Saucony Triumph 22 Review
The Saucony Triumph 22 Is Your Go-to Premium Workhorse for Every Run
Likes
- Highly protective midsole
- Comfortable, irritation-free upper
- Consistently smooth ride with a little pep
Dislikes
- PWRRUN PB compound is not as responsive as expected
What's New
Gear up for an unforgettable running experience with the Saucony Triumph 22 – a premium, max-cushioned daily trainer primed for comfort and protection. Shoes, especially running shoes, should not just be about style but substance, innovation, and pure performance, and the Triumph 22 embodies all three characteristics in spades. Picture this: you, gliding effortlessly through your daily or long run, propelled by Saucony's groundbreaking PWRRUN PB supercritical foam, not a care in the world, comfortably enjoying some time out on the roads.
The PWWRUN PB midsole is just the beginning, as Saucony has fine-tuned every aspect of the Triumph 22 to ensure maximum comfort, support, and performance to be your perfect go-to daily or long-run trainer. The shoe's wider midfoot base provides a stable platform for your every stride, while the adaptive lacing system ensures a snug, secure fit designed to feel almost tailored-made specifically to you and your foot. And we cannot forget about the XT-900 Carbon Rubber outsole, delivering unrivaled traction and durability for runners who want nothing more than to collect more mileage.
So why settle for mediocrity when you can experience premium comfort? Whether you are a seasoned marathoner or a casual jogger, the Triumph 22 is your ticket to running nirvana. Slip into a pair, feel the difference, and join the ranks of those who refuse to settle for sore legs and irritation. Try the Saucony Triumph 22 and see all the amazing things this premium shoe can do for you and your training.
The Bottom Line
There is no denying that the Saucony Triumph is a fan favourite, and version 22 strides onto the scene promising top-of-the-line comfort and new levels of performance thanks to the addition of PWRRUN PB, but does this premium daily trainer elevate its game in 2024? Let's dive into the insights from our testers to find out.
Starting from the top, the Triumph's upper garnered mixed reviews from our testing team. Comfort was never questioned while wearing the Triumph, as both testers enjoyed the well-padded upper and secure wrap. However, with all that padding, the Triumph 22 may not be the best option in hot weather conditions, as our team thought the upper breathability could be improved moving forward. Furthermore, with a higher overall weight, testers questioned if the execution of the padding was worth the extra weight, or if a lighter on-foot feel would have been more beneficial.
Moving on to the midsole, the integration of PWRRUN PB foam had our testers buzzing with anticipation, especially with how successful the foam compound has performed in Saucony's Endorphin line. While posting top-level protection scores and peppy new responsiveness, the Triumph's midsole is far from fast. Cruising, long, and recovery runs are where the Triumph is at its best, and though its midsole does not boast the same speedy performance as the Endorphin series, the Triumph will deliver a lot of comfortably smooth runs. The Triumph was so protective and comfy that one tester has it as a top contender in the premium daily training category.
When it comes to the Triumph's outsole, our testers were impressed with the Triumph's grippy traction, delivering solid grip on various surfaces. In terms of durability, the outsole held up well throughout testing for both testers, proving the Triumph's potential for high-mileage usage.
The bottom line is that the Saucony Triumph 22 presents a super enticing option for runners seeking premium comfort and protection for long-mileage training runs. While it may fall short in some areas compared to its competitors, its blend of protective cushioning, inherent stability, and gritty durability makes it a worthy contender within the shoe category.
Specifications & Fit
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 10.5 oz (size 9) | Women's: 9.0 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 40 mm (Heel), 30 mm (Forefoot) | 10 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to size |
Our In-Depth Look
Upper
Jon: "The Triumph's upper was comfortable, soft, and breathable, which checks all my boxes, but it did not quite feel as premium as I expected it to. In the $260 max cushion daily trainer category, the ASICS Gel Nimbus 26 holds the top spot with the most premium and plush upper, in my opinion. The Triumph 22 falls a bit short in comparison.
