The Saucony Freedom 3 is a lightweight but high cushioned shoe that’s been in Saucony’s arsenal for a few years now. I loved the original Saucony Freedom, but the second failed to wow me.
There have been some major updates in the Saucony Freedom 3, including the dropping of the “ISO” lacing (as Saucony has done with most of their shoes). So the Saucony Freedom 3 is just the update to the Saucony ISO Freedom 2. Plus, now, the Freedom 3 uses PWRRUN+ midsole. It’s different but not in a bad way.
Saucony Freedom 3 Quick Facts:
Weight: 7.8 oz
Heel to Toe Drop: 4 mm
Saucony Freedom 3 Fit:
The upper of the Saucony Freedom 3 is flexible and soft. It’s simple and well put together. According to Saucony, the Freedom 3 now uses “Formfit” instead of ISO. The Formfit mesh upper stretches and adapts for light and unrestrained feeling. It’s similar to both the Saucony Triumph 17 or Saucony Kinvara 11.
Your feet have plenty of room with the Freedom 3 and don’t feel as though they are inhibited. However, there is a lack of structure in the upper too. That being said, I like the simplicity of the upper. It’s basic, and it works.
One thing to note if you’ve never run in Saucony is the lower back in almost all of their shoes. The lower back is something people either love or hate. You won’t slip out, but it does affect the feeling of the shoe.
The original Saucony Freedom ran on the shorter size, but with the removal of the ISO fitting, the Freedom 3 fits true to size. I usually wear between a 10-11 wide in women’s running shoes, and the size 10.5 fits well.
Saucony Freedom 3 Ride:
The Freedom 3 has been given a complete update on the ride. It no longer uses EVERUN and has been converted to the PWRRUN+. According to the Saucony, the PWRUN+ has all of the features:
- 3x more durable and 3x less temperature-sensitive than EVA
- 2x as flexible
- 25% lighter and absorbs 5% more impact than Everun.
What claims, but what does that actually mean?
You can feel that it’s a much lighter and more nimble ride than the previous versions. It’s energetic, and you feel like you are getting energy return with each stride. This is one of Saucony’s better shoes of the year, and I think it’s best described as a more durable Kinvara.
The traction of the Saucony Freedom 3 is good, and it’s a shoe that I would take in inclement weather. There is plenty of highly durable rubber in the heel, toe, and midsole, which Saucony calls their “Tri-Flex Crystal Rubber.”
The Saucony Freedom 3 is a shoe I can keep in my car if I have no idea what kind of run I want to do. It’s smooth and cushioned for easy runs and energetic if I want to go faster on a long run or tempo effort. With how light it is, you don’t feel like you are being weighed down.
Saucony Freedom 3 Conclusion:
The Saucony Freedom 3 is a good jack of all trades shoe. I like how light but cushioned it is as well as the upper being unnoticeable and simple. (I hate worrying about any upper). For me, it will probably stay as a daily run and durable shoe. The problem with the Freedom is that Saucony has so many different shoes these days that it sometimes gets lost between the Saucony Ride, Saucony Triumph, or Saucony Kinvara.
My Current Shoe Rotation:
Easy/Daily Runs Saucony Freedom 3, Brooks Glycerin 18, Mizuno Rider Waveknit 3, Nike Pegasus 37, New Balance 1080 v10, Diadora Mythos Blushield Blushield Hip 5, Hoka Bondi 7, Asics GlideRide.
Speed Work: Nike Tempo Next%, New Balance Fuelcell TC Shoe Review, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro,
Long Runs: Hoka Clifton Edge, Under Armour Sonic HOVR 3
Trail Running/Hiking: Hoka Torrent 2, Saucony Peregrine 10, New Balance Hierro v5
Races: Asics MetaRacer, New Balance Fuelcell 5280, Nike Next%, Saucony Endorphin Pro, New Balance fuelcell TC, Reebok Run fast Pro
You Can See All Current Shoe Reviews Here.
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Questions for you:
Have you tried the Saucony Freedom 3?
What is your current favorite shoe?
Thanks for this review. I’m a big Saucony fan (Kinvara is my favorite but I’ve also had Guide ISO, Ride, Triumph) but I’ve never tried the Freedom. It might be my next new everyday run shoe!
The Triumph and the Freedom are fairly similar, but the Freedom is lower to the ground. Kind of like if the Kinvara and Triumph had a baby.
Years ago, I ran in the Saucony Zealot (I think that’s what it was called?) and had them in rotation with my Ghosts. I haven’t found another good alternative, but now wondering whether this shoe, or perhaps the Kinvara, might be good. Hm. I’ll have to try them out – thanks for the reviews!
The Zealot was one of my all time favorite shoes from Saucony. I think this would be a decent replacement. The Ride is also good, just higher heel to toe drop.
I seriously think the foam on most of the new Sauconys including the trio of Endorphins looks like Adidas Boost foam. I almost made the jump to the Freedom when they first came out but maybe it’s time to check those Endorphin models out. I always feel confident telling a young cross country runner who is enamored with NIKE to check out Saucony, Brooks, and may of the other OG running shoes. Great review.
Thanks for this review, Hollie. I liked both the Freedom 1 and 2 and the sizing input was very helpful.