It has undoubtedly been a challenging task for Saucony to create the Triumph 22. The two previous editions have been remarkably outstanding and have pushed the boundaries of how versatile a training shoe can be. They have been light, bouncy, and very durable. So how do you make the right successor to that?
Saucony has aimed to see if they could create a more classic daily trainer with the same pop, but with more stability and a more lasting feel.
The Saucony Triumph 22 has received a major overhaul regarding what's new in the shoe. There's a new upper, new midsole, and new outsole. I was very excited to see what the new edition could do, as both Triumph 20 and Triumph 21 have been some of my all-time favorites. Therefore, I was thrilled when I found out that Saucony had included their PWRRUN PB foam in the shoes—a foam usually reserved for their fast shoes.
Saucony Triumph 22 – Comfortable Where It Matters
The upper on the Saucony Triumph 22 is classic for a daily trainer. It's soft and padded to a degree that makes it comfortable to wear, yet it still feels breathable and ventilated (I haven't had the chance to test it in really warm conditions, only around 16 degrees Celsius).
There are small reinforcements around the heel to keep the foot in place. Additionally, the rest of the upper is in a comfortable mesh. The tongue is semi-stitched, so it doesn't move around while running and sits comfortably in the middle.
Saucony Triumph 22 – The Big Trick
The change I believe will impact most runners is clearly the alteration of the foam in the midsole. On paper, PWRRUN PB is a HUGE upgrade, but in practice, it's not quite as wild as one might hope. Saucony has clearly changed something, tuning the shoe more towards being a training shoe rather than a racer—which means you don't get quite the same bounce as you do in an Endorphin Speed or Pro.
But I think the shoes work really well for their intended purpose—to be a daily trainer. They are reliable, cushioned, and have good bounce compared to many competitors. If you expect the bounce from an Endorphin Pro, you'll be disappointed, but if you expect a solid and bouncy training shoe, Triumph 22 clearly meets expectations.
Moreover, the shoes have a wider platform and more foam along the sides of the foot than before. This contributes to the shoe feeling more stable and solid underfoot. There is no doubt the shoe has become less versatile and more suited to tackling all the easy runs.
The outsole is classic rubber on a large part of the sole. It works fine. There's nothing fancy to tell, but there's good coverage without it being too much and weighing down the shoe.
The changes with Saucony Triumph 22 will undoubtedly divide runners. Some will miss the versatility of the previous edition, while others will love its softness and cushioning. If you avoid comparing it to the latest model and only review Saucony Triumph 22 for what it is, it's, in my opinion, an excellent daily trainer with plenty of cushioning and good bounce!
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