Article by Renee Krusemark and Sam Winebaum
Saucony Ride TR2 ($140)
Introduction
Sam: The Ride TR2 is Saucony’s entry in the “door to trail” category of running shoes. It is derived, as road to trail shoes often are, from the road version Ride 17 For 2024 as with the road Ride, the major change to the TR is to midsole foam from PWRRUN EVA blend to PWRRUN+ an expanded TPU beads foam.
The shoes in this category are designed to transition from road to trails. They generally differ from road shoes in construction with more deeply lugged outsoles and a somewhat ruggedized upper.
Some lean more road in focus and others more trail. The Ride TR2 leans more road with a high stack of 35 mm heel / 27 mm forefoot and the soft and energetic PWRRUN+ foam. Let's see how it performed.
Pros:
Comfortable upper: Renee/Sam
Protective/comfortable/deeply cushioned midsole: Renee/Sam
Solid option for sloppy road conditions, smooth trails and well groomed forest paths: Sam
Cons:
On the heavy side: Renee/Sam
Best for mellow terrain: Renee/Sam
Not very stable on rougher trails: high stack height. 8mm drop, not very torsionally rigid and softi(sh) bouncy foam doesn’t quite keep up with secure upper and outsole: Sam
Somewhat short and pointy at true to size: Sam
Most comparable shoes
Scarpa Golden Gate ATR 2
Nike Pegasus Trail
Stats
Spec Weight: women’s 8.9 oz / 254g US8, men's 10.4 oz / 296g US9
Prior Version Spec Weight: men's 9.2 oz / 261 g (US9) / women's 8.5 oz / 241 g (US8)
Sample Weights:
women’s 9.17oz / 260 g US8, prior version weight: 8.36 oz /237g
men’s 10.32 oz / 293g US , oz / g US
Stack Height: men’s 35 mm heel / 27 mm forefoot, 10mm drop
Previous Version Stack Height: 35 mm heel / 27 mm forefoot, 8mm drop
Platform Width: women’s US8 85mm heel / 65mm midfoot / 112mm forefoot
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
Renee: I enjoyed the first version of the Ride TR. The shoe was relatively lightweight at 8.36 oz in my women’s size 8. On trail, the midsole was soft and bouncy, yet with a secure upper it was controllable on mellow grades. On rolling gravel roads, the ride felt fine although it was a bit slow. The Ride TR 2 updates the midsole with PWRRUN+ expanded TPU beads foam from the prior PWRRUN EVA blend which adds weight to become a 9.17 oz shoe in a women’s size 8. While I tend to frown on weight gain, the midsole of the original Ride TR went flat after my initial testing. The updated more resilient TPU midsole foam is a good move by Saucony.
The upper is comfortable and caters to the shoe’s road to trail use. The heel counter is firm which helps with security, and the toe box overlays offer some protection. Otherwise, the upper is more road than trail. The shoe has a gaiter hook on the laces and a lace tuck strap. The tongue is well padded. The heel tab and tongue tab aren’t really needed as the shoe is easy to get on and off.
Sam: Renee describes the feel and upper well. I would say the upper leans more trail than road with a secure and comfortable fit. It is not particularly roomy upfront with somewhat of a taper at the very front but has a very secure hold there.
The upper is typical of a trail shoe in being a debris resistant single material with overlays and a solid rigid heel counter. The tongue has a gusset.
And upper security is needed here as the soft and bouncy foam and relatively low torsional rigidity (for a trail shoe) requires such a solid hold on any kind of non smooth trail.
The fit is true to size for my narrow to medium feet.
Midsole & Platform
Renee: The new PWRRUN+ midsole foam is the reason the shoe is now heavier than the first version. That said, it makes the midsole more durable. The shoe has enough stack for long runs, although because of the weight it’s not a fast shoe. The 8 mm drop here rolls nicely on flat or rolling terrain. The shoe’s flex isn’t great for trails or climbs, and it’s not the best choice for speed work.
Initially, I was bummed by the weight, but ended up enjoying the shoe for my early morning, 90-minute easy effort runs with strides. The insole is also a thick PWRRUN+ foam , measuring 7mm at the forefoot. The insole adds to the weight, but it helps with protection. Saucony’s TPU insoles are among my favorites.
