An elite midsole in an everyday running shoe sounds pretty cool and this is exactly what Saucony have tried to design with Saucony Freedom 4.
You can hear much more about this new shoe in my video-review below.
Video-review of the Saucony Freedom 4
Saucony Freedom 4 includes Saucony's elite midsole
Freedom 4 has been designed with the exact same midsole as Sauconys top models Endorphin Speed and Endorphin Pro. Two shoes which I unfortunately haven´t tried out but which are flying off the shelves in our webshop - apparently because of their incredible midsole.
And now you may find the same midsole in Saucony Freedom 4. Pretty unique because Freedom isn´t a racer but an everyday running shoe which is designed to handle different workouts.
Freedom 4 is an excellent alternative to the Ride-series and the Triumph
In short, Freedom 4 is a lighter and lower stack height alternative to the trainers in the Saucony Ride-collection and the max. comfortable Saucony Triumph. Its a super minimalistic running shoe, both in terms of design and colors, which provides an amazing touch with the surface thanks to its 4mm drop. And this is where the combination with the new elite midsole makes the shoe shine.
PWRRUN PB - an ultra light and responsive midsole
The new foam, PWRRUN PB, creates an ultra light and incredibly responsive midsole which have provided the foundation for a number of fast runs even without the midsole plate which you may find in Speed and Pro. At the same time the midsole is also soft but not squishy soft.
After several runs, I would describe the runs as being energetic and propulsive but also stable and firmer. I don´t think the midsole is nearly as lively or uncontrollable as the midsole in New Balance FuelCell TC or Nikes ZoomX-foam in e.g. Alphafly.
Freedom 4 is an incredible everyday running shoe
This is a good thing because its an everyday running shoe which is designed to be used by many people for a variety of runs. I tested it on all types of runs and I found it comfortable enough for distance runs but also efficient enough for pacy workouts.
A running shoe ideal for heel landers
However, I had a small isssue with the shoe. I land on my midfoot/forefoot and I missed a bit more comfort, i.e. more foam at the front of the shoe. Unfortunately I suffered from sore foot pads during and after my runs. And with this in mind, I would say that this shoe is a more obvious choice for people landing on the heel which on the other hand also provides a sensational running experience.
Feeling of freedom with the Saucony Freedom 4
The name ”Freedom” isn´t entirely coincidental. I had a great sensation of freedom in the shoe. Perhaps it’s not as flexible as I thought but it wraps itself comfortably around your foot. I would describe the soft upper as being medium-thick.
Freedom 4 is the running shoe for you that wants...
In total, I really think Freedom 4 has lots of positive qualities. A soft and propulsive midsole stably wrapped into a "free-upper" which delivers on most of your weekly runs.
Freedom 4 was somewhat challenged by the fact that I already have several running shoes for all types of runs. But if you are looking for a really good all-round running shoe, either as your first choice or as an alternative to your high-mileage training shoe, Saucony Freedom 4 would be a really good choice.
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