Saucony Triumph 22 review

We believe the Saucony Triumph 22 is a standout choice for:

• Heel strikers seeking a premium, ultra-cushioned daily trainer that offers exceptional joint and muscle protection.
• Triumph enthusiasts eager for the much-anticipated midsole upgrade to PWRRUN PB—it's finally here!
• Anyone in need of a reliable and durable workhorse that excels in mileage without compromising on comfort.

We believe the Saucony Triumph 22, despite its impressive PWRRUN PB midsole, falls short at faster paces due to its size and geometry—particularly lacking in marathon-paced long runs. For those seeking ultimate energy return in a daily trainer, we recommend considering the ASICS Superblast or the Hoka Mach X instead.

Additionally, we've noted that some may find the Triumph's weight a bit cumbersome. If an agile ride is what you're after, we suggest exploring the ASICS Novablast 4 or the Hoka Mach 6, which also provide exceptional cushioning in a lighter package.

It's clear for us that Saucony wants to align this model with comfort, typically signifying a plush upper that snugly embraces your foot. We can confirm that the Triumph 22 delivers exactly that, though there is a trade-off.

A thicker upper provides a cozy lockdown but tends to restrict breathability. Thanks to our smoke-pumping machine tests, we observed this here in the lab, resulting in a 3/5 rating on our scale.

Holding the upper against a light easily reveals its potential ventilation spots, or lack thereof. Our findings convinced us that this shoe might not be ideal for intensely hot weather, as hardly any light penetrated the mesh.

Saucony describes this upper as engineered mesh, yet in our view it's in a grey area between mesh and knit. It's undeniably a premium material that impressed us greatly, looking stunning under our microscope.

Using an augmentation tool, we also determined why airflow is poor in the Triumph 22. The upper is not only thick but also has its ventilation holes obstructed by a secondary layer.

Nevertheless, for those not planning on running in extremely hot conditions, this stretchy upper excels in terms of comfort and quality. It offers ample padding and softness throughout.

We previously noted that the upper delivers a premium feel, but does it also live up to that standard in terms of durability? Let’s see!

Using our Dremel at 5K RPM and 3.2N of force, we discovered that the engineered mesh performed exceptionally well with only minor damage, earning a strong 4 out of 5.

After the Triumph 22's A-grade performance in the initial Dremel test, we were eager to see how the heel collar would stand up to our next challenge, especially since ultra-padded shoes often fail in this regard.

To our delight, we discovered that Saucony excelled with the heel—it's not only exceptionally comfortable but also built to last. We awarded it the highest possible score of 5/5.

The stakes were incredibly high after evaluating the durability of the heel and toebox, but what about the outsole?

We have good news for those concerned with durability—as we found the outsole features a substantial rubber coverage with a threaded pattern. The rubber's hardness was measured in our lab at 82.4 HC, which aligns with our feeling that the traction is adequate, though not outstanding.

We subjected the outsole of the Triumph 22 to our final Dremel test, keen to see if it justifies the $160 price tag.

The results were reassuring. While not outstanding, a 0.9 mm indentation from this Dremel test gives us confidence that the outsole will hold up well under expected wear conditions.

To prioritize durability and protection, Saucony opted to add a bit of weight to the shoe. As a result, we found that the outsole has a substantial 3.0 mm thickness, akin to most modern daily trainers.

Despite its dense upper and maximalist stack height, the Triumph 22 maintains a reasonable weight for its size at just 10.1 oz or 286g. It's slightly heavier than the average shoe, but it's important to remember that this is a maximalist daily trainer packed with extensive cushioning—yet it weighs almost the same as a Nike Pegasus 41.

How did Saucony achieve this? The secret lies in the PWRRUN PB midsole upgrade, an incredibly lightweight yet responsive material.

We've used the term "maximalist," which is prevalent in the running shoe trends of 2024, and rightly so. The Triumph 22 boasts a substantial 38.6 mm heel height, which we found more than adequate, even for heavier runners who primarily heel strike.

It also stays just below the 40-mm threshold, and we appreciate this. We really think that the Triumph doesn't need additional foam underfoot—adding more would likely impact the shoe’s weight and stability more than necessary.

Naturally, this stack may not suit those who prefer a more grounded, close-to-the-ground feel. If that's you, we suggest the On Cloudrunner 2 instead.

The forefoot is impressively cushioned at 28.9 mm, more so than many other running shoes.

We believe this level of cushioning is perfect for long runs and suitable for nearly any runner and distance. However, if you're seeking even more cushioning in this area, you might consider the ASICS Nimbus 26, which offers an even more towering 32.0 mm of cushioning in the forefoot.

Saucony advertises the Triumph 22 as having a 10-mm heel-to-toe drop, and our precise measurements in the lab (9.7 mm) almost perfectly align with these specifications.

This particular offset makes the Triumph 22 an excellent choice for heel strikers, or runners looking to relieve some stress from their calves and Achilles tendons. Nevertheless, it’s also a sure bet for forefoot and particularly midfoot strikers.

The FORMFIT insole of the Triumph 22 is impressively thick at 7.1 mm, enhancing the overall cushioned feel of the shoe.

However, for future versions, we suggest Saucony opting for a thinner insole paired with more foam underfoot, since the insole lacks bounce and does not contribute much to energy return.

Since we first tested the Pebax-based, bouncy PWRRUN PB foam in Saucony's fastest shoes from the Endorphin lineup—like the Speed 4—we've eagerly awaited its introduction into the Triumph series. This foam is so superior to PWRRUN and PWRRUN+ that we've been highly desiring this upgrade.

