Saucony Triumph 18 Review: Bottomless Cushion and Comfort Above All. Too Much of a Good Thing?

Article by Jacob Brady and Sam Winebaum

Saucony Triumph 18 ($150)

Introduction

Sam: Yup, no question the Triumph is Saucony’s super plush, highly cushioned neutral trainer with its quite bouncy PWRUN+ TPU midsole, big 32.5mm /24.5mm stack height and fairly substantial weight at 11.1 oz /312g.  

I tested the Triumph 17, and while many on our team loved it (RTR Review), I was less of a fan. The then new PWRUN+ midsole was a great replacement for Everun but the crystal rubber outsole in the mix dulled the ride and pop, and it was on the stiff side. 

The 18 replaces the crystal rubber forefoot with a full coverage of high abrasion XT-900 rubber, retools the midsole side walls and heel geometry with less sculpted side walls and with more of and a flatter rear midsole overhang . 

The engineered mesh upper is more conventional in design with higher achilles collars while retaining,, and not sure why as the upper is so stout and mid oot so broad.. a bootie type tongue..I was very curious to see where all the changes led and where the Triumph would fit with other trainers such as Endorphin Shift, Ride 13, and even the light stability Omni 19  which all ansi saw substantial updates. And Saucony has not disappointed with a single shoe in 2020 as all have substantially and well updated. 

Jacob: The Triumph is Saucony’s plush, high-cushion, premium neutral trainer. The previous version 17 was a dramatic update to the Triumph line, introducing Saucony’s flexible and bouncy PWRRUN+ expanded TPU bead midsole and dropping the ISOFIT upper technology. In comparison, version 18 is a minor update, but it still sees some significant changes. The Triumph 18 keeps the big slab of PWRRUN+ but changes the forefoot outsole from the softer, more flexible crystal rubber of the 17 to a more responsive blown rubber. It also trades the 17’s large, highly-padded, unique heel collar for a more conventional heel design.

This is my first time running in any iteration of the Triumph, but I really enjoyed PWRRUN+ in the Freedom 3 and Switchback 2. I’m a fan of soft and bouncy midsoles in general and liked the springy, flexible, yet solid feel of PWRRUN+, so a huge stack of it as in the Triumph 18 sounded great. The Freedom 3 was a decent moderate pace, medium-to-long run shoe but was a bit light on heel cushion for some days, unless at a faster pace.

I was hoping the Triumph 18 would keep the enjoyable bounce and smooth, free feeling of the Freedom but provide enough cushion to cruise through runs of any length (20+ mi) will a more relaxed feel underfoot. Overall I was expecting a durable trainer with a fun ride for long runs or recovery runs.

Sally's Women's Colorway

Stats

Weight:: 11.1 oz men's / 315g (US9)  /  women's 9.7 oz / 275g  (US8)

  Samples: 10.8 oz /306g (US8.5), 13.3oz/376g (US M12)

9.7 oz / 274 g (US W8) 

Stack Height: 32.5mm / 24.5mm, 8mm drop

Available August 2020.  $150

Pros:

Sam/Jacob: Great combination of bottomless,, slightly bouncy cushion and response from outsole

Sam/Jacob: Muted, protected ride but not overly soft with a decent if mellow move-along sensation

Jacob/Sam: Well-sized, slipper-like and dense upper holds securely but softly without pressure or tightness, almost a performance fit

Jacob/Sam: High quality materials and polished design, excellent expected durability

Jacob: Effortless, “shoe-running-for-me” feel on downhills—epic on steep downhills

Cons:

Sam/Jacob: weight gain of 0.5 oz /14g is felt

Sam: overbuilt upper for shoe’s more mellow purposes, warm

Sam: PWRUN+ softness and so much of it leads to more quad fatigue 

Jacob: Running uphill is a chore

Jacob: Somewhat plodding ride

Jacob: Not very fun on tired legs which lowers versatility

Tester Profiles

Jacob runs a mix of roads and trails in the Portland, Maine area. He has been running every day for over two years and averages 50-60 miles per week. Jacob has run several marathons and shorter (≤ 50km) ultras and mountain races in the past two seasons, with a PR of 2:51 in the marathon. In addition to running, he surfs, rides (mountain/gravel/road), and nordic skis. He is 25 years old, 6 ft / 182 cm tall and about 155 lbs / 70 kg.

Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is 63 with a 2018 3:40 Boston qualifier. Sam has been running for over 45 years and has a 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range training 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah. He is 5'10" tall and weighs about 163 lbs if he isn't indulging in to many fine New England IPA's.

First Impressions and Fit

Jacob: The Triumph 18 is clearly a premium shoe. Out of the box the construction, from stitching to material choice, is immaculate. 

Minor design choices such as the embossed “18” on the heel and well-placed reflective elements add to the professional feel. However, upon lifting the shoe for the first time, the high weight is quite apparent—never desirable, but the hope is that weight will lead to comfort, durability, and a ride that’s not possible in a lighter shoe.

The on-foot feel is soft, seamless, and slipper-like with plenty of padding and no pressure points. It reminds me of the soft and very comfortable Freedom 3 upper but more structured in the heel and more padded overall. It doesn’t feel snug—kind of low around the ankle—but foothold is great, which is an unusual and enjoyable combination. Sizing is perfect as well with a comfortable amount of space for my medium width foot.

Underfoot, the thick PWRRUN+ midsole is less soft than I expected after experiencing the material in the Freedom 3 and Switchback 2. Standing around, I don’t feel like I sink into the midsole at all, just the soft sockliner. Likewise, the apparent flexibility is not comparable to the very flexible Freedom or Switchback 2—in comparison the Triumph has a blockier, stiffer feel, though is still flexible. I was curious to see how it comes together on the run.

Sam: Massive, bright in my Mutant color, polished and premium in looks and feel. While the 17 focused one’s attention to its low, soft  and distinct molded rear collars here the whole shoe stands out.

Fit is an almost perfect true to size with a quite dense yet gentle all enveloping fit.  Wides are also available. I feel more toe box height in the 18 than the 17  The bootie tongue is noticed as present but in my one on each foot test less so than the 17’s. The new heel collars provide a super solid but not overwhelming rear lockdown and for my tastes are improved over the 17th’s lower softer collars. To much plush comfort there as 17 had was to much of a good thing,

Walking around I agree with Jacob there is no sense of mush or over softness but for sure this is a soft shoe. I am sure that full coverage outsole plays a big role in keeping the underfoot out of the realm of oversoft pillow

Upper

Jacob: The Triumph 18 upper has a clean aesthetic; understated in the gray/red colorway I received. It employs a soft, somewhat thick two-layer mesh with additional structure around the toebox and overlays around the midfoot. It has a very rigid heel counter, a heavily padded bootie tongue, and thick, soft round laces. 

The tongue is padded with dense foam and is the most plush tongue of any shoe I’ve ever worn—it is comfortable on the foot but perhaps more padded than necessary. The heel collar is on the lower side and has a nicely free-feeling but still well-held fit. Given the amount of padding in the upper the feel on foot is not suffocating; far from airy but not uncomfortably hot (even in temps above 90F/30C). Sizing is perfect with some roominess in the forefoot but no slop and a smoothly well-held midfoot and heel. 

The great foothold given the slipper-like comfort is very well-done. A fantastic upper in comfort and foothold, though perhaps a bit excessive in plushness given the high weight of the shoe. However, maximum comfort is Saucony’s goal with the Triumph, so it’s understandable why they went this direction.

Sam: We have a plush premium thicker engineered mesh upper that supports well with some thoughtful overlays to protect the sides of the toe box which otherwise is engineered mesh with a stiffener inside.

The tongue is very thick but not overly soft or overly compressible. Crank the fun ( a contrasting black pair also included) stretchy tubular laces down as far as you need to. Zero bite.

