Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 Review: Adventures, Assemble

Introduction to the Saucony Xodus Ultra 4

TAYLOR: I wasn’t the first runner in my family. That was my older brother. I came by it honestly through the competitive spirit, and ultimately stuck with it because I started to beat my brother. It was one of the few things I could beat him at, where he couldn’t turn around and whomp me.

His step out of the ordinary big three sports caused a cascading effect on our family. He started to run, I started to run, and then my mom started to run, too. Running started happening outside of track season. We all loved being outdoors, and hiking was too slow for us. So, we took to the trails before we even knew it was a sport.

Naturally, our typical running shoes didn’t suffice, so my mom ended up buying some outdoor shoes. She tried out the original Altra Lone Peak for a little while but quickly realized she needed more than it provided. That’s when the original Saucony Xodus was called upon in all of its robust, toothy glory. It was one of the first shoes that I remember noticing specs other than color. It was a beast of a shoe that went to 11… generations.

The Xodus reformation happened a handful of years ago. The Xodus Ultra was born out of a rapidly advancing foam-fest. At the time, it was one of the first trail shoes to have a rim and core dual-density midsole. It was actually stripped down quite a bit from its Xodus predecessors. The first two versions of that shoe were wonderful in a lot of ways, and they became my preferred Saucony trail shoe, even over the Peregrine lineup.

Our main issue was that they touted the name Ultra but weren’t ready to go the distance.

That’s when the Saucony Xodus Ultra turned up the volume on all knobs with a higher stack, deeper lugs, and a more generous fit. Essentially, it was a more modern take on the original models. Even though we didn’t review the Xodus Ultra 3, the rumor mill about it found us. Sure, overall comfort increased; however, durability tanked and that simply sucks.

Now, we’re on the fourth iteration, which pumped up the previous jam even more. In a banner manner, the Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 addressed durability issues up front and personally to make this a shoe that can still go the distance and all over the mountain. For those who were smitten by the previous version, doesn’t this sound like a dream?

What we like about the Saucony Xodus Ultra 4

TAYLOR: When I say Vibram, you say Megagrip.

Vibram! MEGAGRIP!
Vibram! MEGAGRIP!

I’m going to pretend you went all in on that chant. Nuff’ said right? This formulation of Megagrip rubber, outsole design, and microlugs is one of the best outsoles I have ever experienced. It ticks all of the boxes in a significant way. Grip was outstanding in a variety of conditions as well as terrain. I went through some particularly gnarly mountain terrain in this shoe, too. Since it’s a full rubber outsole, there should be zero concerns about durability.

For some of you reading this, that’s all you needed to hear. Thanks for joining. Catch ya next time.

For the rest of you, know that some equally exciting components have remained with the Xodus Ultra from the beginning. My favorite aspect is the retention of the underfoot formula. They have a wonderful midsole concoction that now favors the ultra game. It’s a dual-density midsole that is becoming much more popular. Shoes like the Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide, Hoka Mafate Speed 4, Hoka Mafate X, and even the Speedland GL:SVT all have similar form.

There’s an inner core of their PWRRUN PB, a high-end, soft, and responsive foam. It sits directly underfoot. So, you get that softer sensation upon step in and through toe off. It has both comfort and performance in mind, while the outer rim is a more traditional PWRRUN foam that is firmer and more durable. It, along with a slight bathtub construction, brought a nice sense of structure for a stable ride and durability to the package. Tagging all of those attributes to a single midsole means it will rank high for a variety of runners and distances.

As far as geometry goes, the Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 does have a slight rocker. It is just enough to feel efficient at a variety of paces. I liked the subtlety more and more as I went further and approached different terrain. Typically, with shoes of this stature, the rocker can lean a shoe more towards one end of the spectrum or not. I found the Xodus Ultra 4 more versatile than other leaders in its category, like the Brooks Caldera 8, Topo Athletic Vista, and New Balance Hierro v10. It performed just as well on light trails as on steep technical hiking climbs.

The upper really complements the rest of the build. A new, more tenacious engineered mesh was utilized. It’s not quite like a Matryx or Dyneema upper; it rides somewhere between a traditional mesh and those options. There’s an intentionally comfort-oriented aspect, as the whole upper has a more cushioned and supportive feel. At the same time, it’s not overly built. It provided highly satisfactory marks in comfort, fit, and durability.

Overall fit is one of the more impressive features of the Saucony Xodus Ultra 4. It leans a little more towards the roomy side of average. When I laced up for a run-of-the-mill kind of run, it was nice in the sense that I really didn’t have anything to worry about. It simply fit nicely. The structure and moderate padding of the heel and tongue, as well as the moderately generous forefoot, ensured this.

A clever yet subtle addition comes in the lacing chain. It’s a feature I have loved all the way back to shoes like the Saucony Mad River Tr (please, bring a variation of that shoe back!). The midfoot has two “off-center” lacing loops. They ride slightly lower than the rest of the chain. I believe it’s integral to this shoe and allowed the Xodus Ultra 4 to be surprisingly tech-savvy. When on technical/steep terrain, I cinched up my laces and felt very confident, even with a 36 / 30 stack underfoot. The fit was very secure throughout, and there was little to no movement in the cabin. Bliss.

What we don’t like about the Saucony Xodus Ultra 4

TAYLOR: I’m rarely at a loss in this section, but as far as performance and Saucony’s intended use for this shoe, I think they pretty much nailed it.

I do know that some who loved the first two iterations of the shoe will gripe about the added weight and stature. Personally, I think it better fits its namesake nowadays. I can’t really argue with the scale, though. My US M10.5 came in at 11.9 ounces (338 g), slightly heavier than the New Balance Hierro V10, Brooks Caldera 8, and Hoka Mafate Speed 4.

Also, for those seeking a more lively and cushioned max-stack option for the trails, this Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 isn’t the top option. The medium/soft density here boasts comfort but also a structure that subdues liveliness and cushioning a bit.

Final thoughts on the Saucony Xodus Ultra 4

TAYLOR: If ultra is what you want, then ultra is what you can have with the Saucony Xodus Ultra 4. This has been a coming-of-age storyline in which the brand started with newness and gusto and has worked its way toward a shoe that can truly go the distance.

Comfort, security, and durability are all standout features of the Xodus Ultra 4, and for those reasons, I would absolutely recommend this shoe for the distance. It’s more versatile than pretty much any shoe in its class, as it can now confidently access a wide variety of terrain and distances.

The Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 is a really safe and reliable option for anything from daily runs, to hiking, to long hours on the trail.

You can pick up the Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 for $170 from Running Warehouse (featuring free shipping and 90-day returns) by using the buttons below.