Saucony Exodus Ultra 2 Review: A Comfortable, Versatile Trail Shoe Built for Long Days

Introduction

The Saucony Exodus Ultra 2 is a trail running shoe built with longer distances in mind. It is designed to work alongside more race-focused shoes such as the Endorphin Edge, while standing on its own as an ultra racing and long-run option. Priced at £145 in the UK and $150 in the US, it weighs 298 grams (10.5 ounces) in a UK size 9, with a 6mm drop from a 32.5mm heel stack down to 26.5mm in the forefoot.

The headline change for the second version sits in the upper. The midsole and outsole carry over from the original, while the mesh upper has been refined for a more secure midfoot fit, a touch more padding, and a slightly lighter overall build. Having covered around 50k in the shoe, mostly across two longer runs of roughly 20k, this turned out to be one of the most well-rounded trail shoes tested this year.

Who This Product Is For

This is a shoe for trail runners who want one dependable option for almost everything: long easy runs, hilly efforts, runnable stretches, and the occasional faster session. If you are training for an ultra or simply want a comfortable, versatile cruiser for mixed terrain, the Exodus Ultra 2 fits that brief very well.

Runners who like a cushioned but stable platform, rather than an aggressively rockered or super-soft ride, are the natural audience. Heel strikers in particular get a slightly softer landing, while midfoot and forefoot runners will notice the ride firming up in a stable, helpful way on climbs.

Midsole: PWRRUN PB With a Stability Frame

The midsole is the standout feature. A firmer PWRRUN foam frame wraps around a PWRRUN PB core, the same bouncy foam Saucony uses in shoes like the Endorphin Speed, Endorphin Pro, and Endorphin Edge. The setup is similar to the Saucony Tempest road shoe: the frame adds stability while the core delivers a lively, cushioned ride, topped with a PWRRUN+ insole.

On the run, the balance is excellent. The shoe is not overly squishy, but you get a touch of sinking comfort and a little bounce on easy paces. Push the pace on runnable terrain and it moves through the gears surprisingly well, rolling smoothly with a decent punch from the midsole. It is not as snappy as shoes with a full speedroll-style plate, but it is a genuinely versatile ride.

Fit and Upper Comfort

The Exodus Ultra 2 fits true to normal running shoe size across UK, EU, and US sizing, and matches what the brand typically offers. It is not quite as roomy as the Endorphin Edge, but there is still plenty of toe box room, which meant no concerns about hard downhill running or feet swelling on longer efforts.

The midfoot and heel hold the foot securely, with welcome padding around the Achilles. Step-in comfort is excellent for a trail shoe, and the upper with its large debris shield and toe bumper did a good job keeping dust and gravel out on rough, gravelly sections.

Outsole and Grip

The three-piece PWRRUN TR outsole uses 4.5mm chevron lugs, tuned for a wide variety of terrain rather than the widely spaced deep lugs you would pick for muddy fell running.

In practice, the grip was dependable across hard-packed forest paths, muddy and swampy sections, singletrack, canal towpaths, and road segments. The lugs bite well in soft ground and stay comfortable on harder surfaces, and the shoe handles road stretches better than some luggier alternatives. Only in very deep, extended mud does it cake up and lose purchase; for short muddy patches, you can power through with confidence.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Nothing major surfaced during testing, but a few points are worth weighing up. If you want a dedicated deep-mud or fell shoe, something with longer lugs will serve you better. And if you mainly race shorter, faster trail events, a lighter, more aggressive option may be more suitable, though you would trade away some of the comfort and upper protection that make this shoe so livable.

It is also worth noting the second version has divided some opinion, with some preferring the original Exodus Ultra. This tester has only run the second version and found it excellent.

Buying Advice

At £145 in the UK or $150 in the US, this sits in the upper mid-range of the trail shoe market, and it earns its price through comfort and versatility. If your running mixes long easy trail miles with occasional faster efforts, and your terrain leans toward forest paths and mixed surfaces rather than deep mud, it is an easy recommendation.

How It Compares

Against the Hoka Speedgoat 5, the two are broadly similar for all-round trail use. The Speedgoat has a slightly more rockered, cruisy ride, while the Exodus Ultra 2 feels a touch nimbler on narrow, twisty tracks and offers a livelier, punchier midsole when the pace rises.

Compared to the Peregrine, the Exodus Ultra 2 wins on midsole enjoyment, while the Peregrine offers more bite in soft ground. The Endorphin Edge is the lighter, racier counterpart thanks to its plate and speedroll geometry, making the pair a natural one-two for training and racing. For a budget alternative, the Evadict MT Cushion 2 from Decathlon, under £100, is a capable cruiser for shorter runs, though its midsole is not as comfortable or lively.

Conclusion

The Saucony Exodus Ultra 2 is a comfortable, versatile trail shoe that handles easy miles with ease and still moves quickly when pushed. With a well-judged outsole, a secure and padded upper, and one of the more impressive midsoles in the category, it stands out as a favorite all-round trail option, particularly for long distances and mixed terrain.