Comfort and stability are important to me in trail shoes, but the smooth running feeling should not suffer. Achieving this is a constant challenge for running shoe manufacturers. With the Saucony Xodus 11, as with the Saucony Xodus 10, Saucony has managed to create a shoe that offers both a high level of comfort and stability, but at the same time allows you to roll easily.

Both in and around Edinburgh and in the Highlands, I have tested the Saucony Xodus 11 several times over the last few weeks. I found the Xodus 11 to be a very comfortably cushioned running shoe that also impresses with its stability, so that you always feel safe regardless of the surface or weather. With a stack height of 31.5 millimetres, the Xodus 11 is more than half a centimetre behind the Saucony Endorphin Trail. This is felt in that the perceived risk of ankle twisting is low.

Furthermore, the Saucony Xodus 11 sits comfortably on the foot but still leaves some space in the toe box, which I find particularly advantageous for longer trail runs. The very robust toe protection is also worth mentioning here. The rest of the upper, which is the only significant change compared to the Xodus 10, is breathable and also comfortable.

Even more important than the upper, however, are the midsole and the outsole. I found the PWRRUN+ midsole to be flexible, soft and remarkably responsive. Even though the Xodus 11 is not one of the lightest trail shoes, you can easily cover longer distances with it due to the very pleasant running feel. It is also agile despite its weight and feels lighter than it actually is. In addition to the midsole, the outsole with its 5 millimetre studs also looks good. This offers very good grip and, in my estimation, should be more durable than average. I am already looking forward to the winter and some running days in the snow, when I will challenge the Xodus 11 again. Even though the Saucony Xodus 11 is of course primarily made for trails, I had a surprisingly good feeling on partially tarred paths which led me to the trails. Unlike other trail shoes, you can also run a few kilometres on the road with the Xodus without feeling uncomfortabe.

My conclusion? The Saucony Xodus 11 impresses with its durability and versatility. It can be used flexibly in nature, but also feels good on tarmac. Because it lacks a bit of potential for higher speeds due to its weight, which you don't feel as much, I would only recommend it for competitions over medium and long distances. Especially when these are a mix of numerous different ground conditions and you sometimes even have to run over asphalt, the Xodus 11 could be superior to many other trail shoes. For shorter trail races, on the other hand, the somewhat lighter and faster Saucony Peregrine 11 is more suitable, even if it is inferior to the Xodus 11, especially in terms of comfort and stability. All in all, a very good trail shoe with which you can have a lot of fun in training and longer races.

For more information on the Saucony Xodus 11 and various other Saucony models, visit Running Warehouse Europe.