The upper’s midfoot is all about support with not only a stout thick gusset bootie type tongue but also via an array of 3D printed rectangles which clearly add to the support picture without, as in the 17, long more vertical overlays somewhat preventing a friendly wrap of the foot.  I note for example less pressure under the arch in the 18. I had to use a picture of Sally’s pair as mine are so bright the rectangles can’t be seen!  

I am glad the effectively low, very soft and thick, almost cartoonish looking heel collar is replaced by a stout better held but still molded unit that has better rear hold for me.

The FormFit system of insole, midsole side sculpting, and shaped lower board conform perfectly to the bottom of the foot and are not the usual, everything flat below. Most all 2020 Ssucony have this excellent system.  Added up you are nestled to the platform, totally secure, and comfortable with no rigid elements contrasting. 

Ok, after all the praise for this outstanding upper is it too much of a good thing adding to weight and making the shoe less breathable and heavier?  I think so. The Omni 19 a support/stability  shoe has a similar holding but lighter upper with a less substantial bootie. It is yet more comfortable and breathable. Bottom line, the Triumph 18 has a great upper but maybe more than the stable underfoot platform actually needs. I felt somewhat the same about the Ride 13. Bring on the next generation thinner mesh of the Shift, at pretty much the same shoe price point. 

 

Midsole

Jacob: The Triumph 18 uses a single slab of Saucony’s TPU bead foam, PWRRUN+. This is the same material used in the Triumph 17, Freedom 3, Switchback 2, and Xodus 10. PWRRUN+ is a bouncy, flexible foam, similar to Adidas Boost and Reebok Floatride Energy. 

In the Freedom 3, which I loved, PWRRUN+ felt dramatically flexible, nicely soft and notably bouncy. In the Triumph 18, the thicker PWWRUN+ feel is more subdued. Its most notable characteristic is its bottomless cushion and lack of any mushy feel given the cushion depth and softness. The feel of the foam however is less soft than in the Freedom 3 and Switchback 2. I think the thick and soft sockliner and firmer, comprehensive outsole plays a part in muting the feel of the PWRRUN+ in the Triumph. On step-in, it doesn’t give the impression of being a super-soft foam, sink-in foam (e.g. NB FuelCell in the TC or Nike Zoom X). On the run it is more notably soft, but not dramatic in any regard, just a well-cushioned, nicely bouncy, stable and consistent foam. It works quite well and gives a nice move-along sensation to a beefy shoe, but has minimal “wow” factor. 

Sam: Soft with some noted bounce but not of the “out of control” and needing plastic pieces to control and direct, looking at you Boost. Saucony clearly gets the control and response from the outsole here, but more on that in Outsole.  PWRUN+ while heavier than some of the newer PEBA based foams such as PWRUN PB in the Endorphin Speed and Pro or the somewhat firmer PWRuN in the Ride 13 and Shift is nonetheless the ideal material for the plush ride here. Bottomless in cushion yet with no sense of mushiness or instability, except maybe a bit when run very, very slow, the Triumph 18 is about as cushioned a shoe as you will find that is still runnable and not a slow motion chore. 

The geometry changes from the 17 with a flatter on the ground platform at mid foot, a more beveled rear midsole similar to some of the adidas Boost and less of a rocker bevel at the heel to move you forward a bit faster past the soft. 

Also note the stitched gray vertical strip. Below the stitching is reflective material. A similar reflective element “decorates” the tongue.

In my one on each foot test, the 18 is more cushioned in feel than the 17 and more stable at the heel with a faster transition off the heel at slower paces. This was clearly felt in such a test. I am a bit puzzled by the additional cushion feel at the heel especially as the T17 has a slightly higher spec stack at 33.5 heel / 25.54 forefoot.  But there may be a good explanation for this in the differences in the midsole geometry and the heel outsole design and materials discussed below in Outsole.

