Thanks for the response Marc. I think I was “researched out”…too much info in too little time. I was getting the Ride and the Guide lines confused with each other and the Power Grid label threw me off. I did a test run in the Ride 6 in and around the store, which is how I settled on that line. I tried various shoes that were neutral and cushioned and it came down to Ride 6 vs Asics Cumulus 15. I settled on the Ride 6 due to price as the shoes felt the same to me. Then I saw the Ride 5 at only $42 on Amazon, so I snagged them. At $42, they’re disposable vs $100+ for the other 2 in the stores. Thanks to your info about the Ride 7s being out soon, I’ll watch for similar savings on the Ride 6. I’ll gladly run in last year’s shoes for that sort of savings. Thanks again for taking the time to respond to my concerns. As for the Ride 5, I’ve gotten two 3 mile runs in on them so far and they are comfortable. They feel slower than my Asics GT2140s do, but maybe that’ll change after I break them in.

Marc,

Here is a Saucony tech sheet for the Ride 6:

http://www.saucony.com/saucony/images/us/TechSheets/sauc_techsheet_Ride6.pdf

The Ride line is a neutral trainer. No change in that regard between the 5 and the 6 and the two Amazon models are the same shoe, they just labeled them differently.

The change from ProGrid to PowerGrid is simply a change in the material used in the midsole. PowerGrid is ostensibly more cushioned, while also being lighter in weight.

Be aware that the Ride 7 is due out June 1, thus it is likely that pricing on the Ride 6 will drop soon as vendors look to move that inventory. More info here:

http://blog.saucony.com/saucony-lab/product-corner/ride-7/

Depending upon your purchase timeline, you might visit a local running store to try the Ride 6 and see how it fits and feels. Make sure that you can do a test run in them, not just walk in them. If they work for you and you can wait a bit, get the 6 when the price drops in the next few weeks. While you are in the store, be sure to try other similar cushioned, neutral shoes for comparison.

As you may note from my prior comments above, the Ride 6 did not work for me, as it was a bit too narrow, which seems to be an issue for the recent set of Saucony models. So testing them for fit is important.

Good luck!

From one Marc to another.

I noticed your photo comparison of the Ride 5 vs Ride 6 outsoles. I’m hoping you can provide some clarity since you have some hands on experience with these shoes. The Ride 5 has “Pro Grid” markings on the shoes, while the Ride 6 has “Power Grid”. There’s also 2 distinct lines for the Ride 5. A. Ride 5 (http://www.amazon.com/Saucony-Mens-Ride-Running-Citron/dp/B0081K3AZS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1398098775&sr=8-2&keywords=saucony+ride+5) B. ProGrid Ride 5 (http://www.amazon.com/Saucony-Progrid-Ride-Running-Citron/dp/B006N02LN0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398098775&sr=8-1&keywords=saucony+ride+5). I’ve been hard-pressed to find a difference in these shoes. I was recommended a Ride 6 at the local running store. I figured I’d step back to the Ride 5 and get last year’s model at a fraction of the cost. Now I’m torn because I want to make sure I get the right shoe for me, but I’m not sure ProGrid is what I need since I’m a neutral runner. I’m hoping you can “clearify” things for me a little.

Brad,

I still wear the Ride about once a week. They’re one of the shoes that I find to be very dependable and won’t surprise me. I think that they have gotten more comfortable as I’ve had a chance to break them in further.

I once wore them on a technical trail, but wouldn’t recommend them for this use. They had some issues with traction and I felt some of the sharper rocks on the course. I hadn’t really prepared to run this particular trail, but my volunteer duties for a trail race were changed from aid station worker to course tear-down duty (aka run the whole course taking down markers).

Overall, I find myself suggesting this shoe for someone looking for a long distance trainer. Let me know if you get a pair and what you think!

Great, thanks for the response and the thoughts, Tyler! Have you been using the Ride a lot during the last 6 weeks since your original review? Do you still like them as a good long distance trainer?

Hi Brad,

I have had a chance to try on the 890v4 in stores, but not a chance to do any significant running in them. Pete recently published a great review here on Runblogger. The similarities between these shoes is that they are both neutral trainers designed for high mileage without being bricks. The drop is similar, with the Saucony being 2mm shorter, but this is negligible. The Saucony will seem a bit softer, but also weighs about an ounce heavier.

If we looked at this on a spectrum, the 890v4 would lean more toward the race flat end of things, while the Saucony Ride 6 would drift a little further toward the traditional trainer end.

Tyler, since originally writing this review, have you had any opportunity to try out the New Balance 890 V4? The reason I am asking is that I am somewhat tossing between trying out the Ride 6 or the 890 V4 for my next long run (or recovery) shoe. Thanks!

Thanks, Brad! The Launch is a great shoe, and one that deserves a place in most collections. The Ride 6 is slightly heavier than the Launch, but I don’t think that should deter you from giving it a try.

Thanks Pete. Look forward to your thoughts.

I too am concerned about that possibility, with an arch in the shoe that might be too high/stiff and will cause irritation. I have avoided any type of support/guidance shoe for that reason.

Some of my favorite shoes are the Skechers GoBionic Prana without socks or insoles. I can get down with my minimalist self. ;)

Haven’t run in the Guides yet, but have worn them casually a bit and they seem to flare up my PF. Still gonna try to run in them as I’m curious what is going on!