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Saucony Xodus Ultra Shoe Review

Published: December 27, 2022

The Saucony Xodus Gets an Ultra Update

Likes

  • Grippy traction with excellent durability
  • Lightweight
  • Supportive, breathable upper

Dislikes

  • Pull tab is too small

What's New

With the release of the new Saucony Xodus Ultra, it is clear there has been a departure from the Xodus' previous design. Thanks to a top-to-bottom overall, this long-haul trail training and ultra-racing shoe is one of the biggest surprises of the year from the Saucony trail team.

 

The Xodus 11 was a highly cushioned trail shoe built to deliver protection catered toward long trail runs, but it was criticized for its heavy on-foot feel and overall stiffness. These are both problems of the past thanks to the Xodus Ultra's new midsole composition and retooled outsole. Not only is the shoe almost two ounces lighter, but the PWRRUN Duo midsole, with PWRRUN PB foam insert and PWRRUN frame, promises a highly protective ride that is ready to tackle daily or long trail runs. Further, the 6-mm drop with a three-piece PWRTRAC rubber outsole creates a natural roll through the gait cycle while providing traction that adapts well to various trail surfaces.

 

An engineered mesh upper sits on top of the Xodus Ultra's fantastic midsole, offering a spacious and adaptive fit that should accommodate many different foot shapes. With all these beautiful updates, the Xodus Ultra has solidified itself as a real competitor in the ultra-marathon racing category, and runners will love having this shoe for all their extended trail efforts.

 

The Bottom Line

The original Saucony Xodus was known for being a bit heavy and overly rigid in years past, and initially, there was not a lot of anticipation for the new version of this model. But after testing the shoe, it is clear there definitely should have been! The Xodus line has completely transformed with this update, drastically elevating its game to be more competitive with some of the best long-haul trail shoes on the market. Leading the way with this update is the Xodus Ultra's new PWRRUN Duo midsole featuring a PWWRUN DB insert.

 

Not only has this helped the Xodus shed nearly two ounces, but it has also created a ride that it is exceptionally well balanced. Once a heavier shoe that flirted with being a hiker, the Xodus Ultra is now an excellent option for all your trail training runs, providing enough protection to carry you comfortably to the ultramarathon mark while delivering enough speed and efficiency to make shorter, speedier runs fun. The Xodus Ultra can even function as a road-to-trail option if you are feeling inspired. 

 

The three-piece PWRTRAC rubber outsole helps improve the Xodus line further, and what was once a fairly stiff shoe is now flexible enough to produce a natural heel-to-toe roll that is consistent over any distance. The outsole also boasts all-new levels of versatility, and the multidirectional lug pattern delivers dependable traction no matter where your feet may lead you. That said, runners will still want to be mindful in wet conditions.

 

The Xodus Ultra's engineered mesh upper, though not the star of the show, does its job well, providing a comfortable and secure on-foot experience that compliments the shoe's other stellar updates. Put it all together, and you get one of the biggest surprises and biggest comebacks of the year. Runners looking for an ultramarathon training or racing shoe should certainly give the Xodus Ultra a second look.

Our In-Depth Look

Upper

Grace: "The upper breathes well, fits comfortably, and has an excellent heel lockdown. The engineered mesh provided some added support and durability, and I felt very secure while wearing this shoe. I did have an issue with the upper's pull tab, which is too small and does not function well when trying to pull the shoes on. It is an unnecessary addition given its lack of functionality."

 

Midsole

Grace: "The midsole offers a little ground feel while also providing sufficient protection from impact. The Xodus feels super versatile, and I enjoyed using this shoe for long training runs and speedy trail runs alike. The PWRRUN PB midsole is very well executed, almost perfectly balancing soft protection and snappy energy return. I am highly considering this shoe for my 50-mile and 100K races coming up next year."

 

Outsole

Grace: "I love the outsole of this shoe. The traction stands out against the competition, and the multidirectional arrow pattern configuration works well on a variety of terrain. I used this shoe on trails, fire roads, and paved roads, and I never experienced any issues. Furthermore, the rock plate in the forefoot provided an extra dose of protection underfoot that I appreciated. I currently have 82 testing miles in my Xodus Ultras, and they continue to perform well day in and day out; durability is not a concern here."

 

Comparable Shoes

Grace: "I have only walked in the Saucony Peregrine 12, but the look of that shoe is very similar to the Xodus Ultra—almost confusingly similar. From the initial step-in, the Xodus Ultra feels softer than the Peregrine thanks to the PWRRUN PB foam midsole, which is the main difference between the two models. The midsole in the Peregrine 12 is simply crafted with PWRRUN, which is firmer and more responsive. The Xodus Ultra has an insert of PWRRUN PB on the very bottom of the midsole with PWRRUN foam on top that is raised on the sides for added support and stability.

Between the two, I prefer the Xodus Ultra over the Peregrine 12. The Peregrine shines more for daily training runs on the trail, but the Xodus Ultra is more versatile, and I can see myself using it for my ultra races, long training runs, and intervals on the trails as well."

Individual Thoughts

GraceOverall Score: 9.5/10

I have really enjoyed testing the Xodus Ultra. It feels natural to run in, and it disappears on foot. I absolutely love when I cannot notice a shoe while running. To me, this immediately indicates that the shoe's fit is perfect and that the midsole and outsole designs have the resilience and durability to allow me to run forever without getting distracted. There is no rubbing in the heel, the outsole's traction grabs the trail, and the shoe is flexible with a lightweight overall feel; there is not much more I can ask for from a trail shoe.

The shoes I typically use for training and racing days are the Nike Wildhorse 7, Nike Pegasus Trail 3, and HOKA Mafate Speed 4. The races I compete in are usually 50 miles or 100K distances, and given how well this shoe has performed, I will definitely add the Xodus Ultra to my race shoe lineup.

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