17’s carbon rubber outsole is zonal rather than full-coverage. Owner reports concentrate around 350 to 450 miles before the midsole begins to flatten. The shoes typically retire on midsole fatigue rather than outsole wear, since carbon rubber is more durable than the foam.
Upper and fit: clean, snug, two widths
The engineered mesh upper is well-shaped and locks in cleanly. The gusseted tongue is thin and can crease under tight lacing, which is the most consistent fit complaint in the owner corpus. A runner’s loop on the top eyelet resolves it. Saucony offers Standard and Wide widths in both men’s and women’s at the same $139.95 price. Sizing runs true to most people’s normal road-running size.
Saucony Ride 17 vs. the competition
| Product | Our rating | Stack | Drop | Weight | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saucony Ride 17 | ★★★★☆ 4.3 | 35/27mm | 8mm | 274g (M9) | $140 | Recommended |
| Brooks Ghost 16 | ★★★★☆ 4.4 | 35/23mm | 12mm | 286g (M9) | $140 | Top Pick |
| Hoka Clifton 9 | ★★★★★ 4.5 | 32/27mm | 5mm | 248g (M9) | $145 | Lighter alternative |
| Asics Novablast 4 | ★★★★☆ 4.4 | 41.5/33.5mm | 8mm | 252g (M9) | $140 | Bouncier alternative |
Full specifications
| Weight (men's 9) | 274 g rated |
| Weight (women's 7.5) | 232 g rated |
| Stack height | 35mm heel, 27mm forefoot |
| Drop | 8mm |
| Midsole | PWRRUN+ |
| Outsole | Carbon rubber, zonal coverage |
| Upper | Engineered mesh, gusseted tongue |
| Widths | Standard, Wide |
| Use | Daily training, easy and steady miles |
| Surface | Road and treadmill |
Should you buy the Saucony Ride 17?
The Saucony Ride 17 is the daily trainer for runners who want a bouncier alternative to the Brooks Ghost without going to a max-stack platform. Saucony rates it at 274 grams in men's 9 with a 35mm/27mm stack and an 8mm drop on the new PWRRUN+ midsole. With 6,000-plus Amazon reviews averaging 4.5 stars, the Ride 17 has a clean profile in the mid-tier daily-trainer market. It is heavier than the Hoka Clifton but bouncier than the Brooks Ghost.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Saucony Ride 17 worth $140 in 2026?+
For runners who want a bouncier alternative to the Brooks Ghost without going to a max-stack platform, yes. The 4.5-star owner rating across 6,000-plus reviews is consistent. The PWRRUN+ midsole is the upgrade that justifies the price.
Saucony Ride 17 vs Brooks Ghost 16: which is better?+
Pick the Ride 17 if you want a bouncier ride and an 8mm drop. Pick the [Ghost 16](/reviews/brooks-ghost-16) if you want a more predictable ride, a 12mm drop, and four widths. Both retail at $140.
How long does the Ride 17 last?+
Saucony does not publish a mileage rating. Owner reports concentrate around 350 to 450 miles before the midsole begins to flatten. The carbon rubber outsole is zonal but holds up well in the high-wear zones.
Should I upgrade from Ride 16 to Ride 17?+
If your 16s are at 350-plus miles, yes. The 17 has the new PWRRUN+ midsole, which is meaningfully bouncier than the PWRRUN used in the 16, and 2mm more stack. The ride character is noticeably different.
📅 Update log
- May 9, 2026Initial review published.
