I was excited to try the Saucony Freedom 4. I’ve run in the Freedom since the original. Since then, the Saucony Freedom has gone through a lot of changes. In fact, Saucony in general has, and these days the Freedom can get lost in the mix.
Saucony Freedom 4 Quick Stats:
weight: 8.5 oz
heel to toe drop: 4 mm
price: $150
Saucony Freedom 4 Introduction:
When the Freedom came out, it was exciting. It was different! It was cool. At the time, it was unique to everything else on the market. Now, it’s not, and to be honest; I’m surprised Saucony keeps it around. The newer and more exciting shoes from Saucony include the Endorphin series as well as the emphasis Saucony has put on trails.
The Saucony Freedom 4 is a lightweight and flexible shoe. It’s like a firmer Kinvara but with more cushion, durability, and traction. I like to think of it as the Kinvara with more durability. Outside of running, it’s one of the more comfortable and less bulky shoes. I used to work long days in run specialty in the original Freedom.
The Saucony Freedom 4 is updated with a better fitting upper, firmer PWRRUN PB midsole, and the crystallized rubber has been removed. The Freedom 4 is now the only shoe from Saucony that uses PWRRUN PB but doesn’t have a plate.
Saucony Freedom 4 Fit:
I wanted the Freedom collaboration with the Bostons Children’s Hospital because it was a great cause and looked fun. The multi colors of the Saucony Freedom 4 made it a unique color combination to my shoe rotation. As always, don’t only purchase a shoe by looks.
The majority of the Freedom 4 has been updated and changed. It needs it because it’s overshadowed by the Triumph or the Endorphin series.
The upper of the Saucony Freedom 4 is soft and comfortable. It actually reminds me a lot of a casual shoe. Saucony even included suede, but to be honest, I don’t think there is a reason for suede on any running shoe. If it’s wet, it just gets heavy.
The Freedom 4 also has a lightly padded and semi-gusseted tongue with a suede top. It doesn’t move around while running.
Both the collar and heel tab are lightly padded. The Saucony Freedom 4 actually comes up slightly higher than the majority of Saucony shoes. In my opinion, the best uppers are those that disappear off your feet, and the Freedom 4 does just that.
I find the Saucony Freedom 4 to fit slightly short. Typically I wear between a women’s size 10-11 wide in running shoes, and the size 11 is the best fit.
Saucony Freedom 4 Ride:
During your first steps of the Saucony Freedom 4, you can feel how firm it is. It doesn’t have as much cushion or energy return, so you are feeling the ground more.
The Saucony Freedom 4 uses PWRRUN PB foam in the midsole of the Freedom 4, but it doesn’t feel like that “fast or super foam” that many other shoes feel. That’s because it lacks the energy return. This isn’t a bad thing, and if you are someone who likes to feel the ground, you’ll appreciate how low profile and light the Freedom 4 is.
Traction and Durability: The Freedom 4 has a new outsole configuration that is similar to the Saucony Endorphin Pro, but the Freedom has more rubber. Most of the heel and forefoot have thick rubber. It’s one of the more durable trainers, and I’ve already put over 100 miles on it with no signs of slowing down. The additional rubber also gives the Freedom 4 more traction. It’s a good shoe for inclement weather, and you won’t have to worry about falling.
I’ve taken the Freedom 4 out for several runs and I really like it as a longer and faster run shoe. It’s light enough that I feel like I can get a good turnover. For easier and daily run shoes, I prefer the Triumph because it’s much softer. The Freedom 4 can handle faster runs, but if I’m going to the track or doing a quicker workout, I prefer a lighter shoe. It’s fine for longer, shorter runs, though. It has a similar ride to the Endorphin Speed 2, so I am actually not entirely sure why Saucony keeps both. In fact, I actually replaced my Endorphin Speed 2 with the Freedom 4.
Saucony Freedom 4 Conclusion:
I like the Freedom, but I find it a little lackluster these days. Saucony seems to be focusing on a handful of shoes, with the rest of their running shoes falling by the wayside. I’ll be surprised if the Saucony Freedom 4 stays around much longer. It’s unfortunate because I really like the Freedom, but I think it’s slowly fading into the background of Saucony shoes. I am hoping, like the Hoka Mach 4, the Freedom gets a serious reboot in the near future. That is not to say it’s a bad shoe because it’s great. Saucony just makes several shoes with similar rides.
My Current Shoe Rotation:
Easy/Daily Runs: Brooks Aurora, Diadora Mythos Blushield Volo, New Balance 1080 v11, Hoka Bondi 7,
Speed Work: 361 Flame, Nike Tempo Next%, New Balance Fuelcell TC Shoe Review, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro,
Long Runs: Saucony Freedom 4, Hoka Clifton Edge, Under Armour Sonic HOVR 3
Trail Running/Hiking: Hoka Torrent 2, Saucony Peregrine 11, North Face Flight VECTIV
Races: Asics Metaspeed Sky, Hoka One One Rocket X, adidas Adizero Pro, New Balance Fuelcell 5280, Nike Next%, Saucony Endorphin Pro, New Balance fuelcell TC, Reebok Run fast Pro
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Questions for you:
Have you tried the Saucony Freedom 4?
What is your favorite trainer?