Saucony - Xodus Ultra 3
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Last updated: Jan 13, 2026 Scoring
Absolutely adored the OG-EUs. Also quite like this year's New Balance Hierros (I was a tester last summer).
r/trailrunning • Looking for wide fit trail runners. OG Saucony Xodus Ultra lovers, what have you switched to? ->Wha! Megagrip on Xodus? I gotta get some duck tape to make my current pair last til June now.
r/trailrunning • ?? To the best trail runners ever made.. ->Drop and stack height can depend on user preferences and training to a big extent. Shoe traction, trail surface, and how you run and place your feet also matter. I've run in 0mm to 8mm drop shoes over the years, all are fine for me. On some rocky/technical trails, I've actually been faster and more confident in Speedgoats (4mm) or the Saucony Xodus Ultra (6mm), both high stack shoes because I could stomp on whatever sharp rocks without concern vs lower stack shoes with more ground feel where eventually I'd be picking my way through sharp objects because of the repeated impacts. On the flip side, I'm slower with high stack shoes when going downhill on loose surfaces and making a lot of sharp turns. "Ideal" is kind of hard to think about for me. Generally? Specifically on certain surfaces or races or trails? It's all tradeoffs, you might be slower on the technicals but faster everywhere else in mid/high stack mid drop shoes. How much technical stuff are we talking here?
r/trailrunning • Hello! For trail running do you typically want a lower drop shoe? I worry about rolling my ankle sometimes. What is ideal drop for trail running? ->I'm on my third pair of Endorphin Edges and that's how my first pair looked after around 160 miles/257 km mainly on dry rocky US southwest trails. My second pair looked better at the same level of use on the same trails. My third pair is around 100 km and looks to be close to my second pair. I took them out to 300 miles but was more careful on traction for the last bit. Similar results on both pairs of my Xodus Ultra 2s and Peregrine 12. So normal for Saucony but on the lower end for trail shoes in general. What is particularly concerning for me was the damage and peeling from the outsole cutouts and straight up losing chunks of outsole lugs as opposed to having them wear down like in other shoes. It's a shame, because I love the fit of the Endorphin Edge and it's otherwise very durable in the upper and midsole since I retired them from harder trails but still use them for easier trails and roads. I hope Saucony addresses this and was surprised to see their trail line wane after 2020-2023.
r/trailrunning • Saucony Endorphine edge outsole durability? ->Yes but it's not just the high stack for me. Outsole grip/traction, upper fabric security (does it stretch a lot or keep my feet directly over the sole at all times?), and how soft/firm the cushioning is matter some too. I'd still wear high stack shoes like Speedgoats, Xodus Ultra 1-2, and others over loose rocky terrain but will slow down to maintain stability. I wouldn't be running them much faster with lower stack shoes because the risk and consequences is still higher and I'd be making trade offs with foot comfort and overall pace e.g., faster and more comfy the rest of the time vs being slightly faster on rocks but overall slower because after a while my feet get punctured.
r/trailrunning • Does anyone else find that shoes with high stacks make you more vulnerable to twisting an ankle on loose rock? I run in areas that have a high degree of loose large stones and I do not find high stack shoes to feel very safe ->Yes I'd say it's for comfort, the high stack stuff is oriented to long runs, hikes, and ultras. The brand's sponsored athletes likely have a say too, meaning that the shoe may be oriented to particular types of trails or races. I like high stack on occasion but still prefer the shoe to be on the lighter side when possible. I liked the Saucony Xodus Ultra 1 and 2 but the 3 got a bit bloated to me.
r/trailrunning • Why are so many trail shoes now high stack + high drop? ->Just my preference but the Ultra 3 had more stack height and is heavier, more than I wanted/needed. The Ultra 2 was my sweet spot and I would have been a repeat customer if Saucony kept the stack the same but got a more durable upper and maybe shaved some weight.
r/trailrunning • Why are so many trail shoes now high stack + high drop? ->I had one pair of the XU1 and 2 pairs of the XU2. Durability in XU1 was acceptable, got around 300 miles overall, much of it in the mountains above treeline. Traction was fine but not stellar. Durability of the XU2 was worse, I lost several outsole lugs and the upper began fraying/tearing by 170 miles, lasted out to 250 or so before I had to retire them. No idea on the XU3 and after.