We're happy to tell you that the Triumph 22 features a full-length PWRRUN PB midsole, and it doesn't include any lower-cost or EVA midsoles beneath it, unlike what other brands typically do. It's definitely one of the biggest upgrades ever in a Triumph.

We've found that it delivers a balanced ride that is not overly soft (18.3 HA), yet it consistently returns more energy with every stride compared to previous Triumph models. 

Combined with the leg-saving qualities of Pebax-based foams, the Triumph 22 excels as an excellent choice for slow to moderate-paced long runs.

Another advantage of all superfoams is their consistent performance across all temperatures. We tested this by placing the Triumph 22 in the freezer for 20 minutes and then measuring its softness. The results showed only a 19.9% variance in softness!

Over the last two years, we've observed in our lab that many brands have embraced rockered running shoes. However, a classic, natural daily trainer still holds appeal for most easy runs, as it helps to develop foot strength.

We discovered that Saucony struck a balance with the Triumph 22. The forefoot rocker is subtle, while the heel features a significant bevel—a smart design for easing transitions for heel strikers, given the thick midsole. Yet overall, we believe you can expect a fairly classic ride.

Runners with stability needs might not find the Triumph 22 as the best option, given its neutral design. However, it incorporates some non-intrusive stability features typical of modern trainers, such as midsole sidewalls and a broader platform, particularly in the midfoot area.

For those with mild pronation, while some might manage with this shoe, we recommend choosing a model specifically designed for stability. A good alternative with similar attributes would be the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23, which is tailored to meet such needs more effectively with its GuideRails technology.

The outsole design of the Triumph 22 contributes to maintaining moderate torsional rigidity, despite its substantial stack height. As a result, we assigned it a middle-of-the-road score of 3 out of 5 in our manual evaluation.

This balance helps to keep the shoe stable without sacrificing too much flexibility.

Saucony has continued the strategy from their previous model by using again a firm heel counter, which greatly aids in stability, especially for rearfoot strikers. As a result, we awarded it the same 4/5 rating as before.

On the negative side of things, such a firm counter might affect the comfort for those who experience irritation in the Achilles tendon.

Just like last year's model, the forefoot of the Triumph 22 is massive, resembling that of stability shoes. This year, it measures 120.1 mm, slightly larger than the 118.1 mm of the previous version.

We believe this is close to the maximum width desirable, and we hope Saucony will maintain this dimension. Any wider could potentially compromise the shoe's running experience, as it seems to be at the absolute limit now.

While the forefoot has seen minimal change from the last version—a mere two millimeters increase—we've observed a significant adjustment in the heel, which expanded from 91.3 mm to 98.2 mm.

This adjustment clearly targets heel strikers more than ever, aligning well with the shoe’s ample cushioning in the rearfoot and high heel-to-toe drop.

If you're looking for a cushioned yet versatile shoe, the Triumph experienced a slight downgrade in this area, as it now registers 29.7N in our 90-degree bend test.

While this may make it seem less appealing in terms of overall comfort, heel strikers might appreciate it since it facilitates smoother transitions while running compared to previous models.

After placing the shoe in the freezer for 20 minutes and conducting another test, we observed a result that was strikingly similar to our initial findings, showing just a 16% variation in stiffness. This impressive consistency can be attributed to the shoe's Pebax-based PWRRUN PB midsole.

Previous editions of the Triumph offered substantial room in the toebox, accommodating those with wider feet even in the standard width size. And let's not forget that Saucony does offer a wide size in select markets for this model.

Yes, that's quite wide.

Well, the 22nd edition of the Triumph continues this tradition, as we found the toebox even slightly larger than its predecessor at 102.3 mm. Great news for those of you with wide feet or anyone that loves a roomy upper.

We believe that a single measurement doesn't fully capture the toebox's dimensions, which is why we love taking a second one—particularly in the big toe area. This approach is fantastic for helping us understand how the toebox tapers.

The vertical space in the toebox should accommodate nearly everyone comfortably.

After taking this second measurement, we discovered an average taper for such a wide shoe, providing a standard fit in this respect. While it's not as spacious as an Altra, it remains quite roomy and well-suited for those with square-shaped feet.

We were thrilled to discover a semi-gusseted tongue in the Triumph 22.

This choice is perfect for us, as a fully-gusseted tongue would feel overly bulky with so much padding in the upper. On the other hand, a non-gusseted tongue in such a premium shoe would be disappointing.

The Triumph series has always been about comfort for Saucony, typically featuring a plush tongue.

The lacing system is largely standard, except for an unusual hook eyelet positioned below the final two.

In the 22nd edition, we discovered 8.5 mm of padding, achieved through the use of two foam layers, creating an exceptionally comfortable instep feel. This design is ideal for long runs, providing outstanding comfort and support.

The heel includes a vertical finger-loop heel tab, which is a clear upgrade from the one we found in the Triumph 21.

The Triumph 22 features a massive, thick insole that is removable. Because of that, it allows for the insertion of custom orthotics and you can swap the stock footbed for a thinner one, creating more room in the toebox if needed.

As a premium daily trainer, we expect some bonus features. And reflective elements are one of our favorite details. Luckily, we've observed that Saucony has cleverly included reflective strips on the heel tab.

This feature ensures that cars and motorbikes are aware of our presence in low-light conditions.