REASONS TO BUY
Enjoyable versatile
Easy to wear
Beginner-friendly
Comfortable
Well-tractioned
REASONS TO AVOID
Not the most exciting ride
Lacks technical components veteran runners may seek
Saucony Ride 19 - Women's Review
This shoe's balanced cushioning and smooth transitions make it an approachable option for everything from recovery miles to steady everyday runs
This shoe's balanced cushioning and smooth transitions make it an approachable option for everything from recovery miles to steady everyday runs.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
By Ally Arcuri ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ May 14, 2026
RELATED: Best Running Shoes for Women
Our Verdict
The Saucony Ride 19 continues the series' reputation as one of the most reliable and versatile daily trainers on the market, especially for beginner runners. Built to handle everything from easy recovery miles to consistent everyday training, the Ride 19 blends balanced cushioning, smooth transitions, and an approachable fit into a shoe that simply feels easy to run in. It doesn't chase flashy trends or overly aggressive geometry, which can muddy the waters when it comes to finding success as a new runner. Instead, this shoe focuses on delivering a comfortable ride that works for a wide range of runners and workouts. For many, the Ride 19 is the kind of shoe that quietly becomes a go-to favorite because of how natural and consistent it feels day after day.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Ride 19 offers a soft, breathable, and comfortably secure fit that feels natural from the first step. Credit: Ally Arcuri
Comfort and Fit
The comfort and fit of the Saucony Ride 19 stand in the top echelon. The well-built undercarriage feels plush yet sturdy, hitting solid comfort marks.
With a soft, breathable engineered mesh upper and enough toebox real estate for comfortable running, the Ride fits like a shoe you already know and love. The overall fit of the shoe is neutral, but the thickness of the heel and shoe body make it feel more stable than expected.
The Ride 19 is a comfortable shoe that considers the entire foot, not just the underfoot cushioning. Credit: Matt Lighthart
We especially enjoy the plumpness of the lateral walls and the tongue. Instead of trying to save weight and make the lightest shoe possible, Saucony puffed up the tongue, which makes the lacebed lie incredibly comfortably atop the foot. Overall, the Ride 19 weighs 7.45 ounces per women's size 6.5 shoe, which is ever so slightly less than the last iteration of the Ride.
The Ride's engineered mesh upper and well-padded tongue create a smooth, accommodating feel without unnecessary bulk. Credit: Ally Arcuri
Though we found the forefoot of the Ride to be plenty spacious, runners who prefer a bit of extra wiggle room in their shoes might seek out the wide option that Saucony makes. True to size in every sense, this shoe offers some of the best step-in comfort we've seen, making it a prime choice for new runners looking to hit the road in relative comfort. During runs, the material almost seems to disappear around the foot, flexing naturally with movement rather than fighting against it or creating pressure points. This flexible, unobtrusive design helps the shoe maintain a lightweight, unrestricted feel throughout the stride, contributing to the Ride's easygoing, versatile personality. Even over extended wear, the upper continues to feel smooth, airy, and comfortable without sacrificing the secure lockdown expected from a dependable daily trainer.
The overall fit here strikes a confident balance between comfort and structure, making it especially friendly for new and everyday runners. Credit: Ally Arcuri
Cushioning
The Saucony Ride 19 delivers an experience that balances energy and comfortable security. The cushioning has a light, springiness that helps the shoe feel nimble and efficient during everyday miles, while still offering enough protection for longer efforts on tired legs.
Rather than sinking into gooey softness, the midsole provides a subtle bounce that keeps transitions smooth and efficient. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Instead of sinking deeply into softness, the midsole delivers a more responsive feel that keeps transitions quick and natural from heel strike to toe-off. The result is a smooth, versatile experience that feels equally comfortable jogging easy miles, picking up the pace, or simply spending long hours on your feet. While we appreciate that the Ride feels like a true running shoe with some responsive bounce, runners who want a race-ready machine to promote quicker leg turnover will find the Ride's build too simplistic. Alternatively, runners who want a comfortable shoe that lets them feel some energy return will appreciate what this shoe offers.
