I was excited to try the Saucony Triumph 21. I’ve been a Triumph stan since around the Triumph 15 (maybe earlier). The Triumph has remained consistent in the running industry for years, even with the rise of minimalist and maximalist and carbon-plated shoes. It’s not always the first shoe people think of Saucony running shoes, but it is a heavy hitter when it comes to their running shoes. On a side note, I was curious about the first Triumph I reviewed, and it was the Saucony Triumph ISO in 2015. That was eight years ago, and I guess my reviews have come somewhat far.
Saucony Triumph 21 Quick Stats:
- Weight: 8.8 oz (women’s)
- Drop: 10 mm
- Price: $150
Saucony Triumph 21 Fit:
The Saucony Triumph 21 is a testament to the brand’s commitment to providing comfort and performance. The engineered mesh upper is designed to mold to your feet, offering a secure fit that doesn’t feel restrictive. This year, the Triumph 21 has been updated to include a flat knit upper. The toe box has ample room for toe splay, making it a good choice for those with wider feet or anyone who appreciates a roomy forefoot. Additionally, the padded collar and tongue enhance the overall comfort, ensuring your feet stay comfortable throughout your run.
Saucony generally has lower heel counters, and the Triumph 21 is no different. Sometimes, people feel like they are “sliding out of the shoe,” but I assure you you won’t run out of it.
The best-running shoe uppers disappear off your feet, and the Triumph 21 does just that. There are no hot spots. My one complaint is the flat knit upper doesn’t breathe as well as Saucony leads us to believe. It’s okay, but would I want to run in it on the year’s hottest days? Probably not.
Regarding fit, I wear a size 11 in the Saucony Triumph 21. While the Triumph does fit wide, I find it is a bit short, so I needed to bump up a half size to accommodate the length.
On a weird upper note, the Saucony Triumph 21 upper does look weird. It almost looks plasticky and cheap. I don’t know if I care for the extra shine on it, but no one else seems to feel that way.
Saucony Triumph 21 Ride:
When it comes to the ride, the Saucony Triumph 21 shines. It’s always been one of my favorite Saucony shoes because it’s a high-cushioned trainer but isn’t heavy. I love the extra cushion.
The neutral-cushioned shoe strikes a good balance between plushness and responsiveness. The PWRRUN+ midsole helps keep it more responsive.
Durability and Traction:
The Triumph 21’s outsole features strategic placement of durable rubber that offers traction and durability. It grips the road well, even on wet surfaces, giving you the confidence to tackle various terrains. I was slightly worried because the rubber doesn’t extend across the entire bottom of the shoe but I have run on the sandy trails and some inclement weather and haven’t had to worry about sliding around.
Regarding durability, Saucony running shoes generally last around 400 miles, and I don’t anticipate the Saucony Triumph 21 to be any different. I’ve now put about 100 miles on it without slowing down.
I wondered where the Saucony Triumph 21 would fit into my rotation. Would it be an easy-run shoe? A workout shoe? A recovery run shoe? I’ve found it works nicely into a daily run shoe. It provides plenty of cushions but is not so bulky that you can’t pick up the pace. I’ve run some pretty fast runs in it, and I appreciate that it’s a very responsive but high-cushioned trainer (similar to the ASICS Superblast).
Saucony Triumph 21 Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Saucony Triumph 21 is an excellent running shoe that can handle almost any type of training. It’s responsive yet highly cushioned so that you can run several paces.
Who should buy the Saucony Triumph 21? If you are looking for a daily trainer that can handle almost any run. It’s a jack-of-all-trades shoe.
Who should not buy the Saucony Triumph 21? If you are looking for a particular shoe type, IE is only for easy runs or hard workouts. There are better options, the Triumph 21 is more a jack of all trades.
My Current Shoe Rotation:
Easy/Daily Runs: Saucony Triumph 21, Antepes Muscle Runners, Tracksmith Eliot Runner, New Balance 1080v12, Newton Gravity 12, 361 Degrees Centauri, ASICS Superblast
Speed Work: Hoka Solimar, Altra Vanish Carbon, 361 Flame, Nike Tempo Next%, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro, Nike ZoomX Streakfly
Long Runs: ASICS Superblast
Trail Running/Hiking: 361 Futura, Brooks Caldera 6, Hoka Tecton X2 Shoe Review Speedland SL: PDX,
Races: Nike ZoomX Streakfly, New Balance Fuelcell 5280, Reebok Run fast Pro, Nike Vaporfly 3 Hoka Rocket X 2 ASICS Metaspeed Edge+
You Can See All Current Shoe Reviews Here.
Are you looking to learn more about running shoes? In my ebook, I talk about why you need a good running shoe, a shoe’s anatomy, neutral vs. stable, and even myths about running shoes.
Questions for you:
Have you tried the Saucony Triumph 21?
What is your favorite running shoe?