There’s an inner core of their PWRRUN PB, a high-end, soft, and responsive foam. It sits directly underfoot. So, you get that softer sensation upon step in and through toe off. It has both comfort and performance in mind, while the outer rim is a more traditional PWRRUN foam that is firmer and more durable. It, along with a slight bathtub construction, brought a nice sense of structure for a stable ride and durability to the package. Tagging all of those attributes to a single midsole means it will rank high for a variety of runners and distances.
As far as geometry goes, the Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 does have a slight rocker. It is just enough to feel efficient at a variety of paces. I liked the subtlety more and more as I went further and approached different terrain. Typically, with shoes of this stature, the rocker can lean a shoe more towards one end of the spectrum or not. I found the Xodus Ultra 4 more versatile than other leaders in its category, like the Brooks Caldera 8, Topo Athletic Vista, and New Balance Hierro v10. It performed just as well on light trails as on steep technical hiking climbs.
The upper really complements the rest of the build. A new, more tenacious engineered mesh was utilized. It’s not quite like a Matryx or Dyneema upper; it rides somewhere between a traditional mesh and those options. There’s an intentionally comfort-oriented aspect, as the whole upper has a more cushioned and supportive feel. At the same time, it’s not overly built. It provided highly satisfactory marks in comfort, fit, and durability.
