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 favorite, 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: 298 g (size 9) | Women's: 255 g (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 40 mm (Heel), 30 mm (Forefoot) | 10 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to size |
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.
