Saucony Liberty ISO

Name: Saucony Liberty ISO
Brand: Saucony
Rating: 4.3 (8 reviews)

Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 10 oz · 4mm drop

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

How it ranks

The Saucony Liberty ISO trails most daily trainers in our data. Durability and cushioning are its strongest sub-ratings. Value scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating rests on 8 runner reviews and 1 other rated shoe in the Liberty ISO product line. Another 4 reviews would set the confidence on this shoe's own reviews.

Bottom-tier

58/100

Overall

Bottom-tier 58

Durability

Good 88

Cushioning

Good 85

Appearance

Decent 80

Comfort

Decent 78

Value

Below average 68

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 will score low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.

See the product line's history

Confidence

75/100

Moderate 75

What runners say

“Supportive enough to prevent post-tibial tendon issues while offering a comfortable low drop feel”

5/5 Full review 50 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Hurricane ISO 4

“Traction absolutely blows on winter road conditions—zero grip on sleet, snow, or ice”

4/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Zoom Structure Triax+ 14

“The outsole is extremely durable and just does not break down”

3/5 Full review 40 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 34

“Finally a minimalist-type shoe for those who need stability”

5/5 Full review 50 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Hurricane ISO 4

“The minimalist cushioning is dense Everrun but still doesn't give the same cushioning as a shoe with higher stack”

3/5 Full review 40 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 34

“Get twice the mileage out of these compared to cheaper shoes”

5/5 Full review 60 mpw training for a marathon came from the ASICS GT-2000 5

“Decent forefoot cushion but still offers flexibility in the forefoot”

4/5 Full review 12 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Triumph ISO 3

“Upper is pretty roomy and accommodates a high arch”

4/5 Full review 50 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 34

“Doesn't allow for someone with a higher instep to get the right lock down”

3/5 Full review 40 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 34

“Within 3 days, pain was gone”

5/5 Full review 60 mpw training for a marathon came from the ASICS GT-2000 5

Prefer this shoe over another

50% 5/10

Where to buy

No offers available

Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.

Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.

Pros

Durability averages 4.6 out of 5 across eight reviews, with comfort, cushioning and appearance all at 4.5.
Three reviewers use it from tempo work up to marathons, one of them at 400 miles with it holding up well.
Two reviewers wanted a 4mm drop in a shoe that still offers some support, and say it is one of the few that does.

Cons

It lists at $160, above the $150 median for daily trainers on sale, and two reviewers name the price as a drawback.
Three reviewers find the outsole poor on wet, snowy or icy roads, one of them calling the traction zero.
One reviewer cannot lock down a higher instep in the ISO upper, and another has the tongue slide down.

Liberty ISO rates 58. This shoe has moderate certainty. See how we rate shoes.

Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the Saucony Liberty ISO

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

Rating

40 60 80 100

58 2017 72 2019

Release year

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

Liberty ISO 2

2019 · 4 reviews

72 Decent

50 Confidence
Liberty ISO This shoe

2017 · 8 reviews

58 Bottom-tier

75 Confidence

Reader Ratings

8 ratings

5/5 3

4/5 4

3/5 1

2/5 0

1/5 0

See written reviews Write a review

Specs & fit

Sizing and ride details at a glance.

Weight: 10 oz
Release: 2017 Q4
MSRP: $160
Drop Height: 4mm

Runner reviews

Write a review

Comfortable, versatile, and responsive

5/5

Overall

All around, this is a great go-to shoe with just enough support, durability, and lightness. I use it for long runs and marathons all the way down to tempos and light speed work. I am at 400 miles in my first pair and they have held up well. I range in pace using these from 5:30-9:00 min/mile. My only complaint is that when they get wet, the insole likes to fold in on itself-- however, this is common of many similar-type shoes.

Anonymous runner · Jul 23, 2019

50 mpw training for a marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 9

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

Great fit, hella durable sole

4/5

Overall

A couple years ago, I decided to get a legit trainer, and spent about an hour at the local shop trying everything so I could get my purchase right. The Liberty ended up being just the ticket. The sole material is awesome in terms of its ability to hold off wear, however, the only reason I gave the shoe 8 stars for "Overall" is because the traction absolutely blows on winter road conditions. If there is sleet, a light dusting of snow, or patches of ice, you really need to watch your step- the shoe has zero traction. I ended up using my trail shoes instead of the Liberty in those conditions.

Anonymous runner · Jul 3, 2019

35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Zoom Structure Triax+ 14

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

There's a reason Saucony pros don't wear this shoe

3/5

Overall

Was very excited to train in this shoe, I'd heard many great things about it and saw no red flags when I bought it. the shoes "minimalist" cushioning is dense Ever-run but still doesn't give the same cushioning as another shoe with a higher stack. I'm not a fan of the ISO fit, it doesn't allow for someone with a higher instep to get the right lock down. The shoe doesn't really have a high or low vamp, the upper is just a few straps and laces. The out sole of the shoe is extremely durable and it makes sense why they don't put it on other shoes. it just does not break down. Putting that type of rubber on a Ride or Omni would for sure outlast the life of the cushioning in those shoes. My time with this shoe ended when i was diagnosed with a tibial stress fracture before my competitive season even started so anything I say about this shoe is going to be 51% negative an 49% other stuff. Not the right shoe for any serious mileage junkies, a good style shoe for ever couple of runs but not a staple everyday trainer. The shoe has been marketed wrong and isn't meant for any sort of local elite. There's a reason we don't see runners like Parker Stinson and Molly Huddle training everyday in the Liberty and Freedom.

gopre26 · Jun 20, 2019

40 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 34

Comfort: 3/5
Cushioning: 2/5
Durability: 4/5
Appearance: 3/5
Value: 2/5

More for your money

5/5

Overall

It’s hard to justify the high price tags of shoes these days but I have found I get twice the mileage out of the Saucony Libertys than I did with a shoe have the price, so at the end of the day, the higher price is a wash. Tim Waz, at Grounded Running, put me in this shoe after I was complaining of groin pain and some hip issues. He explained how the location of the support in this shoe would better guide my foot placement. Within 3 days, all pain was gone. This shoe was definitely right for me. And I love the feel of the cushion on this shoe for long runs. So much better on the feet and you’ll be surprised at the “spring response” you get from them.

Anonymous runner · Jul 14, 2018

60 mpw training for a marathon came from the ASICS GT-2000 5

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

Decent follow up to the Mirage

4/5

Overall

Nicely cushioned daily trainer with a moderate amount of stability. I loved the Saucony Mirage and ran in it until it was discontinued, then switched to the Kinvara. The Liberty is a little more shoe, and less of a minimalist feel. My two gripes are the price and that the outsole doesn't handle well in really wet conditions.

Anonymous runner · Jul 12, 2018

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