Saucony Triumph ISO Review

Saucony Triumph ISO Shoe Review

The Saucony Triumph ISO has been a shoe I have wanted to try since its release a few months ago.  Since I was having such good luck staying injury-free during marathon training, I didn’t want to try anything new.  This meant waiting to try new shoes, new training methods, etc.…I knew what worked and I stuck with it.

After I started running again, I decided to take the plunge and try the new Saucony Triumph ISO.  Before actually running in them, I tried them on and walked around several times at work.  I knew by all the updates Saucony had done on Saucony Triumph ISO; I wanted to try running in them eventually.

Side Note: I’m always hesitant to do running shoe reviews because what works (or doesn’t) for me, won’t always be the same for others.  I like a lot of cushion and am a neutral runner.  This means that shoes such as the Saucony Triumph ISO are a good option for me.

This also means I don’t care for minimalist shoes but to each their own.  Another thing to keep in mind is that I’m not a techy person.  Either the shoe feels right to me or it doesn’t and I’ll explain why.  I don’t care so much about the technical side of a shoe so I won’t review that part.  Plus, there are much better blog posts that review that anyways…I give my personal experience with the shoe.  (And no Saucony is not paying me to review their shoe).

Saucony Triumph ISO Price: $150

I like a lot of cushion and cushioned shoes are more expensive.  This price of the Saucony Triumph ISO compares to the Asics Nimbus (150) or the Brooks Glycerin (150).  Honestly, cushion keeps me healthy, so I stay cushioned.

Saucony Triumph ISO Fit:

As a company, Saucony generally runs a little bit wider.  Saucony Triumph ISO is not wide but it is wider.  In my opinion, the Saucony Triumph ISO is one of the more narrow models Saucony has created.  In most brands, I wear a 9.5 wide.  In most Saucony shoes I wear a 9.5.  In the Saucony Triumph ISO, I still need to go wider into a 9.5 wide.  The toe box is wider, but it is also has a wider heel.  For me I wish the heel was a little bit narrower, but it still fits well.

An essential piece of the Saucony Triumph ISO is the ISO.  This is the new update that makes the upper of the Saucony Triumph ISO more glove-like.  It indeed hugs the metatarsals (without constricting).  I have a high instep, so I was surprised it could accommodate my feet well.

Saucony Triumph ISO Ride:

The Saucony Triumph ISO is more of a firm than I am used too.  For the last 4 months, I was training exclusively in the Nimbus.  The Saucony Triumph ISO is much more lightweight and also lower to the ground.   The primary reason I like the Saucony Triumph ISO is that it’s got a lot of cushions but is lightweight (like the Hoka Clifton).

Instead of the 12-millimeter drop, there is an 8 in the Saucony Triumph ISO. Does this matter?  It provides less heel to toe drop and will probably make your calves a little bit tighter for the first few runs.

When I went for my first run, my calves were sore.  That could be since it was my first run post-marathon or because of the different heel to toe drop from the Nimbus.  Either way, they were sore.  I have been running every run (alternating with the Nimbus).   I don’t mind at all and enjoy the feeling.  Since I naturally run and walk on my toes, it feels good to have a shoe that supports that.

Saucony Triumph ISO Conclusion:

I like the Saucony Triumph ISO.  For now, I will continue it in my rotation of running shoes.

Saucony Triumph ISO is a great lightweight running shoe while still providing a lot of cushion.  Working at a running store, I can say it was one of the best shoe updates that a company has made for 2015.  For me, the Saucony Triumph ISO fits well into my rotation.

Edit to add: I have put roughly 100 miles on Saucony Triumph ISO.

Questions or you:

Have you run in the Saucony Triumph ISO?

Do you prefer a lightweight or more substantial shoes?

I prefer to train in heavy shoes.  While they do slow down my pace, they provide cushion that allows me to keep healthier.