Saucony Ride 18 vs New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v15:
Which to Choose

Start with what they share, because it's a lot: both are neutral, plate-free trainers running single-density foam (Saucony's PWRRUN, New Balance's Fresh Foam X) tuned for durable everyday comfort rather than rebound. Neither is bouncy — both give an honest, controlled return and roll through the stride smoothly without an aggressive rocker, and both top out around 5:00 min/km before the ride starts to feel flat. Interestingly, both foams here land on the firmer side of "cushioned," so the underfoot character is more alike than the brand badges suggest. The real separation is in geometry and weight. The 880v15 is the bigger shoe: it stacks roughly 40mm at the heel and about 35mm at the forefoot on a 6mm drop, and weighs around 300g (10.6 oz). The Ride 18 sits lower and lighter — about 35mm heel / 27mm forefoot on a steeper 8mm drop, at roughly 258g (9.1 oz). That ~40g gap and taller platform mean the New Balance feels more protective and planted on long grinds but a touch more of a handful when you pick up the pace, while the lighter, lower Saucony feels more natural and a little quicker underfoot, with the higher 8mm drop easing the calves and encouraging a rearfoot roll. Both ride on a wide, stable base and offer above-average stability for neutral shoes with no medial posting. On fit, New Balance's edge is width availability — the 880 line is a longtime favorite for runners needing multiple widths — though the v15's toebox runs slightly narrow and the shoe fits a touch small, so size accordingly; the Ride 18's engineered mesh is a more standard, secure everyday fit.