Products
Saucony Ride 18
Topo Phantom 4
Tested using Methodology v0.8.2
Updated Nov 05, 2025 04:21 PM
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Saucony
Tested using Methodology v0.9
Updated Dec 12, 2025 08:08 PM
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Amazon.com
Weight
260.2 g (9.18 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.8 mm
Plate
None
Weight
254.3 g (8.97 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
6.7 mm
Plate
None
Our Verdict
Saucony Ride 18
Topo Phantom 4
The Saucony Ride 18 and Topo Phantom 4 are two daily trainers that promise a smooth ride with minimal fuss or bells and whistles. The distinguishing feature of the Topo shoe is its wide toebox, which allows more room for toes to splay, so this shoe will be of interest to runners who like a roomier forefoot. On the other hand, the Saucony shoe is much more energetic and slightly better cushioned and more stable, so for runners whose toes don't get cramped, the Ride has more to offer.
Variants
- Ride 18 (Arctic/Barle - (Men - US 9))
- Ride 18 (Azurite/Peel - (Men - US 9))
- Ride 18 (Black/Gum - (Women - US 7))
- Ride 18 (Black/Shadow - (Men - US 9))
- Ride 18 (Black/Skydiver - (Men - US 9))
- Ride 18 (Black/White - (Men - US 9))
- Ride 18 (Black/White - (Women - US 7))
- Ride 18 (Cameo/Peony - (Women - US 7))
- Ride 18 (Cinder/Black - (Men - US 9))
- Ride 18 (Cloud - (Women - US 7))
- Ride 18 (Cloud/Dream - (Women - US 7))
- Ride 18 (Cloud/Dusk - (Men - US 9))
- Ride 18 (Cloud/Shadow - (Men - US 9))
- Ride 18 (Dove/Navy - (Men - US 9))
- Ride 18 (Dusk/Pollen - (Men - US 9))
- Ride 18 (Fog/Mist - (Women - US 7))
- Ride 18 (Hemlock/Bloom - (Women - US 7))
- Ride 18 (Ice Melt/Dream - (Women - US 7))
- Ride 18 (Lapis/Citron - (Men - US 9))
- Ride 18 (Moon/Woodrose - (Women - US 7))
- Ride 18 (Navy/Aster - (Women - US 7))
- Ride 18 (Olivine - (Men - US 9))
- Ride 18 (Peach/Sunny - (Women - US 7))
- Ride 18 (Pine/White - (Men - US 9))
- Ride 18 (Pollen/Pepper - (Men - US 9))
- Ride 18 (Quartz/Peony - (Women - US 7))
- Ride 18 (Shadow/Vizi - (Men - US 9))
- Ride 18 (Vanilla - (Women - US 7))
- Ride 18 (White/Azurite - (Men - US 9))
- Ride 18 (White/Coral - (Women - US 7))
- Ride 18 (White/Lettuce - (Women - US 7))
- Ride 18 (White/Olivine - (Men - US 9))
- Ride 18 (White/Sunny - (Women - US 7))
- Ride 18 (White/Thistl - (Women - US 7))
- Ride 18 (White/Verbana - (Women - US 7))
- Phantom 4 (Black/White - (Men - US 9))
- Phantom 4 (Black/White - (Women - US 7))
- Phantom 4 (Blue/Lime - (Men - US 9))
- Phantom 4 (Grey/Grey - (Women - US 7))
- Phantom 4 (Purple/Blue - (Women - US 7))
- Phantom 4 (Salt/Natural - (Men - US 9))
- Phantom 4 (Salt/Natural - (Women - US 7))
- Phantom 4 (Stone/Black - (Men - US 9))
Main Differences for
Marathon Racing
Marathon Racing
Threshold
Marathon Racing
6.7
5.9
Forefoot Energy Return
8.0
3.7
Heel Energy Return
7.1
1.6
Forefoot Stack Height
28.0 mm
30.4 mm
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
6.0
6.3
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
260.2 g (9.18 oz)
254.3 g (8.97 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
36.8 mm
37.1 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
28.0 mm
30.4 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.8 mm
6.7 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.0 mm
5.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Outsole Heel Width
95 mm (3.7")
88 mm (3.5")
Outsole Arch Width
72 mm (2.8")
82 mm (3.2")
Outsole Forefoot Width
120 mm (4.7")
112 mm (4.4")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.58
2.37
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
4.29
3.68
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Internal Length
279 mm (11.0")
277 mm (10.9")
Internal Heel Width
66 mm (2.6")
67 mm (2.6")
Internal Forefoot Width
94 mm (3.7")
97 mm (3.8")
Wide Sizing Available
Yes
Yes
Other Features
Other Features Photo
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Tongue Gusset Type
Semi-gusseted
Non-gusseted
Plate
None
None
Performance
Heel Energy Return
7.1
1.6
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Heel Energy Return
76.7%
67.0%
Forefoot Energy Return
8.0
3.7
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Forefoot Energy Return
80.7%
70.3%
Heel Cushioning
7.4
7.1
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Energy Absorbed At 550N
3.15 J
3.43 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
9.24 J
8.73 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
16.08 J
14.32 J
Forefoot Cushioning
7.2
7.0
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Energy Absorbed At 800N
4.41 J
4.52 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
7.76 J
7.58 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
11.46 J
10.75 J
Heel Firmness
5.7
6.2
Heel Firmness
Firmness At 550N
55.3 N/mm
54.0 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
106.1 N/mm
130.1 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
248.3 N/mm
282.7 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
8.2
8.5
Forefoot Firmness
Firmness At 800N
108.9 N/mm
113.2 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
221.0 N/mm
252.5 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
461.2 N/mm
498.8 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
5.5
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Energy Absorbed At 10km
5.98 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
5.87 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
5.80 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
5.74 J
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Saucony Ride 18
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Saucony Ride 18 vs Topo Phantom 4: Main Discussion
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