Saucony Triumph 23 review

We believe the Saucony Triumph 23 is an excellent choice for:

• Saucony fans who found version 22 disappointing, as this update improves in every key area.
• Runners looking for a reliable shoe for long runs over 1.5 hours, thanks to its strong energy return and amazing shock absorption.
• Those seeking a premium daily trainer with a durable upper, a grippy outsole, and lively bounce.

We think the Triumph 23 isn’t the best option for runners who dislike oversized shoes. In our experience, it has grown bulkier with each update, and for those who prefer a classic feel, the Adidas Supernova Rise 2 is a more streamlined yet high-quality daily trainer.

We also believe the PWRRUN PB foam may not appeal to everyone. Our assessment is that its firmer feel won’t satisfy fans of plush midsoles. If softness is what you seek, the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 is your max-stack shoe, guaranteed. Or go for the Nike Vomero Plus if you prefer a more balanced ride that still leans toward a softer feel underfoot.

The Triumph 23 may look from the exterior even a bit less cushioned than the Triumph 22, but don’t trust the looks, trust our lab data. This happens because of the midsole design and how the colors are displayed on the shoe, yet v23 comes with a solid improvement in shock absorption.

We measured a huge 149 SA in the heel and an impressive 136 SA in the forefoot. While the first reading is just a 9 SA increase over the previous version, the forefoot jumps 15 SA, making this shoe one of the most protective options for those who land forefoot first.

One of the things we pointed out about the Triumph 22 was that, despite all the buzz about being fully built with the Pebax-based PWRRUN PB, energy return was not impressive. We found that some EVA-based foams performed better!

But this has now changed. With 67.6% of energy return in the heel and an outstanding 71.2% in the forefoot, this shoe delivers a peppy ride that make it stand out as one of the strongest daily trainers if you seek responsive rebound.

Saucony states in their official spec sheet that the Triumph 23 features a 37/27 mm stack height configuration, but that’s not what we discovered at all. It was a surprise, since we usually measure lower stacks than brands claim, yet here we found the opposite.

Our calipers stopped at 42.3 mm in the heel, a reading that places the Triumph 23 in true maximalist territory and eliminates any possibility of feeling the ground, making it perfect for runners who crave endless cushioning.

We discovered a similar discrepancy in the forefoot, which rises to 32.3 mm instead of the stated 27 mm, so the same words used for the heel apply here as well.

This result highlights why we enjoy what we do at RunRepeat. Without cutting the shoe open and taking precise measurements, you (and us) would still think this model has just 27 mm in the forefoot and 37 in the heel, which is far from accurate.

While the official stack height differs a lot from the real one, Saucony nailed the drop at 10 mm, exactly the same that we measured here in the lab.

This positions the Triumph 23 with the standard drop for a daily trainer, as 10 mm is the preferred figure for many brands as it works very well for heel strikers. We believe that 8 mm could be more versatile, though.

One of the things we have noticed through the years is that PWRRUN PB is one of those responsive foams that doesn’t immediately feel bouncy, but it really is. It’s quite similar to what many of us experienced with the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 compared to other supershoes, if that makes sense.

And that’s what happens with the Triumph 23. Since it’s a foam that leans toward a firmer formulation with 25.5 HA in our durometer, we didn’t get the explosive rebound of alternatives like ZoomX or even Saucony’s IncrediRUN from the Endorphin Trainer. 

Yet despite lacking that springy feel, it still delivers a power-charged ride that shines at the end of long runs, where the mix of strong shock absorption and consistent energy return truly makes a difference.

We discovered that the Saucony Triumph 23 has a geometry that encourages smoother heel-to-toe transitions by reducing flex demand on the forefoot, although it engages a bit later compared to modern supertrainers. 

The gradual heel design also blends nicely with the 10 mm drop, creating a well-crafted platform that works especially well for heel strikers.

Saucony has been somewhat inconsistent over the years with its fit—while some models felt roomy, others came with a tighter shape. That’s the case with the Triumph 23, as Saucony pulled things back and made it narrower than last year.

We tested it with the gel mold that we produced and discovered 93.8 mm, a number that falls below the average and confirms our first impressions.

With 71.4 mm in the big toe area, we think it fits most runners, but it’s especially good for those with low-volume feet or who enjoy a snug fit.

Saucony also provides a wide option in select markets like the United States, offering a solution if you need a few extra millimeters.

We tested the vertical space and discovered a measurement of 26.8 mm, a result that fits exactly with what’s expected from a daily trainer.

In our view the Triumph 23 offers sufficient vertical room for most feet.

One of the things we had high hopes for in terms of improvement from version 22 was traction. It wasn’t a disaster, but it definitely wasn’t impressive for a premium daily trainer, and we wanted something better.

Saucony delivered. Even without a lot of rubber in the outsole, the aggressive pattern and new compound create a super-strong grip that scored 0.62 in our test, making it a fantastic option for runners who often face slippery surfaces like rain or morning dew.

The outsole of the Saucony Triumph 23 combines black rubber segments with exposed PWRRUN PB, a foam already proven to be extra-durable against abrasion in shoes like the Endorphin Speed 5. In the forefoot, we discovered three vertical rubber pieces separated by foam channels, with deep lugs that enhance ground contact and stability across varied surfaces.

We have to give credit here, because Saucony clearly invested serious effort into this outsole. It’s far from the simple layout seen in the Triumph 22, and every section shows thoughtful design.

