Saucony Ride 17 - breit (D)

Saucony may have disappointed some people with last year's minor update to the Ride 16, who would have liked a slightly more modern, more reactive foam in the midsole. Now, like many of its competitors, the US company is following the general trend towards more cushioning and "bounce". Personally, I also liked the old, firmer setup, but the Powerrun+ offers noticeably softer cushioning and is really fun. As I said, in my opinion the Ride has become more similar to the Triumph. However, the Triumph has 2mm more foam under the heel, so it has a 10mm drop and is therefore better suited to heel strikers. If you are looking for a similar all-rounder with pronation support from Saucony, you could take a look at the Guide 16. If you are looking for a faster and lighter version, the Kinvara 14 or possibly the Endorphin series would be of interest. There is huge competition from all manufacturers in this segment, so only a small selection can be compared. The Asics GEL-Nimbus 25 is a slightly more comfortable all-rounder with equally good support, more cushioned and padded, but not quite as agile and a little slower when changing direction. It is therefore more of a candidate for somewhat slower runs, but stronger for very long distances. Another serious competitor with similar DNA is Hoka's Clifton 9, which is significantly lighter than the Ride 17 and, with a 5mm drop, is also a more dynamic shoe that is very popular with many runners. It combines comfort with lightness, although in my opinion the Ride is still just ahead at higher speeds despite its higher weight. The Glycerin and Ghost from Brooks are also popular all-round trainers with similar characteristics, as is the Pegasus from Nike. Among these many very good all-rounders from different manufacturers, Saucony's Ride is still one of the best for me and showed no weaknesses in the practical test. The Ride 17 is a fantastically balanced all-rounder - for me the best Ride of all time. I see the small changes to the upper material and the new design as an improvement. However, the new sole provides the greatest added value - a real leap forward. At 150 euros, it is in the middle price segment and offers good value for money, especially as you get a high-quality, durable shoe. I ran 900 to 1000 km in the previous models, but of course this varies from person to person. All in all, a clear buy for me.