r/trailrunning • Versatile trail running shoes ->Third version is not good as the previous one. Big hope for this years 4th version with Vibram My fav ultra shoes so far
r/trailrunning • ?? To the best trail runners ever made.. ->Saucony xodus ultra 2
r/trailrunning • What shoes are you rocking at the moment? ->My go to for 50k and under. The xodus is also a great shoe with some more cushion, they are bulkier and you’ll want to heal lock them if your heal is rolling on downhills.
r/trailrunning • Saucony peregrine for techy downhills? (Will my ankles be ok?!) ->Fan of peregrine and even had those older model exodus (the tanks!) and liked them, but something didn’t click for me in the Xodus Ultra. Really wanted to love them. But I just always felt flat running in them, and failed to get a lockdown fit. Nowadays prefer shoes with a bit more flexibility too. Such an odd experience considering the rave reviews! Glad they worked out for someone though!
r/trailrunning • ?? To the best trail runners ever made.. ->I’m hoping to get some suggestions from other runners with wider feet. I absolutely loved the original Saucony Xodus Ultras, but I’ve finally run through my stockpile and need to find a new go-to trail shoe. About me: I’m a heavier runner (200lbs) with wider feet, so I need a good toe box and enough room in the midfoot (too snug and I end up with pain after longer runs.) Here’s what I’ve tried recently: * Altra Experience Wild - Good fit, enjoying these so far. * Topo Ultraventure 4 - Also a solid fit, no complaints. * Topo MNT Racer 3 - Too narrow in the midfoot, caused discomfort after a 10-miler. * Saucony Xodus Ultra 3 - Unfortunately too narrow overall for me. * Peregrine 12's (wide) - Good for technical routes and quicker paces. I’m open to rotating a few models for different distances and terrain. I’m curious about the following shoes but am open to other suggestions. Not a big fan of zero drops. Have caused calf issues in the past. * Brooks Catamount / Caldera / Cascadia * North Face Altamesa 500 * Norda 001 * NNormal Tomir 2.0 Would love to hear from anyone with similar need, especially if you’ve found a solid Xodus Ultra alternative that works for wider feet. Bonus points for shoes that can handle longer miles or varied terrain.
r/trailrunning • Looking for wide fit trail runners. OG Saucony Xodus Ultra lovers, what have you switched to? ->There are LOTS of shoes that could fill this need, but I'd personally go with something with deeper (4+mm) lugs that can handle mud, even if it's a mix of surfaces. Right now, I'm using my (almost ready to retire) Saucony Xodus Ultra 3 (not the new 4) to plug away on road to trail, it handles most things just fine, and the grip is good enough and it's VERY comfortable. If you want extra grip, that Agravic 3 is a good option, just know that Lighstrike is just EVA, and it is not very exciting. Other good commuter options are the Brooks Catamount 3-4, and the Hierro v8 - v9. Have fun deciding.
r/trailrunning • Road-to-trail shoe recommendations? ->I currently have about 7 pairs in rotation but four of those are road shoes and they’re getting minimal use as I’ve been doing trail almost exclusively lately. Saucony exodus ultras do well road to trail, I’m only warming up about 1K to get to the trail though. nnormal tomir 2 on the trails/racing are amazballs…especially in mud and snow and some zero drop topo for a strength change. Mostly new balance plateless road shoes and a pair of mizuno neo vistas for training over 25K on the road.
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I like my XU3s, would not advise them for highly technical terrain, Saucony grip isn't as grippy as the competition and they feel ever so slightly wobbly on rougher stuff. If you're looking for a shoe that racks up easier miles like a champ though, they're very good. Haven't tried the previous Xodus to compare.
r/ultrarunning • View on Reddit →I'm on my third pair of Endorphin Edges and that's how my first pair looked after around 160 miles/257 km mainly on dry rocky US southwest trails. My second pair looked better at the same level of use on the same trails. My third pair is around 100 km and looks to be close to my second pair. I took them out to 300 miles but was more careful on traction for the last bit. Similar results on both pairs of my Xodus Ultra 2s and Peregrine 12. So normal for Saucony but on the lower end for trail shoes in general. What is particularly concerning for me was the damage and peeling from the outsole cutouts and straight up losing chunks of outsole lugs as opposed to having them wear down like in other shoes. It's a shame, because I love the fit of the Endorphin Edge and it's otherwise very durable in the upper and midsole since I retired them from harder trails but still use them for easier trails and roads. I hope Saucony addresses this and was surprised to see their trail line wane after 2020-2023.