With a measurement of just 17.4N, it falls into the category of average stiffness, and we didn’t expect much extra flex anyway. We hardly noticed it while running before securing it to our machine, either.

The Triumph 23 hits another highlight with its weight, as we discovered a positive change over version 22. In this update, the scale showed 9.60 oz or 272g, which is a solid reduction from 10.1 oz or 286g.

In our view, this weight reduction was definitely necessary given the price increase of the shoe, which naturally calls for clear and meaningful improvements.

If you’re looking for a breathable running shoe and live in a hot climate, the Triumph 23 may not be the best option.

While not terrible and offering some airflow, we measured a 3/5 score that can feel lacking on the hottest days of the year. For most other conditions, though, it performs well enough in this regard.

When we tested the upper against light, very little passed through, with most of it blocked. This shows limited airflow and a thick construction aimed more at comfort than ventilation.

Using the microscope, we discovered why. Saucony used a tightly woven design that, despite small visible holes, blocks most airflow.

Even those pores are backed by an inner layer that reduces ventilation further.

In the usual triangle of breathability, durability, and comfort, brands often must emphasize two. Here, Saucony seems to have aimed for balance, but leaned slightly toward comfort and durability.

We know the modern trend in running shoes leans toward softer midsoles, but firmer foams bring clear advantages, and one of the biggest is a more stable ride.

We tested the Triumph 23 and discovered it does a great job here thanks to a wide landing base, supportive sidewalls, firmer PWRRUN PB foam, and a structured upper that may sacrifice airflow yet delivers a solid hold against lateral forces.

When we tested the Triumph 23, we discovered that its outsole design keeps torsional rigidity at a moderate level, which is impressive considering the high stack height.

Our manual evaluation gave it a score of 3 out of 5, even slightly below the average! That’s a great outcome for anyone planning to use this shoe as a do-it-all shoe.

In contrast, the heel stiffness is very high. Saucony chose to sacrifice a bit of comfort—though the thick padding in the heel mostly offset it—to provide stronger stability in the rearfoot.

However, even more than the PWRRUN PB foam, the biggest contributor to stability is the massive midsole width. We tested it at 124.0 mm in the forefoot, and we see that shoes are step by step getting closer to 130 mm in the US size 9 we always buy. 

Runners who love classic shoes with a nimble, lightning-fast feel (and dislike the sensation of using a tank-like build) will likely not enjoy the Triumph 23. Still, this is the direction the market is heading, and there are few ways to make such a tall shoe stable without going this route.

The heel is also extremely wide at 98.9 mm, resembling the design approach of dedicated stability models like the Saucony Hurricane 24.

A clear upside of having an upper without large ventilation holes is fewer weak points, which often leads to solid durability.

We tested the Triumph 23 and discovered a 3/5 score in our first durability check, confirming a durable construction.

Heel padding durability is an important concern for many of us.

To evaluate it, we tested the Triumph 23 with a Dremel, simulating long-term wear in seconds. The padding held up impressively, earning a 4/5!

We’re really pleased with the outsole of the Triumph 23. It adds very little weight, grips impressively well despite having large areas of exposed foam, and in our Dremel test showed extra-durable performance with only 0.7 mm of wear.

Saucony went with a safe choice at 3.3 mm of outsole thickness. Considering the solid durability we discovered earlier, it wouldn’t be surprising if the next version trims this down slightly to reduce weight more easily.

Here’s one of the secret ingredients of the Saucony Triumph 23. We documented a 6.3 mm insole that isn’t the average EVA-based type most brands rely on, which usually lacks bounce and feels flat. Saucony did this trick with its PWRRUN+ (TPU) foam for insoles on shoes like the Omni 22, boosting energy return and adding an unexpectedly bouncy layer.

In this version, it’s called the Super Responsive Sockliner, built from a soft foam that makes the shoe feel less firm than it would with a standard insole. Honestly, many brands should reconsider their cheap insoles, especially when pairing them with state-of-the-art Pebax or A-TPU foams underneath.

We removed the Triumph 23 insole without any trouble. While it’s not recommended since it adds such a lively, bouncy feel, swapping it for a thinner one is an option if you need a bit more room inside the shoe.

Another strong advantage of the PWRRUN PB foam is that it’s made from Pebax, allowing it to perform beautifully in cold temperatures, with only an 8% change recorded.

The Triumph 23 also includes reflective elements, though limited to a small strip on the heel placed beneath the stitching. It’s functional, but definitely not the most stylish detail of the shoe.

The lacing system on the Triumph 23 uses a standard five-eyelet setup plus the optional runner’s loop at the top. The lower eyelets are punched directly into the engineered mesh without any extra reinforcement, while the top two rows are supported by synthetic overlays for better durability and hold.

Saucony also chose to leave a very similar tongue from v22, with extensive (8.8 mm) padding for a luxurious step-in feel. And we fully support this decision in a shoe that many runners will also use for everyday life or as a travel shoe.

We appreciated the inclusion of a semi-gusseted tongue that enhances lockdown. It’s a detail not all competitors offer, yet we consider it essential in a premium daily trainer.

Bad news: the Triumph 23 comes with a $10 price increase over version 22. But, is it 10 bucks better than its predecessor? Absolutely.

From there, it’s up to you to decide if this shoe fits your needs and your budget...

The heel design is fairly simple and lacks a finger-loop tab, though you can still grab the shoe easily if needed.