Saucony Triumph 21

• Posted on 6 December 2023
• 0

Meet the Saucony Triumph 21. With the high cushioned midsole and supportive fit, this shoe is built for all of the miles, long to short, work to run. 

Get the most luxurious feel with Saucony's PWRRUN+ technology, high-tech cushioning without missing out on performance with the soft and secure fit of the flat-knit upper.

THE FACTS

Support: Neutral

Weight: 10.0 oz (283 g) men’s, 8.5 oz (241 g) women’s

Stack Height: 39 mm (heel), 29 mm (forefoot)

Heel to Toe Offset: 10 mm

Best use: Everyday running

Surface: Road & Pavement

ON THE RUN 

Keith: It's to be expected that the Triumph 21 is the go to Saucony for long run comfort. The secret sauce, however, are the features that make it so springy and light, and set it apart from some of its more plush and luxurious competitors. Right out of the box, I took my pair out for 7 miles around Brighton that covered some pavement, some dirt, and lots of hills!! I had spent most of the day in another high cushion option, which I won't name here, and I was astonished by how much lighter the Triumph 21 was and how much more solid and responsive it felt compared to the marshmallow I came out of. The shoe performs especially well on the downhills, having plenty of heel cushion and a geometry that rolls smoothly forward when the heel strikes the ground. When pushing the pace on flat ground or huffing up the hills, there is plenty of energy underfoot and the miles flew by with as much ease as I can muster these days. I started to realize that this shoe that I expected to be an easy day or long run mileage eater, could just become my go to daily trainer as well.

Carly: I found this shoe to be extremely supportive while on a long run. My foot felt stable, and the shoe wasn’t too squishy. I enjoyed using these shoes for long runs, as opposed to my shorter runs because they are a little bit heavier.

THE FIT 

Keith: The Triumph 21 has a pretty standard shaped toe box, but it is pretty light and stretchy. Unless you have a rather high volume forefoot, it will fit most runners very comfortably. The midfoot wraps superbly. Saucony uses a lacing strap, or gilly, in order to allow the wearer to almost customize the midfoot of the shoe to their foot. The heel feels a bit chunky and wobbly when standing still, but became a non-issue as soon as I got my feet moving. The tongue and upper of the shoe give a feeling of comfort without being bulky, or feeling like there is too much extra. A plus always, it runs true to size. 

Carly: The toebox leaves plenty of room for your toes. My toes never felt squished. The sole of the shoe feels firm to the point where it's supportive but not hard. The heel cup felt secure without feeling too tight. The soft tongue enhances that soft, supportive feel of the incredible knit-upper. It also fits true to size. 

CUSHION 

Keith: One of my favorite things about the Triumph 21 is its liveliness. It doesn't have any dead weight to it and you never feel like you are sinking into quicksand. The combination of PWRRUN+ premium cushioning with a PWRRUNpb super responsive core, gives the runner a high level of both comfort and performance. 

Carly: I love the triumph because of the cushion, I think Saucony really does a great job of keeping the cushion without making it feel like your foot is sinking into the shoe.

STABILITY 

Keith: The Triumph 21, as a result of the oversized, curved heel, is not the most stable shoe. It feels great and balanced on roads and sidewalks, but I would warn against running on choppy or very uneven surfaces. 

Carly: Yes, my ankle and foot feel really stable in the shoe. I was worried with the softer upper that it might make it feel different but I was pleasantly surprised.

PURPOSE 

Keith: The Triumph 21 excels on the long runs. It has plenty of cushion for any distance, and won't stand in the way of picking up the tempo. It is a great option for a recovery run as well, but you'll have to have discipline as it is just so fun to go fast in. 

Carly: I recommend these for long runs.

COMPARISON 

Keith: In the high cushion neutral category, the Triumph 21 separates itself a bit by being firmer and more bouncy than most. The competition includes the Brooks Glycerin, New Balance 1080, Nike ZoomX Invincible, Diadora Mythos Vortice, On Cloudstratus, Asics Gel Nimbus, Hoka Bondi, Topo Phantom, etc. 

Carly: I am not sure, I’ve tried other shoes that are supposed to be similar but they are either too bouncy or too squishy.

PREVIOUS VERSIONS 

Keith: The update to the 21 is minor but thoughtful and a worthwhile improvement to the 20. The toebox is stretchier and feels more open. The lacing gillies are repositioned for a better ankle and heel lockdown, and the heel feels a bit more stable due to a reinforced heel counter. 

Carly: I like the 21 better than the 20. I am a loyal triumph lover but feel they really did a good job with the small changes they made.

WHAT WE THINK 

Keith: This shoe is for the runner who needs a bit of extra cushion but also values responsiveness and an energetic feeling under their foot. It is a great shoe to have in your stable if you want something more for your longest runs, or even to race a marathon in. I highly recommend giving the Triumph 21 a try. 

Carly: I recommend this shoe to anyone looking for extra support while training. It’s a good shoe for longer runs, especially during a training cycle.

MEET YOUR REVIEWERS

Keith

39 years old 

Wears men’s size 11D

Running has always been a part of my life. When I was younger it was mainly a way to stay in shape for soccer; running track in the off-season was a way to train hard and stay competitive. I liked it, but it wasn't until my first marathon in my late 20's that I really fell in love with running. Since then I have completed 9 marathons, a 50-miler, and two 100-milers while also competing in countless 5k, 10k, and half-marathon races. I enjoy running just about anywhere except the treadmill. I prefer trails in the woods to the road and my favorite spot so far is Corsair Trail System in the Huron National Forest near East Tawas, MI. I also frequent the many trails we have in Southeast Michigan. I currently work at Running Lab and have worked there for a total of just over 5 years, while also working as a personal trainer. My favorite thing about running is that it can be super competitive yet the running community is so supportive of each other.

Carly

40 year old

Wears women's size 8.5B

Running is a new hobby of mine (less than 2 years). I enjoy running outside as much as possible, especially with my running friends. I do not work in the industry. My two favorite things about running are that you can do it virtually anywhere and it’s a healthy way to deal with stress.