The right running shoe can be the key to staying healthy, enjoying your runs, and staying comfortable while achieving all your running goals. And with so many options out there in today’s running shoe market, it’s likely that your perfect running shoe is out there somewhere.
However, all these running shoe options can be both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, there are so many options to choose from, all of which work for a wide range of runners. But on the other hand, finding the perfect shoe for you can feel completely overwhelming. After all, how do you narrow it down from all the different brands and models?
Fortunately, at Marathon Sports, you have a team of footwear experts ready to help determine the best running shoes for all your goals and needs.
One brand you might want to consider when trying on shoes is Saucony – the OG running brand itself.
Dating all the way back to 1898, Saucony has a long, proven history of creating high-quality running shoes designed for comfort and performance. And two of their flagship models, the Ride and Triumph, continue to excel when it comes to offering top daily trainers to runners, walkers, gym-goers, and more.
Both the Ride and Triumph – now on the 19th and 24th iteration respectively – combine Saucony’s best technologies to create unparalleled comfort and luxury on runs. So what are the key differences between these two shoes, and which of the brand’s most popular shoes is right for you?
Keep reading for a closer look at everything these two models have to offer, along with some key differences to keep in mind when deciding which shoe is the best choice to add to your running rotation.
Saucony Ride 19 vs Triumph 24: A Quick Summary
From a quick glance at the Ride 19 and Triumph 24, it looks like the shoes have more similarities than differences. Based on appearance alone, the shoes are very similar. Both feature a wide platform of cushioning underfoot, a plush mesh upper, and a sleek, streamlined overall design.
Both shoes also serve a very similar purpose. These two neutral shoes feature plenty of responsive cushioning, making the Triumph and Ride two great options for anyone looking for a comfortable and versatile daily driver.
However, while the shoes share many similarities, there are a few key factors that set them apart. Keep reading for an in-depth look at everything the Saucony Ride 19 and Triumph 24 have to offer, how the shoes differ, and which option is best for you.
Ride vs Triumph: Stack Height and Cushioning
While the Ride and Triumph are both neutral shoes, meaning they allow the feet, arches, and ankles to move naturally without any extra correction, they do differ in their overall cushioning level.
The Ride 19 is Saucony’s neutral, moderate cushion daily trainer. While the brand has added more and more cushioning over the years, it avoids an overly-plush, max cushion feel due to its responsive cushioning and moderate-to-high stack height.
The shoe features 36 mm of PWRRUN+ cushioning in the heel and 28 mm of foam in the forefoot. PWRRUN+ is one of Saucony’s most dependable and protective foams, offering a soft, responsive, and balanced ride. The midsole is lightweight and durable, giving a touch of softness with each landing while maintaining a bouncy and responsive feel.
And while the Ride 19 is all about balance, the Triumph 24 is all about comfort, plushness, and luxury. This high cushion trainer has a massive stack height of 43/33 mm, ensuring there’s plenty of soft cushioning to absorb impact and keep you comfortable after miles and miles.
In the latest version of the Triumph, the shoe’s midsole unit relies on a new IncrediLUX foam. Despite the high stack height, this high-performance foam helps the shoe maintain a remarkably lightweight and responsive feel with more energy return than ever.
Both the Triumph 24 and Ride 19 have plenty of foam and cushioning for guaranteed shock absorption. However, the different types of foams, along with the Triumph’s slightly higher stack height, result in some major differences in the midsole. Runners who want a dependable everyday trainer that can do it all will likely prefer the Ride’s reliability and versatility, while runners who prioritize cushion and overall comfort may want to consider trying the Triumph 24.
Ride vs Triumph: Overall Fit and Design
Like most Saucony shoes, the Ride and Triumph both fit true-to-size. Both shoes are designed to fit a wide range of foot sizes and shapes, featuring a wide, accommodating toe box for extra space and comfort.
And if you need some extra width in your running shoes, both shoe models have options for you. The Ride 19 and Triumph 24 are available in both standard and wide widths.
Once again, while the shoes have some key similarities in overall fit and design, there are also some significant differences that impact which shoe will work better for you, including in the geometry and drop.
At 10 mm, the Triumph 24 has a relatively high heel-to-toe offset. This high drop has some benefits to it, including providing extra cushioning for heel-strikers and reducing stress on the achilles tendon and lower leg, but it may feel unnatural for mid or forefoot strikers or anyone accustomed to a lower drop shoe.
In comparison, the Ride 19 features a more standard 8 mm heel-to-toe drop. This moderate drop may result in a slightly more natural, grounded feel for some runners, along with promoting a healthy and natural foot strike.
