Saucony Triumph 22 Review: More Power, Still a Cruiser

What You Need To Know

Introduction to the Saucony Triumph 22

MEAGHAN: Man, it seemed like every shoe reviewer and their moms got the Triumph 22 before we did. But eventually this max cushion trainer showed up, and I have to say, it’s quite the summer glow up. 

Let’s start with the most exciting update of them all: the midsole foam. It now features PWRRUN PB, the same formulation Saucony uses in their premium race shoes like the Endorphin Speed 4 and Endorphin Pro 4. You’ll recognize the beaded foam, which is half the weight of EVA and much bouncier. They kept the same 37/27 mm stack, but the width of the shoe has expanded and the upper has been redesigned for a more plush and comfortable step-in feel. 

The Triumph has always been a workhorse of a daily trainer; somewhat versatile, good for lots of miles, but it lacked any sort of excitement. Do the updates take this shoe to another level, or should it go back to its roots? Let’s dive in.

BIG GUY CHAD:  Last year, Meg and I got to team up and review the Triumph 21, and it quickly became one of my favorite max stack and cushioned daily trainers, something I used mostly for recovery runs and really easy miles. If you read that review, you may remember that I not-so-subtly worked in 14 different Taylor Swift references by weaving in different song titles. I promise, even though I’ve got an entirely new album’s worth of song titles to use, I’ll restrain myself.

That said, I kept seeing people get the Triumph 22 in for review, and I was chomping at the bit for it. The Triumph line has gotten a full re-do from top to bottom, including that transition from PWRRUN+ midsole to PWRRUN PB. Stack height and drop remained the same, but the upper and overall width of the shoe were re-designed to provide a more comfortable and accommodating fit.

CARYN: I’ve worn a few versions of the Saucony Triumph, most recently last year’s eco-friendly Triumph RFG. The shoe has always been a great daily trainer, boasting a high stack, cushioned ride that can absorb just about any weekly mileage out there. I went into my Triumph RFG review with no expectations, but the shoe turned out to be a pleasant surprise– it was the same no-frills daily trainer, but with an earth-conscious spin.

Fast forward a bit, and the Triumph 22 (finally) arrives on my doorstep. With an allegedly near-total overhaul including a full-length, lighter PWRRUN PB midsole, I admit I was beyond curious about the hype. Let’s see how this one shook out.

What we like about the Saucony Triumph 22

MEAGHAN: We have to start with aesthetics and while this shoe isn’t that exciting, the light pink colorway (moon/eggplant as they call it) and big stack of foam is a nice summer look. 

Speaking of foam, the all new PWRRUN PB is a very welcomed addition. It feels much squishier than the previous version, which in my opinion is a good thing. Despite featuring a midsole foam found in fast-day shoes, this trainer feels like it was built specifically for the slog (slow-jog) and I enjoyed the miles quite a bit. Sometimes when the temperatures heat up, the midsole of a shoe will change how it feels underfoot, but this foam felt exactly the same no matter the weather. 

It’s also nice that Saucony didn’t raise the price point from the previous version. You can still get this trainer for $160.

BIG GUY CHAD:  Meaghan started with aesthetics, so I’ll do it as well. The men’s version of the Triumph 22 that I received was the white upper and dark blue midsole. Is it the most exciting looking shoe? Not really, no; but it looks nice overall and has the look about it that it seems like it would work as a casual, everyday walking-about shoe.

So here’s where Meg and I differ. I also appreciate the implementation of PWRRUN PB, but I don’t find that it’s squishier than the 21st version. I actually find it a bit firmer and more responsive underooft on the run, which– if you follow my reviews– you know that I like in a daily trainer. Having also reviewed the Endorphin Speed 4, it feels like this formulation of PWRRUN PB in the Triumph 22 has a slightly firmer composition to it, or the midsole is just a bit denser. Just a perfect example how shoes work differently for different people, especially bigger runners.