I had noted in my Cons for the 17 that its heel felt heavy and ponderous. This feel is somehow gone or at least reduced in the 18. It just runs more smoothly with a long easy lay down and easy long flexing toe off,  I attribute the changes to the new heel geometry, the flatter profile of the midsole at midfoot and the new outsole.

Outsole

Sam: The outsole replaces the 17’s extensive forefoot to midfoot slippery and I found soft and mushy crystal rubber (orange below) with fairly firm high abrasion carbon rubber with no horizontal cut outs to the midsole as before but with longitudinal ones.  

All of the yellow rubber from heel to forefoot appears to be of the same firmness with the green medial piece, for a touch of support firmer. Note also in the picture above that the midfoot cut out to the medial side in the T18 is narrower while its center cavity is also narrower but deeper. In combination with the darker green firmer rubber now at mid foot, replacing crystal rubber, we have a more stable flatter feel at mid foot, less arch pressure and I think a slightly smoother transition if not quite as snappy as T17’s. Again the focus on comfort and cushion through and through here.

The 17 had a very firm and thick black heel rubber with less segmentation than the new outsole and that may be part of why the 18 heel feels softer.

The consistent rubber firmness contributes to a very consistent feel underfoot from heel landing to toe off and a slightly more cushioned and stable feel than the 17. 

Jacob: The Triumph 18 employs a full-coverage, consistent density high abrasion carbon XT-900 rubber with key decoupling including a deep channel underneath the midfoot and beginning of heel. The depth of the channel perhaps also contributes to why Sam noted the heel feels softer, as the cutout makes it easier to compress the foam. 

The outsole rubber is amply thick and medium firmness which provides good durability, stability, and lower flexibility. While a firmer rubber or more rigid rubber can give a shoe a notable snap off the toe and more noticeable transfer of power from your foot/leg to the ground, in the Triumph 18 the thickness of the midsole negates most of this feeling. Perhaps it has more snap/response than the crystal rubber forefoot of the Triumph 17 (which I didn’t run), but it’s not particularly quick in any regard. As for traction, as with all of Saucony’s shoes I have run in 2020, it is solid on all surfaces.

Ride

Sam: We’ve said it more than once… bottomless soft cushion here with decent bounce from the midsole and response from the outsole. This is not a speed ride. It is a comfort, soft neutral ride with plenty of inherent stability with a smooth and gradual lay down at the heel, transition and toe off.  I weigh 162 lbs, 73kg. It is a ride that never had me really bogged down as many heavier softer shoes tend to but I do think the lighter the runner the more ponderous it will ride if you can’t compress the foam to rebound as far as a heavier runner might. This may be particularly in play at slower paces. 

Most of my rides were of the more mellow variety and all were super pleasant and smooth. I did pick up the pace a few times and was surprised that the forefoot response and pop increased nicely. This said this is not a shoe I would pick up for faster paces. It is an easy days, long slow no look at the watch kind of shoe for me. All this makes me wonder if the Triumph 18 front outsole could use a touch more segmentation and thickness (as Ride 13 so brillantly has)  while reducing the midsole stack would liven up the speed along with dropping some weight?

Jacob: Sam summarized the ride well regarding a cushion-first feel with a bit of bounce and ground-feel. It has a dull, muted ride with good stability and a protected, comfortable feel that isn’t too soft and moves me along smoothly. 

Unlike Sam, however, I definitely get bogged down a bit from the weight and softness. The Triumph 18 feels too plodding, like I have a hard time turning over my legs as there isn’t enough spring on toe off and it feels very heavy on the foot—hard to keep moving, especially on uphills. Most of my test runs were slower/easier as well. On days when I was fresh, though the feel was never effortless (some shoes are heavy but not notably on the run, but I always notice the high weight of the Triumph 18), my pace was surprisingly fast. However when I am tired it is a real chore to get to a decent pace in the Triumph 18, especially on climbs. In addition to multiple easy/endurance runs in the 7-12 mile range, I did one unplanned short speed work day (10 second pole sprints) in the Triumph 18 and it was really rough (as expected, but interesting to try). It had far too much cushion for short speed and not nearly a quick enough snap off the toe—it took far too long for the forefoot to rebound. I was really hoping for more of the spirit of the Freedom 3 with the softness/bounce/fun, but the Triumph 18 is much more subdued. It has a comfortable, casual ride for random miles, but for me is not conducive to long runs or easy days (unless I want to run really slowly).

