Saucony Ride 7 Shoe Review

A little trivia: The Saucony's logo actually represents the Sacony Creek in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and the three circles represents the boulders. The word Saucony (pronounced sock-uh-knee) means “where two rivers run together.”

I received this pair of Saucony Ride 7 courtesy of Ms. Nikka Peralta of i-Trend last December 19, 2014, two months after the 1st Saucony Philippines store was launched at Glorietta 3 in Makati City where the new line of Saucony Performance apparels, Kinvara 5, and Saucony Philippine sponsored-athletes were also unveiled to the media and attendees.

The Ride 7 has not been rode on for a break-in until a month after, with the break-in at only 6.75-km for a short speed test near my neighborhood. I have decided to have a speed workout as a test run for this shoe due to the fact that my initial impression about this pair is that it was a racing flat because it is as lightweight as my previous Kinvara 3.

Since the Ride 7 falls on the neutral cushioning shoe category, you would never expect the shoe to be lightweight at only 9.4 ounces (266.5 grams) at first glance with the visibly-chunky rubber on the medial side. It isn't even close to minimalist shoe with its 8-mm heel-to-toe drop/offset. Having been used to a neutral Diadora shoe which I previously thought was at par in terms of weight on its category, the Ride 7's weight was really surprising to me.

The Saucony Ride 7's cushioning was also impressive. It is thick and soft but not overly soft that would swallow the energy from your strides. In fact, its responsiveness is also satisfying that I can recommend this shoe for short speed races and even longer distances to 21K and Marathons. Of course the shoe is intended for paved road use only and not on trails.

Saucony Ride 7's blown rubbers on the heel, mid, and toe areas.

The hard blown rubber on the heel area keeps it from immediate wear, while the softer blown rubber under the forefoot gives it relative traction even on not-so-perfect roads. Right under the tip of the toes are also hard rubber (not as hard as on the heel, and not as soft as on the midsole) to also minimize the accelerated wear and tear on this area at every toe-offs. These rubbers in contrast are flex-groove designed that makes the shoe flexible.

Breathable upper mesh in blue / black / citron color

Aesthetically, the upper is also breathable with its open mesh that keeps the feet cool and comfortable. The welded overlays are seamless and functionally does structure support at each bend of the forefoot. The lace's green-black color combination perfectly accentuates the lucid blue color of the upper.

The reflective bits of Saucony Ride 7

The small logo in front of the lace, the two lace loops, the text logo on the upper-outer tongue, and another small logo at the heel area also serves a purpose - it reflects the lights back so vehicles won't miss you while running in the dark.

As of this writing, my Saucony Ride 7 pair has already logged about 96-kms in combined training runs and two (2) races (at the Run United 1 2015 and PF-Sub 1 Challenge). I cannot conclude yet its cushioning's durability and whether it will be able to survive at least 400-km distance. In contrast, I am already loving its lightweightedness, the aesthetics, flexibility, and cushioning.

The only caveat or needs more improvement is that the tongue still slides sideways despite the presence of the two lace loops. Although it doesn't really affect your strides or the way you run, but it would be better if the tongue stays on its center alignment.

Powerfoam insoles integrated with grid technology

The well-stitched inner sockliner

The heel crash pad redesigned to give more cushioned landing zone

More blown lightweight rubbers

First 21K race (as Pacer) at the Run United 1 2015

First 10K (and 2nd race) at the Pinoy Fitness' 10K Sub-1 Challenge 2015

My first dib with a Saucony shoe was with the Kinvara 3 that I bought at 50% discount on the 23rd of November 2012. What's great at the Kinvara 3 was also of its lightweight, durable upper, and almost a minimalist design at just 4-mm heel-to-toe drop. Add to it the showy green-black color combination -- which was an eye catcher.

It is a racing flat which retired after having logged more than 320++ kilometers only of pounding on the road. The retirement was forced as it has already started causing plantar pains with the accelerated wear on the toe area of the shoe's right pair. I'm still using it but only on casual and short walks or strolls.