Shoe Review: Saucony Freedom 5

Go with the flow in the Saucony Freedom 5.

Built with lightweight cushioning and a low profile, the Saucony Freedom 5 works seamlessly through runs, gym sessions and everything in between, no matter which workout you have on the schedule.

The latest version of the Saucony Freedom 5 has a slightly lower stack height than previous versions, offering more ground contact for a firm, supportive ride. This, along with a PWRRUN PB midsole and a lightweight upper, make it an ideal shoe for both running and cross training.

Fleet Feet reviewers took the Saucony Freedom 5 along for long runs, speed workouts and casual wear. Here’s what you can expect.

The Saucony Freedom 5 sits on a bed of responsive PWRRUN PB midsole cushioning, offering a lively, flexible ride that works well for a variety of workouts.

“The PWRRUN PB midsole feels softer while walking, but firm and springy when running,” says Nate.

A low stack height combined with lightweight materials turn the Saucony Freedom 5 into a stripped-down training shoe, allowing you to truly feel the ground beneath your feet.

“It’s like I’m wearing nothing at all! Well, except my feet are still protected from the road with sufficient cushioning. I did in fact feel free when running in these,” Alex says.

Because of the low-to-the-ground feeling this shoe provides, it can work well for gym workouts, weight training and cross training sessions where you don’t want a ton of padding and bulk around your feet. The Saucony Freedom 5 also offers more lateral support than most running shoes, thanks to a wide, stable base. This makes it a practical do-it-all trainer.

A durable outsole provides reliable grip and traction, even during rainy runs.

“The outsole has good grip on the road, even on a wet day. I did a steep 12-mile road run in the pouring rain in these shoes. They didn’t shed water all that well, but they didn’t slip on the roads, which is more important,” Kate says.

The Saucony Freedom 5 is topped off with a breathable mesh upper made with recycled materials. Stylish suede accents and sleek colorways add a touch of flair to the otherwise stripped-down training shoe.

Reviewers appreciated the smooth materials and comfortable fit of the Freedom 5.

“The upper hugs my feet and seems to fit their curves. Plus, there was enough give in the upper for my feet to have room while still feeling supported,” Nate says.

“The heel collar has just enough cushion to be comfy without any unneeded plushness. The tongue is slightly padded and seems to disappear onto my foot when I slip on the shoe,” Kate says. Although our reviewers enjoyed the fit and feel of the Saucony Freedom 5, it’s worth noting that the shoe isn’t available in wide sizing. If you have wide feet or just prefer extra room in the toe box, be sure to try the Freedom 5 on in store at your local Fleet Feet to ensure correct sizing.

The Saucony Freedom 5 and the Freedom 4 are both built with a PWRRUN PB midsole, a mesh upper with suede detailing and a wide, stable base. The Saucony Freedom 5 has a slightly lower stack height (28 mm to 24 mm versus 27 mm to 23 mm), offering close ground contact for a smooth and natural feeling ride.

The Saucony Freedom 5 is slightly heavier than its predecessor, but our reviewers didn’t notice a difference.

“I’m impressed with how light this shoe feels. It seems like it’s sort of a mix between the Saucony Ride and the Saucony Kinvara in terms of weight, cushion and durability,” Kate says.

If you enjoyed the Saucony Freedom 4, you’ll probably like this version, too. The Saucony Freedom 5 remains true to form with lightweight cushioning, a sleek, smooth upper and a low heel-to-toe-drop and stack height.

The Saucony Freedom 5 is a do-it-all shoe that performs well during training runs, speed work, gym sessions and cross training. If you’re looking for one shoe to handle the majority of your workouts, the Saucony Freedom 5 is the perfect match.

“I did a 10-mile speed workout in these and they felt nice and snappy. I also wore these for walks and casual wear. I found the Freedom comfy for every outing,” Kate says.

To make sure you have the right pair of running shoes, it helps to get fit by an expert. At Fleet Feet, we use best-in-class technology and personal expertise to find you the best shoes for your feet. Head into your local Fleet Feet or make an appointment to get fit.