In terms of fit, the Triumph offered an average to narrow feel throughout, and it was not uncomfortable in any way. I would not have minded a wider toe box, and it was just a tad long for my foot, but not too long to where I would have to size down, but longer than my ideal length. Overall, it did the job, as I had no standout issues with the Triumph 22's upper."
Kaleb: "The Triumph 22's upper was super comfortable thanks to generous padding in the heel collar and tongue, and the word "plush" is more than warranted when describing the feel of the new Triumph. The shoe fit my foot very well, and I had no problems with irritation. I took the Triumph out for a 10-mile run right out of the box and had no issues, whatsoever.
The only critique I have for the upper is its breathability. Temperatures are starting to rise here on the Central Coast, and we have had a few hotter days of late. Unfortunately, I thought the Triumph was warm on foot when the temps were hot. That said, I have not run in hot weather in a while, so my whole system was a bit "warm."
Midsole
Jon: "Once we learned that PWRRUN PB would be integrated into the Triumph 22, it instantly became one of our most anticipated shoes for 2024. "What would that bouncy, protective, and lightweight cushioning feel like in this premium daily trainer?" was a question that resonated around the office, and all we knew was that the compound would be slightly firmer to maintain a stable platform. So, although the Triumph 22 would have PWRRUN PB, it would be a slightly different foam. This begged another question: "Would the foam still retain the magical elements we experienced in the Endorphin line?"
The answer is a bit complicated. I found the Triumph's midsole dense without being too heavy which helped make the Triumph supremely protective underfoot. That is exactly what I am looking for in a premium daily trainer. The Triumph's midsole also provided some responsiveness, making cruising at my easy paces feel almost effortless. The Triumph PWRRUN PB formulation did not have the bounce or energy return I experienced while wearing the Endorphin shoe models, which also feature PWRRUN PB.
This was not a huge surprise, especially given the categorisation of the Triumph, but it was still a little unusual to run in a shoe with that much PWRRUN PB and not have the full, high-energy experience. Where the midsole really shined brightest was on downhills. As I was pounding the pavement on steeper downhills, the protection offered by the Triumph 22 was excellent. Not only did it absorb the impact of the foot strikes, but the Triumph's midsole delivered a noticeable energy return that helped keep my turnover efficient, and in control."
Kaleb: "I have tested a few different iterations of the Triumph, but version 22 may be my favourite. Even though there is PWRRUN PB in the midsole, the Triumph is still a comfortable, protection-first shoe, so the ride was not fast or overly responsive, though the foam gives the Triumph 22 a new level of pop.
Long runs and easy mileage are the sweet spots for the Triumph, and I loved how protective the Triumph was throughout the testing period. I do not usually use superlatives in reviews; however, version 22 may be one of the most protective shoes I have ever tested, besides perhaps the More v4 (more on that in the comparison section). Moving forward, I would love the Triumph to become slightly more lively underfoot and for the Triumph to shed a few ounces as I felt the weight was noticeable over longer efforts."
Outsole
Jon: "There is not a lot for me to say about the Triumph's outsole, which is a good thing. Between my logged and unlogged adventures traversing the barriers and road closures at the Boston Marathon, I got about 40 miles on this shoe, and the outsole still looks great."
Kaleb: "The Triumph 22's outsole provides a solid grip on the roads, in dry and wet conditions. Considering that the Triumph is a slower, long-run cruiser, I always felt very stable and always in full control. I always appreciate full-length outsole coverage, as I feel like it helps the overall durability of the shoe, and the Triumph looks primed for high mileage."
