Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 Performance Review

The Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 is a do-it-all trail shoe from Saucony that provides ample comfort and support. It’s an all-terrain, all-day crusher that is built to work for athletes at any level. The Xodus Ultra 4 reminds us of the days when companies made one or two trail shoes that were designed not for a single type of trail running but instead for a baseline of performance at any trailhead. Let’s dig into how it performed.

What is the Saucony Xodus Ultra 4?

According to Saucony, the Xodus Ultra 4 is “…your go-to for max cushioned trail running. Designed for long-haul adventures, this max-cushioned powerhouse delivers unmatched grip, superior protection, and next-level comfort to keep you going mile after mile.”

The comfort and grip-related parts of this paragraph make sense, but classifying the Xodus Ultra 4 as a max-cushion shoe in today’s trail running market is a stretch. It likely was “max” at one time…but this industry moves quickly. While the Xodus Ultra 4 does feature plenty of cushion, there are now loads of trail running shoes with more and plusher cushion underfoot.

Cushion/Midsole/Support

The Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 is the brand’s max-cushion trail runner featuring PWRRUN PB directly underfoot with a PWRRUN frame (or chassis). PWRRUN PB is one of Saucony’s lightest and most responsive foams which makes this midsole a little bouncier and softer than I would’ve expected (in a good way!). The PWRRUN chassis adds a layer of more supportive EVA cushioning to ensure that the midsole is also sturdy and durable.

I think this midsole hits a nice sweet spot. It’s not overly bouncy or fast, but it has enough plushness to it that you lose the rigidity that can make so many of these types of shoes uninspiring or uncomfortable. At 36mm in the heel and 30mm in the forefoot, it’s enough cushion for longer days but low enough that you still feel connected to the ground. Like I said, it’s not a truly bouncy ride; but it reminds me of the Hoka Speedgoat 4 (one of my all-time favorite shoes) in that you can sense the cushion yet still feel in control and connected to the ground. 

It’s supportive and framed well enough that I always felt like my ankle and foot were stable throughout my stride. I’d credit that to the dual-foam midsole combination that ensures the EVA portion provides some density and stiffness.

Traction

The Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 features a full-coverage, Vibram Megagrip outsole. I’m loving this outsole. It’s no-nonsense and not fancy. Clearly the design intent with this rubber and lug shape was traction and control, and that’s what it delivers. This outsole will handle any terrain you throw at it.

I imagine it’d be a great option for many spots on technical mountains where the added comfort means it’s not as rigid as typical mountain shoes. The traction here is an excellent component for making this a good option for an all-around trusty trail shoe.

Upper

The upper saw the most notable update from the Xodus Ultra 3, with this version featuring a heavy-duty engineered mesh. Ventilated overlays are placed throughout the mesh to give this shoe a measure of breathability. 

Overall, it’s a very sturdy upper, and the mesh is thick and durable. It’s soft and comfortable around your foot. However, the thickness of the fabric makes it pretty hot, especially as we enter the summer months. Heavy-duty uppers like this can be a double-edged sword as they often feel more supportive but lack in breathability. That’s the case here.

The tongue and heel area are plush and supportive. A gusseted and padded tongue is secured well by tough lacing with elastic overlays. I’ve loved the tongue’s comfortability.

Is the Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 wide foot friendly?

The Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 falls smack dab in the middle of narrow and wide trail shoe options (i.e., it’s a pretty average fit). Most wide-footers will need to try it on to find out if it works for them.

Is the Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 worth $170?

In today’s market, $150 to $170 is the right range for a high-cushioned trail running shoe. In this case, $170 is a fair price for the Saucony Xodus Ultra 4, but it lacks some of the tech-forward value prop that other trail runners bring in the $160 to $170 range (see our Best Trail Running Shoes list for examples).

How to use the Saucony Xodus Ultra 4

If you’re someone who is just looking for a one-shoe trail quiver, this is a great option. The Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 is a cushioned crusher that’s designed to perform across any type of trail. It’s a great choice for someone who keeps it casual during the week and ventures out farther on the weekends.

Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 Summary

The Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 falls into the category of journeymen trail shoes. It rejects the idea that each shoe needs to have a specialized performance purpose and instead is equipped to handle all variabilities. This makes it a great option for casual runners and those who simply want to minimize their collection of shoes. The midsole is comfortable and supportive, and the outsole will hold its own on any trail.

How does the Author Run?

Sam Lohse (age 28, 6’0″, 170 lbs): Runs daily, sometimes morning/night doubles, with one rest day a week (typically). Hangs right around 40-50 miles a week in general unless in race-specific training. Races distances from 50K to 100 miles, almost always on the trails.

Drew Whitcomb (age 43, 6’6″ 200lbs): Runs daily with a once a week rest day. Runs a lot of miles due to testing needs and a growing affinity for long-distance races. Regularly competes in marathons, half-marathons, 10k, and 5k races.

Disclosure

While Saucony did provide pairs of the Xodus Ultra 4 to facilitate this review, the company had no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and has not attempted to influence it.