Saucony Freedom 4 Review
Fast Performance With the Freedom to Go Anywhere
Likes
- Lightweight, low-to-the-ground feel
- Versatility for any workout
- Stylish design
- Comfortable fit
Dislikes
- Lacks protection for long runs
- Upper puts style over functionality
- Loose heel fit
What's New
Saucony's PWRRUN PB foam midsole has dazzled in the Endorphin series and can now be found in the Freedom 4, bringing an entirely new level of performance to these lightweight trainers. Stacked higher but lighter in weight, the Saucony Freedom 4 will give runners the confidence to push faster speeds while keeping them protected from the impact of the road. The new engineered mesh upper is simple yet sleek with a suede tongue and debossed logos, so you'll get where you're going in style.
The Bottom Line
Road-to-trail is a common term used to describe versatile trail shoes, but road-to-gym is much more appropriate when talking about the Saucony Freedom 4. Saucony has enhanced this lightweight trainer with the introduction of a PWRRUN PB foam midsole, which has made the Freedom 4 both lighter and more responsive than previous versions. Excellent for speed training or uptempo runs, the Freedom 4 is also a great gym companion with its firm underfoot feel, wide base, and low-to-the-ground feel. Runners who do not need this sort of versatility may want to save their pennies for a more "run-focused" shoe, but those who like to cross-train in a variety of disciplines will love these stylish wear-everywhere shoes. The Saucony Freedom 4 is also an excellent option for beginner runners transitioning from the gym scene into the world of running — just don't be surprised if you get bitten by the running bug.
Shoe Performance
Shoe Softnessi
FirmSoftRide/Energy Returni
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protectioni
LowHighFlexibilityi
RigidElasticUpper Supporti
StructuredAdaptableSpecifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium | Height: Medium |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium |
| Heel Width | Medium |
| Arch Height | Medium |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 8.0 oz (size 9) | Women's: 7.0 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 28 mm (Heel), 24 mm (Forefoot) |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
For a lightweight training shoe designed to bring speed to every run, the Saucony Freedom 4 is fairly firm underfoot, but it retains enough softness to keep runners comfortable throughout their shorter training runs. The PWRRUN PB is an elite foam that runners will love for picking up the pace. Furthermore, those who cross-train will appreciate the firm midsole for stability when lifting weights or doing more HIIT-based training.
Liz: "The PWRRUN PB midsole of the Freedom 4 is awesome! After running in the Endorphin Speed, I found myself wanting a lower stacked shoe that still feels similar, and for the most part, the Freedom 4 fills that niche. I was surprised how soft the Freedom 4 felt, given its lower stack height. Though I would not classify the Freedom as a 'soft' shoe, there is a distinct sinking-in softness at slower paces that adds some comfort to counterbalance the responsiveness of the foam."
Justin: "The Freedom 4 feels firm to me. This is not necessarily a negative, but personally, it is not the feel I look for in a running shoe. The firmness of the Freedom 4 is not uncomfortable and is more than suitable for shorter, faster efforts."
Ride/Energy Returni
One of the highlights of this shoe is its PWRRUN PB foam midsole, which provides an abundance of speed with added protection and at no cost to the weight. The Freedom 4 is great for speed-day training, uptempo runs, or even for hitting the gym if that's more your speed.
Liz: "The PWRRUN PB foam is incredibly responsive, and the more energy you put into this shoe, the more it gives back. The responsiveness seems to adjust to the level of effort that you put into it. They are slightly softer and more comfortable at slower paces but become firmer and more responsive when you pick up the pace."
Justin: "The Freedom has a responsive feel thanks to the firm underfoot experience, but it isn't bouncy. I expected a bit of bounce thanks to the PWRRUN PB, but it just wasn't there for me."
Underfoot Protectioni
The Freedom 4 has enough protection for shorter runs and speed-day training but is not the shoe for your longer adventures. A firm and responsive PWRRUN PB midsole gives the Freedom 4 its road-to-gym versatility but limits the mileage these trainers can handle on any given run, which, for cross-training athletes who want a go-anywhere shoe, is a more than a fair trade-off.
Liz: "While I wouldn't choose the Freedom 4s for long runs, and definitely not for recovery runs, I enjoyed both daily runs and uptempo workouts in these shoes. They have a nice balance of responsiveness and just enough underfoot protection to make them a versatile choice for those who prefer a more connected-to-the-ground feel in their shoes."
Justin: "The Freedom, perhaps thanks to its firmness, feels like there isn't much underfoot. Personally, I wouldn't take these too far, as I think my body would feel a little too beat up."
Flexibilityi
The Freedom 4 is more elastic than it is rigid, producing a smooth heel-to-toe transition that helps propel runners forward without sacrificing any of the shoe's inherent stability. Gym goers will also appreciate the Freedom 4's flexibility to meet the demands of any workout thrown at them.
Liz: "The Freedom 4 has a very flexible and smooth ride. I never felt like the shoe got in my way, nor did the flexibility compromise its inherent stability."
Justin: "This shoe offers a good amount of flex and feels good through my stride. I have no complaints with the flexibility or the smooth ride."
Upper Supporti
The upper of the Saucony Freedom 4 is stylish and designed with comfort in mind. Unfortunately, this emphasis adds weight to the shoe and sacrifices a bit of the performance feel that runners may be looking for. That said, if you enjoy a more padded and roomy shoe, then the Freedom 4 is for you.
Liz: "This is the one aspect of the Freedom 4s that feels out of place. The upper is oriented more for comfort than performance. While I didn't have any issues with sliding around in the shoe, those with narrower feet may not find the lockdown they want for high-performance training. Saucony seems to be positioning this shoe as a gym-running crossover with a more padded and accommodating upper, but since this shoe features Saucony's most responsive foam, I would have loved to see a lighter, more performance-oriented upper like the Endorphin Speed has."
Justin: "The Freedom 4 felt really snug for my first run. For some reason, my next couple of runs didn't seem to be as snug. However, it was still a much better fit than I'm used to in other shoes. The unfortunate part of that is the heel fit feels a little loose to me, so there is an odd blend of all-around snugness with a looser fitting heel."
Saucony Women's Freedom
Individual Thoughts
The Freedom 4 has definitely received an upgrade with the addition of PWRUN PB foam. I really feel like this shoe could have been oriented as an uptempo training shoe if Saucony had given it an upper that complemented its high-performance midsole and outsole. Unfortunately, with its more lifestyle-oriented upper and rope laces, the Freedom 4 may get passed up by many runners.
Regardless, the Freedom 4 still has a lot to offer. I enjoyed the low-to-the-ground feel for my daily runs, and I think the Freedom 4 truly shines when used for 5–10K distances. The midsole foam can adapt to your pace, offering comfort at slower paces and performance at faster ones. The Freedom is not a shoe for runners who enjoy a soft underfoot feel or desire a lot of protection from the roads; it is better for those who like a connected-to-the-ground feel and want a snappier shoe for their fast runs. The Freedom 4 can work for anything from speed training to uptempo runs.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
The Freedom 4 is a solid shoe for the intended purpose of a "fitness-oriented" trainer. It has enough of everything to be a good shoe for the gym that still allows you to get some mileage on the roads. Personally, it isn't something I'd grab for most of my training runs, but I can definitely see myself working out in it for gym sessions that blend some running work in. I'd love to see PWRRUN PB in a higher stack (non-plated) shoe that was purely run-focused.
