Type a shoe name, like Pegasus, Clifton or Kayano.

Saucony Freedom ISO

Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 9.1 oz · 4mm drop

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The Saucony Freedom ISO 2 replaced it

How it ranks

The Saucony Freedom ISO is one of the strongest daily trainers in our data. Durability and looks are its strongest sub-ratings. Value scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating is based on 53 runner reviews and 1 other rated shoe in the Freedom ISO product line.

Saucony Freedom ISO

of 5

Good

86
Overall
86
Durability
95
Appearance
92
Comfort
85
Cushioning
82
Value
59
Confidence

Confidence

How settled the rating is against every other rated shoe. A shoe can rate high on confidence with relatively few reviews of its own when its product line has a long record and external ratings from retailer sites agree. Confidence is low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.

See the product line's history

Confidence

99 Very high

99

Based on

The bars show roughly how much each source contributes to this shoe’s rating. Their influence depends on how many reviews we’ve collected, how many earlier versions are in the product line, and the external ratings available.

  1. Our ratings
  2. Brand rating
  3. External ratings

What runners say

“EVERUN technology is very efficient. It's rigid but also bouncy and feels good from mile 1 to mile 600+”
4/5 Full review 31 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Guide 9
“Nice combination of some comfort without being so cushioned that they don't feel like they can run fast”
5/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 8
“Over 450 miles and you would have to look very closely to even be able to tell where it is worn”
5/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 8
“Rare combination of responsiveness while still being cushioned”
5/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Newton Kismet II
“Comfortable fit while feeling light and springy even as they approached that 500+ mile mark”
5/5 Full review 40 mpw training for a marathon came from the Brooks Ghost 9
“Close to 800km on them and the bottoms barely show any sign of wear”
5/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 9
“Excellent blend of cushioning plus speed”
5/5 Full review 50 mpw training for a marathon came from the HOKA Clifton 3
“Sizing feels about 1/4 size too small while the heel feels too loose”
5/5 Full review 50 mpw training for a marathon came from the HOKA Clifton 3
“Soft ride but doesn't make you feel slow like soft shoes tend to”
4/5 Full review 45 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 33
“Put over a thousand miles in them and they are still going well”
5/5 Full review 60 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 7
“Firm sole, yet there is enough cushion to avoid joint pain from repetitive striking”
5/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 7
“Ride got noticeably more firm and less cushioned after 150 miles”
4/5 Full review 55 mpw training for a half marathon
“Almost no structure in the heel and it felt unstable when cornering on faster paced runs”
4/5 Full review 55 mpw training for a half marathon
“Good for about 500 kms. After that they feel dull and lifeless”
4/5 Full review 28 mpw training for a marathon came from the Nike Free Motion
“Tread did well when it came to not slipping, but wore very quickly (only 150 miles)”
3/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Ride 10
“Upper wasn't very durable so I tore holes in the sides and toe box much earlier than in other shoes”
4/5 Full review 75 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Ride 9
“Taking tight turns can be a pain, as the upper seems a bit sloppy during lateral movements”
4/5 Full review 50 mpw training for a half marathon came from the HOKA Clifton 4
“Tongue doesn't have much cushion, and I have had it rub my skin a little raw”
5/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 8
“Toe cap is starting to break which is sad considering that wear on the soles and rest of shoe are non existent”
4/5 Full review 40 mpw training for middle distance came from the Saucony Kinvara 7
“TPU foam can be lumpy underfoot initially”
5/5 Full review 50 mpw training for a marathon came from the HOKA Clifton 3
“The 4mm drop is perfect for those who don't want a totally minimal (zero) shoe”
5/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Brooks Launch 1
“Removing the insole and running directly on the TPU midsole”
5/5 Full review 65 mpw training for a half marathon
“Does press a little the toes but more like a sock would”
4/5 Full review 85 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 8
“Low drop running shoes with neutral cushioning”
4/5 Full review 90 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 7

Prefer this shoe over another

53% 28/53

Where to buy

No offers available

Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.

Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.


Pros

  • Reviewers report outsoles holding up past 500 miles with little wear.
  • Reviewers use it for easy runs, tempo work and marathons.
  • Many describe cushioning that stays springy while keeping road feel.

Cons

  • It lists at $160, fourteen reviewers call it expensive, and value is the lowest-rated dimension at 3.9 out of 5.
  • Uppers often tear or look ragged before the sole wears.
  • Eleven of forty-two reviewers with a fit answer say it runs small, and seven find the upper loose enough to feel unstable cornering.

