Within the operating shoe world, large, thick midsoles stuffed with ultra-plush cushioning foam are all the craze proper now (suppose Hoka trainers). Saucony Triumph 21, the most recent iteration of the model’s max-cushion on a regular basis coaching shoe, falls squarely in that class.
Triumph 21 is a max-cushion workhorse coaching shoe. It’s designed for high-mileage sturdiness and appropriate for runners of all expertise ranges who like a luxurious really feel underfoot.
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General Impressions
In comparison with a few of its puffed-up opponents, Saucony Triumph 21 gives a extra restrained tackle maximalism. It has loads of cushioning, in fact, nevertheless it’s not so mushy that it saps your power.
After a pair weeks of testing, I’ve come to understand its well-balanced trip and accommodating, snug match.
Finally, I believe it might go well with a variety of runners and paces.
Weight: 9.8 oz
Stack Peak: 37 mm heel, 27 mm forefoot
Worth: $160
Michael Charboneau
Key Options and Tech
In comparison with its predecessor, Saucony Triumph 21 is a delicate replace, not a serious overhaul.
“In the event you favored Saucony Triumph 20, you’ll really feel at dwelling within the Triumph 21,” Ted Fitzpatrick, Saucony’s vice chairman of product administration & merchandising tells Males’s Journal by way of e-mail. “The whole lot that labored beneath the foot is carried over.”
The midsole makes use of Saucony’s Pwrrun+ cushioning foam. This materials is made out of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and, in comparison with older variations of the froth, it’s formulated to be much less dense, which makes it softer and lighter. It’s paired with a detachable Pwrrun+ sockliner for further cushioning and bounciness with every step.
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The outsole is made out of Saucony’s XT-900 carbon rubber compound. The rubber placements stretch all throughout the underside of the shoe, from the toe all the way in which again to the heel, for good sturdiness and grip.
The largest change on the 21 is the higher. Saucony swapped in a brand new flat knit higher that’s designed for a softer really feel and a safer match than the engineered mesh higher used on the Triumph 20. Padding on the tongue, across the ankle collar, and on the heel creates a comfortable, safe wrap across the again of the foot.
Michael Charboneau
Execs and Cons
General, Triumph 21 impressed me in testing. The shoe served up a extremely snug trip that hit a pleasant stability by way of cushioning. The Pwrrun+ midsole took the sting off affect forces, nevertheless it wasn’t overly mushy or squishy underfoot, and it generated a propulsive, bouncy really feel with every step. The shoe rolled easily from touchdown to toe-off, and it additionally felt safe and planted, even once I was operating over cracked, angled sidewalks and up and down steep hills.
To get some context on Triumph 21’s cushioning, I examined it towards two well-cushioned opponents: New Stability 1080 v13 (among the many greatest marathon trainers) and Nike Invincible 3 (our choose for the most effective Nike operating shoe). In a side-by-side comparability, Saucony Triumph 31 felt noticeably firmer than the 1080 in each the forefoot and heel. The 1080 created an ultra-plush trip; I may actually really feel my toes sinking into the midsole foam at touchdown. The Triumph didn’t create that very same pillowy trip, nevertheless it did really feel extra secure and peppy. I felt propelled with every toe-off.
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Saucony’s Triumph and Nike’s Invincible 3 have been rather more evenly matched of their cushioning experiences. Each provided a well-cushioned trip with out being overly mushy, and each felt responsive. I’d say Invincible felt a bit softer than Triumph, however the distinction between the 2 footwear wasn’t almost as apparent because it was with 1080.
The Triumph’s snug match was one other spotlight throughout my testing. I ordered my regular measurement (9.5), and my pattern pair match my toes with out difficulty. I didn’t have to fiddle with the laces an excessive amount of and, though I did use a lace lock for a few of my runs, it wasn’t essential to maintain my heel from lifting out of the shoe. The flat knit higher created a lockdown match at midfoot and the toe field, whereas not exceptionally large, gave my toes room to splay. The beneficiant padding on the tongue, heel, and ankle collar stored the again of my foot safe and contributed to the shoe’s nice trip. As soon as laced, I actually didn’t have to consider the Triumph; I may simply zone out and cruise.
Nitpicks? I’ve a couple of. I took my check pair out for a wet run, and in the middle of that journey I stepped in deep puddles twice. Sadly, I found Saucony Triumph 21 doesn’t drain very nicely—after sloshing round for a couple of steps, I needed to cease, elevate my foot up, and let the mucky water drain out by way of the highest of the forefoot.
Michael Charboneau
Ultimate Verdict
Because the side-by-side testing above illustrates, Triumph 21 provides runners a definite model of “max cushion.” It’s well-cushioned, sure, however not pillowy mushy. In the event you’re the type of runner who loves marshmallowy cushioning underneath your toes, you’ll be disillusioned with this shoe. That stated, I do suppose the Triumph’s extra responsive midsole makes it tremendous versatile: It felt good in any respect paces, from relaxed lengthy runs to quick, quick jaunts round my neighborhood.
“This can be a good operating shoe for lengthy runs and restoration runs,” says Fitzpatrick, “with a ton of cushion in a surprisingly light-weight bundle for what it delivers.”
Fitzpatrick additionally notes the Triumph’s well-padded midsole and comfortable higher design make it a stable alternative for strolling and for individuals who stand for lengthy intervals of time.
Effectively-cushioned and responsive
Shoe drains poorly when submerged in puddles
Higher creates a snug match
Firmer than New Stability 1080 v13
Planted, secure trip
Why You Ought to Belief Me
I’ve been testing and reviewing outside and health gear since 2018 for a wide range of publications, together with Runner’s World, InsideHook, Gear Patrol, and extra. Trainers is the class I’ve written about probably the most, and I’ve examined dozens of footwear over time, together with many pairs from Saucony. To get extra perception into the design of the Triumph 21, I additionally sought enter from Ted Fitzpatrick, Saucony’s vice chairman of product administration & merchandising.
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How I Examined Saucony Triumph 21
I acquired a pattern pair of Triumph 21s and examined them over the course of two weeks, logging about 22 miles in whole. I ran on a mixture of routes close to the place I stay in Los Angeles, together with quick neighborhood jogs and longer efforts on metropolis streets and steep hills. I ran primarily in gentle, sunny circumstances, but in addition did one check run in regular rain. Though the Triumph 21 is classed as a street shoe, I took my check pair on a brief stretch of hard-packed path close to my condo in each dry and moist climate.
To get a greater sense of how these footwear examine to different competing choices, I examined them towards the Nike Invincible 3 and New Stability 1080 v13, two different well-cushioned coaching footwear. In these side-by-side exams, I ran with a Triumph on one foot and an Invincible or 1080 on the opposite and took be aware of the variations in match and really feel.
