Often overshadowed by the more popular Peregrine 2 (iRF review), the Xodus has its place in the Saucony trail line as it’s a bit burlier, able to handle tough terrain, and provides a little more cushioning. So, I bring you the Saucony Xodus 3.0 ($110), a versatile, all around trail shoe weighing in at 11.2 ounces with a 4mm heel drop. To be completely honest, sometimes my old practice left me with feet battered for days regretting I hadn’t worn more shoe. Zeke’s philosophy challenged my practice of going as minimal as possible for the distance.
Obviously, Zeke’s summer of results speak for themselves and I began to ponder the reasons for my own minimalist choices. (Zeke has raced recently in the Brooks Cascadia 7 (iRF review) which weighs 12.2 ounces.). Zeke told me that while other elites might poke fun of the weight of his shoes during ultras, he appreciates the extra protection and does not experience foot issues. This fall I’ve been experimenting a lot with heavier shoes that are more protective after a chat with ultrarunner Zeke Tiernan prior to the Run Rabbit Run 50 miler. Often times I find myself reaching for the lighter-weight shoes just to have that lower heel drop and feeling of agility I think it provides on the trail. I often talk to runners who are conflicted about running in heavier shoes with more protection or trying to stretch the limits of their feet/joints by running ultra distances in minimalist shoes. I always appreciate low drop shoes on the trail and until recently low heel differentials came only in minimal packages, which aren’t always protective and well cushioned enough for me over ultra distances.
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To find more options for trail running shoes, check out our Best Trail Running Shoes article and our full collection of trail running shoe reviews.