Conclusions and Recommendations

Sam: My previous favorite heavy duty recovery, slow and easy shoe of 2020 has been the heavier yet Saucony Xodus 10 trail shoe and on all surfaces including road and as with the T18 it is also priced at $150. And I guess it’s not a surprise as it too has an bouncy PWRUN+ midsole shoe with a 31.5mm heel 27.5mm stack so slightly less heel stack and more forefoot but a far thicker outsole in the mix so likely a bit less or the same stack of PWRUN+.  Both provide an enjoyable slightly bouncy ride and tons of cushion, again bottomless, but not overly soft or overly ponderous but soft it is. Of course the trail Xodus 10 will be more versatile. More recently in my test of the Omni 19, also for me an easy days shoe,  I enjoyed its stability and great flexibility with some pop from the Omni somewhat firmer and more responsive PWRUN midsole and outsole

The Triumph 18 is of course clearly a highly cushioned road shoe and given its characteristics, one focused on top to bottom on comfort, and not speed or versatility. It succeeds in its mission and very well indeed. It would be too much shoe and weight for my preferences as a daily trainer but for easy days when you don’t want to think too much about form it is a fine option. For heavier runners, new runners, those on the edge of needing some pronation control and max cushion fans,  the combination of secure (maybe overly so) comfortable upper, stable platform, and expected durability makes it a top choice if you are not too shoe weight conscious.

And weight and a bit to much softness is my only big knock on the T18 which limits its versatility and value. Where to slim it down, I am not sure. but I might start with the fine but thick upper which surely adds weight at mid foot and at the collars. I also wonder what this shoe might feel like with a slightly lower stack of midsole to go with a lighter upper? I am sure there would still be plenty of cushion of the bottomless variety.  This might make it lighter but also maybe snappier and faster feeling to slot it just above the Ride 13 as a daily trainer thus increasing its versatility and value.

Sam’s Score:  9.1 /10

Ride:9 (50%) Fit: 9 (30%) Value: 8.7 (15%) Style: 10 (5%)

Jacob: The Triumph 18 is a max-cushion, max-plushness, max-weight comfort cruiser. It is high quality in construction and on the run feel. I completely agree with Sam that it succeeds in its goal of delivering ultimate comfort and cushion. However, it is too heavy and boat-like for my preferences and I only really enjoy running in it when I’m feeling fresh (so that moving along the weight doesn’t feel as burdensome) and want an ultra-protected feel. Max cushion fans who don’t mind high weight and are looking for comfort above all will not be disappointed with the Triumph 18, as it has bottomless cushion and a slipper-like feel while still having good stability, lock-in, and moderate response. Again, I agree with Sam that I in a next version I would love to see the upper slimmed down as well as a couple millimeters cut off the stack to drop a lot of weight and extend its use from a speciality comfort-first shoe to a do-it-all daily trainer, slotting in between the lower-stack, more dramatic-in-ride Freedom 3 and the current Triumph 18. 

Jacob’s Score: 8.45 / 10

Ride: 8.5 (50%) Fit: 9 (30%) Value: 7 (15%) Style: 9 (5%)

Comparisons

Index to all RTR reviews: HERE

Saucony Triumph 17 (RTR Review)

Sam: The T18 is yet more cushioned, slightly more stable, especially at the heel, heavier and has a smoother transition but gets nudged beyond the daily trainer category by its weight where the T17 sat on the upper end of weight for me into the easy days realm. I do not miss the crystal rubber even if the T17 has a teeny touch more response. The new Triumph upper while on the warm side is superior in all respects: heel hold, not as snug arch hold, and toe box vertical volume.

