Step 02 — The lineup
6 shoes scored across eleven metrics · Any purpose
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Saucony Freedom 4 — Saucony Freedom 4: 28 mm heel stack, 4 mm drop, 227 g — specs from independent lab testing.
Sizing note
Rivera 4 run snug — go up half a size, especially for long runs.
Durability
Expect roughly 350 miles before the midsole flattens out.
Step 03 — Every metric
| Metric | Altra Rivera 3 | Altra Experience Flow | Altra Escalante 5(2025) | Altra Rivera 4 | Altra Torin 8(2024) | New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4(2024) | Topo Athletic Cyclone 2(2024) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 225 g / 7.9 oz | 235 g / 8.3 oz | 240 g / 8.5 oz | 235 g / 8.3 oz | 269 g / 9.5 oz | 218 g / 7.7 oz | 204 g / 7.2 oz |
| Drop | 0 mm | 4 mm | 0 mm | 0 mm | 0 mm | 6 mm | 5 mm |
| Stack (heel) | 24 mm | 29 mm | 26 mm | 28 mm | 30 mm | 30 mm | 28 mm |
| Cushioning | |||||||
| Flexibility | |||||||
| Stability | |||||||
| Rocker geometry | |||||||
| Energy return | |||||||
| Responsiveness | |||||||
| Toe-box | Wide | Wide | Very wide | Very wide | Very wide | Wide | Very wide |
| Plate | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Intended pace | 7:00–9:30 /mi | 7:00–9:30 /mi | 7:30–10:30 /mi | 7:30–10:00 /mi | 8:30–12:00 /mi | 6:30–9:00 /mi | 6:45–9:15 /mi |
| Purpose | Daily, Tempo | Tempo, Daily | Daily, Tempo | Daily, Long run | Daily, Long run | Tempo, Daily | Tempo, Daily |
| Sizing | True to size | True to size | True to size | Size up ½ | True to size | True to size | True to size |
| Durability | ~350 mi | ~350 mi | ~350 mi | ~400 mi | ~400 mi | ~300 mi | ~300 mi |
| Price | $130 | $140 | $140 | $120 | $150 | $140 | $150 |
Your reference shoe is shown first for context. Cushioning, flexibility and stability are rated 1–5.