Saucony Triumph 18 Shoe Review
Classic Comfort with a Modern Facelift
Likes
- Soft and cushioned midsole
- Smooth energetic ride
- Comfortable upper design
Dislikes
- On the heavier side
- Slightly narrow toe box
What's New
Saucony continues to fine-tune the Triumph line, and it just keeps getting better. The new PWRRUN+ midsole is now lighter and more durable, providing runners with cushioning that does not sacrifice responsiveness. New FormFIT technology is paired with engineered mesh for a truly luxurious upper that cradles the foot. Finally, the Tri-Flex design and XT-900 Carbon Rubber give the Triumph the durability of a true workhorse shoe.
The Bottom Line
Our testers thought that the Saucony Triumph 18 was an outstanding everyday training shoe that they found themselves reaching for, run after run. The updated midsole and upper designs elevate the Triumph to the next level. These shoes successfully balance comfort and performance features to make the Triumph 18 capable of easily handling nearly any run. If you are in the market for an everyday trainer, look no further than the Saucony Triumph 18.
Shoe Performance
Softness i
Ride/Energy Return i
Underfoot Protection i
Flexibility i
Upper Support i
Specifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium | Height: Medium | |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium | |
| Heel Width | Medium | |
| Arch Height | Medium to High |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 11.3 oz (size 9) | Women's: 10.0 oz (size 8) | |
| Stack Height | 32 mm (Heel), 24 mm (Forefoot) | |
| Terrain | Road | |
| Stability | Neutral | |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softness i
Our testers really enjoyed the softness of the Triumph 18. With a plush step-in feel, the new PWRRUN+ midsole provides enough cushion to soften the impact of the run without sacrificing responsiveness. Runners will love the luxurious feel of the Triumph as they sail through their daily kilometres.
Connor: "The Triumph definitely leans a little on the softer side, but it's not overly soft. The PWRRUN+ offers an initial sink-in feel that comes to life as you go through your stride. I felt it was the perfect softness for a workhorse daily trainer."
David: "The Triumph 18 offers a lot of plush cushioning for a soft and lively ride. The PWRRUN+ midsole helps absorb impacts from the road, which worked especially well for comfort on longer runs."
Ride/Energy Return i
The PWRRUN+ midsole is a welcome upgrade from the previous EVERUN foam. It is soft and cushioned yet delivers a responsive ride that works well for a range of different runs. The Triumph may not be the bounciest shoe on the market, but for an everyday trainer, it has more than enough energy return to meet most runners' needs.
Connor: "The new PWRRUN+ midsole gives the shoe a hint of springiness while also lowering the weight from the past EVERUN compound seen in the ISOfit models. While it doesn't have crazy energy return, it delivers a very satisfying ride that feels alive at nearly any pace."
David: "Despite the plush cushioning, this shoe is not lacking in responsiveness. It offers a lively ride that feels smooth with my natural stride."
Underfoot Protection i
The Triumph 18 hits the bullseye when it comes to underfoot protection. Our testers reported that the considerable stack height provided ample protection without feeling clunky or bulky. Runners can trust that the Triumph 18 will keep them comfortably protected for both short and long pursuits.
Connor: "The Triumph 18 offers fantastic underfoot protection that can deliver over nearly any distance. The stack height creates a nice separation from the ground without feeling too high or bulky, and the midsole material offers a plush sensation on the roads."
David: "With 32 mm in the heel and 24 mm in the forefoot, the Triumph provides a ton of underfoot protection from the road. Additionally, the bouncy midsole helps to disperse shock and propel you into the next step."
Underfoot Flexibility i
The Triumph 18 registered right in the middle of our scale between rigid and flexible. The testers agreed that this shoe delivered just the right amount of flexibility to create an excellent running experience. This balance of flexibility produced an irresistibly smooth heel-to-toe transition that is a real pleasure to run in.
Connor: "For its slightly higher stack height, this Triumph 18 offered decent flexibility. The flex contributes to the smooth ride and doesn't feel nearly as stiff as some of its competitors."
David: "There isn't a noticeable amount of flex, but the ride feels very smooth from heel to toe. I think that too much flexibility in a highly cushioned shoe can make it feel unstable."
Upper Feel i
Our testers praised the Triumph 18's new FormFIT upper design for the luxurious comfort it delivered. The engineered mesh design provides lightweight breathability, as well as an impressive, locked-down feel. Runners new to the Triumph line and longtime fans alike will love the plush feel of the updated upper.
Connor: "This shoe's plush upper offers ultimate comfort with fantastic support for any distance. The material is soft and slightly stretchy without sacrificing support or lockdown. The fit and lockdown are a huge upgrade over the past ISO series. Sometimes simpler is better."
David: "The upper definitely has a premium feel throughout. The heel collar and tongue are both highly padded for a soft and secure fit, while the forefoot fabric offers a bit of stretch for adaptability. Although the forefoot is a tad narrow for my liking, I was able to enjoy the shoe's comfortable ride."
Men's Saucony Triumph Running Shoes
Women's Saucony Triumph Running Shoes
Individual Thoughts
The Saucony Triumph has always been a highly cushioned daily trainer, but it wasn't until version 17 that the line received a pretty big upgrade that made it a serious contender as one of the best daily trainers on the market. Now with version 18, we see small changes that continue to enhance the shoe's on-foot comfort and protection while still retaining an ultra-smooth ride. The plush upper provides a comfortable wrap with plenty of support, and the cushioning has everything you need to handle any distance. While its weight on paper is slightly on the heavy side, the shoe feels much lighter on foot and offers a hint of springiness thanks to the PWRRUN+ upgrade. The Triumph 18 has quickly become one of my favourite daily trainers, and I will continue to use it for long runs, recovery efforts, and everything in-between.
Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
I loved testing this shoe and have been reaching for it on the majority of my runs throughout the week. The springy cushioning, plush upper, and smooth ride checked all the boxes for my daily training needs. While this shoe is a bit heavy, the midsole cushioning felt lively and protective, and I found myself comfortably running at faster paces than I expected. As for the upper, the materials were plush and high quality, with plenty of padding around the heel and tongue. Even the forefoot provided some stretch to accommodate movement, but I found it to be a touch narrow for my preference. Overall, the Triumph 18 is a quality daily trainer built for comfort in everyday running or long runs. I would highly recommend it for the runner looking for a comfortable shoe to tick off the majority of their miles.