Details
Brand
Saucony
Heel To Toe Drop
8 mm
Breathability
9/10
Latest Version
Saucony Ignition 5
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• XT-600 carbon rubber outsole• IMEVA midsole• Heel crash pad• Upper made of Air mesh• Heel grid system• Reflective material• Triangular lug design, aggressive traction
Upper
The Saucony Ignition 4 uses air mesh material on its upper that is soft and comforting. The fabric is open so that air is able to get into the shoe to help with the shoe’s breathability. The upper also has an overlay system that is welded on the upper. The overlays are an additional form of support and structure to the foot. However, some runners did not like the look of the overlays. Another reviewer felt that the upper was too stiff and snug. There is a traditional lacing system that uses shoelaces, an inner sleeve, padded collar and padded tongue to provide comfort and support. While the upper provides an adequate amount of support, many runners felt that the upper did not do a great job of creating breathability and keeping the foot cool. One reviewer said that his feet stayed too hot. Overall, the upper provides a strong amount of comfort and support, while lacking in breathability.
Midsole
The Saucony Ignition 4 uses typical Saucony technology to create a strong midsole. The midsole features IMEVA cushioning that is to provide cushioning under the foot while making impact feel better. The IMEVA cushioning is a type of molded form that allows for a bouncy toe-off, creating a more responsive and comfortable running experience. The shoe also uses heel grid technology that is meant to provide balance to the foot, while also keeping the foot stable and supported. This feature is also a form of protection. Additionally, there is an independent heel crash pad that is meant to provide cushioning during impact, while providing protection with support. While these features are typical on most Saucony shoes, many people felt that the updated version does not provide enough cushioning and shock absorption. Runners felt that the shoe lacked arch support, flexibility and cushioning. Overall the shoe needs a little more cushioning and support to provide a stronger midsole.
Outsole
The Saucony Ignition 4 uses the typical Saucony XT-600 material on its outsole. The XT-600 is a carbon rubber material that is used to cover the entire sole. This strong material is meant to protect from elements commonly found while running on a road without wear and tear. The outsole also has a strong traction that is complemented by the triangular lug design. The lug design helps runners handle road debris so there is more grip on turns and stops. Additionally, the Ignition 4 uses flex grooves to encourage more flexibility, allowing the foot to move more naturally.
Breathability
The Saucony Ignition 4 uses air mesh to create a breathable experience. The open fabric is designed to let air into the shoe, which is meant to create breathability. While the shoe is designed to create a cool and dry environment, many reviewers felt that too much heat was retained within the shoe, making it difficult to stay cool. Overall, there are mixed reviews concerning the breathability.
Comfort
The Saucony Ignition is designed with comfort and versatility in mind. Many of the features including the breathable, air mesh fabric, the removable footbed, and padded tongue and collar create a comfortable environment for the foot. The shoe also has an IMEVA midsole that is designed to provide cushioning under the foot during impact. While the shoe is described as having a less than favorable amount of breathability which could impact comfort, many were pleased with the amount of space provided in the shoe and toe box. Overall, reviews varied from those who thought the shoe was surprisingly comfortable to those who thought the shoe was too heavy, flat and offered little shock absorption.
Style
Style is one area where the Saucony Ignition 4 excels. The sleek design coupled with the colorful options create a stylish option for runners. Many reviewers noted that they like the color options and the design. The reflective material also offers an element to the style of the shoe. Overall, the Saucony Ignition 4 ranks high on style.
Durability
The Saucony Ignition 4 is a strong, durable shoe. The Ignition 4’s outsole uses XT-600, a carbon rubber material that is durable and covers the length of the sole. The outsole is designed to protect against the wear and tear often associated with road debris. There is also an independent heel crash pad that protects the foot during impact, creating an additional element of durability. The IMEVA midsole, a strong molded foam material, is made to offer comfortable cushioning while also enhancing the shoe’s durability. Additionally, the shoe has a triangular lug design and flex grooves that provide reliable durability.
Protection
The Saucony Ignition 4 has many elements that offer runners protection that is often needed for low or high mileage. The outsole that uses XT600, a carbon rubber material, that is built to withstand abrasive surfaces, protects the foot from the elements. The IMEVA midsole also adds to the shoe’s protection by cushioning the foot during landing. In addition, the shoe has an independent crash pad that is meant to prevent shock absorption, protecting the foot during impact. The Ignition 4’s heel grid technology also provides an additional amount of protection on impact during landing. The deep flex grooves help with the shoe’s flexibility so that the foot can move naturally, thus creating protection from damage caused by too much inflexibility. Overall, the Saucony Ignition 4 ranks high for protection.
