Saucony Ride TR2 trail running shoes review: A high-performance hybrid

Saucony provides very little technical information for the Ride TR2, other than it being designed to “take you from road to trail, and back.” Even without this plethora of information, it’s blindingly obvious that the TR2 is a road to trail running shoe at its core.

Upcycled from Saucony’s Road 17, the TR2 has maintained its plush origins and taken it one step, or bound, further. A sprinkling of subtle, trail-ready features has transformed the shoe into one of Saucony’s most reliable daily running shoes to date.

With a chunky stack, max cushioning, and modest lugs, the TR2 aims to strike the balance between practicality and performance that all hybrid trail shoes aspire to.

But how does the TR2 shape up over months of testing on the road, mud, gravel, and dirt? To find out, our expert run tester Kate has taken them on runs and hikes across the dry and rocky trails of southern France, as well as the muddy fields and bridlepaths of the Cotswolds.

Design and features

Straight out of the box, the Ride TR2 is immediately eye-catching in design. For obvious reasons, white is not my favourite colour for a trail running shoe, though it did grow on me over testing and coupled with the fluro yellow, is a nice nod to visibility for dark runs.

The TR2 also comes in a mustard yellow or lilac/grey for women, while men get to choose from blue/black or white/sage colourways.

Let’s start with one of the key features of a road to trail shoe, the midsole. Midsole comfort is extra important in a road-to-trail shoe, since it needs to provide impact absorption both from running on hard concrete and from a variety of off-road terrain.

Saucony describes the TR2’s midsole as “supremely comfortable,” and they’ve really hit the nail on the head with that. The PWRRUN+ foam is plush and springy underfoot. The medium-firm foam provides an energised and bouncy run feel that does a good job of encouraging forward momentum thanks to the slight upward tilt at the toes.

The TR2 has a stack height of 35mm/27mm, providing plenty of space for maximum midsole cushioning. The 8mm drop is a medium offset, which’ll suit those with an average arch height, who appreciate some stability and a neutral geometry.

And stable it is. I’m always wary of a trail running shoe with a high stack, which can sometimes mean a greater likelihood of twisting an ankle or tripping on the trail. The TR2 pleasantly surprised me with its balance and traction, largely thanks to the 3.5mm lugs.

Small, arrow-shaped lugs at the ball of the foot merge into longer traction strips towards the heel. They’re not aggressive in any sense of the word, so I was surprised to find they offered a really good amount of grip across a range of terrain, across dry and rocky downhill trails and claggy and soft mud. This could also be thanks to the PWRTRAC outsole bolstering the shoe’s traction.

Lastly, the TR2’s dual-layer mesh upper has obviously been designed with durability in mind. Protection is the name of the game with the TR2, with the tight mesh fabric giving extra structure around the overlays (sides), while a rigid toe bumper curves around the front of the shoe to protect extremities from errant trail debris. This was a big plus for testing runs over uneven and loose terrain, where I'm often kicking at loose rocks.

Saucony states that the shoe is vegan and made from recycled materials, though that’s about as detailed as it gets. The Saucony Ride TR2 also comes in a GTX waterproof running shoe version (£155) for winter running.

Performance and comfort

The TR2 scored pretty well in regards to comfort and performance, and is up there among one of the best trail running shoes I’ve run in. As someone who is pretty far from the elite field, I often appreciate a bit more of a cushioned run shoe, and the PWRRUN+ foam did really deliver on this.

Unlike other running shoes whose plush is synonymous with sluggish, the TR2 finds a happy medium between cushioning and propulsion.

It’s thanks to the springy midsole and slightly rockered geometry that the shoe doesn’t feel too clumpy, despite weighing in at 269g (women’s UK5.5). That said, it’s obviously not the most agile trail shoe out there, which can be felt particularly on uphill, off-road stretches.

My biggest critique of the TR2, and there aren’t many, is the breathability. Though evidently very durable, the mesh upper and thick heel collar diminish the breathability of the shoe.

Now, running in British temperatures of around 15°C, this was not an issue. But at 30°C along the sizzling French pistes, the lack of ventilation did become more apparent, even with the help of some lightweight running socks.

The TR2 fits true to size, and I’m a fan of the generous toe-box, especially over longer distances where my feet tend to swell.

There are also a few thoughtful features that improve the run experience, including a slim strap to tuck away laces while running, a gusseted tongue to dissuade trail dirt from finding its way inside, and a structured undersole that protects well from rocks underfoot.

Price and competition

Sitting in the middle of the typical price range for a road to trail running shoe at £135, the TR2 delivers pretty decent value for money. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a decent all-rounder running shoe that’s both versatile and well-built.

Similar contenders with road to trail capabilities include the Nike Pegasus Trail 4 (£125), which also provides a good springy ride but is pipped by the TR2 when it comes to trail protection and traction.

While the Hoka Challenger 7 (£130) competes with the TR2 on cushioning, it offers a slightly more agile run feel thanks to being 50g lighter per shoe. That being said, the Challenger 7 tends to pinch a bit at the sides of the shoe for me, which makes me appreciate the roomy toe box and comfortable fit of the TR2.

If you’re a fan of the TR2’s cushioning but want something with a little more agility and traction for off-road, the Saucony Xodus Ultra 2 (£150) also has a similarly protective toe bumper, yet with larger, 5mm multi-directional lugs (compared to the TR2’s 3.5mm).

Verdict

Overall, the TR2 provides a comfortable run feel across a wide range of terrain, and seems built to last with its solid construction and injection of padding at main wear and tear points. It provides good support and stability and impressive traction for a road to trail shoe across all surfaces, including grass, mud, gravelly trail, and wet rock.

If you’re after one running shoe that can do it all, but you also appreciate a bit of comfort and support along the way, you’d be hard pressed to find better value than the Saucony Ride TR2.

For a more trail-ready choice, check out our roundup of the best ultra running shoes.

About the author

Kate Milsom is Digital Content Writer for Live For The Outdoors, within which she specialises in trail running content. In her career as a specialist sports journalist, Kate has worked with industry-leading titles including 220Triathlon, Cycling Plus, Road.cc and Cyclist. Prior to this, Kate studied English Literature and French at university, then got the outdoors bug and never looked back.