Long-trail protection with extra weight
Quick Answer: Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 Review: The Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 is a max-cushion trail shoe for long days on rugged ground, from steep climbs to rocky paths and mud. A soft PWRRUN PB foam core sits inside a firmer PWRRUN frame, and Vibram Megagrip rubber covers the whole sole for grip. It is protective, grippy and built to stay comfortable for hours. It is also heavy and bulky next to lighter trail shoes, so it suits long, slow miles better than quick, nimble runs..
The Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 is the brand’s biggest, most cushioned trail shoe, designed for ultra-distance running and long days out on mountain terrain. If you want a trail shoe that takes the sting out of hours of rocks, roots and descents and still grips when the ground turns muddy, this is the model in Saucony’s range built for that job.
Saucony describes the fourth version as a refinement rather than a rebuild. It adds more of the softer PWRRUN PB foam for a gentler ride, extends Vibram Megagrip rubber across the full length of the outsole and adds abrasion-resistant zones to the upper. If you are weighing it against the Xodus Ultra 3, those are the changes that matter. It is still an everyday long-distance trail shoe, not a race-day speedster.
Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 trail running shoe in Black and Rust, front three-quarter view. Image: Amazon
Specs
Here are the specifications for the Saucony Xodus Ultra 4:
| Type | Max-cushion trail running shoe |
| Best for | Ultra-distance runs, long hilly days and rugged, muddy or rocky trails |
| Midsole | A PWRRUN PB foam core (a lightweight, springy foam) inside a firmer PWRRUN frame for stability |
| Heel-to-toe drop | 6 mm, so the heel sits slightly higher than the forefoot |
| Weight | About 10.9 oz (309 g) men’s and 9.9 oz (280 g) women’s, per Saucony |
| Upper | Mesh with abrasion-resistant zones and a built-in D-ring for attaching gaiters |
| Outsole | Full-length Vibram Megagrip rubber with 4 mm lugs |
| Width | Standard (D) men’s width listed |
| Price | Check latest price |
Pros
- Plenty of soft cushioning takes the sting out of long, rocky miles.
- Full-length Vibram Megagrip rubber grips well on wet rock, mud and steep ground.
- The firmer PWRRUN frame around the soft core keeps the tall platform steadier than it looks.
- Abrasion-resistant upper zones protect against scrapes from rocks and brush.
- A built-in gaiter D-ring keeps debris out on loose ground.
Cons
- It is on the heavy side for a trail shoe, and you feel the weight when the pace picks up.
- The tall, cushioned platform gives less ground feel on technical rock than a lower shoe does.
- The upper is closed mesh built for debris resistance, so it runs warmer than a thin, airy upper.
- Standard width only listed in men’s sizes, so broad feet may feel snug.
- It is a bulky shoe for short, quick runs.
What changed from the Xodus Ultra 3
Saucony keeps the shoe’s identity the same: a big, protective trail shoe for long distances. The changes are small and aimed at comfort and durability. The softer PWRRUN PB foam now makes up more of the midsole, which should give a gentler, bouncier feel underfoot. The Vibram Megagrip outsole now runs the full length of the shoe. The upper adds abrasion zones where rocks and brush tend to rub through mesh.
If you already own and like the Xodus Ultra 3, this is an evolution, not a reason to rush. If you are buying fresh, the fourth version is the one to look at, because it is the current model and the improvements go to the places trail shoes wear out first.
Who should buy the Xodus Ultra 4
Buy it if your runs are long and slow. Ultra-distance runners, hikers who like to jog the flats, and anyone who spends four, five or six hours on their feet on trails will appreciate a shoe that keeps feet comfortable late in the day. The soft core and big stack are there to take the beating so your legs do not have to.
Buy it if your trails are rugged. Steep climbs, rocky descents, wet roots and mud are where the 4 mm lugs and Vibram rubber earn their keep, and the abrasion-resistant upper holds up on rough, scrubby ground.
Buy it if you want one dependable shoe for rough days rather than a specialist for fast ones. It is a shoe you can put on and not think about for hours.
Who should probably skip it
Skip it if you like quick, nimble trail runs. At roughly 11 ounces for a men’s shoe, it is heavier than the trail shoes built for speed, and a tall platform feels less agile on tight, twisty singletrack. Skip it if you want more ground feel on technical rock, because the cushioning that protects you also keeps you farther from the terrain. And skip it if you have wide feet, since the listed men’s width is standard only.
These shoes may suit you better:
- Saucony Peregrine 16: a lighter, lower, more precise trail shoe from the same brand, for quicker runs and more ground feel (check price | read review)
- Altra Lone Peak 9: a roomier, foot-shaped fit with a wide toe box for runners who need more space up front (check price | read review)
- Brooks Cascadia 20: a protective, stable trail shoe with a firmer, more connected ride that suits rocky, technical ground (check price | read review)
Not sure which kind of trail shoe fits you? Our Free Shoe Finder can help you narrow the choices.
Fit and feel: roomy and protective, with a snug hold
Start with your usual size and leave a thumb’s width of space in front of your longest toe, because feet swell on long days and downhill running pushes them forward. Saucony lists the men’s shoe in a standard D width. The shoe has a cushioned, protective feel around the foot, and the heel and midfoot are held securely so your foot does not slide on steep descents.