Responsiveness
The Saucony Ignition 4 uses a lightweight IMEVA midsole to provide cushioning during toe-off. The cushioning is meant to provide responsiveness. There is also a heel crash pad that provides additional cushioning during impact, adding to the shoe’s responsiveness. The 8mm drop helps create smoother transitions during toe-off as well. While many reviewers appreciated the responsiveness of the shoe, some felt that the Ignition 4 lacked cushioning, flexibility and support from previous versions, impacting the shoe’s responsiveness.
Support
The updated Saucony Ignition 4 is designed to offer support to runners. The shoe’s IMEVA midsole provides cushioning that helps make a more comfortable experience, while supporting the foot. The shoe’s upper uses overlays and a traditional lacing system to provide support to the foot. There is also a heel crash pad that provides additional cushioning and support during impact, creating a smoother transition. The cushioning heel grid system is designed to provide additional support during landing so that the runner can rebound better. Some reviewers felt that the shoe did not offer enough arch support and shock absorption. Overall, the Saucony Ignition 4 ranks average for support.
Terrain
The Saucony Ignition 4 is designed to be used on the road. It has many features that make it ideal for road running. The durable outsole uses XT-600, a carbon rubber material that protects the foot from road debris, while also providing grip. The triangular lug design has a great tread pattern on the outsole to provide a strong amount of traction. The cushioning on the midsole is also built to withstand tougher surfaces encountered while running. Wet conditions do not impact the grip. While the shoe is meant for the road, with the added traction, the Ignition 4 could potentially work on light trails.
Price
The Saucony Ignition 4 offers an affordable price tag, retailing at $70. The shoe can be found online for around $30. For a Saucony shoe, this is a great deal for those runners looking for a versatile training option.
Drop
The Saucony Ignition 4 has a drop of 8mm. This is a relatively average drop for a shoe that has some additional cushioning and stability features. The drop is created so that the foot can have a smoother, more responsive transition during toe off.
Stability
The Saucony Ignition 4 has a strong midsole that offers an abundant amount of stability to the shoe. From the IMEVA cushioning to the heel grid technology to the heel crash pad, Saucony has used elements that provide comfort with stability. The upper is also designed to provide some amount of stability. With the overlays and traditional lacing system, the foot gets locked into place, helping the foot feel secure and stable. Overall, the Saucony Ignition 4 ranks high for stability.
Flexibility
The Saucony Ignition 4 has some added cushioning that could create a shoe that is not overly flexible. With the IMEVA midsole, the heel grid technology and heel crash pad, the Ignition 4 is designed with some extra cushioning that impacts how much the shoe can flex. However, there are deep flex grooves that are meant to create some flexibility so that the shoe can bend and move with the foot, helping to allow the foot to move naturally. Some reviewers felt that the shoe was too flat and lacked flexibility. Overall, the shoe ranked lower on flexibility.
Traction
The Saucony Ignition 4 offers a strong amount of traction, designed to handle road running. The shoe has a durable outsole comprised of XT-600, a carbon rubber material that offers protection from many elements often found while running on the road. The outsole also has a triangular lug design that a reviewer described as an aggressive tread pattern. The shoe’s traction holds up well on the road, as well as in wet conditions. Overall, the shoe ranks high for traction.
Bottom Line
The Saucony Ignition 4 is an interesting shoe because, while it is updated, most runners felt that it had not been upgraded. Using many of the same features as previous versions, the shoe seems to have taken a downgrade by feeling heavier, less breathable, and too snug. With an affordable price tag, though, runners may be able to look past these issues and see that Saucony has still managed to create a cushioned, comfortable and stable shoe for runners of all types. The shoe is meant to be versatile for low and high mileage runners. The shoe is also highly durable. With a strong outsole, IMEVA midsole, and secure upper, the shoe is designed to withstand the elements. The shoe also has a heel crash pad and a heel grid system that are both designed to provide added support and stability. The shoe also has an aggressive tread pattern that does well on road surfaces. While many reviewers felt that the shoe had some issues, this shoe might be worth a shot due to its strong support, stability, and durability combined with its low price.
