Review: Saucony Ride TR2

In the same way that hunters geek out on guns and climbers are anal about… well, everything, runners can really nerd out on shoes. As a former competitive runner, I typically avoid doing so, however Saucony’s new Ride TR2 Shoes warrant a closer look at some of the features specific to the shoe. Here’s the rundown on Saucony’s latest.

Saucony coins the TR2 as a “gravel” shoe for doorstep excursions that might have a mix of dirt and pavement. However, the 8mm heel-to-toe offset gears it more toward paved or flat surfaces than it does toward trails. The larger “drop” offers great stability, but it comes at a noticeable sacrifice to agility. The tradeoff is fine for town trails like the Gallagator or Sourdough, but not so much for more technical trails like Bridger Foothills or South Cottonwood.

The amount of cushioning in the shoe also pushes it more toward the road-running end of the spectrum. Saucony’s PWRRUN+ foam is extremely bouncy, providing a little boost to each step, but also leveling out smaller rocks and uneven terrain for a smooth ride (trail-running shoes, conversely, typically allow a runner to feel rocks and subtle terrain changes). In conjunction with the shape of the shoe, the foam provides a little bit of forefoot roll, which helps the shoe feel good at all speeds from walking, up to tempo pace. At faster interval speeds, however, the TR2 has a hard time keeping up.

The one part of the shoe that screams “trail” is the outsole. 3.5mm lugs are deep and grippy, offering plenty of traction on trails and wet or icy pavement. The upper also has more substance than a standard road-running shoe, which is good for people who might need a little more ankle support or want to venture onto uneven terrain.

On the whole, if you’re looking for a relatively lightweight shoe you can wear on a quick run around town, or on a dirt-road workout or long run out in the hills, look no further. The TR2s have road-runner functionality, with a little more durability. It’s a niche that Saucony hit spot-on with these shoes, making them well worth considering for casual runners.

Available at saucony.com; $140.