Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 Review
The Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 is a well-cushioned trail running shoe designed for long distances on hard-packed tracks and trails. The original Saucony Xodus was a relatively flexible trail shoe, which made it feel good at quicker paces. Its midsole curved to the shape of the ground, giving a smooth ride on less-than-flat terrain. In many ways, the first Xodus was an all-round, everyday trail shoe rather than one specifically built for ultra-distance running.
Shoes designed for ultras usually feature a slightly stiffer midsole. This helps keep you running as you fatigue, but it takes away the lively, fast feel you get from a more flexible shoe. Instead, they deliver a steady, “keep me moving” sensation — similar to models like the Altra Olympus or Topo Ultraventure. Five hours into a run, at ultra pace, this stiffness becomes an advantage, providing more support than a shoe designed to feel quick and nimble. This is why all Xodus models since the original have been slightly stiffer and less responsive. With the fourth version, Saucony has tried to strike a better balance, making the Xodus Ultra 4 less of a plodding shoe and more enjoyable for everyday trail running.
The stack height remains the same at 36mm in the heel and 30mm in the forefoot, and the midsole is still relatively stiff. The key difference is the midsole composition. PWRRUN PB foam — Saucony’s soft, high-rebound superfoam — sits directly underfoot, encased in a PWRRUN foam frame for stability. The Xodus 4 contains 8% more PWRRUN PB than its predecessor. This keeps the midsole’s stiffness but adds more bounce and rebound, giving the shoe a slightly livelier ride. While it’s still not a “fast” trail shoe, it feels easier to run in and comfortable enough for both everyday trail runs and long efforts.
The heel cup is stiff for stability, with enough padding to be comfortable without holding excessive water when wet. The tongue is moderately padded, gusseted to keep debris out, and features four lace loops to keep it secure while running. Fit is consistent with other Saucony models — a snug, narrow profile. Tightening the laces pulls the upper in around the midfoot to prevent movement inside the shoe, and the straight big-toe line gives a positive feel at toe-off. There’s an additional lace hole for a snugger heel lock or butterfly lacing, plus a D-ring for attaching a gaiter (though there’s no Velcro heel tab). The upper feels smooth and soft inside, with durable overlays at the heel and toe for protection.
The outsole now uses Vibram Megagrip, providing excellent traction on wet and dry surfaces. The 4mm lugs are well-spaced to prevent clogging. Outsole performance always comes with trade-offs — longer lugs and more flexible soles grip soft terrain better, but stiffer shoes with shorter lugs roll more smoothly on hard-packed trails. The Xodus Ultra 4 is clearly tuned for hard-packed trails and loose gravel but still has enough bite to handle slightly wet ground, giving it some versatility.
Saucony sizing is similar to Brooks, 361, Topo, and Altra. If you wear New Balance, Hoka, Inov-8, or La Sportiva, try half a UK size smaller for a comparable length — for example, a UK 11 in Saucony is similar to a UK 11.5 in Hoka.
Ultimately, choosing the right trail shoe comes down to matching the model to your terrain. The Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 is a strong choice as a road-to-trail shoe and is at its best on harder-packed surfaces with some mixed terrain. It doesn’t feel especially fast or exciting, so it’s not ideal for short trail races or interval sessions. If you want something that feels more agile, with enough grip for singletrack, tree roots, and softer ground — but still capable of handling 2-hour long runs — the Saucony Peregrine 15 (https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/saucony-peregrine-15-review/) is worth considering. That said, just as the Xodus wouldn’t be your first choice for a 5-mile trail race, the Peregrine is unlikely to be your pick for a 50-mile ultra on hard-packed trails.
In Summary
If you’re looking for a trail shoe built for distance, and you like a snug fit, the Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 is a very solid option.
Alternatives for Saucony Xodus Ultra 4
Topo Athletic Vista: Topo shoes have a broad rounded toe box to promote foot function. Although the big toe line in the Xodus is quite straight there isn’t the room in the forefoot for the foot to spread. The Xodus has a much narrower, snugger fit. The Xodus has more rebound which makes it an easier shoe to run in. The Vista is very comfortable and nice as slow Ultra type paces. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/topo-athletic-vista-review/
Inov-8 TrailFly Max: A broad rounded toe box allows more room for foot function. The TrailFly Max is still quite a stiff shoe but, the midsole does flex up which allows the shoes to be versatile enough to be used on more broken ground. However, you still don’t have a lot of feel for the ground so they still have that well cushioned ultra shoe feel rather than the nimble feel of shoes designed for shorter distances. Available in two widths men’s and women’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/inov-8-trailfly-max-review/
Hoka Mafate 5: A very soft midsole at the heel helps to absorb the terrain. The rocker and forefoot plate give propulsion as you move through the gait cycle. There is no feel for the ground you are very much riding the shoe. The midsole does absorb the terrain but, the base of the shoe is very wide which often makes them wider than the single-track trail you are running on. The Xodus is narrower and fits into the narrow trails easier. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/hoka-mafate-5-review/
VJ Ultra: All VJ’s trail running shoes have a rounded toe box to give the feet the space to function. The midsole is soft to give a cushioned ride to not overly so. Traction is good. The midsole absorbs the terrain to some degree and there is a bit more feel for the ground than in some of the other shoes of this type. The base of the shoe isn’t too wide and the VJ Ultra runs OK on single track trails. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/vj-ultra-3-review/
Brooks Cascadia 19: The Nitrogen infused midsole gives the Brooks Cascadia 19 a bouncy feel to the ride. Almost like a road shoe. It has no less feel for the trail than other trail running shoes with a high level of cushioning but, the bounce is more noticeable. Traction is good on wet and dry trails. The width of the base of the shoe is an issue on more broken trails and single track. Available in two width men’s and two width women’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/brooks-cascadia-19-review/
New Balance Hierro v9: The Hierro v9 is similar to the Hoka Mafate 5 in that you ride the shoe. The thick midsole absorbs the terrain and the rocker shape to the midsole keeps your moving. The midsole isn’t as soft as other shoes of this type and you can pick the pace up. Although they wouldn’t be my choice for a short race or any speedwork. Best used on hard packed tracks and trails. Available in three width men’s and two width women’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/new-balance-fresh-foam-x-hierro-v9-review/
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