r/trailrunning • View on Reddit →I currently have about 7 pairs in rotation but four of those are road shoes and they’re getting minimal use as I’ve been doing trail almost exclusively lately. Saucony exodus ultras do well road to trail, I’m only warming up about 1K to get to the trail though. nnormal tomir 2 on the trails/racing are amazballs…especially in mud and snow and some zero drop topo for a strength change. Mostly new balance plateless road shoes and a pair of mizuno neo vistas for training over 25K on the road.
r/trailrunning • View on Reddit →I’ve run lots of technical alpine CO terrain up to 50k. I’ve found the Mafate Speed 4 and Xodus Ultra 2 to be comfortable and capable for long mountain days including scrambling. Merrell Agility Peak 5 also good. Speedgoat didn’t work for my foot but is a renowned mountain ultra shoe. I think pretty much any outsole will be capable in our dry climate and terrain, including some light scrambling- I would head to One of our great running stores in Denver metro and try on a bunch of pairs to see what feels good for your feet. Comfort is the most important factor for a long mountain day, more so than all the performance features *I do have a pair of Prodigio Pros that I intend to use for your stated purpose
r/trailrunning • View on Reddit →Saucony Xodus Ultra 2 are the comfiest shoes I’ve worn. Peregrine are also nice.
r/trailrunning • View on Reddit →I don't have feedback about that specific shoe, but I have wide lady feet and absolutely love the xodus ultra 3 and 4 (I have both lol).
r/ultrarunning • View on Reddit →I love my Xodus Ultras for anything longer than a marathon. I also have Peregrines but they have a much shorter stack and are better for shorter races.
r/ultrarunning • View on Reddit →Xodus ultra 2, I’m just over 300 miles into them and they are the best I’ve owned, worn them from 10 mile races to ultras
r/trailrunning • View on Reddit →Cascadias if you must stay with Brooks. I prefer Sauconys for the trails - either Peregrine or the Xodus Ultras
r/trailrunning • View on Reddit →Saucony xodus is fits the bill for what you’re looking for. Very underrated shoe imo
r/ultrarunning • View on Reddit →Mine were squeaking and the sizing was odd. Length was okay, still narrow. The La Sportiva last isn't for slightly more than standard width, I am afraid. Given the spectacular reviews this shoe got, I can only say it was a grave disappointment. Will rather run again in my unspectacular but absolutely reliable Xodus Ultra 3, Salomon Ultra Glide 2 or Arc'teryx Norvan. For Hiking I would say the fit is just too firm and the foam squeaky, it got even louder after some 22km in both shoes.
r/Ultralight • View on Reddit →I love the Xodus, I have to agree they're very underrated.
r/ultrarunning • View on Reddit →So comfortable just the quality is sh*t. Toes rip so easily
r/trailrunning • View on Reddit →i used xu2 for my utmb chiangmai 100k n verbier 100k, theyre plenty cushioned. prior to these 2 races, i used sg5 for transjeju 100k n chiangmai 50k, also comfy. the reason i went for xu2 for my recent races coz theyre less 'bulky' than sg5. so far for my races with dropbag access, i havent swap shoes despite having 2nd shoe in bag, but i do swap socks n insoles(when theyre damp)
r/ultrarunning • View on Reddit →I’ve been using the Saucony Xodus Ultra 2 for the muddy PNW trails this winter. Love em, but the grip is terrible on wet rocks. You kinda have to choose between one or the other. I just picked up a pair of the Nnormal Kjerag and the grip is phenomenal, although the cushion and tread is fairly minimal. I have a half marathon and a 20 mile race coming up I’ll use the Kjerag for… but I think anything longer than that I may snag the newer Kjerag Brut that has more cushion and larger lugs.
r/trailrunning • View on Reddit →There are LOTS of shoes that could fill this need, but I'd personally go with something with deeper (4+mm) lugs that can handle mud, even if it's a mix of surfaces. Right now, I'm using my (almost ready to retire) Saucony Xodus Ultra 3 (not the new 4) to plug away on road to trail, it handles most things just fine, and the grip is good enough and it's VERY comfortable. If you want extra grip, that Agravic 3 is a good option, just know that Lighstrike is just EVA, and it is not very exciting. Other good commuter options are the Brooks Catamount 3-4, and the Hierro v8 - v9. Have fun deciding.
