Sockin Exodus Ultra 4 Review: A Bounce Comeback with a Weight Problem

Introduction

The Exodus Ultra has a bit of a split personality in its history. The original was one of the great trail running shoes, the version 2 was a comfortable long-distance performer, and the version 3 left many runners feeling it had lost its magic, running a little flat. The fourth version is Sockin’s attempt to put the spring back, and on paper it brings real changes: 8% more Power Run PB foam and, for the first time, a full Vibram Mega Grip outsole.

There is a catch, though. The new shoe weighs 344g in a UK 9.5, up 21g on the previous model and 36g on the original. That is a substantial increase, and it shapes much of the story below. The shoe retails for £150 in the UK, which is reasonable by current trail shoe standards.

One note before buying: Sockin’s own website lists almost no specs for this shoe, no weight, no stack height, no offset, no lug depth. For a company selling a £150 trail shoe, that is a real gap in the buying experience.

Who This Product Is For

The Exodus Ultra 4 suits trail runners who prioritize comfort, durability, and all-round grip over pure speed. If you run long distances on compacted trails and gravel pathways, and you want a confidence-inspiring outsole with a well-cushioned dual compound midsole, this shoe fits that brief well.

Main Strengths

Upper and Fit

The upper is a rugged, breathable engineered mesh with substantial overlays at the heel and around the toe box, plus an upfront toe bumper for protection. You get two locking loops either side of the lacing system, a well-padded gusseted tongue and ankle collar, a supportive heel cup, pull tabs on both tongue and heel, and a small gaiter attachment at the bottom of the laces.

Fit-wise, the shoe runs true to size in a UK 9.5, with a toe box that is neither narrow nor wide, a secure midfoot lockdown, and a good hold in the heel. Like every previous Exodus Ultra, it was comfortable straight out of the box with no rubbing or irritation. The only complaint: on a warm 25 to 26 degree day, the upper ran warm and feet felt hot by the end of the run.

Midsole and Ride

The dual compound midsole remains, but Sockin has increased the core of its Power Run PB super critical foam by 8%. That addition genuinely helped energy return. Compared to the slightly flat feel of the Exodus Ultra 3, there is noticeably more bounce here. It is still not as nimble or responsive as the original Exodus Ultra, but it is a clear step in the right direction.

Outsole and Grip: Vibram Mega Grip Arrives

The headline update is a full Vibram Mega Grip rubber outsole with 4mm lugs. Some runners had grip issues with earlier versions, and this sticky compound should fix that. On dry compacted trails and gravelly pathways it offered good traction, and anyone who has run in Vibram Mega Grip knows how confidence-inspiring it is on rocky or wet rocky terrain. With 4mm lugs, expect some loss of traction in truly wet and muddy conditions, but the outsole should handle most terrain and weather.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The weight is the main concern. At 344g in a UK 9.5, the shoe is noticeably heavier in hand and on foot, and that extra mass was felt during testing. Much of it likely comes from the full Vibram Mega Grip outsole. There is always a compromise in trail shoes, but it feels like two steps forward and one step back: a better midsole and outsole, offset by a heavier package. A figure closer to 300g would have made this an easier recommendation.

Stack height is unchanged from the previous version at 36mm heel and 30mm forefoot, a 6mm heel offset. Because official spec information is scarce online, it is worth confirming sizing details with the retailer before ordering.

Buying Advice

If you loved the original Exodus Ultra, the version 4 will not fully recapture that feeling, but it is a better shoe than the version 3 and a genuine improvement for first-time buyers. Buy it if grip, protection, and long-run comfort matter more than shaving grams. If you are chasing a lighter, faster trail shoe for racing, the weight increase may bother you as much as it bothered during testing.

Conclusion

The Exodus Ultra 4 restores some of what was missing: more bounce from added Power Run PB foam and a serious Vibram Mega Grip outsole. The trade-off is significant added weight that dims the overall performance gains. For runners who value a comfortable, grippy all-rounder over speed, it is a solid choice at £150.