The upper of the updated Ride stays comfortably airy without feeling overly thin or exposed during extended use. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Breathability
The Ride 19 keeps things feeling airy and unobtrusive for feet, especially through the front half of the shoe, where ventilation is most noticeable.
The upper of the Ride doesn't feel dense or overly padded despite the step-in comfort it provides, allowing heat to escape naturally during warmer runs and longer outings. Air moves through the material well enough to keep the shoe from developing an overheated sensation that can sometimes build up during long days. The bulk, if we can call it that, is robust enough to tackle winter runs as well. The breathability helps this shoe maintain its comfort, but the mesh upper is protective enough for cooler climates, too.
Durable rubber coverage across the outsole adds confidence and longevity, helping this road shoe maintain consistent performance over time. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Traction
Traction on the Ride 19 feels smooth, controlled, and pleasantly consistent. Instead of an aggressive or overly firm sensation underfoot, the outsole inspires confidence in the background, helping the shoe maintain confident footing on pavement, bike paths, sidewalks, and light stretches of gravel.
The rubber layout transitions cleanly through the stride, giving the shoe a fluid ride that holds its ground. What stands out most is how naturally the outsole complements the Ride's overall balance. The grip feels secure enough for damp roads and changing conditions, yet the shoe still maintains a lightweight flexibility. Durability also appears solid through high-wear zones, based on our extensive testing, making the Ride 19 feel built to handle consistent training without losing its dependable road feel over time.
The Ride's blend of comfort, durability, and ease of use makes it especially appealing for beginners and consistent road runners alike. Credit: Ally Arcuri
Should You Buy the Saucony Ride 19?
Runners looking for a shoe that seamlessly marries simplicity and pizzazz will likely enjoy the ride of the Ride. It isn't the most high-tech shoe on the market, but it hits all of the marks where it counts. From comfort and durability, the Ride is a shoe we recommend to runners who want something reliable, stable, and ready to meet them where they're at on their running journey. And we think it is perfect for those beginning their journey into running and want to start off on the right foot for enjoyment.
What Other Road Running Shoes Should You Consider?
The most versatile overall running shoe in our lineup this season is the Brooks Glycerin 23. The Glycerin feels a bit less cushioned underfoot, allowing runners to feel the nuances of the road a bit more during runs. Similarly scoring overall, the Saucony Ride costs a bit less, which is worth noting if you like the sounds of this shoe. Runners on a strict budget will find that the Asics Gel-Contend 9 is a winning pick. Available for about half the price of the Ride, the Contend offers affordable comfort and a nimble feel. The Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 isn't quite as high of a scorer overall, but it will appeal to runners who want a more technical feel in a shoe that provides cushioning similar to that of the Ride.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Saucony Ride 19 - Women's versus top competing products:
| Awards |  Best for Running Beginners |
|---|---|
| Price | $145 List Check Price at Backcountry |
Overall Score  |
|
| Star Rating | |
| Bottom Line | This shoe's balanced cushioning and smooth transitions make it an approachable option for everything from recovery miles to steady everyday runs |
| Pros | Enjoyable versatile, easy to wear, beginner-friendly, comfortable, well-tractioned |
| Cons | Not the most exciting ride, lacks technical components veteran runners may seek |
| Rating Categories | Saucony Ride 19 |
| Comfort and Fit (45%) | |
| Cushioning (30%) | |
| Breathability (15%) | |
| Traction (10%) | |
| Specifications | Saucony Ride 19 |
| Who is it Best For? | Beginners |
| Best Use | Relaxed running |
| Measured Weight | 7.45 oz |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 8 mm |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 36 mm |
| Available Sizes | 5 - 12 US regular, wide |
| Midsole | PWRRUN+ |
| Plate Type | None |
| Upper | Engineered mesh |
| Outsole | Rubber |
| Heel Tab Type | Extended heel pull |
| Style | Daily trainer |
—Ally Arcuri
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