Saucony

Kilkenny XC4

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Daily trainer · Neutral · Road

Shoe details

Release
2025

Ratings & Reviews

Above average (85/100)

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and 2 runner ratings.

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Rating breakdown

Better Shoes score out of 100. Shading shows the expected rating range.
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Rankings combine runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, direct comparisons to other shoes, related product-line performance, and trusted external ratings.

The darker band shows the central score range. The lighter band shows a wider range of reasonable outcomes. More reviews for this shoe usually narrow both bands.

Overall

Above average (85/100)

Overall ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Above average (85/100)

Rank

Ranks above 72% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Value

Exceptional (97/100)

Value ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Exceptional (97/100)

Rank

Ranks above 95% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Comfort

Excellent (92/100)

Comfort ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Excellent (92/100)

Rank

Ranks above 88% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Appearance

Good (76/100)

Appearance ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Good (76/100)

Rank

Ranks above 46% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Cushioning

Good (73/100)

Cushioning ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Good (73/100)

Rank

Ranks above 38% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Durability

Below average (60/100)

Durability ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Below average (60/100)

Rank

Ranks above 8% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Current shoe
Newest / Best value
Lightest
Best overall / Best comfort / Best cushioning
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Racing
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
6 oz M Lightest
8.5 oz M
Stack
40/35mm
Drop
5mm
Release
2025 Newest
2018 Q3
2023 Q1
MSRP
$55 Lower MSRP
$165
Best price
$164.99
Ratings
Overall
Good (72%)
Good (76%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Very good (88%)
Very good (85%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Below average (38%)
Below average (29%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Bottom tier (8%)
Bottom tier (16%)
Good (80%) Best durability
Appearance
Average (46%)
Above average (62%)
Very good (81%) Best appearance
Value
Excellent (95%) Best value
Excellent (93%)
Good (74%)
Specific shoe

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Reader Ratings

2 reader ratings

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Showing 1–2 of 2 written reviews

Good shoe!

SpringChicken · Sep 27, 2018

5/5

Overall

This spike has great bounce and energy return. I use it on the track because my geezer feet need more support than a mid-d spike. I injured my posterior tibialis tendon using this shoe without an orthotic; but now that I put a Powerstep in it things are back to good. That said, I had to get a size 9 shoe and I usually wear a 7.5 in street shoes. So these do run small. I just had to return the newest version Kilkenny XC7 because they are much smaller and narrower than XC4. Even getting a bigger size wouldn't solve the narrow issue...and the laces were too short! I wish I could still get the XC4's.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
5/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Aug 28, 2014

4/5

Overall

I have been wearing Sauconys for about 20 years, and with a move to minimal footwear (and doing most of my running offroad) 4 years ago, found that these shoes are exactly what I want. (I also do a lot of my running without shoes.) Since they are racing flats and not marketed as "minimalist" shoes, I can buy them for about $50 (and occasionally much less) online. My wife and kids all wear them as sneakers.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
5/5