Details
Brand
Saucony
Breathability
8.7/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• 4mm drop• ISO-Fit upper structure• Tri-Flex Crystal-Rubber outsole• Breathable, mesh upper• Chevron grooved outsole• EVERUN Continuous Cushioning midsole technology
Upper
The Saucony Freedom ISO’s upper is composed of thin, perforated mesh which is soft, stretchy and breathable. Its design is combined with a stretchy bootie and a tongue that is sewn directly to the midsole of the shoe and includes a rigid surface providing grip for the laces. The upper is less structured than that of other Saucony ISO models, yet it still offers great support. The forefoot of the shoe is wider than other models, but with the added width plus the stretchy material, the shoe accommodates itself to different volumes of feet. Altogether, the minimal design of the upper offers a flexible and tight fit without any pressure points, which translates to an even hold.
Midsole
The Saucony Freedom ISO is Saucony’s first shoe that contains the EVERUN Continuous Cushioning technology throughout the entire midsole. Saucony has implemented this technology in their shoes before the Freedom ISO, just not to this extent. The midsole is entirely constructed using thermoplastic polyurethane, or TPU. This material’s lightweight design is longer lasting and offers more resistance to common causes of footwear damage such as splitting, abrasions, oil, and other chemicals. The full-length EVERUN technology throughout the midsole is similar to Adidas’ Boost Technology, except Saucony’s offers more firmness. As a result, the shoe possesses a particular bounce or response that translates to a faster and smoother ride.
Outsole
The outsole of the shoe is a clear crystal-rubber Tri-Flex material that is lighter and designed to be more flexible and durable than traditional carbon rubber. Similar to the Saucony Triumph ISO 2, it serves multiple purposes, providing better traction and flexibility while maintaining its durability. While the transparency of the outsole may lead runners to doubt its durability, other reviews show that after as much as 300 miles the rubber did not show significant wear. The thickness of the outsole is consistent from the heel to the head of the foot and provides runners with a consistent feel throughout each stride. Its durable surface provides a layer of protection to the shoe’s midsole, thus increasing its life and justifying the cost.
Breathability
The Saucony Freedom ISO’s upper construction offers great breathability. This can be attributed to the mesh layer that makes up the upper of the shoe. However, with great breathability comes greater exposure to the elements. Runners and other reviewers have claimed that in colder and wet conditions their feet were left too exposed and that the shoe was prone to allowing water in via the thin and breathable layer of mesh. In calm and dry conditions, the shoe allows the foot to breathe comfortably during the workout.
Comfort
Much of the Saucony Freedom ISO’s comfortability comes from the uniform level of the EVERUN cushioned midsole. Its 4-millimeter drop from heel to forefoot provides the foot with a stable and even cushioned surface. The EVERUN midsole, as mentioned earlier in the review, is firm and gives the runner a nice ‘bounce’ after every strike. The shoe’s laces pull firmly, not tightly, against the walls of the shoe while the tongue naturally and comfortably disappears into the final fit. The construction of this shoe, unified throughout, rids the foot of uncomfortable pressure points and secures the foot with a sock-like fit.
Style
The Saucony Freedom ISO has a sleek and colorful design to it. The shoe possesses aesthetic features, including its bright multi-colored outsole and various colorful colorways. Its thin and flexible structure give it a contemporary look. And while the Freedom ISO is classified as a running shoe, reviewers have said the shoe wears well outside of training within their everyday life.
Durability
The Saucony Freedom ISO’s reputation is built largely because of its durability. The crystal-rubber outsole, mentioned earlier, provides most of the durability and seems to withstand normal wear and tear and offers a layer of protection to the midsole from damage. The midsole will remain intact longer than previous EVA midsoles found in other models. In other words, the EVERUN will maintain its cushioning, energy return and bouncy properties long into the shoe’s life. Paired together, the crystal Tri-flex rubber and the EVERUN midsole ensures the runner with a shoe that will hold up longer than others.
Protection
The Saucony Freedom ISO has some areas that protect the shoe very well along with some that leave the foot exposed in certain conditions. For starters, the soft and flexible qualities of the crystal-rubber outsole efficiently protect the midsole and foot from repeated impact. Further, a toe bumper at the forefoot of the outsole adds further protection. As the bottom construction of the shoe offers great protection, the upper mesh leaves the feet vulnerable to elements due to its increased breathability. Reviewers have complained that when they have worn the shoe during rain or snow, moisture easily penetrates.
