Gear
Saucony Triumph 23 Review: Same Cushion, Softer Feel
Thanks to plenty of plush padding and a smooth ride, the Saucony Triumph 23 is built for cruising.
All shoes are reviewed by the Fleet Feet tester team, which represents a wide variety of goals, foot shapes, running locations and terrains. Reviewers pound the pavement, climb the hills, tackle the trails, then come together to compare notes. Debates ensue over the feel of the cushioning, the purpose of the shoe, and how it compares to last year’s model. While each reviewer has their own individual preferences, we hope that capturing our debates will help you make an informed decision.
When you hear the word “triumph,” it’s easy to imagine yourself running down the home stretch of a marathon, your fists pumping, your mouth spread wide in a giant grin. These are the victories we’ve grown accustomed to equating with success, with triumph.
It can be harder to see all the small triumphs that lead up to that big moment: The days you didn’t want to run. The pre-dawn alarms you had to set. The grueling tempo and threshold sessions and the unglamorous just-get-the-miles-in runs.
The Saucony Triumph is built for the latter. It may not be the fastest shoe to crush your next workout or race, but it will be there to provide comfort and cushion as you log your daily miles, stacking weeks upon weeks until it’s time for your triumphant, finish-line moment.
In its 23rd iteration, the Saucony Triumph uses a softer PWRRUN PB compound and a redesigned outsole, both of which result in a lighter shoe than we saw in previous models Does the Triumph 23 still deliver during the quiet victories it was built for, or has the softer, lighter update shifted its stride? Read on to learn more.
Saucony Triumph 23
Tech Specs
| Weight |
8.4 oz (W), 9.2 oz (M)
|
|---|---|
| Stack height (heel/forefoot) |
37 mm/27 mm
|
| Heel-to-toe drop |
10 mm
|
| Experience |
Smooth
|
| Surface |
Road
|
| Price |
$170
|
| Comparable to… |
ASICS GEL-Nimbus 27, New Balance 1080 v14
|
| Ride | 4/5 on the Firm to Plush Scale |
| Cushioning | 4/5 on the Minimum to Maximum Scale |
| Energy | 3/5 on the Relaxed to Propulsive Scale |
Super Responsive Sockliner = super improvement
The Saucony Triumph 20 and 21 were my favorite shoes for logging easy miles. They got me through multiple training cycles, and I loved the soft-yet-responsive feel of the cushioning. Last year, I was excited to test out the 22, but felt disappointed with the way the midsole had changed. It felt heavy and flat compared to the previous versions I had loved so much. With that said, I was eager to try the 23.
My first few runs in the Triumph 23 brought mixed emotions. It definitely feels like an improvement from the 22, but I wasn’t enjoying them quite as much as the 20 and 21. Saucony claims this version of the Triumph 23 uses a softer PWRRUN PB blend—a super-critically foamed ePEBA midsole material—than in previous models. The cushioning felt pleasantly soft, but it ultimately fell short of really impressing me. Maybe I’ve become too picky from four years of shoe testing, I thought.
My last run in the Triumph looked a little bit different. I didn’t wear the Currex insoles I usually use for arch support because I had them packed away for upcoming travel. Instead, I just wore the shoe as it came, with the Saucony-manufactured sockliner inside. It won’t make a big difference, it’s just a sockliner, right? Wrong! The Saucony Triumph 23 doesn’t use your standard sockliner; it’s what Saucony calls their Super Responsive Sockliner. This sockliner adds another layer of foam underfoot, and this time I was impressed. The shoes felt gloriously plush and luxurious, offering the perfect albeit delicate balance of softness and resilience. Who knew such a small detail could make such a big difference?
Max agrees, saying, “The PWRRUN PB foam is soft, which is what I want in a high-cushion shoe built for daily miles and long runs, but it’s also surprisingly energetic. It provides some pep in my step, even during longer runs.”
I wasn’t planning to run fast in the Triumph 23, and I would typically use a lighter, more responsive shoe for speedwork, but I found myself doing some unplanned pickups in the middle of my easy runs. I’m not following a structured training plan right now and only doing workouts when I feel like it, and the mood definitely struck a couple of times during my test runs. I did 30-second pickups and 1-minute pickups and, while the shoe didn’t feel like it was slowing me down, it definitely wasn’t giving me any speed advantages either (I’d recommend the Endorphin Speed 5 for that).
So, while you can run fast in the Triumph 23, it really shines during the slower paces you’ll find yourself running during conversational miles with friends or recovery runs.
