Saucony Xodus Iso Review

I should have had the title, why I did not try the new Saucony Peregrin 6 or the Xodus Iso ! Here it goes !

Xodus Iso

I have tried all the Xodus and Peregrin models, I mean all from the very first edition. The first two models were way different than what we can expect from today's shoes. They were hard and non-flexible, with already a vibram outsole and a very sturdy built. I loved them. I wish I had a blog that time. I would have compared it to the TNF Hedgehog, the very first INOV8 shoes and maybe even to some road running shoes. Since then the Trail Running sport and market have boomed and still do so ! Drop as a term was not even really existing and you can check all the amazon or blog reviews, the technical details of the shoe are not really revealed anywhere !

The 3rd to 6th edition of the Xodus had basically a very identical outsole and also a superbly similar fit. They just worked down the overlays to the least possible, seeing only thermo-welding on the 6th edition. I ran a couple of ultras in the 4th and 5th and trained long hours in the 6th. No issues and the vibram outsole grips as ! Cushioning was never a strong part of the Xodus models, but more likely protection. Either ways it was never ment to be a fast shoe, more likely a rugged terrain training or ultra mountain model.

In the ISO however many things changed, what I did not like when I tried it on first, second and third time. I never make decisions on first encounters. I was getting familiar with the shoe every week, but could not make a decision until now. It is NO, at least for me !

Pros

Narrow, hugging, seamless healcup. By being more soft in the shoe, having some bounce on the inside of the shoe is possible. However with this very silky upper, you will not feel like any blistering effect ever ! Very well thought material choice and works together with the Everrun cushioning !

They changed the outsole first of all. Same material used on the Peregrin, lighter than the Vibram, grips as hell, sheds mud and resistant as !
A tad bid softer Everrun outsole, what is a reactive, continuous cushioning closer to the foot. Great feeling and works better than the hard strobel board punishing your feet after 80km of racing !
Upper: more open, lot of mesh, more comfortable in the meaning of seamless inner design, outer hugging foot locking system, super comfortable heel cup. It adapts and moves with your feet, expands or extends with it. It is called IsoFit.

Powertrack outsole. No data on the chemical compound in the gum used. Either ways, it grips nearly as good as the Sportiva shoes, but resists more and sheds mud fast !

Cons

FIT ! So the idea of the ISOFIT is great, however it works, or doesn't, the last of the shoe has changed so much, that I do not feel like putting miles in it. I wore it for days in the house to see that I can get a hang of it, but when I "turn on" the old 6.0s or the Peregrines, I say, this is way way different. Narrow and bizarre, giving me a headache. That last eyelet hanging in the air pushes on the top of my big toe. I tried sizing up and sizing down to see if that places the pressure point elsewhere. No, it still causes chafing. I tried with different socks like X-Socks, Compressport(worst) and Injinji. It actually is not about that seam on the inside but the narrow upper fit.

The ISOfit system. Mesh upper, feels like a sock with a gusseted anti-debris tongue and a stitched/glued outer layer. You can also see that last lace eyelet having nothing to pull on, except the mesh. I find it strange and non-functional.

Narrow midfoot fit, but less pointy toebox, similar to the Nomad TR. Some of you might actually like it a lot, but as sales goes, the numbers push on the Peregrin's side !

I hope to see saucony finding another more usual last and less narrow design to the shoe. No surprise, that I sell the Peregrins like sugar and nobody really talks about the Iso Xodus, nor old Xodus users coming back for the ISO as their next model.

Drop 4mm
Heel to toe Offset: 29to 25mm
Weight : 292g 10.3oz in size 43

Who ever liked previous Saucony models and want to get into trail running, just try it on and decide it to yourself. The Kinvara has a similar fit, narrow and bizarre for me, others rave about it. The Triupmh ISO can be similar in case of last, so if you liked it, ths Xodus ISO will be also to your liking.

As a technical training shoe or an Ultra Racing shoe, the Xodus ISO from Saucony would be a great use for this model. I have not yet sent any to warranty claim, so probably gonna be also a sturdy and rugged model. This is a great insight what you can get only from resellers and shoe geeks.

Saucony Xodus ISO: http://www.saucony.com/en/xodus-iso/25011M.html?dwvar_25011M_color=S20325-1

Size Chart for Saucony Running Shoes: