. I was in need of a new trail shoe so I turned to Saucony’s Progrid Xodus 2.0. Saucony chose to team up with Vibram for the outsole with an upper that is bulkier than some runners might want but, in my opinion, essential for a year-round shoe. The interlocking system is inside the shoe’s upper and there are metal rings to attach your gaiters to when the weather sends you a curveball. Both features are shout-outs to Saucony’s commitment to give you the best multiple purpose trail shoe. Translation, one shoe to rule them all and less cash spent on multiple shoes with limited function. I had the shoe so next step: the test.I hit the mountain with my buddy around 9 a.m. and was immediately stoked to find how well the Xodus 2.0 felt. January in Utah usually means blankets of snow, but with an unusually dry winter I was able to see how the Xodus performed in multiple scenarios and terrain. In the first 3 hours the shoes found traction and left behind mud, loose slopes, ice, snow, and some pine forests with plenty of roots and rocks that unsuccessfully tried to trip me up. 3 hours in I took time to stop and evaluate my feet. To my surprise, and relief, they were warm and comfortable. I made it a point when resting to stand in the snow as opposed to bare ground to test the shoe’s insulation. Now, while warm, my feet weren’t uncomfortably hot. Higher in elevation the slope increased and the trail disappeared. Going straight up through trees and then scrub, the Xodus found hold still. Further up, loose shale slopes and rock faces were now exposed and I scrambled and crawled my way up them. Unfortunately, fading light prevented me and the crew from getting to the highest peak but on the way up the only problems that I faced were with my own legs as my thighs cramped, once some SportLegshttp://262running.blogspot.com/2011_09_01_archive.html, taken earlier, kicked in, the problem subsided and I continued up.
On the way down my feet were starting to get a little sore but nothing that prevented my ability to function. Once we hit a trail the shoes had to deal with mud for about ½ a mile. As the terrain became a little flatter and drier I kicked into a light run and was pleased that my feet weren’t hurting at all. Running was also easier on my knees than plodding slowly down the trail had been. I continued in a light job all the way down to the car.
The next day I had no incredible soreness plaguing my legs or feet. I attribute that to the Xodus 2.0. The shoe proved tough yet comfortable, warm, and the Vibram sole found grip everywhere I took it. Several weeks later I am using the shoes in my day to day routine and they are still as comfortable and reliable as the first day that I took them up. Overall an amazing shoe from the breathable upper and its interlocking system hidden within, it’s patented Saucony Progrid system in the midsole, to the Vibram outsole that never lost a footing. This shoe performs well at all levels that I have tested it at. Now it is your turn.
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