Review of the Saucony Triumph 22

For this test, I had the opportunity to try out the Saucony Triumph 22, a model released in May 2024 at a recommended retail price of €190.00. Three words sum up this shoe perfectly: comfortable, responsive and versatile. These features make them a great option in the Saucony range for runners looking for a good balance between performance and comfort, whether for short, medium or long outings, on roads or paths. Here's my feedback after a month and a half of intensive use.
 

Table of contents 

• First Impressions during the test of the Saucony Triumph 22
  • Evaluation of the design
  • Potential impact on your practice
  • Points of questioning or hesitation
• How the Saucony Triumph 22 was tested in hand
  • Opinion on the comfort of the Saucony Triumph 22
  • Quality of lacing
  • Foot support
• Field test of the Saucony Triumph 22
  • Foot protection
  • Foot and ankle support
  • Grip and adhesion
  • Stability
  • Quality
  • Front and rear cushioning
  • Dynamism
  • Respirability
  • Shoe Width
• Overall impressions of the Saucony Triumph 22
  • Need to change shoe size when purchasing
  • Longevity of the product

  • Éco-conception and repairability

    Vvalue for money

• What we learned from our test of the Saucony Triumph 22 ?
• Summary table of Saucony Triumph test 22

First impressions during the test of the Saucony Triumph 22

With this running shoe, Saucony promises a pair "designed for everyday movement". Let me tell you, the brand's promise has been kept. I found this pair extremely comfortable and dynamic, so much so that it could easily become my "everyday pair" or the one I'd take on holiday without any particular training programme.

Design assessment

À première vue, il est clair que Saucony n'a pas opté pour le minimalisme, et tant mieux, car le maximalisme est justement en train de revenir en force dans le running ! Malgré son aspect « robuste », cette paire n'est pas pour autant encombrante ou difficile à porter. En effet, sa silhouette reste moderne, et la variété de coloris proposés par la marque saura plaire aux coureurs en quête de style. 😉

Potential contribution to your practice

Cette Triumph 22 est très utile pour mes sorties quotidiennes ainsi que pour les longues distances (au-delà de 15 km). Je cherchais une paire confortable capable d'accumuler les kilomètres sans difficulté, et je suis pleinement satisfait de ce modèle. La mousse PWRRUN PB est un atout majeur, offrant un amorti remarquable tout en conservant une excellente restitution de l'énergie. Il est d'ailleurs intéressant de noter que cette mousse est habituellement réservée aux modèles plus rapides de la marque.

Question marks or hesitation points

When we received the pair, the big question was whether Saucony would be able to surpass the previous models (20 and 21), which had been widely acclaimed by the running community. Another question concerned the shoe's durability. Being partly made from recycled materials (well done Saucony for this initiative), I wondered what impact this would have on the wear of the foam.

Test handling of the Saucony Triumph 22

That's the strong point of this pair. As soon as you put them on, you feel really enveloped, which is an excellent advantage for outings of 20 to 30 or even 40 kilometres. In some respects, it could be compared to the Asics Nimbus. In fact, both are among our top most comfortable shoes. What's more, the FORMFIT system guarantees a personalised and, above all, very precise fit at every point of contact with the foot, which is something we really appreciate.
 

There's nothing extravagant about the lacing on this model, which is fairly classic, with standard-sized laces that do the job perfectly. However, take care when tightening the last eyelets. The tongue is relatively thick, mainly for comfort reasons, so it's important not to compress the top of the foot too tightly. Also, for those who like a perfect fit, Saucony have added a final eyelet slightly to the side of the upper, which can be useful if you're looking for an ultra-precise fit 😉
 

The brand advertises a 'neutral' level of support. For my part, I really felt that the support was impeccable, whether at slow or fast speeds. The support was already excellent on previous versions, and Saucony has confirmed its mastery in this area.

The Saucony Triumph 22 field test

I tested the Saucony Triumph 22 running shoes for just over a month and a half, covering a total of 130 kilometres. The shoes were mainly used on passable roads and paths with small gravels. During this period, I did various types of training, including 10km runs, long 20km outings and slow jogging. The weather conditions were mostly dry, although two sessions took place on wetter ground. I did runs of all distances: short, medium and long.
 

The fit of this shoe is excellent, and clearly rivals the likes of the Asics Nimbus. Thanks to the FORMFIT system, which ensures a precise fit at every point of contact with the foot, the shoe also offers remarkable stability. The ankle doesn't move, even on slightly more technical trails, making it a great option for everyday use.

It's not the shoe that will give you the best foot roll, but that's not its main objective either. Its 'solid' side provides the necessary cushioning for great comfort, but this results in a less fluid roll-off compared with a shoe more geared towards performance and competition. However, in spite of this, it still enabled us to perform relatively well in a fast race, such as the London 10km.

Surprising as it may seem given its 'size', the pair remains relatively dynamic. We tested this shoe during the London 10km, and although it's not specifically designed for competition, it enabled us to break the 36-minute barrier and to get going again effectively in the second half of the race. The level of dynamism is therefore perfectly acceptable for a shoe that isn't initially designed for performance.
 

It's hard to say after just 130 kilometres, but Saucony has made us used to shoes that can easily exceed 800 kilometres. To date, we've noticed a little wear to the foam on the side, mainly due to the volume of the shoe and my stride, which can sometimes cause rubbing. Beyond that, the mesh has shown no signs of wear and the sole is holding up perfectly.

Summary table of Saucony Triumph 22 test

In terms of price, the Saucony Triumph 22 remains within the norm. It is currently positioned slightly below the Nimbus 26 (€200) and slightly above the Hoka Bondi 8 (€170). The brand is therefore maintaining the price of the Triumph 21 when it first came out, despite the significant changes it has undergone. In our opinion, the price remains perfectly fair.

What can we learn from our test of the Saucony Triumph 22?

If you're looking for a reliable, versatile shoe that offers good cushioning while retaining a more than decent level of dynamism, don't hesitate to go for it! However, bear in mind that these shoes are designed primarily for training.

Summary table of Saucony Triumph 22 test