Saucony Freedom iso - thoughts ?

I did a 5-mile run in them at a Saucony tester demo. I really disliked them. The upper felt pretty good, maybe a little tight at the tops of my toes, but the ride was stiff and felt hard. I was running in the Triumph 2 and Kinvara 7 at the time, and the cushioning in the Freedom felt much harder. I decided to get the Ride 9 instead, and I was really happy with how that shoe performed as an everyday trainer and as a long shoe. If I had to recommend one Saucony shoe that could be used for anything, including speedwork, it would be the Ride.

I'm currently running in the adidas Glide 8, and I guess I'd say the cushioning in that shoe is somewhat similar to that in the Freedom. I think the Glide 8 is more responsive and a bit softer, but I did only the one run in the Freedom, so it's hard to compare.

I, on the other hand, think the ride of the Freedom is fantastic...My problem is with the Iaces coming right across the front of the foot in an uncomfortable way and also how tapered the front is by the toes - and I have a fairly narrow foot....Great idea for a shoe but presentation wasn't particularly good....Maybe v2 will fix the problems somewhere down the road

I think the Freedom is awesome. For me, the ride and cushion I get from it are unparalleled and it's incredibly comfortable as well. I definitley recommend it.

stevenn wrote:

Hi all,

Just wondering on peoples thoughts on the saucony freedom iso. Its been getting amazing reviews. I am wondering if its firmer or softer than the saucony triumph iso 3's to run in? Some reviews say its a firm shoe others I've read say its soft like ultraboost. Is it versatile like a lot of reviews seem to suggest - short and long runs, fast and slow runs. I am wondering how it compares with boost for energy return. Would it to big a drop from a 8-10mm which I run in to a 4mm drop. I am a heel striker so would that be fine. Any thoughts, thanks.

S

I'm on my second pair. I love the shoe. It feels like a heavy, well-cushioned racing flat. I was running in NB fresh foams before, which I liked, but they wore out too fast. I got three and a half months running 40-55 miles/week out of my first pair of Freedoms.

Hi,

Thanks to all the replies. Do you find the lack of heel support an issue. Have you found the cushioning bottoms out on occasions, I read that in one review.

thanks. S

stevenn wrote:

Hi all,

Just wondering on peoples thoughts on the saucony freedom iso. Its been getting amazing reviews. I am wondering if its firmer or softer than the saucony triumph iso 3's to run in? Some reviews say its a firm shoe others I've read say its soft like ultraboost. Is it versatile like a lot of reviews seem to suggest - short and long runs, fast and slow runs. I am wondering how it compares with boost for energy return. Would it to big a drop from a 8-10mm which I run in to a 4mm drop. I am a heel striker so would that be fine. Any thoughts, thanks.

S

No, do not like them. It has a weird stiff feel. The NB Zante is better for me. The new NB 1400V5 is the best shoe NB makes.

Thanks for all the replies, it sounds very mixed opinion on the Saucony Freedoms. Interesting some find it very comfortable and others stiff and firm.

S

Agree...Zante V1 are a cheaper better version of Freedom Iso. Find some cheap Zante V1 and upper is very close to freedom and ride is better. Probably won't last as long but you can get Zante V1 for about $40.

Hi all,

Thanks for everyone's help. I decided to give them a try and glad I did. I compared them to the Adidas supernova and the Adidas energy boost 3. I found these more comfortable to run in. In fact I would say one of the most comfortable shoe to run in and responsive too. A 4 mm drop was a little more than I was use too so I put some new insoles in that are about 4 mm higher at the heel and that was a great help. I was starting to get some shin pain and that seem to help a lot. It has great cushioning, better than the Asics dynaflyte and very close to the sauccony triumph - very soft landing which is good for the aging joints. The uppers are great, very flexible and airy. Its not quite as stable as my saucony triumphs iso 3 but still pretty good. The heel is quite different takes a bit to get use to - the lack of a solid heel support - but it does seem to still keep the heel firmly in its place with very limited heel slip. Certainly a good shoe for shorter faster runs and longer runs. I did find it very responsive too - good push off, I found I could run quicker up the hills than my other shoes. So that's my take after a few days running in them. One of the best shoes I've run in and happy to walk in them all day too, with no heel pain that I normally get with some shoes I wear - a great all-rounder.

Cheers

Steve

At first I also thought they were stiff but after a few runs I really like them-great energy return and useful for anything from a tempo to long run. They do run a bit small FYI, but form to foot nicely.

I hate Sauconys. I had two pairs of Triumphs and they both sucked. Same with Brooks.I will only run in Nikes and Adidas now. I have a pair of Asics Cumulus but they are way too built up and chunky.

stevenn wrote:

Hi all,

Just wondering on peoples thoughts on the saucony freedom iso. Its been getting amazing reviews. I am wondering if its firmer or softer than the saucony triumph iso 3's to run in? Some reviews say its a firm shoe others I've read say its soft like ultraboost. Is it versatile like a lot of reviews seem to suggest - short and long runs, fast and slow runs. I am wondering how it compares with boost for energy return. Would it to big a drop from a 8-10mm which I run in to a 4mm drop. I am a heel striker so would that be fine. Any thoughts, thanks.

S

Figured this thread was recent enough to add info to:

Spent a long time in the Kinvaras but they wear down after 350-450 miles so decided to look around (Had been through over 6 pairs). I'm a forefront strike so was looking for a more built up trainer that could last longer, have a low drop, and didn't feel soft.

Now I rotate Kinvaras for faster efforts and the Freedom's for long runs/steady paces and they feel amazing. The Freedom's feel like the Kinvaras after you've logged over 200 miles in them..which is a very good thing.

Highly recommend for forefront strikers looking for a durable shoe. I'm only up to ~150 miles in them...hoping to get 500+..ideally 600-700 to make it 'worth' the money. Awesome that they maintained the 4mm heel drop between the two.

Only con is the weight... but that comes with the territory

I got a pair for Christmas. I made my usual run in these shoes. Within two days I have shin splints. I have not had shin splints in decades.