Friday, August 25, 2017

Saucony Triumph ISO 4 First Run Impressions: Smooth All Over

Article by Sam Winebaum, Editor

Just got in my 1st run in the Saucony Triumph ISO 4, actually wearing the ISO 4 on one foot and the ISO 3 on the other to closely compare.
Triumph ISO 4
Now with a full Everun TPU midsole, it is nicely energetic but unlike full Boost TPU midsoles without EVA or plastic pieces to stabilize such as the Ultra Boost, here it is stable and tamed due to the burly outsole or maybe the different makeup of Everun which seems slightly firmer than Boost. 

The downside of the full Everun midsole in ...weight. My size 9 pre production sample weighs over 11 oz. Final production weight should come in at 10.6-10.8 oz so very close to the weight of the ISO 3 of 10.5 oz They do run way lighter than their weight due to their smooth transition and rebound and also for that matter lighter than the 10.7 oz Triumph ISO 3 on my other foot. We will be confirming final production weights as early samples can vary.

The redesigned decoupled (see longitudinal grooves up front) outsole makes them transition more smoothly than ISO 3 but overall with a touch less of a firmer pop off the heel despite the fuller rubber coverage there as the midsole is softer but also transmits far less shock. 
LEFT: Triumph ISO 4 RIGHT Triumph ISO 3
The upper is very plush, decently supportive but light on the foot overall with less overlay material in the ISOFit bands than ISO 3. No pressure points anywhere. As a result, the half size up sample size 9 is a touch to big for me whereas at half up the ISO 3 is just right.  I would go true to size with a next pair.
LEFT: Triumph ISO 4 RIGHT Triumph ISO 3
More miles to run for sure but Triumph ISO 4, despite what appears despite a class leading weight, to likely to become a new favorite in the premium, plush daily trainer category for his just right cushioning softness, comfortable upper, and smooth transitions.  
When compared to the ISO 3, my early impressions is that overall it is a slightly softer shoe, one that transitions more smoothly, but while bouncier from the Everun with a touch slower response. The upper is clearly superior in comfort and hold and more accommodating  
It is smoother running at slower paces than the heel heavy TPU based Energy Boost 4 (RTR review), has a more refined less constrictive upper than the Gel-Nimbus 19 (RTR review) its closest comparison in terms of ride, a firmer more stable heel than the Brooks Glycerin 15 (RTR review), and a softer ride and easier toe off than the Nike Vomero 18 (RTR review). Fans

Available November. $160. 
Full review soon. 
See our review of the Triumph ISO 3 here
See our Saucony Spring 2018 preview article here


The Triumph was provided at no cost. The opinions herein are entirely the author's.
Comments and Questions Welcome Below!
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21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi,
Is it softer in the heel and front (iso 4) than the saucony triumph iso 3? Is it as stable? Which is more responsive shoe? I wasn't sure by your comments - I think you said the iso 4 has faster transition but dosen't have the pop in the heel of the iso 3. Would you see the iso 4 as an upgrade overall or more a side grade. I have the iso 3 so it would be helpful whether to stay with it or not. Thanks.

Sam Winebaum said...

Hi Anonymous,
It is early in my evaluation but yes it is a touch softer than ISO 3 overall. I would say the ISO 3 is a bit more responsive but also harsher in feel, more shock transmitted. Transitions in the ISO 4 are smoother. The full Everun midsole is the big change. There is no question it makes for a more comfortable somewhat bouncier ride but shoe gains about 0.7 oz in weight, not that noticeable. If the ISO 3 upper works for you the ISO 4's while more comfortable is not a huge change. Hope this helps
Sam, Editor
Thanks for reading Road Trail Run! You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram where we publish interesting run related content more frequently as well as links to our latest reviews. Shopping through links on articles help support RoadTrail Run and is much appreciated.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your quick response. Would you say they as soft as the saucony freedoms? or slightly firmer. Also would you say they are more for slow and moderate pace like the triumphs 3s or can you do faster paces in them too. Sounds like they have quite a bit of bounce to them too. Thanks

Sam Winebaum said...

Hi Anonymous,
Not as soft as Freedom whose softness I think comes mostly from the softer less substantial outsole, particularly at the heel, less drop and no heel counter on Freedom. Unlike Freedom also plenty of forefoot cushion. So ISO 4 is more stable. In terms of faster slower paces similar to ISO 3 but with more bounce but a touch less response as not as firm, a more comfortable upper, and a smoother transition.
Sam, Editor
Thanks for reading Road Trail Run! You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram where we publish interesting run related content more frequently as well as links to our latest reviews. Shopping through links on articles help support RoadTrail Run and is much appreciated.

Anonymous said...

Is the Triumph ISO 4 a softer or firmer ride than the Glycerin 15? Appreciate your reviews very much. Thanks!

Sam Winebaum said...

Hi Anonymous,
A slightly firmer ride for Triumph ISO 4 from what I can tell so far but with more bounce. I find Glycerin a bit to soft for me.
Thanks for reading!
Sam, Editor

Anonymous said...

Thanks, is the saucony triumph iso 4 slightly softer in the heal than the saucony triumph iso 3. I found the saucony iso 3 a little too firm in the heel. Thanks and love your reviews.

Sam Winebaum said...

ISO 4 is slightly softer in the heel than ISO3 due to the Everun

Wes Arnold said...

