Saucony Ride 19 vs New Balance Fresh Foam X Ellipse v1:
Which to Choose

Start with what they share: both are 8mm-drop neutral trainers with generous cushioning, an engineered mesh upper, and a smooth, roll-forward ride that rewards cruising over surging. The separation is in the midsole material. The Ride 19 uses PWRRUN+ eTPU, a resilient, pellet-based foam that returns energy more willingly and gives a mild above-average bounce on toe-off, where the Ellipse runs on a single slab of EVA-based Fresh Foam X — plush and forgiving, improved over earlier versions, but comfortable rather than lively. That shows up in the pace windows: the Ride 19 is at home around 4:45–5:30 min/km and can be pushed toward 4:30, while the Ellipse settles into a slower 5:30–6:30 min/km cruise and turns mushy if you press it. The Ellipse is the lighter and lower shoe — 261g in a men's US9 on a 37/27mm stack — against the taller, plusher Ride 19 at 278g on a 39/30mm stack, so the Saucony carries more foam (and more weight) underfoot. Fit also differs: the Ellipse hugs with a snug, low-volume last that some runners love and wider feet may find restrictive, while the Ride 19 sits on a wider, more accommodating cushioned base. Finally, range: the Ride 19 genuinely covers 10K through the marathon, with marathon comfort as its sweet spot, whereas the Ellipse tops out happily at the half and is really built for easy and recovery days plus the occasional relaxed 10K or half.