Saucony Xodus ISO 3 Review

I have been a big fan of the Saucony Xodus ISO line of trail running shoes.  For the last year plus, the Xodus ISO 2 has been my go-to shoe for ultra trail races.

I have taken the Xodus ISO 3 out for about 30 miles of mainly technical trails: lots of roots and rocks.  Overall, I really like the improvements Saucony made to the new version.  Unless some long term durability problems arise, the Saucony Xodus ISO 3 will become my new go-to shoe for ultra trail running.

Full Review:

What’s changed:

Saucony extended their EVERUN midsole to the full length of the shoe.  They also updated the outsole to a dual-compound with harder, thinner lugs in the forefoot.  The stack height has increased by 2mm. The most significant update I noticed is the revamp and redesign of the upper.  All these changes have increased the weight of the shoe by about 2.4oz.

Comfort:  

This year’s upper is my favorite improvement on the Xodus ISO.  It is highly breathable and flexible. They added some extra cushion where the laces tie.  This was an improvement I never knew I wanted until I had it.

As for fit, it took my first run for the shoe to conform and fit my foot nicely.  By the second run, the shoes felt broken in and comfortable.

The Xodus ISO 3 have a nice balance of cushioning without compromising too much responsiveness.  It is not the shoe I would take on a quick trail run, it is much better suited for long distance and ultra runs.

Protection:

Given the changes in this year’s Xodus ISO upper, I was concerned Saucony may have reduced some of the protection.  So far, I have not noticed any issues with the protection they offer.

Neither the Xodus ISO 2 or 3 has a rock plate; the stiffness of the sole provides enough protection.  This year’s increased stack height is a welcomed addition for added protection.  While I generally prefer my trail shoes to have a rock plate, the lack of one has not been an issue.

Drainage:  

On my first run, I had multiple opportunities to take these through an extended run in the water.  They drain extremely well, much better that previous models.

Grip:  

Increased grip was one of the supposed improvements on the Xodus ISO 3.  The new sole does handle loose dirt and rocks better, but I did not notice any other grip improvements.  I have some questions about how they grip when wet.  On my first run, I did experience a lot of slippage on rocks, but so did many of the mountain bikers I came across on the trails.  I am not sure if the trail was just extra slick that morning, or if the shoes have grip issues.

Durability:  

This is a big question mark right now.  The first version of the Xodus ISO were not very durable.  The uppers usually started to com apart around 150 miles. The Xodus ISO 2, on the other hand, were extremely durable.  Even after 300 plus miles, I never experienced any real issues with the uppers or soles failing.

In Conclusion:  

I am very happy with the updated Saucony Xodus ISO 3.  It feels like every change they made has improved the shoe, except for the the additional weight.  I am looking forward to putting these through the paces at my next ultra trail race.