Sam: Saucony goes with PWRRUN+ foam here, a soft and bouncy expanded TPU beads foam also found in their popular Triumph series shoes and now in the road versionof this shoe the Ride 17. This new foam is a change from the denser (and lighter) PWRRUN foam found in the prior version with PWRRUN seen at least as an outer carrier in Saucony’s more trail focused shoes.
With a 35 mm heel 27 mm forefoot stack height, relatively high for trail shoes, the foam delivers a plush, bouncy and energetic ride on smooth surfaces including road.
It is for my tastes is a bit too soft and unstable on any kind of rougher trail and this despite the stout outsole and secure upper. But not to worry if you trail runs are of the smooth gravel and well groomed forest paths variety.
For a more trail leaning option with still fine road manners, at about the same weight and same stack height look to the Xodus Ultra 3 (RTR Review) with its PWRRUN outer carrier foam, inner supercritical PWRRUN Pb core and mildly propulsive woven rock plate
Outsole
Renee: The outsole features 3.5mm lugs. I had some mud wedge on the cutout/exposed midsole area, but it dropped out eventually.
As a road to trail shoe, the outsole gives some traction without being uncomfortable on road. The dense midsole gives the foot protection from any large gravel.
Sam: The outsole is well matched to the shoe’s door to trail purposes with long flat chevrons to smooth the road ride and more than adequate grip on moderate trails. I also see this outsole (and shoe) being very suitable for winter road runs on snow and in sloppy conditions. This is a trail worthy outsole that does not get in the way with too much firmness, stiffness, and is not slappy on firmer smoother surfaces, even road. This last helped by the overall flexibility of the TR2
On trail, it does not have quite the sharp bite that more disconnected multi dimensional lugs would have but it is an acceptable tradeoff to provide the good road ride manners here.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
Sam: The Ride TR2 adds light trails and sloppy conditions versatility to what is a road leaning plush and friendly midsole and platform. Essentially, given the PWRRUN+ foam, we do have not a trails focused Ride but a light lrails capable Triumph in ride feel. Nothing wrong with that as if you want a higher performance more trails leaning “door to trail”capable from Saucony one can consider the Xodus Ultra 3.
To help stabilize the soft and not that torsionally rigid platform, and also give it more pop and response, I think Saucony would be wise to add its great woven rock plate to the shoe in a next version.
I do think PWRRUN+, while a great foam for its energetic bounce and feel, is not ideal for a trail shoe due to its relative lack of stability and also as it is on the heavy side. Door to trail, road, and trail shoes are rapidly moving to supercritical, lighter and springier foams and Saucony should consider these for a next version.
Comfortable, smooth and pleasant to run (or walk) the Ride TR2 provides the security of a trails outsole and a somewhat more trails focused upper to what is essentially a very well cushioned road shoe. It is a great choice for easy trails, roads, and sloppy conditions come fall and winter.
Sam’s Score: 9.0 /10
(-0.3 Deductions for weight, and -0.7 for my tastes, overly soft and somewhat unstable trails ride.)
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Renee: The Ride TR 2 is a good option for gravel or mellow terrain when comfort is the focus. Many road to trail shoes work just as wlll on trail as they do mellow terrain or my gravel roads. For me, the Ride TR 2 works for gravel but not so much trail.
The shoe is heavy and not very nimble or flexible for switchbacks or steep up and downs. I do like the durability and protection of the PWRRUN+ midsole, although I wish the shoe was a bit lighter. In a bonus, the shoe works well for walking or hiking mellow terrain, so it has potential uses for more than just running. As someone who most runs hilly, gravel roads, I have a use for the shoe. Those who frequent technical terrain might not find the shoe to be the best choice.
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7 Comparisons
Index to all RTR reviews: HERE Roadtrailrun
Saucony Ride 15 TR (v1) (RTR Review)
Renee: The first version was a lighter, more nimble shoe for trail running. The midsole did go flat after my initial testing, so the change to PWRRUN+ in the midsole is an upgrade for v2. The Ride TR 2 will be more durable and protective than v1, at the cost of being a noticeably heavier shoe. Sizing is the same.
Sam: I agree with Renee and would add that the TR2 is now more road focused due to the PWRRUN+ than v1 was.
