Trail runners have plenty of cushioned options these days, but few manage to feel protective and versatile without tipping towards clunky. The Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 women’s trail running shoe strikes that balance, pairing plush underfoot comfort with tacky traction and stability that can handle just about any mountain trail.
I tested the Xodus Ultra 4 for about 2 months and 50 miles in Colorado, from mellow forest roads to rocky singletrack in Aspen’s Elk Mountains and dry-and-dusty ambles in the San Juans. Through it all, the shoe delivered a reliable, cushioned ride that kept my legs fresh and my feet happy.
For me, the Xodus Ultra 4 shoes shine with versatility, earning it the top spot in our buyer’s guide. Sure, they’re too heavy to be a speed shoe but they proved themselves as a solid daily driver. I reached for them on casual dog runs just as often as I did for long weekend miles, knowing they’d handle whatever terrain I found underfoot.
In short: The Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 ($170) is a cushioned, stable trail shoe built for long miles with reliable grip and comfort that make it a versatile choice for any mountain adventure.
See how the Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 stacked up in our buyer’s guide for the Best Trail Running Shoes for Women.
-
Do-it-all workhorse; tons of versatility -
Bomber traction with the Vibram Megagrip outsole -
Ample cushioning but still responsive
-
Heavy -
Less breathable in warmer weather
Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 Women’s Trail Running Shoe Review
The Saucony Xodus line has long been the brand’s all-mountain workhorse, built for big miles and rugged terrain. Now in its fourth iteration, the Xodus Ultra 4 tips the scales at about an ounce heavier than the Ultra 3, but that extra weight comes with meaningful updates that actually make it a better shoe to go the distance.
Cushioned Yet Responsive
The defining feature of the Xodus Ultra 4 is its dual-density midsole. Saucony tucked a layer of its high-end, plush PWRRUN PB foam inside a frame of firmer foam, kind of like a horseshoe. End result: the soft inner foam acts like a pillow under your foot, absorbing impact and giving you a touch of bounce, while the sturdier outer structure keeps everything feeling secure and under control. That balance is what makes the Xodus Ultra 4 stand out; it’s protective without being sloppy.
Over about 50 miles of testing, I noticed this on almost every type of terrain. On long, gradual descents along forest roads outside Aspen, the plush foam soaked up the pounding in a way that saved my quads. But, the firmer frame prevented the shoe from feeling like I was sinking into an ooey-gooey marshmallow.
My stride stayed smooth and consistent, even when I was running downhill for miles at a time. On steeper, rockier trails in the San Juans, the “bathtub” shape of the midsole with its walls gently cradling your foot added a layer of lateral stability. I noticed this while hopping from rock to rock without worrying about rolling an ankle.
But good news: all that cushion doesn’t make the Xodus Ultra 4 feel like a brick. To be clear, this shoe is too heavy to double as a speedwork shoe, but it’s not pretending to be. What it does deliver is a comfortable ride that makes logging everyday miles feel breezy. On mellow morning runs with my dog, I barely noticed the shoes at all. In my book, this is the ultimate compliment for a trainer.
Traction That Grips Everywhere
If there’s one upgrade that makes the Xodus Ultra 4 feel like a different shoe than its predecessor, it’s the outsole. While Saucony did remove the rock plate, they also added Vibram Megagrip in a tradeoff I’m almost always willing to make. I’m a big fan of Megagrip and believe it to be the tackiest rubber out there — these shoes underscored my belief.
On rocky alpine trails near Aspen, where loose rock is the norm and footing is never guaranteed, the outsole bit down confidently whenever possible. I could slip-slide down gritty slabs without hesitation because I knew the Megagrip would do its job when needed.
The 4mm lugs are deep enough to handle loose dirt and reasonable mud, but not so aggressive that they feel clunky on firmer surfaces. That versatility matters because my runs are rarely 100% technical; they often start on forest service roads before adventuring into chaos.
Durability That Matches Its Build
A shoe this substantial should last, and so far the Xodus Ultra 4 has lived up to that expectation. After about 50 miles of mixed testing, the outsole shows almost no wear. That’s a testament to both the Vibram compound and the way the shoe disperses impact through its firmer outer midsole frame.
The high-abrasion mesh upper is also solid. It’s not as bombproof as uppers that use Kevlar intermixed throughout, but it certainly did the job, as I’ve seen no signs of destruction or wear. And while burly, it is softer and more comfortable than many rugged all-mountain shoes.
I have an average-width foot but tend to prefer slightly more wiggle room and really struggle with tight uppers that don’t expand. However, I never once felt like the Xodus Ultra 4 restricted my midfoot, even after long days with plenty of foot swelling. Even the laces and overlays have proven durable; no stretching or loose stitches anywhere.
Comfort for the Long Haul
For all its cushioning and durability, the Xodus Ultra 4 may be the most comfortable shoe of my summer. I realize those are big words that may or may not mean a lot. But ultimately, comfort is what we want while we’re logging our miles.
I usually wear a women’s 8.5 shoe and did the same with these; it’s a perfect fit, and I’d argue they fit true to size. While folks with wide feet may not think of these kicks as spacious, I think they lean just slightly on the roomier side. For me, that was perfect: enough space in the toe box for natural splay on long climbs and descents, but still snug in the midfoot so I never felt sloppy.
Breathability is perfectly fine, although it’s not so exceptional that I’ll rave about it. On cooler mornings in Aspen, my feet stayed comfortable, but in warmer afternoon runs, the shoe did run a touch hot.
Room for Improvement
For all the things the Xodus Ultra 4 gets right, it isn’t without drawbacks. The most obvious is weight. At just under 10 ounces per shoe for the women’s version, it’s on the heavier end of the trail category. And, it’s a full ounce heavier than the Ultra 3 was, which feels like a backward movement for an update, and especially since Saucony removed the rock plate this go round. That trade-off feels a little puzzling. Losing the plate shaved some underfoot protection, yet the scale still went up by about an ounce.
To be fair, the weight increase comes alongside one of the shoe’s best upgrades: the addition of a Vibram Megagrip outsole. For me, that’s worth the extra grams, since traction is non-negotiable on technical terrain. Still, there’s no denying the heft. The Xodus Ultra 4 shines for long, steady miles, but if you’re looking for a shoe to double as a race-day or speedwork option, this isn’t it.
Final Thoughts
The Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 isn’t trying to be flashy or fast, which is exactly why I kept reaching for it. (I’m neither of those things, either!) With its plush yet stable cushioning, tacky Vibram traction, and all-around comfortable fit, it hits a sweet spot that makes it just as useful for everyday dog runs as it is for big days with long miles.
What Saucony has built here is a dependable, all-mountain trainer that you can trust for long, slow miles when comfort and protection matter most. It won’t win any awards for agility, but that isn’t the point. If you want a durable, workhorse of a shoe that feels good on your feet hour after hour, the Xodus Ultra 4 delivers.
Read the full article here