If your feet are broad or you need extra volume for thick socks, try the shoe on late in the day. Sizing up adds length rather than width, so it is not a reliable fix for a narrow forefoot. If wide feet are a priority, a shoe with a wider last will be easier to live with.
The upper is a closed, debris-resistant mesh with reinforced zones. That helps keep trail grit out and resists scrapes, and it also means the shoe is not as airy as a thin, open mesh. It suits cooler, rougher days better than hot, dry ones.
Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 trail running shoe, side view. Image: Amazon
How the ride feels: soft, high and steady
The midsole is two foams working together. A core of PWRRUN PB, Saucony’s lightweight, springy foam, handles the cushioning, and a firmer PWRRUN foam frame wraps around it to keep the tall platform from feeling wobbly. In plain terms, it is soft where your foot lands and firm at the edges where stability matters. That combination is why a high-stack shoe can feel steady on rough ground.
The 6 mm drop is a familiar number for road runners, so it should feel natural if you also run on pavement. The shoe is a neutral design with no built-in correction for how your foot rolls, so it will suit most runners who do not need a stability shoe.
The ride is built for steady effort. Over many hours it should feel protective and comfortable, with enough bounce to keep the shoe from feeling dead. The trade is agility. Because the shoe is tall and fairly heavy, it feels more at home grinding up a mountain than flicking through tight turns.
Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 outsole with Vibram Megagrip lugs. Image: Amazon
Grip and durability: full-length Vibram rubber
The outsole is Vibram Megagrip with 4 mm lugs, the pattern that gives the shoe its bite on mud, wet rock and steep, loose ground. A lug depth of 4 mm is a moderate, all-purpose figure: enough for most trails, not as deep as a shoe made for bogs. Because the rubber now covers the whole sole, grip and wear should be more consistent than on a shoe with exposed foam patches.
The shoe is built to last through a lot of rough miles. As with all running shoes, the 300 to 500 mile range is a broad guideline, and trail conditions, your weight and how often you hit rocks all change it. Rinse off mud and let the shoes dry away from direct heat to keep the upper and foam in good shape.
Is the Xodus Ultra 4 good for walking and hiking?
For walking on rough ground, yes. If your idea of a walk is a long hike on rocky trails, the cushioning, grip and protective upper make it a comfortable choice, and the full-length rubber helps on wet or loose ground. The weight is noticeable over a long day, though, so it is more of a trail runner that hikes well than a lightweight hiker.
For everyday walking on pavement or around town, it is more shoe than you need, and the high stack and aggressive lugs do not add much on smooth ground. Our guide to the best walking shoes covers better everyday picks.
Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 Alternatives
If you like the Xodus Ultra 4’s idea but want a different balance, these three are worth a look.
Hoka Speedgoat 7 is the closest rival, with big cushioning and aggressive lugs, and it is a good second option if you want a similar kind of shoe from a different brand (check price | read review).
The Topo Athletic Terraventure 5 suits runners who want cushioning and a roomier toe box in a more everyday trail shoe (check price | read review).
Salomon Thundercross is a good pick if you want a shoe with deep lugs built for wet, muddy trails (check price | read review).
Price and value
Saucony does not pitch the Xodus Ultra 4 as a bargain, and it does not need to. You are paying for a lot of shoe: a thick, two-foam midsole, full-length Vibram rubber and an upper built to survive rocky ground. For people who spend long hours on rough trails, that kind of durability and comfort is where the value sits. If you mostly run short, easy trails on mild terrain, a lighter, simpler trail shoe will do the job for less and weigh less on your feet.
Final verdict
Best for: ultra-distance runs, long hilly days and rugged, muddy or rocky trails, and hikers who like a protective, cushioned shoe.
Avoid if: you want a light, agile shoe for fast trail runs, you need a wide fit or you want something for everyday walking.
Fit: true to size with a protective feel, leave a thumb’s width in front of your longest toe. Standard width listed for men.
Verdict: The Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 is a dependable, protective trail shoe that keeps your feet comfortable and gripping when the miles get long and the terrain gets rough. It is heavy, and it is not the shoe for quick, nimble runs, but for slow, long days on rugged ground, it is a strong choice.
Check the latest price on the Saucony Xodus Ultra 4.
Frequently Asked Questions for Saucony Xodus Ultra 4
Yes, it is designed for ultra-distance running. The soft PWRRUN PB core and generous stack take the sting out of long hours on your feet, and the Vibram Megagrip outsole grips on mixed terrain. It is on the heavy side, so lighter shoes may suit faster ultra runners.
Saucony lists about 10.9 oz (309 g) for the men’s shoe and 9.9 oz (280 g) for the women’s. That is on the heavier side for a trail shoe, in exchange for cushioning and protection.
It is 6 mm, which means the heel sits slightly higher than the forefoot. That is a familiar, middle-of-the-road drop that many road and trail runners find natural.
Saucony lists 4 mm lugs on a full-length Vibram Megagrip outsole. That is a moderate depth that grips on wet rock, mud and loose ground without feeling clumsy on firmer trails.
Yes. It has a built-in D-ring that lets you attach gaiters, which help keep small stones and debris out of the shoe on loose ground.
Not really. The tall stack and aggressive lugs are made for trails, and the lugs would wear down quickly on pavement. For mixed runs, it is better to choose a shoe with shallower lugs.