Responsiveness
The Saucony Freedom ISO was designed to enhance responsiveness through its new midsole technology. After composing the midsole of nearly 100% EVERUN cushioning material, something Saucony has never done before, runners feel more of a response (more bounce) after each time their feet strike the surface. The quality of the material Saucony uses is designed specifically to return to its original form quicker than shoes lacking the EVERUN cushioning. As a result, the shoe has a unique ride quality reviewers describe as snappy rather than mushy. Overall, the Freedom ISO has balanced itself well with cushion, increased responsiveness, support, and feel.
Support
The Saucony Freedom ISO does a good job in providing support through the bottom of the shoe with its cushioned midsole and added layer of crystal-rubber on the outsole. With the ISO-Fit technology making up the upper part of the shoe, the tongue and outside walls also provide sufficient support to the runner. Where the Freedom ISO lacks support is towards the rearfoot and the heal. The shoe’s low heel cup decreases the support given to the runner’s ankles. In addition, some reviewers thought the thin mesh material that makes up the upper shoe does not offer as much support as they would like.
Terrain
The Saucony Freedom ISO is designed to withstand long and slow distance road-running. Its outsole, made up of the single piece of Tri-Flex crystal-rubber, provides structure underneath the foot while its narrow and uniform depth from heel to toe give runners a consistent landing zone. In addition, the increased durability of the outsole is capable of resisting wear and tear against rough surfaces. Reviewers praised the close to the ground feel of the Freedom ISO as it does not compromise its protection against elements. While the Freedom ISO is best used for slow runs, a few reviewers complimented the shoe for its performance during speed training. Under wet conditions, however, the rubber outsole has shown runners a tendency to become slippery, resulting in less traction.
Price
One pair of the Saucony Freedom ISO will run you anywhere from $140-$160 depending on the retailer. Compared to its competitors, the Freedom ISO is one of the more expensive models on the market. This shoe will thin your wallet slightly. However, it pays for itself with its durability and multi-purpose use.
Drop
The Saucony Freedom ISO features a 19mm heel and a 15mm forefoot, which comes out to a 4mm heel to toe drop. Within the industry, the average heel-offset is roughly 9-12mm. Runners may need time to adjust to the lower ratio and might experience soreness or another injury after first using the shoe. However, those issues are expected to dissipate with time and further use of the shoe. The smaller heel-offset length places the Freedom ISO within within the same ballpark as other high performance shoes. With that, the shoe may be more suitable for regular workouts rather than racing.
Stability
The Saucony Freedom ISO provides a full ground contact which increases the stability of the shoe by way of its outsole. Unfortunately, that may be the only part of the shoe that contributes to its stability. The shoe’s flexible and unstructured upper made from ISO-Fit, coupled with a lower than usual heel cup often translates to a less stable ride. Also, many reviewers thought that the unstable rear and forefoot sections of the shoe raised minor concerns. However, the shoe seems to be more temperature stable than other products. This is because the TPU foam that makes up the shoe’s midsole is far more durable and maintains its firmness and responsiveness at lower temperatures.
Flexibility
With the thin layer of mesh that makes up the upper section of the Saucony Freedom ISO, runners are given a flexible fit that accommodates different foot lengths and width. As mentioned above, the chevron-pattern outsole increases the shoe’s flexibility. The ISO-Fit material of the upper section is a thin layer of perforated mesh, translating into a natural and highly flexible ride.
Traction
The Saucony Freedom ISO’s outsole does not offer the best grip for runners on wet or icy roads due to the crystal-rubber not being ‘sticky’ enough to hold on. Reviewers who tested the shoe in the snow or on wet roads explained the shoe could not grip the road well enough during their run and the new rubber is considerably worse than the carbon rubber that was used for previous Saucony shoes. In comparison to harsh conditions, the shoe performs well on groomed trails, treadmills and dry tracks and roads. The chevron-style pattern on the outsole adds surface area to the bottom of the shoe and improves the shoe’s flexibility.
Bottom Line
The Saucony Freedom ISO is a product meant to make a statement to the industry. It incorporates brand new concepts within the midsole and pairs that with its distinct outsole and upper mesh design. By doing so, the shoes introduce themselves as a unique and energetic ride. Implementing the EVERUN midsole and ISO-Fit system give the shoe its secure, sock-like fit and comfortable fit. The various colorways and modern design and structure make it an attractive shoe that can be worn not just for workouts, but for social activities as well. The price is rather steep, but for advanced technology, one can expect to spend the extra money. This shoe defies standard classifications. It is so versatile that critics and reviewers cannot place it into a singular category. If you are a fan of Saucony products, or have never tried one before and are willing to spend the money, then the Saucony Freedom ISO is the shoe for you.
