Saucony Exodus Ultra 3 Review: A Slow Burner on the Trail

Introduction

The Exodus line has a special place in our trail rotation. The previous versions impressed from the very first run, delivering an addictive mix of fit, feel and performance on everything from 5K loops to ultra distances. So expectations were high when the Exodus Ultra 3 arrived, and honestly, the first few runs left us a little underwhelmed: flatter, less responsive and noticeably less fun.

But trail shoes sometimes need time. After nearly 200 miles on a big mix of terrain, from the Cornish coast path to the high mountain trails of Switzerland, this is how the latest Exodus Ultra has settled in.

Key Specs and Construction

The Exodus Ultra 3 retails in the UK for £150, a £5 increase over the previous model. Our pair in a UK 9.5 weighs 323g, with a 6mm heel offset: 36mm of stack at the heel and 30mm under the forefoot. There are two colour options for men and, as far as we can tell, one for women.

This is essentially a brand-new shoe from the ground up. The upper uses two types of engineered mesh: a more open weave around the toe box and tongue, and a different fabric at the rear. The tongue is gusseted with moderate padding, the heel sits in a substantial cradle with good ankle collar padding, and a toe bumper adds protection up front. Structural overlays wrap the lace eyelets and toe box for durability, there are pull tabs on the heel and tongue, and a gaiter attachment loop sits at the base of the laces.

Midsole: Wider, More Stable, Less Lively

Saucony stuck with the dual-compound midsole design from previous versions: a core of performance foam, PWRRUN PB, wrapped in the more durable and stable standard PWRRUN foam. In theory that combination should deliver both bounce and longevity.

The big change is the platform. The midfoot and heel are now significantly wider, with Saucony aiming to make the shoe feel more planted on uneven and technical trails. We never had stability issues with the earlier versions, so this change feels unnecessary, and it noticeably altered the character of the shoe.

Outsole and Grip

Underfoot you get a PWRTRAC outsole with 4mm lugs, now using a new, improved rubber compound that Saucony claims offers more grip in wet conditions. Wet-weather grip had been a complaint we heard about from some runners on the previous two models, though it was never something we personally struggled with.

Comfort and Performance

The Exodus Ultra 3 is a slow burner. Early on, the wider midsole ran flat and made the shoe feel stiff and a little clunky. With mileage, it bedded in, softened up and became far more flexible and enjoyable. Unlike the previous versions, which felt great straight out of the box, this one improves over time, more like a fine red wine.

Midsole comfort has been genuinely good. We raced a 50K in the Swiss mountains on a super rocky, technical route with no issues with comfort, stability or underfoot protection. The trade-off is energy return: the midsole has lost much of the bouncy, high-energy feel of the earlier Exodus Ultras, which is a real shame. The wider profile makes the shoe feel less nimble and less responsive.

The upper has performed well throughout. Breathability is good, and we have had no hot spots or blisters. Padding in the tongue and ankle collar strikes a nice balance between comfort and lockdown, and the toe box offers good width for our foot shape. The one annoyance: the laces tend to work loose on most runs and need retying.

Durability

Durability matters even more this time, since the previous version had some durability question marks. At nearly 200 miles, including plenty of tough, rocky mountain trails that really beat shoes up, our pair is holding up well. No wear at the flex points, no overlay peeling, no heel lining wear, and the outsole still retains good lug depth. The previous model in our rotation is well past 300 miles and still going strong, which bodes well for this generation.

Scores

• Price: 7/10. £150 is a lot of money, but the materials and features on offer are competitive with what this shoe goes up against.
• Comfort and performance: 6/10. Comfortable over any distance once bedded in, but the lost energy return and responsiveness cost it dearly.
• Durability: 8/10. A solid, well-put-together shoe that shows minimal wear at 200 miles.

That totals 21 out of 30, the lowest score we have given any Exodus model. On looks, though, this is the best-looking version yet: the last two iterations leaned a bit too “dad shoe”, and this one gets a big thumbs up.

Alternatives to Consider

If you want a similar feel and performance profile, the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v… actually, the closest comparison is the New Balance hierarchical trail offering, which delivers similarly consistent performance on drier days but with a livelier midsole foam. The La Sportiva Prodigio also delivers a very similar fit, feel and performance out on the trails.

Conclusion

We have been a little disappointed with the latest version of one of our favourite trail shoes of all time. The midsole changes have had a big impact on performance: the wider profile feels planted, but it also sapped responsiveness and, frankly, some of the fun. Still, this remains a solid performing trail shoe with excellent durability, and if you have never run in the previous two versions, there is a good chance you will enjoy the Exodus Ultra 3. If you are shopping for a new trail shoe, it is worth a closer look.