“I took the Triumph 23 out for a recovery run after the Flying Pig Half Marathon, and they got the job done,” says Heather, who just paced her husband to his first half-marathon finish. I can’t say that they were particularly exciting to run in, but not every shoe needs to show off; some just need to be a go-to utility player, and that's where the Triumph fits. It’s trusted and true for easy efforts and long runs thanks to the plush cushioning. There was not a lot of bounce in the shoe, but I also didn’t feel like I was sinking into the shoe as I ran.”
Plush padding delivers premium feel
When I said the Triumph 23 felt “gloriously plush and luxurious,” I wasn’t just talking about the underfoot cushioning. The entire shoe wraps your foot in thick, cushy padding without weighing you down.
I’m typically a 6.5 in most running shoes, but I noticed the Triumph 23 felt a tad roomier than I would have liked in the forefoot. It wasn’t something I felt on the run, but something that slightly irked me when putting the shoes on. Thankfully, the thick, tubular laces fit nicely in the extra eyelet as I tied the marathon loop to really cinch down the fit. I had no problems with heel slippage during my miles.
Heather, who has high-volume feet (feet that take up lots of space within the shoe), agreed with my assessment of the fit.
“The fit was surprisingly roomy given my high instep,” she says. “The Triumph has plenty of depth for my foot, and also runs pretty wide. I had more than enough room to wiggle my toes, but it didn’t feel sloppy. This shoe will be amazing for someone who wants that little bit of extra room, but doesn't want to sacrifice feeling secure in the shoe.”
Max, who has narrow, low-volume feet, says, “The fit of the Triumph 23 allows me to get a really nice lockdown in the midfoot and a decent amount of room in the toe box. My toes are able to splay out without feeling like they’re swimming around in excess fabric.”
The width and volume of your feet are always taken into consideration by our team when you get fit at Fleet Feet. Fleet Feet outfitters use 3D fit id® foot scanning technology to take precise measurements of your foot length, width and arch height to make personalized recommendations. Head into your local Fleet Feet to find your perfect fit!
Saucony Triumph 23 versus Triumph 22
Tech Specs | Saucony Triumph 23 | Saucony Triumph 22 |
Weight | 8.4 oz (W), 9.2 oz (M) | 8.8 oz (W), 10.1 oz (M) |
Stack height | 37 mm/27 mm | 37 mm/27 mm |
Heel-to-toe drop | 10 mm | 10 mm |
Price | $170 | $160 |
As I mentioned earlier, I wasn’t a huge fan of the Triumph 22. It felt a bit clunky to me, and I missed the softness of the prior models. In my opinion, the Triumph 23 is a major improvement to the 22.
It’s quite a bit lighter than the previous model, but still retains the same amount of cushioning underfoot. And, while you can’t tell based on a tech spec chart, the cushioning feels much softer. A redesigned carbon-rubber outsole creates more flexibility in the midfoot, delivering a smoother ride.
“The 23 feels lighter, faster and more nimble compared to the 22,” Max agrees.
How does the Saucony Triumph 23 compare?
We took a look at some comparable models to see how the Saucony Triumph 23 stacks up. Here’s what we found:
Tech Specs | Saucony Triumph 23 | ASICS GEL-Nimbus 27 | New Balance 1080 v14 |
Weight | 8.4 oz (W), 9.2 oz (M) | 9.3 oz (W), 10.8 oz (M) | 8.3 oz (W), 10.5 oz (M) |
Stack height | 37 mm/27 mm | 42.5 mm/34.5 mm (W), 43.5 mm/35.5 mm (M) | 38 mm/32 mm |
Heel-to-toe drop | 10 mm | 8 mm | 6 mm |
Experience | Smooth | Smooth | Smooth |
Price | $170 | $165 | $165 |
The Saucony Triumph 23 feels comparable to the ASICS GEL-Nimbus 27 and New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v14. All three shoes deliver thick stacks of plush cushioning and premium, padded uppers. They’re similar across weight, stack height and price, too.
While Max found the Triumph 23 to be much firmer than the 1080 v14, I think the Fresh Foam X used in the 1080 actually feel quite similar to the PWRRUN PB blend used in the Triumph.
Who is the Saucony Triumph 23 best for?
Thanks to plenty of plush padding and a smooth ride, the Triumph 23 is built for cruising. It’s best for runners who enjoy a soft underfoot ride, and will work well for those who crave some extra toe space.
Not quite ready for all that cushioning? Check out the Saucony Ride 18 for a more connected feel. If you’re looking for added support, the Saucony Guide 18 may be a good fit.