Comparable Shoes
Saucony Triumph 22 vs. ASICS Gel Nimbus 26
Jon: "The first shoe that comes to mind in terms of a comparable model is the ASICS Gel Nimbus 26, another premium daily trainer that is focused on delivering the most comfortable underfoot experience. These shoes are comparable in weight and in stack heights, but they are quite different when it comes to their midsole and upper designs. While the FF Blast+ Eco in the Nimbus 26 is very plush and protective, it does not have the same level of responsiveness as that of the Triumph 22, which features super foam. However, the benefits of the foam cushioning in the Triumph 22 are slightly dampened by the weight of the shoe. Nonetheless, the Triumph 22 is more versatile than the Nimbus and more enjoyable at faster paces.
In terms of the upper, the Nimbus 26 definitely takes the cake for me as the Triumph's upper does not feel as premium as I would expect from a $260 daily trainer. Ultimately, these shoes offer quite a different underfoot experience. For those looking for the most comfortable and plush underfoot experience and have other shoes for faster efforts, then the Nimbus 26 is a great option. However, for runners who want a max cushioned daily trainer that is less plush, but more versatile, then the Triumph 22 may be the right option."
Saucony Triumph 22 vs. New Balance More v4
Kaleb: "Both shoes are perfect for long mileage runs, thanks to their highly protective midsoles. Both models also pack a lot of comfort. Now, the New Balance More v4 is one of my favourite all-time shoes, but I have to say, the Triumph 22 is nipping at the heels of the More.
The Triumph differentiates itself by being more stable underfoot than the More, but the soft squish of the More's Fresh Foam X compound is really tough to beat, in terms of fun running experience. Either way, you cannot really go wrong. If you like a softer shoe, then I would recommend the More v4. If you are a runner who needs a more stable ride, then I would recommend the Triumph."
Individual Thoughts
Since we learned that PWRRUN PB albeit a different formulation, was coming to the Triumph 22, I was pretty stoked to test them out. I knew the experience would be different, but it was still a very exciting upgrade for a shoe that already has established a solid reputation. After getting in 30+ miles in this shoe, including a 14-mile easy effort, I have no problem saying that I really like this shoe. But I do not love it.
I appreciated how protective it felt and how easy it was to run in. I have not had a bad mile in this shoe, but I have not had a particularly exciting running experience, either. I have said this before but I will say it again. When I test a shoe, I always look for the feature that stands out or causes me to think, "Wow, this is special." With the Triumph 22, I did not find anything that overly stood out in a special way.
But let me be clear, I really liked running in the Triumph 22 and can definitely see myself lacing them up in the future. They are a solid option for traveling for those of us who like to pack light and only bring one pair of shoes, or on daily training runs where I'm looking to run at an easy pace, but be in a position to pick up the pace if my legs are feeling good halfway into my run.
As someone who has experience running in several previous iterations of the Triumph, I must say that the Triumph 22 might be the best version yet. Of course, it is still all about comfort and protection with this shoe, but with that PWRRUN PB in the midsole, there is a new level of pep that adds new life to the Triumph's smooth, protective ride. Long runs and easy miles are where the Triumph truly shines, offering an almost unparalleled level of protection, and honestly, this version might be one of the most protective shoes I have ever tested. I wish the PWRRUN PB in the Triumph was more reminiscent of the PWRRUN PB used in the Endorphin line, as I felt the Triumph could have benefited from a higher energy return to offset some of the shoe's weight.
Now, the upper is like slipping your feet into a comfy slipper, thanks to the generous padding in the heel collar and tongue. Also, the fit was spot on for me. I took these babies out for a 10-mile jaunt right out of the box, and I did not have a single issue to report. Well, except for one tiny gripe – breathability. With temperatures rising, the Triumph felt a bit warm, but that is a minor complaint.
As for the outsole, it should come as no surprise that it is also rock-solid, offering a grip that is dependable in any condition. Even when the roads had been washed with spring rain, the Triumph's outsole met the challenge. Plus, with that full-length coverage, durability is practically guaranteed. So yeah, the Triumph 22 might not be the lightest or fastest shoe out there, but when it comes to comfort, protection, and reliability, the Triumph is tough to beat.
