There’s a certain kind of awe that settles in when you step onto the hallowed turf of the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium in New Delhi. The stands, once echoing with the roars of thousands cheering for Virat Kohli or Rishabh Pant, were now silent. But my heartbeat filled that void as I laced up the new Saucony Ride 18.
I wasn’t here to chase a leather ball or bowl a deadly yorker. I came to test Saucony’s much-hyped daily trainer, the Ride 18, on one of the most well-maintained, athlete-friendly grounds in India. Cricket stadiums aren’t your average running track, but they offer something unique: a blend of soft grassy outfields, friction-heavy tracks near the pitch, and hard concrete perimeters. The Ride 18 had its work cut out.
First Impressions: A Surprisingly Lightweight Companion
The first thing I noticed while unboxing the Ride 18 was how light they felt. Weighing in at just 255g (or 9.0 oz), these shoes were significantly lighter than their predecessor, the Ride 17. The upper mesh looked like it could breathe on its own, and the heel padding seemed plush enough to make my ankle feel like royalty.
I slipped my feet in. The fit was snug but not restrictive. For someone with average width feet, I found the medium width to be just right. The vertical room in the toebox was a welcome surprise, it didn’t feel like my toes were being pressed into a corner store freezer.
The Track Test: From Grass to Grit
I started on the lush green outfield. The traction was instantly noticeable. The XT-900 rubber outsole provided a reliable grip, even on the slightly damp grass. The shoe scored a 0.49 in lab traction tests, slightly above the average of 0.46, and that translated into confident strides underfoot.
Transitioning from grass to the stadium’s inner concrete perimeter was where the PWRRUN+ midsole came alive. The TPU-based cushioning had a distinct spring to it, unlike traditional EVA foams. While the 26.1 HA midsole might seem firm by lab standards, it never felt harsh. Each step delivered a mild bounce, a subtle return of energy that made me want to keep going.
Specifications Table
All technical data is taken from Saucony’s official website for reliability and accuracy.
| Feature | Spec (Ride 18) | Average (All Shoes) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 255g (9.0 oz) | 265g (9.3 oz) |
| Heel Stack Height | 35.0 mm | 34.4 mm |
| Forefoot Stack Height | 26.6 mm | 25.8 mm |
| Heel-to-Toe Drop | 8.4 mm | 8.6 mm |
| Midsole Softness | 26.1 HA | 20.7 HA |
| Breathability | 5/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Flexibility (Bend Test) | 11.0N | 15.0N |
| Outsole Thickness | 3.4 mm | 3.3 mm |
| Insole Thickness | 7.0 mm | 4.5 mm |
| Toebox Width | 73.0 mm | 73.5 mm |
| Toebox Height | 32.0 mm | 27.3 mm |
| Price | ₹15,460 | ₹13,000–₹20,000 |
Midsole Magic: The PWRRUN+ Experience
Let’s talk about the heart of the shoe, the midsole. Saucony retained the PWRRUN+ foam, and I couldn’t be more thankful. Despite its firmness on the durometer scale, it doesn’t feel stiff. Instead, it maintains a responsive bounce that never gets mushy.
The heel stack height of 35.0 mm is in that sweet spot, enough to cushion your landings without making you feel like you’re balancing on stilts. Forefoot stack height is equally pleasing at 26.6 mm. The 8.4 mm heel-to-toe drop felt natural, especially during faster strides and cooldown jogs. This drop caters to both heel strikers and midfoot landers, making it versatile.
A Breath of Fresh Air, Literally
The upper mesh of the Ride 18 is one of its standout features. Saucony didn’t hold back here. During the smoke-pumping lab tests, the shoe received a perfect 5/5 for breathability. And I felt that during my run.
Running under the Delhi sun, even at 7 AM, can be sweaty business. But my feet stayed cool throughout the 10K loop I completed around the stadium. The dual-layer mesh, with large ventilation holes on the outside and micro-perforations inside, works like a charm.
Fit and Comfort: Snug but Forgiving
The Ride 18 fits true to size. I wear a US 10, and the fit was spot on. The toebox offers a vertical clearance of 32.0 mm, which makes a huge difference on long runs. No toenail pressure, no weird rubbing.
However, the lateral width might feel a bit narrow for runners with wider feet. While Saucony does offer a wide version, the standard model may not satisfy fans of ultra-roomy shoes like those from Altra or Topo.
The heel counter and tongue padding are plush without being bulky. At 8.5 mm, the tongue padding is just enough to provide comfort without adding unnecessary weight.
Stability and Structure: Surprisingly Smooth Ride
Despite being neutral shoes, the Ride 18 offers impressive stability. The torsional rigidity score of 2 (on a scale of 1 to 5) means it’s quite flexible, perfect for runners who like a natural, flowing stride.
The heel counter also rates a 2, making it soft and forgiving. While this might result in a slight drop in stability for heavy heel strikers, I personally didn’t experience any heel slippage or instability.
Durability and Grip: Built to Last
The outsole features XT-900 rubber strategically placed in high-impact zones. While rubber coverage is minimal to keep the weight down, the 3.4 mm outsole thickness and 0.7 mm wear in lab tests indicate solid durability.
On the mixed terrain of the stadium, grass, concrete, and even some dirt paths, I felt confident with every step. The grip was consistent, and the shoe never faltered, even on slightly wet patches.
The Arun Jaitley Effect: Why the Venue Matters
Testing shoes on a conventional track or treadmill gives you clean data. But testing them on a cricket stadium? That’s where real-world variables come into play. The soft grass mimics trail conditions, the concrete boundary resembles urban pavements, and the hard-packed dirt paths simulate worn city roads.
Running here gave me a deeper appreciation for the Ride 18’s adaptability. It transitioned smoothly across surfaces, didn’t trap dirt, and provided consistent cushioning throughout.
And let’s not forget the psychological boost of running where sports legends have walked. It’s intangible, but it adds a layer of charm to the shoe-testing experience.
Final Thoughts: A Daily Trainer Done Right
After logging over 25 kilometers in the Saucony Ride 18, most of them inside the Arun Jaitley Stadium, I can confidently say this is one of the best daily trainers I’ve tested in recent years.
It’s not perfect. The toebox could be roomier, and more rubber on the outsole wouldn’t hurt. But these are minor trade-offs for a shoe that delivers exceptional breathability, solid cushioning, and a responsive ride, all wrapped in a lightweight package.
Whether you’re a beginner looking for your first serious running shoe or a seasoned runner needing a reliable daily trainer, the Ride 18 checks nearly every box. And if you ever get the chance to run in a place like Arun Jaitley Stadium, take it, your feet (and your soul) will thank you.
Until next time, keep running and keep testing.
