Years ago, I had to replace my Brooks Glycerin due to arch pain. That’s when I first fell in love with Saucony’s pinnacle comfort shoe, the Triumph. At that time, maybe my soles just needed less Brooks DNA and more Saucony Pwrrun foam, but I now rotate between the two models. They’re both reliable daily trainers that land on the “supremely cushioned” end of the running shoe spectrum. And in its 22nd version, the Triumph has undergone a couple of updates to enhance its plush feel even further.
Pros
- Wider base for more accommodating fit
- Whats the Cost of Being a Runner
- Health - Injuries
Cons
- Wider base for more accommodating fit
- Pwrrun PB PEBA blend
Key Specs
| Type | Neutral Road |
|---|---|
| Weight | 8.8 oz (W), 10.1 oz (M) |
| Drop | 10 mm |
| Heel Height | 37 mm |
| Forefoot Height | 27 mm |
- Who It’s For: Runners with comfort front-of-mind who want a non-plated, max-cushioned trainer that can handle high mileage
- Preceded By: Triumph 21, Triumph 20
- Whats the Cost of Being a Runner: Runs hot; not as breathable as other shoes, We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article
- Midsole Foam: Pwrrun PB (PEBA blend)
- Key Tech: Broad midsole with high sidewalls for stability, ultra-plush ankle collar
Pure Comfort With High Rebound
The primary source of cushioning and shock absorption is the Pwrrun PB midsole, the same foam that pillows Saucony’s racing shoes like the Endorphin Speed and Endorphin Pro. This replaces the Triumph’s previously-used TPU-based Pwrrun+. The new Pwrrun PB is a beaded PEBA foam that’s half the weight of traditional EVA and returns 88 percent more energy, according to Saucony. The midsole is what makes the shoe capable of faster workouts, while remaining a reliable for base building and recovery miles.
“This is a high-cushion shoe, but you don’t feel like you’re sinking into clouds that have too much give,” said tester Samuel Dever, who has a high arch and neutral gait. “My longest run in the Triumph 22 was only 13 miles, but I wouldn’t think twice about taking this shoe for longer distances.”
Testers described the cushioning as “balanced” and comparable to the Races - Places, a plated shoe that uses a blend of PEBA and EVA in its midsole. Though some described the Triumph 22 as “chunky” due its beefy exterior, they said the shoe’s weight didn’t hamper their strides.
“Going the way of Hoka, the sole is really chunky,” said Kit Fox, who previously tested the Brooks Glycerin GTS 19 and Asics Novablast. “I do think these err on the softer side, but there’s still enough stiffness that you can sense the road under your feet and feel a little bit of spring.”
Key Updates for More Comfort
Besides the new Pwrrun PB midsole, the Triumph 22 has other upgrades to maximize comfort. First, the shoe’s platform is wider to provide more room for the feet to expand during longer runs when they tend to swell (a wide version is also available). Second, the shoe’s higher sidewalls now wrap the foot, so you stay more securely seated on the midsole. A Saucony rep likened the sensation to sitting back into the arms of a comfy chair. Lastly, the brand removed seams from the upper and added more collar foam to pad the heel.
Lindsay Vuong, who has been a tester since 2018 and previously ran in Saucony’s Guide 13 and Freedom 5, commented on the shoe’s larger yet secure fit.
“The Saucony Triumph 22 runs a little big in both length and width. I ran in a women’s size 8.5, which is my typical size for running shoes, and I had more than a thumb’s width of extra space in the front and sides of the toebox,” she said. “The upper is plush with a smooth liner, which feels luxurious, but retains heat. The tongue is padded and semi-gusseted, providing a secure fit through the laces and helping to secure my narrower foot. The heel collar is also padded with a hard heel cup, which minimized heel lift during my runs.”
A Soft Upper That Can Overheat
Our local testers in our surrounding Pennsylvania valley area may have tested the Saucony Triumph 22 through a heatwave or two, but they insist the shoe remained swampy even when the temperature dropped down. All of them said the shoe’s lack of breathability was a drawback.
“I usually don’t have issues with my feet getting to hot while I run, but in these shoes, my feet felt so warm that it was hard to forget about,” said tester and RW senior features editor Pavlína Černá. “I ran in the Triumph 21 model to compare the two versions. I found that the 22 definitely runs really hot.”
Fox also had this to say: “While the upper is supportive, cushioned, and comfortable—it’s also not very breathable. In sticky, humid conditions, your foot is going to come out pretty swampy. I ran in the rain a few times, and I felt like the material absorbed a decent amount of water. These might not be best option if you want an all-weather shoe.”
But the Triumph 22’s hot interior wasn’t a dealbreaker; our testers still sung praises for the shoe’s cushioning.
“The cushioning in both the heel and forefoot have been amazing, giving the Triumph 22 a comfort level that many shoes lack,” said tester Dave Ackerman, who runs with a heel strike. “This aspect of the shoe would definitely help those folks looking for added cushioning on long runs. The longest runs I completed during the testing period were 10-mile efforts, but the added cushioning definitely aided in keeping my legs from feeling fatigued during those runs. If I’m ever training for marathons again, these would definitely be the go-to shoes for my long runs each week.”
Triumph 22 vs. On Cloudeclipse
Tester: Jacqueline Finley
The Triumph 22 has a new Pwrrun PB midsole
“Before testing the Saucony Triumph 22, I was convinced no shoe could top the On Cloudeclipse. Update: I stand corrected. The Saucony Triumph 22 is my go-to for a long, easy run. These were my first pair of Saucony shoes and I am extremely impressed. The matchup between the Cloudeclipse and the Triump was extremely close. There were a lot of similarities between the two, but I ultimately think that the Triumph 22 will provide a more comfortable and supportive fit for runners with a high arch and wide foot. I mainly tested these shoes outside on the boardwalk and paved roads. Saucony has earned its place alongside the Ons and Hokas that are in my current rotation of running shoes.”
Amanda is a test editor at Runner’s World who has run the Boston Marathon every year since 2013; she's a former professional baker with a master’s in gastronomy and she carb-loads on snickerdoodles.