r/trailrunning • View on Reddit →We have very similar taste in shoes. To my foot, the xodus ultra and the endorphin edge both have “wide” feeling toeboxes. Also high stacks of good foam and in the latter case, a carbon plate. Edit: I have the xodus ultra 3s to clarify.
r/trailrunning • View on Reddit →Yes I'd say it's for comfort, the high stack stuff is oriented to long runs, hikes, and ultras. The brand's sponsored athletes likely have a say too, meaning that the shoe may be oriented to particular types of trails or races. I like high stack on occasion but still prefer the shoe to be on the lighter side when possible. I liked the Saucony Xodus Ultra 1 and 2 but the 3 got a bit bloated to me.
r/trailrunning • View on Reddit →Looks like v4 is heavier than v3. But with Vibran rubber instead of Sacuony, that may explain it qd well as a beefed up upper. I just ordered a pair of xodus 3 for the Grand Mesa 50 in a couple weeks. I haven't run in saucony since the Peregrin, 10 years ago. I chose them over the Mafate 4 but before I just learned Rabbit just dropped their first trail shoe this month and it looks like a monster!
r/trailrunning • View on Reddit →Depends.on many factors. I retired back then my Saucony Xodus with almost 700km and had this guy in the gym who brought the same model to pieces in just 200 bc he punished them over blade-like granite ridges. So far, the Salomon Genesis is my go-to shoe and it's behaving excellent.
r/trailrunning • View on Reddit →Absolutely adored the OG-EUs. Also quite like this year's New Balance Hierros (I was a tester last summer).
r/trailrunning • View on Reddit →My wife has bunions and has found the Saucony Xodus Ultra 3 to be a fantastic choice. I also have wide feet, and am in love with my Xodus Ultra shoes.
r/ultrarunning • View on Reddit →Just my preference but the Ultra 3 had more stack height and is heavier, more than I wanted/needed. The Ultra 2 was my sweet spot and I would have been a repeat customer if Saucony kept the stack the same but got a more durable upper and maybe shaved some weight.
r/trailrunning • View on Reddit →Saucony Xodus ultra 2. There is just so much fun in that shoe.
r/trailrunning • View on Reddit →Hello. As a lot of people say, a good road shoe will be good on the hard packed trails as well. But if you want a bit more traction and security, go with something that has a good foam and a smaller lugs. Options I’ve run in and like include: - Hoka Mafate Speed 4 / Tecton X - Salomon Genesis / Ultra Glide - La Sportiva Prodigio Pro - Merrell Agility Peak 5 - Brooks Catamount 4 - Saucony Xodus Ultra 1 / 2 (avoid the 3) For reference I am 85kg and usually run 30km / week.
r/trailrunning • View on Reddit →I went from speedgoats to xodus ultra 3 and prefer them, though I do feel like they are far more of a stability shoe than the sg6 are.
r/ultrarunning • View on Reddit →As many people have said here, the SG6 is too firm and has lost some of its “fun”. The Merrell Agility Peak 5 is a good option. The Saucony Xodus Ultra 1 / 2 are great. Miss version 3. Version 4 is supposed to be a return to form. Salomon Genesis is a good shoe I’ve run 200km in but runs narrow. I am loving the Mafate 5 but it’s a marmite shoe for this community I’ve noticed. La Sportiva Prodigeo Pro has a lot of fans but the midsole is less stable, more bouncy and it’s not cheap. The North Face Vectiv Series are decent now - there’s a lot to choose from. Final option if you want great outsole grip is the VJ Ultra 3. Fab lockdown too.
r/trailrunning • View on Reddit →I am running in xodus ultra 3s (mostly) right now. They’re comfortable enough but don’t exactly make you feel like you’re getting anywhere fast. Nnormal Tomir 2.0 are probably my favorite shoes, but the toebox is a bit too narrow for me and I was getting blisters on my toes. I still wear them for runs lads than 18k-ish.
r/ultrarunning • View on Reddit →I’m not a distance runner, but I do a lot of hiking and some trail running in Saucony’s Xodus Ultras. I love them, MUCH more than the Peregrins which feel slow and unresponsive by comparison. The one problem, as I see it, is that the outsole while grippy on dirt and dry rock has less than ideal traction on wet rock and the lugs wear down very, very quickly. BUT, Saucony is switching to a vibram outsole in the new model Xodus Ultra that they release on June 1. Check that out.
