With the Ride 13, Saucony has successfully updated one of its classic models. We tested it and are really impressed with this neutral training shoe.

Admittedly, the Ride 13 isn’t exactly attractive or eye-catching. It’s too gray, too plain—the shoe almost seems invisible, so unspectacular is its exterior. But appearances can be deceiving. And how! With this update to the Ride, Saucony has really hit the mark; true beauty comes from within.

It starts with the fit: As is typical for Saucony, the shoe has a roomy cut. Plenty of space, especially in the forefoot, a super comfortable upper, a well-padded heel, and the unique lacing system with the “thick” laces—all of this creates a “slipper-like feel.” Sure, this makes the most sense for slow to moderate-paced runs, and especially longer ones. But that’s exactly the kind of run the Ride 13 is built for. The same goes for the cushioning. With the new PWRRUNcushioning material—which is also used in other models like the Kinwara—it delivers comfortable cushioning while maintaining an amazingly compact running feel. The shoe just feels exactly right, especially for long runs: comfortable but not overly cushioned, yet still light and dynamic. A shoe that quietly, perfectly, and reliably does its job.

The sole is reinforced with abrasion-resistant material, which not only makes it durable but also sturdy enough to handle a wide variety of surfaces. It performs exceptionally well on both asphalt and forest trails. The only place where this shoe really isn’t at home is on muddy or otherwise rough singletrack trails. But that’s what trail running shoes are for.

The Saucony Ride 13 has a classic design, so unlike the Endorphin series, it doesn’t feature a curved sole. This results in a natural roll-through motion, with the advantage that you aren’t forced into a specific movement pattern, as is the case with shoes that have a curved carbon sole. This allows you to vary your running technique; the shoe performs just as well when landing on the heel as it does on the midfoot. Only pure forefoot runners might not be quite as happy with this shoe. But for a normal training run, forefoot running is rarely a real concern for most people.

Bottom line: Judging the Ride 13 by its appearance alone would be a mistake. Saucony has quietly relaunched a fantastic neutral training shoe designed for longer runs and casual runners. Thanks to its modern cushioning material, it successfully combines excellent cushioning with responsiveness, making it the perfect addition to the Saucony lineup.