Rating & Confidence vs. other shoes for sale

Each dot is one rated shoe for sale, placed by its rating and by how much evidence sits behind it. Shoes toward the top right are both well rated and well established.

Confidence
50 60 70 80 90 100 25 50 75 100

Better Shoes Rating

Freedom ISO rates 86. This shoe has very high confidence. See how we rate shoes.

Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the Saucony Freedom ISO

Each dot is one version of the Freedom ISO, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.

Rating

Release year

We use the reviews of past versions to inform this shoe’s rating. See why.
  • Freedom ISO 2

    2018 · 18 reviews

    82 Good

    94 Confidence

  • Freedom ISO This shoe

    2017 · 53 reviews

    86 Good

    99 Confidence

Runner Ratings

53 ratings
5/5 31
4/5 21
3/5 1
2/5 0
1/5 0

Specs & fit

Sizing and ride details at a glance.

Weight
9.1 oz
Men's / women's
Men's 9.1 oz · Women's 9.0 oz
Release
2017 Q2
MSRP
$160
Drop
4mm

Runner reviews

Write a review

Showing 1–5 of 53 written reviews

An affordable shoe that works well for me.

4/5

Overall

First pair of running shoes. They don't feel the softest when I put them on, but on the other hand my feet don't hurt after I run in them. I've run as far as 8 miles in them. They are green and other people have characterized them as ugly, but I think they look just fine.

Anonymous runner · Jan 17, 2020

20 mpw

Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
3/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5

Long lasting and responsive shoe

5/5

Overall

I got two pairs of these shoes, one about 300 miles after the first pair. The cushioning in them feels almost identical despite the mileage difference. At higher speeds on tight corners you can feel your foot shifting in the shoe but it isn't uncomfortable. In the rain they drain well but also spray water from the toe of the shoe down the length of the shoe. The first thing to fail on the first pair was the glue holding the upper to the base of the shoe at about 600 miles. With the full rubber sole of the shoe these last far longer than other shoes while still feeling good and without causing problems.

Anonymous runner · Dec 30, 2019

35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 5

Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Good road allrounder, on par with famous Kinvaras

4/5

Overall

I'd recommend getting ones if: * You prefer low drop running shoes with neutral cushioning; or, in particular, a fan of Saucony Kinvara, but now want to try something slightly different, * Enjoy sock-fit (glove fit), * Love running shoes with slick design and cool colours, and * Normally do mid-distance road runs at a medium-high pace;

fullstackrun · Sep 13, 2019

90 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 7

Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5

A Non-Authoritative and Blah Review

4/5

Overall

I very much enjoy running in Saucony's Freedom ISO model. I have only tried the first generation version, but two models/colorways that seem sufficiently different. The model navy, near-denim mesh upper felt flimsy and insecure on turns and in general, whenever I planted my foot for additional force. I tried the white model, on the other hand, and so far, after two separate pairs, it seems secure, stable, cushioned, and relatively quick. Not the best-looking shoe, in white or other, but I was told it would compare to running in Kinvaras, only with more durability, and so far that has held on to be true.

Anonymous runner · Aug 11, 2019

44 mpw training for a marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 5

Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5

Great Shoe

5/5

Overall

I have really liked this shoe. I've been running it in for four months. I bought a half size larger than usual so that my toes could comfortably in the toe box. It's been great.

Anonymous runner · Jul 28, 2019

25 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Mizuno Wave Sayonara 2

Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5

Alternatives

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Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Current shoe
Choose a model
Best appearance
Lightest
Newest / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
9.1 oz
8.6 oz Lightest
9.9 oz
Stack
—
22/18mm
40/35mm
Drop
4mm
4mm
4mm
Release
2017 Q2
2018 Q2
2022 Q3 Newest
MSRP
$160
$160
$165
Best price
—
—
$95
Ratings
Overall
86 Good
82 Good
99 Exceptional Best overall
Comfort
85 Good
86 Good
99 Exceptional Best comfort
Cushioning
82 Good
79 Decent
99 Exceptional Best cushioning
Durability
95 Excellent
85 Good
97 Exceptional Best durability
Appearance
92 Very good Best appearance
89 Good
75 Decent
Value
59 Bottom-tier
70 Decent
77 Decent Best value rating
Specific shoe

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