Hi, finally stepping away from my Clifton 3s as my go to daily trainer for long steady miles. I’m currently deciding between this and the Skechers Ultra Road 2. Any observations regarding these two options as a Clifton 3 replacement? From what I’ve read the Clifton 4 is almost a completely different shoe hence why I’m not considering it.

Sam Winebaum said...

HI Wes, Skechers Ultra Road 2 would be a good replacement. Somewhat firmer than Clifton 2 land Clifton 3 was about the same as 2 it has a great upper and is light. The Clifton 4 is not a completely different shoe it is somewhat firmer and for some the upper snugger. It is different in the sense it is heavier. The logical replacement for Cliftons of old such as the 1 might be the upcoming Mach, Clayton 3 if you will in Feb. Just starting to run in this 7.9 oz shoe and while firmer than Clifton,a good thing for me as I found all Cliftons overly soft and unstable at the heel, it is slightly softer than Clayton and transitions vey nicely. Upper has plenty of well held room. Triumph ISO4 would be a great move over from Clifton. Should be far more durable and long lasting has a very roomy well held upper and plenty of cushion with some bounce. It is a considerably heavier shoe at more than 10.5 oz Reviews of all expect Mach (coming) at the index page linked below
Sam. Editor
Thanks for reading Road Trail Run! See our page with links to all reviews here http://www.roadtrailrun.com/p/blog-page.html You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram where we publish interesting run related content more frequently as well as links to our latest reviews. Shopping through links on articles help support RoadTrail Run and is much appreciated.

Wes Arnold said...

Hi Sam, thanks for speedy reply. Yes the Mach and Cavu look interesting for my next 10k race shoe. I have just tried on the Ultra Road 2 at local Skechers store but the knit upper worries me about breathability. I get very hot feet and I got the impression they would roast in that upper. Might be wrong. Although the Triumph isn’t out for a month or so and is heavier I’m tempted to hold out for that as my daily distance trainer. I don’t mind the softness of the Clifton but the toe box and restricted/shallow upper has been causing more problems recently - I think my feet are growing or swell much earlier when out running.

Gill said...

What does transmit less shock means?
Will it give shock to legs, feet (which is bad)
Or will it distribute the shock effect(which is good thing)

Sam Winebaum said...

Hi Unknown,
There is good attenuation of shock vibration to legs and feet here. Better than ISO 3 for example. The Everun does distribute the forces well. Sometimes soft midsoles attenuate shock but do not rebound much, a mushy sinking then struggle to go forward. Not the case here as there is good rebound also better than ISO 3 from the combination of the Everun and the firm outsole. As the foot compresses the midsole at the right moment you want the shoe to respond to transition then toe off and the rubber here does a good job of that.
Sam, Editor

Anonymous said...

How does shock absorption and pop off heal of iso 4(Everun)compares to Boston 6
(boost)?

Sam Winebaum said...

Hi Anonymous, First very different shoes as the Boston is a light performance trainer and the ISO 4 a heavy duty trainer. The Boston has good pop off the heel but is softer there and less stable. A better comparison to Boston might be the Freedom ISO which is slightly firmer as far as Everun and has no heel counter so yet less stable for me. You might consider the adidas Tempo 9. It has Boost plus a thicker layer of EVA than Boston. It is firmer than Boston but not quite as firm or massive as ISO 4. firmer pop off the heel than Boston. Very stable all over as it has some light stability elements including a layer over the side wall at the mid foot boost to stabilize. Some may not care for this but I am neutral and have no big issues and it is decently light, lighter than Triumph ISO 4. See reviews for all of the above at the link below.
Sam, Editor
Thanks for reading Road Trail Run! See our page with links to all reviews here http://www.roadtrailrun.com/p/blog-page.html You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram where we publish interesting run related content more frequently as well as links to our latest reviews. Shopping through links on articles help support RoadTrail Run and is much appreciated.

Anonymous said...

Hi Sam
I could not stand the iso 2 for one simple reason that once I tied it tight the top started bunching/folding in which made it lose some structure in my view
The lacing system looks much more like the freedom iso which is much better so is this still a problem?

Anonymous said...

Hi Sam
I love the feel and ride of the freedom iso but it just doesn’t have enough cushioning for my weight
Does this feel like a beefed up version or is it significantly different in firmness?

Sam Winebaum said...

Hi Anonymous, Triumph ISO 4 significantly more cushioned and stable than Freedom. More Everun but also firmer outsole. Also look at New Liberty ISO. Much like Freedom but overall more stable and roomier. See below for link to its review from our index page
Sam, Editor
Thanks for reading Road Trail Run! See our page with links to all reviews here http://www.roadtrailrun.com/p/blog-page.html You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram where we publish interesting run related content more frequently as well as links to our latest reviews. Shopping through links on articles help support RoadTrail Run and is much appreciated.

Anonymous said...

Hi Sam,
When will the full review of the Saucony triumph iso 4 be out? It would be great if you could compare it to the new Brooks levitate and other cushioned shoes. Thanks

Sam Winebaum said...

Hi Anonymous,
I hope to have the full review posted by the end of next week. My initial comparative conclusions above still hold true. Levitate has a more "hydraulic piston" like midsole feel, measured kind of energy return with Triumph somewhat more responsive and bouncier
Sam, Editor

Anonymous said...

Great, looking forward to the review. :)