r/trailrunning • View on Reddit →I had one pair of the XU1 and 2 pairs of the XU2. Durability in XU1 was acceptable, got around 300 miles overall, much of it in the mountains above treeline. Traction was fine but not stellar. Durability of the XU2 was worse, I lost several outsole lugs and the upper began fraying/tearing by 170 miles, lasted out to 250 or so before I had to retire them. No idea on the XU3 and after.
r/trailrunning • View on Reddit →The answer is: it depends on the shoe. My Salomons shed mud pretty well (Ultra glide 2, Sense Ride 4, Thunder Cross), as do my Saucony Xodus Ultras. I wouldn't recommend either the Sense Rides or the UGs for very muddy conditions.
r/trailrunning • View on Reddit →The Saucony Xodus has a pretty high stack, and the PWRRUN PB is definitely a super foam. Version 4 is set to release in a couple of months with significant upgrades over the previous model—most notably, a Vibram outsole ([Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 First Look](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klJoS7fwkJk)) Personally, I’m planning to grab a pair as soon as they drop and use them for all my summer 25 races. My Merrell Agility Peak 5s from last summer have flattened out, so it’s time for an upgrade!
r/AskRunningShoeGeeks • View on Reddit →I share your love of the endorphin edge, but it’s not coming back sadly. Ride Tr, Guide Tr, Xodus and peregrine are all you’re getting from saucony as far as trail shoes go. They’re trying to pare down their lineup as they feel it’s been too saturated with different models.
r/trailrunning • View on Reddit →I have the pros and for my weight they seem really stable and people are getting great longevity. The foam softness is just right to get some pop for me as im 80kg ish. I did many races in the original xodus and they are ok ish at most things but really not a great interval / speed option for me not very shock absorbing. The newer ones might be softer though. What sort of speeds are you running? Because a heavier more forgiving and hard wearing shoe might be good like the prodigio max or something snappier and more enjoyable if your smaller and or faster?
r/trailrunning • View on Reddit →Super helpful to hear that. I’d lost so much of the lugs on my ExUltras that I finally broke down and bought the ExUltra 3 in May. They weren’t terrible, but one of my biggest complaints was that compared to the original, they just felt dead—very little rebound. I was afraid that the extra weight would diminish the rebound in the 4s. The 3s also felt a little narrow in the toebox. Not ASICS narrow, but definitely not roomy, and maybe a little narrower than the typical Saucony last. Would you say these have a similar toebox to other Sauconys?
r/trailrunning • View on Reddit →Yes but it's not just the high stack for me. Outsole grip/traction, upper fabric security (does it stretch a lot or keep my feet directly over the sole at all times?), and how soft/firm the cushioning is matter some too. I'd still wear high stack shoes like Speedgoats, Xodus Ultra 1-2, and others over loose rocky terrain but will slow down to maintain stability. I wouldn't be running them much faster with lower stack shoes because the risk and consequences is still higher and I'd be making trade offs with foot comfort and overall pace e.g., faster and more comfy the rest of the time vs being slightly faster on rocks but overall slower because after a while my feet get punctured.
r/trailrunning • View on Reddit →I've had both. The Exodus Ultras have more cushion. They are now my favorite trail shoe. Peregrines are good too.
r/Ultramarathon • View on Reddit →I live in Pnw and the new Saucony exodus ultra hits all these boxes for me, plus comfy and crazy grip.
r/trailrunning • View on Reddit →The Xodus is just slightly wider too. Peregrine is my main shoe and fits me perfect, but everyone has different feet and your fit in Xodus may vary from mine. Just something to look for when buying.
r/trailrunning • View on Reddit →If you can get your hands on some Xodus Ultra 2, those are holy grail for technical long races. They have a rock plate.
r/Ultramarathon • View on Reddit →For flat feet, stay away from Topo - they have super high arch support that caused me major issues even with just low arches. I've been having good luck with Inov8 lately and have also heard really good things about Norda. Altra Experience Wilds were also nice. Hokas in a wide didn't work for me because they only widen the midfoot, but still have a pointy little toebox. Xodus Ultras were also a bit too narrow in the toebox for me for anything over 50k.
r/trailrunning • View on Reddit →