The new upper is comfortable and accommodating as advertised by Saucony, and the wider base is a game changer, especially with the use of PWRRUN PB. If you had told me that the Triumph 22 was a stability shoe, I would believe it. There is some inherent stability in the wide base that just provided an incredibly balanced ride. People who like their shoes to fall into the stable-neutral category will enjoy this.

CARYN: I’ve noted in previous reviews that I’m not much of a hot pink girlie, but this shoe offers up a more subdued pink (dare we say, mauve?) color palette with some darker accent colors. I accept, especially given that it’s very warm outside. I’ve always appreciated the accommodating nature of the Saucony toe box and midfoot, and this shoe lines up nicely with the fit of my other brand favorites. The upper itself is soft, with no rubbing or hot spots throughout the run.

I enjoyed the new PWRRUN PB midsole, especially from a weight perspective. The premium foam offers a slightly less squishy feel, which made the shoe feel more stable to me than previous versions. To be honest, I didn’t notice a huge difference in the ride (Saucony puns) of the shoe, but the pounds the Triumph has taken off (ounces, really) are definitely a game-changer. The shoe still remains squarely in the daily trainer category for me, as I didn’t find it easy or enjoyable to pick up the pace in the Triumph, but frankly, that’s okay. A great daily trainer can be just that– a daily trainer.

What we don’t like about the Saucony Triumph 22

MEAGHAN: The very plush upper is comfortable, which also makes it pretty warm. I definitely regretted pairing them with a thick sock. Along those same lines, the extra materials and wide platform make it even heavier than the previous version. My W7.5 came in just over 9 oz. That’s a chunky boi. 

CHAD:  I concur with Meg’s analysis on the upper. With the increased padding and comfort comes additional heat, and it can get toasty in there. I didn’t mind the added weight because it came with the benefit of increased stability from the wider platform. One thing to note for people who like to do the runner’s loop or other intricate lacing to get a lockdown, these laces are very short, so that could present an issue. I’m a simple “double knot and head out” kind of guy, and I found the knots I had to tie were very small.

CARYN: I don’t have cute, slender feet, but I was downright swimming in this shoe in my regular size 8.5. Despite preferring a wider toe box, even I would have wanted to try a half size down to optimize the fit. If you have a narrower foot, I’d probably steer clear of this guy. Secondly, and this isn’t as much of a knock as it is an observation, this shoe is not a do-it-all style trainer. The Triumph is something I’d strictly pick for easy paces due to its weight and bulk, which is A-OK, but should be kept in mind when you start that pros and cons list for your next pair of shoes.

Final thoughts on the Saucony Triumph 22

MEAGHAN: The Saucony Triumph 22 is a victory in my book, but it certainly veers away from some of its traditions. Whereas previous versions of this shoe felt more like a do-it-all shoe, I would keep this one strictly for those easy, recovery days. But who doesn’t love the easy slow days?

CHAD:  I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling 22. Sorry folks, I had to get at least one T-Swift reference in there, especially when it basically writes itself! All in all, the revamped Triumph 22 makes for a great easy day daily trainer or even recovery day shoe if that’s how you want to deploy it. The much improved and accommodating fit, wider base, and PWRRUN PB midsole provide the type of balanced ride that someone like me, a lover of stable-neutral shoes, is looking for, all for a reasonable $160 price tag.

CARYN: I’m not a Swiftie (please, don’t hate me!), so no references to feeling 22 over here. However, the Triumph 22 is certainly a nice update with a high quality foam, well-done upper, and comfortable ride. I’d compare it to other high-cushion faves like the New Balance 1080, the Hoka Clifton, and the Asics Nimbus. Pick one up if you need a reliable daily trainer with a great fit to gobble up that summer marathon training mileage.

You can pick up the Saucony Endorphin Triumph 22 for $160 at Running Warehouse (featuring free 2-day shipping and 90-day returns) using the buttons below.