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The Saucony Xodus Extremely 4 has leveled up. A Vibram outsole and a max cushioned shoe that doesn’t appear to be the mega-cushioned footwear, it’s arduous to beat for anybody who desires consolation and safety in a path shoe.

Listening to that this was a max cushioned shoe even earlier than opening the field I already had my concepts of what it was going to appear to be and was getting ready for a chunky shoe.
I opened the field to search out what seemed like a reasonably normal cushioning after which had my doubts about this max cushioning assertion. However on this case, I’m comfortable to be incorrect, it’s a cushioned shoe with out all the majority.
The subsequent query for me was naturally, what can these footwear do? So I attempted each path I might to max out the flexibility of those footwear and I haven’t discovered that restrict (but).
Whereas I can’t say I’ve achieved each kind of path and run in these, I’ve tried – comfortable filth, rain/mud, closely rocky and gnarled roots, pine needles, 19% grade (up and down), mile repeats, minute intervals, simple runs, hairpin switchbacks.
It’s virtually a purpose to attempt to break this shoe now.
Who’s Saucony Xodus Extremely 4 match for? Let’s break it down with some frequent classes:
- Broad Ft: It’s not a large shoe, a narrower foot can be happier in it than a wider foot, the everyday Saucony width match.
- Heavier Runners: The Vibram Mega-Grip outsole supplies wonderful stability together with the cushion.
- Lengthy Runs: A max cushioned shoe, excellent for an extremely.
- Entrance of the Pack: This might be an amazing shoe to assured path race.
The Xodus Extremely is nice for any degree runner on the lookout for cushion and grip on the paths. You gained’t discover a plush cushion right here, however you will see wonderful grip.
Saucony Xodus Extremely 4 Overview
Straight out of the field the Vibram Mega-Grip outsole pops out, an improve from the Xodus Extremely 3. It’s arduous to recollect the final Saucony-Vibram shoe I’ve run in and I’m right here for this improve. That is completely private desire, however I’d choose a Vibram sole over a rock plate any day.
The Xodus Extremely 4 provides extra of the PWRRUN PB underfoot wrapped with PWRRUN for sturdiness and safety as in comparison with the Xodus Extremely 3. The responsive springiness is noticeable on account of the PWRRUN PB and it’s holding up properly via all my runs thus far.
I’m often skeptical a couple of max cushioned shoe’s capability to deal with a steep down and switchbacks. There’s usually an excessive amount of bulk on the facet for me to really feel snug dodging rocks and turning on the banked edge, however the Xodus Extremely 4’s slimmer sidewalls helped me preserve an consciousness of my ft. 
One quirk I really feel just like the Xodus Extremely 4 has is that this ribbon that runs the total size of the tongue.
On the backside of the tongue it’s nice, the laces run underneath it protecting all the things from shifting. On the prime I don’t know if I’m alleged to attempt to lace underneath it or over it.
I presently have one shoe laced over and one shoe laced underneath with no efficiency distinction seen, so I suppose finally it’s a non-issue.
The 4mm lug depth and spacing on the Vibram Mega-Grip outsole supplies a grip that may deal with any situation. With the D-ring for gaiters rocks aren’t going to be a problem.
The Xodus Extremely 4 is available in over an oz. heavier than the Xodus Extremely 3, however the improved grip with Vibram Mega-Grip outsole is well worth the weight.
The ripstop and the total thickness lugs on the toes gave that little additional safety for technical, rocky trails that I appreciated.
As an added bonus, this shoe is vegan and accommodates recycled supplies. That is one thing we’re frequently excited to see in footwear we advocate.
I really like how this max cushioned shoe doesn’t look cumbersome or unbalanced. It’s one other one which we might simply advocate to these heading out for a hike. It’s going to deal with properly and fell good underfoot for these lengthy hours.
It’s attention-grabbing that they eliminated the rock plate and but the burden went up…we aren’t in love with that, however the traction makes up for it.
Saucony Xodus Extremely 4 Match
The Xodus Extremely 4 is the everyday Saucony match, true to measurement and barely slender. The toebox is just not vast, however there may be loads of room in your toes and barely wider than the Saucony Peregrine’s toebox. The mesh on the mid-foot is versatile sufficient in case you want the match to be rather less cosy.
The heel is sufficiently cosy, serving to with the connection to the path and sustaining management on the downhills even with a 36 mm stack top.
The padding within the ankle and absolutely padded, absolutely connected tongue retains this shoe snug after miles on the paths.
Though I wanted to put on a sock barely taller than a no present to maintain from dropping my socks on the heel and as a runner of a sure era I used to be not thrilled.
The Vibram Mega-Grip sole flexes for fluid motion however continues to be stiff sufficient to not collapse when hitting a rock level or going over a root.
Saucony Xodus Extremely 4 Really feel
Backside line, the Saucony Xodus Extremely 4 feels good.
It’s a simple shoe to slide into in case you are on the lookout for cushion. There’s loads of padding in all of the spots you need padding. The Xodus Extremely jogged my memory of the Hoka Pace Goat cushioning with the narrowness and heel cradling of the Saucony Peregrine.
The mesh is breathable. This shoe is just not waterproof, your socks will get moist, however they can even dry shortly.
The 4 mm lugs did cake with the Colorado clay/mud combine after the rain, however this wasn’t worse or higher than different path footwear with comparable lug depth.
The laces are lengthy sufficient for a heel lock lacing. Whereas this looks as if a minor level, you undoubtedly discover when they don’t seem to be lengthy sufficient.
The PWRRUN PB is cushioned for the lengthy miles however nonetheless agency and responsive sufficient to get some velocity going. There’s additionally sufficient firmness to take care of that reference to the path, this isn’t a floating on air shoe, in a great way.
This shoe has develop into a contender for the lengthy portion of a two day path race I’ve later in the summertime once I suppose my legs will want that additional little bit of cushioning and stability.
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Comparable Footwear to the Saucony Xodus Extremely 4
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In the end that is nice shoe for lengthy hours in your ft on technical trails. It’s acquired loads of grip and simply sufficient cushion. Sadly it’s nonetheless heavier than we’d like and too slender to work for everybody.
Who tried it?
Hello, I’m Aimee, a chemist who has solved most of my work and life issues out on a path someplace. I signed up for my first marathon in faculty not realizing how lengthy a marathon was and have been an avid runner for the final twenty years.
I sometimes run 30-35 miles every week chasing my two German Shorthaired Pointers, Sam and Bert, therefore my well-known instagram @runningwithsam. (Largely I’m working no matter my RTTF Coach Laura tells me to do.)