Saucony Ride 13 (RTR Review)

The Ride has Saucony’s firmer more responsive PWRUN TPU EVA blend in a somewhat lower stack and a thick forefoot outsole that is both more responsive and flexible. It has a similarly dense and supportive upper. If you want a lighter more peppy daily trainer with plenty of, but not bottomless cushion, check out the Ride. If you want forever comfort and cush and aren’t worried about pace clearly the Triumph. 

Saucony Endorphin Shift  (RTR Review)

If you want max cushion, lighter weight, and a rocker based ride clearly the Shift is the choice. It is nervier in feel, faster, and more stable but is not the ultimate in plush soft cushion as Triumph is. It is a far more versatile shoe than Triumph crossing easily into daily training which T18 doesn’t for most.

Saucony Omni 19  (RTR Review)

Sam: An interesting comparison. Both weigh exactly the same and have roughly equivalent stack height. Omni has the slightly firmer more responsive PWRUN under a very substantial outsole that also contributes to its better pop and response. It is a support shoe with a mildly felt stability post whereas T18 is more neutral. It’s upper is almost as supportive and far more breathable and lighter. It is $20 less and I am not sure why, but I will not complain. as it has a yet more comfortable upper if a bit more relaxed in fit as the Triumph and is a bit peppier and less bottomless and soft in cushion. 

Watch Sam's Video Review with Comparisons to Triumph 17, Ride 13, and Endorphin Shift

Saucony Xodus 10 (RTR Review)

Sam: If you want bottomless PWRUN+ cushion similar to Triumph in a 4mm drop shoe, incredible any surface versatility including road for easy days and trails any day, any surface Xodus 10 is a better value for sure at the same $150.

Saucony Freedom 3  (RTR Review)

Jacob: The Freedom 3 was my introduction to PWRRUN+ and I was a big fan. The implementation in the Freedom is bouncy, lively, and super flexible. In comparison the Triumph 18 feels dull and muted. Both shoes have top-class comfort but for me the Freedom 3 is more comfortable as the upper is more breathable and flexible. I prefer the Freedom 3 for all runs, from easy long runs to speed days, as it is much lighter, more fun to run, and still amply cushioned. However it does require a bit more focus on form and is missing the bottomless heel cushion feel of the Triumph. If you’re looking for a max cushion feel, the Triumph 18 is the call. For any other uses or as a daily trainer, the Freedom 3 is my pick.

New Balance Fresh Foam More v2 (RTR Review)

Sam" Almost 2 ounces lighter with at least as much cushion stack and a broad on the ground platform  the More is a clear big stack alternative  but..its ride is quite frankly dull, stiffer and flatter in comparison despite the huge weight advantage. 

Nike Infinity React (RTR Review)

Sam: Billed as a sort of stability shoe with knee stabilizing rails and a very broad on the ground platform and lots of forgiving React cushion, the Infinity is considerably lighter and faster but for me is held back by the rails and the Flyknit upper. While heavier the Triumph is smoother, clearly more plush and pleasing all around, and slower. which is perfectly OK for easy runs.

New Balance FuelCell Propel v2 (RTR Review soon)

Jacob: The midsole feel and level of cushion at the heel are similar but the Propel v2 is much lighter with better toe rocker and less cushioning overall which makes it much more versatile and a fantastic daily trainer. The Propel is lacking the slipper-like comfort and has lower (but still good) expected durability but in terms of ride and versatility, especially at $40 less, it blows away the Triumph. While the Triumph is all soft, all cushion, the Propel has a roll-through, snappy toe-off which makes it work well at faster paces and easier to run at slower paces. I rarely would like more cushion than the well-cushioned Propel provides. Unless the more finicky fit of the Propel doesn’t work for your foot, I think it’s the call over the Triumph 18 for all uses.

Read reviewers' full run bios here. 

The product reviewed was a provided at no charge. The opinions herein are the authors'.

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