Saucony Triumph 21 Might Just Be the Comfiest Workhorse in Your Rotation

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In the running shoe world, huge, thick midsoles stuffed with ultra-plush cushioning foam are all the rage proper now (suppose Hoka running footwear). Saucony Triumph 21, the newest iteration of the model’s max-cushion on a regular basis training shoe, falls squarely in that class. 

Triumph 21 is a max-cushion workhorse training shoe. It’s designed for high-mileage sturdiness and appropriate for runners of all expertise ranges who like an opulent really feel underfoot.

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Overall Impressions

Compared to a few of its puffed-up opponents, Saucony Triumph 21 affords a extra restrained tackle maximalism. It has loads of cushioning, in fact, but it surely’s not so tender that it saps your power. 

After a pair weeks of testing, I’ve come to understand its well-balanced journey and accommodating, snug match. 

Ultimately, I feel it could go well with a variety of runners and paces.

Key Features and Tech

Compared to its predecessor, Saucony Triumph 21 is a delicate replace, not a significant overhaul.

“If you liked Saucony Triumph 20, you’ll feel at home in the Triumph 21,” Ted Fitzpatrick, Saucony’s vice chairman of product administration & merchandising tells Men’s Journal through electronic mail. “Everything that worked underneath the foot is carried over.”

The midsole makes use of Saucony’s Pwrrun+ cushioning foam. This materials is produced from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and, in comparison with older variations of the foam, 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 produced from Saucony’s XT-900 carbon rubber compound. The rubber placements stretch all throughout the backside of the shoe, from the toe all the manner 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, round the ankle collar, and at the heel creates a comfortable, safe wrap round the again of the foot.

Pros and Cons 

Overall, Triumph 21 impressed me in testing. The shoe served up a very snug journey that hit a pleasant steadiness in phrases of cushioning. The Pwrrun+ midsole took the edge off influence forces, but it surely wasn’t overly tender 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 running over cracked, angled sidewalks and up and down steep hills.

To get some context on Triumph 21’s cushioning, I examined it in opposition to two well-cushioned opponents: New Balance 1080 v13 (amongst the greatest marathon running footwear) and Nike Invincible 3 (our decide for the greatest Nike running 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 journey; I might actually really feel my toes sinking into the midsole foam at touchdown. The Triumph didn’t create that very same pillowy journey, but it surely 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 far more evenly matched in their cushioning experiences. Both provided a well-cushioned journey with out being overly mushy, and each felt responsive. I’d say Invincible felt a bit softer than Triumph, however the distinction between the two 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 problem. I didn’t must 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 journey. Once laced, I actually didn’t have to consider the Triumph; I might simply zone out and cruise.

Nitpicks? I’ve a number of. I took my take a look at pair out for a wet run, and in the course of that journey I stepped in deep puddles twice. Unfortunately, I found Saucony Triumph 21 doesn’t drain very effectively—after sloshing round for a number of steps, I needed to cease, raise my foot up, and let the mucky water drain out by way of the prime of the forefoot.

Final Verdict

As 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 tender. If you’re the form of runner who loves marshmallowy cushioning underneath your toes, you’ll be upset 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 brief, quick jaunts round my neighborhood.

“This is a perfect running shoe for long runs and recovery runs,” says Fitzpatrick, “with a ton of cushion in a surprisingly lightweight package for what it delivers.”

Fitzpatrick additionally notes the Triumph’s well-padded midsole and cozy higher design make it a stable selection for strolling and for individuals who stand for lengthy intervals of time.

Why You Should Trust Me

I’ve been testing and reviewing outside and fitness gear since 2018 for quite a lot of publications, together with Runner’s World, InsideHook, Gear Patrol, and extra. Running footwear is the class I’ve written about the most, and I’ve examined dozens of footwear over the years, 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 Tested 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 complete. I ran on a mixture of routes close to the place I reside in Los Angeles, together with brief neighborhood jogs and longer efforts on metropolis streets and steep hills. I ran primarily in gentle, sunny situations, but additionally did one take a look at run in regular rain. Although the Triumph 21 is classed as a highway shoe, I took my take a look at 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 evaluate to different competing choices, I examined them in opposition to the Nike Invincible 3 and New Balance 1080 v13, two different well-cushioned training footwear. In these side-by-side checks, I ran with a Triumph on one foot and an Invincible or 1080 on the different and took observe of the variations in match and really feel.

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