Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide

Specifically designed for the long haul, the men's Saucony Xodus Ultra 3 trail-running shoes offer ultra comfort for ultra distances—and any shorter runs when you want cushion, grip and protection.
Imported.
View all Saucony Men's Trail-Running ShoesBest Use | Trail Running |
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Trail-Running Shoe Type | Rugged-Trail |
Running Shoe Cushioning | Maximum Cushion |
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm) | 6 |
Heel Stack Height (mm) | 36 |
Forefoot Stack Height (mm) | 30 |
Footwear Height | Ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Upper | Mesh |
Lining | 87% recycled PET/13% spandex |
Midsole | PWWRUN PB Core with PWRRUN frame |
Outsole | PWRTRAC rubber |
Rock Plate | Yes |
Vegan | Yes |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 3.2 oz. |
Gender | Men's |
Sustainability | Contains recycled materials |
7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 | 15 | |
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U.S. Men's | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
U.S. Women's | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 13.5 | 14.5 | |||
UK | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
EU | 40 | 40.5 | 41 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 | 44 | 44.5 | 45 | 46 | 46.5 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 |
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These are good trail shoes, better than I initially felt about them. The forefoot cushion is still better in the first version which I have over 200 miles in, but these feel much better than 2 which I never ran in, only tried on. These do have a smoother roll to them than the original, and at a certain pace feel really smooth to run in. I'm only at 37 miles but I'm going to enjoy many runs in these. Saucony, in the next version shave some weight in the upper, no need for the tongue to be that big and long, and put a liitle more pebax in both the heel and forefoot. Overall though, good job.
I can't agree with the one star review. But every runner has different ideas and their own running feel. For my part, I find the Xodus Ultra 3 to be an excellent trail runner. It has better grip on loose rocks and also in wet conditions, which was always a small weak point before. The new, much wider midsole with the footframe construction is excellent; the foot is better guided and embedded. The midsole material is very stable and no longer as spongy as in its predecessors. Nevertheless, excellent propulsion with top energy return thanks to the two-frame construction. What I personally also really appreciate is that the inside of the heel of the outsole is raised a little to give a little more support. An advantage for light pronation. All in all, the best Xodus Ultra there is to date. Only suggestion for improvement: please fit a sway lock in the inner forefoot area for a little more support.
I ran my first 50 miler in these shoes. The stand outs was the grip - I felt like I had good traction regardless of the terrain (roots, rocks, choss, loose dirt). The toe box was also very generous, which is an important thing for me. The ultra 3s didn’t fit the same as the ultra 2s for me. I ordered online, so if I tried them out in person I might have gone half a size down.
Bought the shoes online in a pinch because I needed trail running shoes to pace my buddy for 57-miles during his 100-miler. The shoes were fantastic and felt great for a 19-hour run. Highly recommend if you plan to put in some serious trail miles, or if you spend a lot of time on the trails.
Bought 2 pairs of these. Each pair had the soles start to come off just within a few uses. Poor quality.
I had 2pr of the OG Xodus Ultra, good thing, since I wasn’t a fan of version 2. So I was leary of trying the 3. So glad I did! The minute I put them on I knew it was my new favourite. Running in them is a joy!
Usually a Pegegrine or Endorphin Speed runner, I've been enjoying this sort of hybrid of the two, with that little bit of plushness as I work through some heel issues. A good option when I want to give my feet/lower chain a break, without going stupid fluffy. A little more width in the midfoot took a little getting used to, but I'm learning to make the most of the extra stability on long runs. A bit of a dad-shoe in the looks department--look forward to when y'all let the colorway designers loose, perhaps..
Xodus Ultra 3 is super comfortable on trails and asphalt. Nice grip. Good lockdown and traction. Very stable with no ankle wobbling/rolling. Plenty of toe splay. Not quite as snappy-feeling as version 2, but cushioning feels like an upgrade for those 50K's and beyond. Love the colorways. Only complaint are the shoelaces -- they're super stretchy, so getting lockdown that stays locked down is hard -- the laces slowlllly stretch and loosen up. Switch them out for non-stretchy laces and you're good to go.
These are fabulous. I've had 2 pairs of v1, 2 pairs of v2, and now v. 3. I'm not a runner but speaking as an avid hiker these are just great. Like walking on air cushions from heel to toe. Incredibly comfortable and lockdown is excellent. No up and down movement in the heel at all. Of particular note to me is the amount of cushion in the forefoot and toes.... areas that are particularly sesative on my feet. V1 was similar in this regard but v3 is out of the park.. Just incredible.
I deal with chronic inflammation in my big toes and need a lot of support from my shoes to keep inflammation to a minimum. I bought the Xodus Ultra with the hope it would give me all of the front end foot support I would need. Unfortunately it fell short. While the back of the foot (heel) support is top notch this shoe does not support toes for my level of need.