While both shoes also have a slight rocker, the Triumph features a much more dramatic, pronounced rocker geometry for more propulsion and guidance through each stride. The Triumph’s wide platform adds even more guidance, offering a stable base for smoother landings and transitions.
Ride vs Triumph: Upper
The upper is one area where both the Ride 19 and the Triumph 24 shine. The two shoes both feature a soft and flexible engineered mesh upper, designed to securely wrap the foot while ensuring breathability and ventilation throughout runs.
The Ride’s mesh upper is slightly lighter than in the shoe’s high cushion counterpart, which plays a key part in reducing the shoes overall weight and keeping your feet feeling light and cool on runs. The slight padding along the heel collar and tongue locks your foot in place and keeps you comfortable throughout any type of run without feeling too obtrusive.
The Triumph 24, however, is all about cushioning and padding, and its plush upper design is no exception. While the engineered mesh does have some ventilation, it’s thicker and more padded than the Ride’s mesh upper. This cushioning wraps your foot in unparalleled comfort, while the adaptive lacing fits the shoe to your foot shape to prevent excess movement and ensure a secure fit.
While this padding feels great on long runs, it also gives the Triumph a slightly heavier, clunkier feel, making the Ride a lighter and more versatile option for daily miles or up tempo runs.
Ride vs Triumph: Durability and Value
Running shoes can be an investment, so you likely want a shoe that can stand the test of time and hold up to all your training runs.
Fortunately, Saucony tends to prioritize durability and longevity in many of their running shoes. The Triumph 24 features an XT-900 carbon outsole for extra traction, while the Ride 19 uses a reliable rubber outsole to improve grip and durability.
While both shoes utilize a durable and lightweight outsole, the rubber on the Triumph 24 offers slightly more coverage and protection than the Ride’s outsole. And with a higher stack height of high-quality foam, the Triumph is built to hold up through long distances and daily mileage. Despite both shoes being sturdy and long-lasting, you may find you get more mileage out of the Triumph.
This durability is a key feature to keep in mind when considering the price difference between the two daily trainers. The Ride 19 rings up at $144.95, while the Triumph 24 is $169.95. But if you prefer some extra cushioning and longevity in your daily running shoes, you may find the Triumph to be worth the extra cost.
Who Should Consider Trying Each Shoe?
Taking a closer look at all the features of the Ride and Triumph, it’s evident they have a lot in common, along with a few key distinctions. So who does each shoe work best for?
If you’re looking for something dependable and adaptable that can truly do it all, the Ride 19 is one of the best running shoe options, not just from Saucony but in the entire modern running shoe world. The moderate stack height offers plenty of cushioning to support you on long runs, while the responsive, no-frills midsole foam easily carries over from fast, uptempo workouts to daily training miles.
At $145, the Ride also offers great value, durability, and versatility for an affordable price. Any beginner runners looking for their first running shoe or casual runners who want a good all-around trainer will find plenty to love in this neutral, moderate-cushion shoe.
But if you want to add a bit more luxury and plushness to your runs, the Triumph 24 might be for you. The novel IncrediLUX foam makes this high-cushion shoe feel softer and more comfortable than ever. Between the high stack height, extra padding around the upper, and wide base, the Triumph is built to help you tackle any distance.
While this new foam is still relatively responsive and bouncy compared to other high-cushion shoes, the Triumph works best as a designated long-run shoe or everyday trainer for anyone prone to injuries or who prefers extra protection underfoot.
The two shoes are similar in weight – the Triumph weighs in at 8.8 oz for men’s and 7.6 oz for women’s compared to 8.9 oz and 7.7 oz for the ride. However, the Ride has a more streamlined and sleek midsole design, as opposed to the Triumph’s wider, more pronounced midsole. Runners who prioritize a sleek and versatile design may find the Triumph a bit too heavy when it comes to picking up the pace.
Saucony Ride 19 vs Triumph 24: The Final Verdict
Over years and years of running shoe designs, innovation, and new technology, Saucony has cemented its legacy with a huge variety of dependable and trusted running shoe models that people enjoy around the world.
Taking a closer look at the Ride and the Triumph, it’s easy to see how these two daily drivers have maintained their spots as two of Saucony’s top running shoe lines.
From their soft, accommodating upper to their well-balanced cushioning, both shoes have so much to offer. But no two runners are exactly the same, and everyone has their own individual needs and preferences when it comes to what they wear on their feet when heading out for a run.
We can go over all the similarities and differences between the Ride and Triumph, from the cushioning to the upper to the overall design, but the best way to decide which shoe will work for you is to try them out for yourself.
At your local Marathon Sports, you can try on these two Saucony shoes, along with some of the other best current running shoe models. Once you narrow down your options and find the right shoe for you, you’ll be ready to take on any run in comfort and style.
