Saucony - Xodus Ultra 4

As a saucony lover I recommend xodus ultra 4. I loved the v1 and v2, total fail with v3 but now with these, Vibram mega grip sole, breathable and good for all terrain. After 200km on first pair I never had a problem

Got the new ultra 4, one run and the glue on the rubber on the toes started peeling off, I give it 3 runs before it is completely ripped off.

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.

Hoka Mafate 5 is comfy and fun. Mafate Speed 4 is still good but a little narrower and not quite so bouncy. I used to run in Speedgoats a lot but think the 5 & 6 are missing some comfort and the foam isn’t returning the energy of newer shoes. Salomon Genesis or Ultra Glide are both good if you can accommodate a narrower fit. I prefer the protection of the Genesis over the Ultra Glide. Prodigio Pro is also fun and bouncy, but much lighter, less protection around the ankle and so a bit more stripped back. Everyone I know loves them though. Hoka Tecton X 3 is a similar proposition to the Prodigio but both are spendy. Hoka is slightly more stable and bouncy but there is very little in it. If you want the best outsole rubber money can buy, look at the VJ Ultra 3. Seriously, the lugs and rubber is like glue. Finally, the Saucony Xodus Ultra is a good shoe for distances like this. It’s also comfy and protective. Just avoid the 2 or 3 and go for the latest version 4.

Super jealous of that, mate. I check every now and then for more sales, but I think that version is sold out now. I've genuinely never had a problem with the grip, but I do t spend that much time on wet rock tbf. Definitely can't argue with the move to the vibram sole though, it's going to be a hell of a shoe.

I live in Pnw and the new Saucony exodus ultra hits all these boxes for me, plus comfy and crazy grip.

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!

Totally agree. I've worn Xodus runners for years on class 3/4 scrambles in the PNW, in addition to leading a few low class 5 routes with them as well.

I've got the new ones with Vibram. I know the weight is the knock on them, but they rebound extremely well so I haven't noticed it yet. But I haven't done any big runs/hikes yet, so after my 27-mile day hike/run of Kings Peak in Utah coming up I'll have a better feel.

I haven’t tried the ultrafly, but hear good things about it. Unfortunately, cost is a factor for me. My go-to long distance shoe has been the Saucony Xodus. I’ve liked a few iterations. The Edge is a fun racer.

Can you post a photo of the soles splitting or call out where it is in your photo? Previous to the 15 there were several models in a row where the Peregrine had a well-known design flaw where the back of the sole split along a seem for a lot of people, but the 15 was supposed to have resolved this so I'm concerned to hear a similar issue is happening with it. I'd also contact Saucony and send them photos of the damage. I've heard other people with similar low-miles issues say they got a credit and were able to purchase replacement shoes. If they do give you a credit I'd look into the Xodus Ultra 4. A little heavier and a little more cushioned, but it gains a Vibram outsole. Fit has been fairly similar between the two models previously in my experience, but no idea if that changed with the current generation.

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.

Xodus Ultra 4 (just came out) switches to Vibram for its outsole. Wore it for a technical ultra and worked really well.

I love the Xodus, I have to agree they're very underrated.

+1 for Saucony Xodus - I have the Ultra 4 and love them

Not that Tomir 2 is way more narrow than Peregrine. I own a pair and after like 250 kms I’m havivg second thoughts whether I should have sized up in my Tomirs even if they felt awesome out of the box. Which is weird because it’s usually the other way round. The new Xodus Ultra 4 is just as fun, lugs are little less deep than Tomir 2 - so better ride on packed terrain; however the sole is Vibram as well. They feel way more stable and comfortable also because the heel part of Tomir sticks out and I keep hitting it against the rocks. Which doesn’t happen in Xodus at all. Idk I am already ordering 2nd pair because they are now my absolute favourites. 

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.

Out of the shoes I’ve tried, my favorite have been the Xodus Ultra 4 and the Cascadia 19. They both fit true to size. If you try out the Trabuco Max 4, they seemed to fit small, and smaller than the same size Trabuco 13. And I actually really liked the Trabuco 13, but just found they didn’t quite have enough cushion. Black toenails is pretty normal in this hobby.

This right here! Absolutely terrible wet weather grip. Worse than Nike rubber. The xodus ultra 4 moving to a vibram megagrip outsole is basically an admission from Saucony that they know their outsole is bad.

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.

I bought them on an odd sale at rei this week. Fit is great.

Saucony xodus is fits the bill for what you’re looking for. Very underrated shoe imo

I just went from the Peregrine to the Xodus and quite happy after 30 miles

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?

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).

I've had both. The Exodus Ultras have more cushion. They are now my favorite trail shoe. Peregrines are good too.

This is actually my first pair of Saucony shoes! I was originally into Altras and then Hokas and Salomons. I absolutely love the fit, though, for my feet. Very little breaking in compared with other shoes. I tend to get hot spots on my heel with firmer, sturdier trail shoes, but that didn't happen with these.