Saucony Ride 17 (RTR Review)
Sam: The road version shares the same PWRRUN+ midsole foam and stack height with TR2 with of course a road focused outsole. Its upper is for sure roomier, overly roomy for me in comparison with the secure TR2's.
Saucony Ride 16 (RTR Review)
Renee: This older road version of the Ride,with EVA based PWRRUN instead of the PWRRUN + here is lighter and without the 3.5mm lugs we have here. The shoes don’t have the same “ride” in my opinion. The road version has a roll from the forefoot landing that helps the shoe run smoothly despite not being the lightest option for a daily trainer. That roll doesn’t work as well on chunky gravel, and that’s where the trail version is better. Sizing is true-to-size for both shoes.
Saucony Xodus Ultra 3 (RTR Review)
Sam: With about the same stack height and weight, the Xodus Ultra is a more capable trail shoe that can also handle roads. It is more stable due to its PWRRUN outer carrier with an inner core of supercritical PWRRUN Pb supercritical foam for some pop. Its woven rock plate not only protects but adds some response. The Xodus upper is actually a bit roomier and more comfortable with less of a pointy toe box. The Ride TR2 has a more pleasant and easy going road ride but for me, picking one, it would be the Xodus Ultra 3.
Hoka Challenger 7 (RTR Review)
Renee: While I don’t usually like a rockered shoe, the Challenger 7 works well on most terrain. The shoe is much lighter than most trail shoes, including the heavy Ride TR 2. The Challenger is nimble and flexies at the forefoot, so I found it useful on technical terrain despite its lacking that much outsole depth. I’d only choose the Ride TR 2 for easy efforts on gravel. For everything else, the Challenger. I wear a half size shorter for the Challenger as compared to the Ride TR.
Nike Pegasus Trail 5 (RTR Review)
Renee: Neither of these shoes work great for technical terrain, although I suggest reading our review of the Peg Trail 4, as I found the 4 and 5 to be different shoes. The Ride TR has a firmer, more protective midsole. For longer run comfort, I’d go with the Ride TR. The Peg Trail 5 is softer and more flexible underfoot, and it’s faster for climbs and descents. Neither has upper security for technical terrain. Both work great as casual shoes and for road running. Sizing is comparable.
Scarpa Golden Gate ATR 2 (RTR Review soon)
Sam: The Scrapa is lower stack, more agile and trails capable while retaining fine road manners if with a thinner forefoot feel. It is considerably lighter due to its lower stack height at 9.2 oz / 261g US9.and is more stable on trail Its upper is more secure, more breathable and somewhat broader upfront. If your door to trails lean more trails it is a better choice but if cushion and a more pleasant road ride is your focus then Ride TR2.
Tecnica Prolox Hybrid (RTR Review soon)
Sam: Coming in 2025, the Prolox does underfoot what the Saucony should do in a next version: a dual density, springy super pleasant dual supercritical foams midsole: top PEBAX bottom EVA. It has an innovative midsole construction which seeks to separate vertical and horizontal forces and it works with a very smooth flow through my stride. Strangely, but likely due to its broader platform and more extensive outsole, it ends up heavier than the TR2 but is more stable on trails Its upper is roomier overall especially upfront and at the ankle collars (could be higher and more secure there).
Tester Profiles
Renee is a former U.S. Marine journalist, which is when her enjoyment of running and writing started. She isn’t that awesome of a runner, but she tries really hard. Most of her weekly 50-60 miles take place on rural country roads in Nebraska, meaning mud, gravel, dirt, hills, and the occasional field. She has PR’s of 1:30:59 for the half marathon and 3:26:45 for the marathon.
Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is in his 60’s with 2024 Sam’s 52th year of running roads and trails. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range if he gets very, very lucky. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, hiking or on nordic skis. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 164 lbs, if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s
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4 comments:
How does this compare to the New Balance Venym which is this shoes direct competitor.
I didn’t have a chance to review the Venym as review samples weren’t available in the US. The Venym will be a much lighter shoe, much like how the Rebel v4 compares to the current road version of the Ride.
Does Altra Experience Wild fit into the same category? How does it compare to Saucony?
Same category. The Wild will be lighter and lower drop. Maybe Mike P can add his comparison.
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