Saucony is one of the longest standing brands in the running shoe world. Dating back to 1898, the brand has over a century of experience in innovative walking, running, and everyday footwear.
Over the years, Saucony has consistently delivered comfort, cushioning, and protection in a huge variety of running shoe models.
One of the brand’s most comfortable and cushioned models is the Saucony Triumph. The Triumph is a high cushion daily trainer that’s ideal for everyday miles, recovery runs, or long runs.
Over time, the Triumph has adapted and evolved to reflect changing running shoe trends and innovative new technologies. The 24th iteration looks very different from the original Triumph from the early 2000s. But just like every predecessor before it, the Triumph 24 is made to deliver plush, reliable comfort during everyday wear.
The newest Triumph maintains much of what our reviewers loved about previous iterations of the shoe. It boasts a high stack of foam, cushioned upper, and soft and smooth ride geared towards long runs.
However, the shoe also features some major upgrades. Between the all new midsole foam and the incredibly lightweight construction, our review team couldn’t wait to take a closer look at the Triumph’s novel features.
Our Review Process
Our team at Marathon Sports loves immersing ourselves in all things running shoes. We dive into all the features, specs, and highlights of every new shoe that comes through our doors. This gives us a complete understanding of every model so we can help you find the perfect running shoe for all your needs.
But for these reviews, it’s important we take it a step further for the clearest possible picture of how a running shoe performs. So our team laced up the Triumph 24 for a variety of different runs. The shoe accompanied us through easy everyday miles, long run days, speed workouts, and all the miles in between.
Between our deep dive into the technical aspects of the shoe and our thorough road testing, we achieved a solid grasp on everything the Triumph 24 has to offer. Throughout this review, we’ll highlight our findings and summarize all the key features that can help you determine if the Triumph 24 is the right fit for your needs.
A Brief Summary of the Saucony Triumph 24
Before we dive into this comprehensive look at the Triumph’s features, we’ll give you a quick rundown of what specs and highlights you can expect.
- Advertised as a neutral, high cushion daily trainer
- Stack height: 43 mm in the heel, 33 mm in the forefoot
- 10 mm heel-to-toe drop
- Weight: 8.8 oz (M), 7.6 oz (W)
- New IncrediLUX midsole foam designed for plush, premium landings
- Upper made from a breathable mesh with plenty of extra padding around the heel collar and tongue
- XT-900 carbon rubber outsole offers superior grip and durability
- Sustainable design – fully vegan and contains recycled materials
- Price: $170
Saucony Triumph 24: What’s Under the Hood?
Now that you have a better idea of the features that make up the Triumph 24, let’s dive deeper into each element and how it plays a role in making the Triumph 24 one of the softest, most luxurious trainers on the market today.
Brand New IncrediLUX Cushioning
Previous iterations of the Triumph have relied on PWRRUN PB – a soft yet responsive foam – in the midsole. But the Triumph 24 debuts IncrediLUX foam, an all-new type of cushioning that brings more energy and rebound to the shoe.
Like previous versions, this soft midsole foam keeps the shoe feeling incredibly plush underfoot. However, this innovative cushioning balances the softness with fantastic lightness and energy return.
This supercritically-foamed ATPU cushion brings exceptional bounce and spring to every step. It isn’t always easy to keep high cushion shoes feeling dynamic and lightweight, and with a stack height of 43 mm/33 mm, the Triumph is on the higher end when it comes to sheer amount of foam underfoot. However, this new foam manages to find this balance so you can enjoy both luxurious plushness and responsiveness.
Mesh Upper and Fit
The midsole unit isn’t the only pillowy-soft feature found in the Triumph 24. The max cushion design extends to the upper, where the breathable mesh keeps feet comfortable and happy through every step of a long run.
Both the heel collar and tongue have a lot of padding, which hugs the foot and provides a secure all-around fit. Even the laces are thick and rounded for a luxurious step-in experience. And while the upper doesn’t sacrifice cushioning and comfort, the rest of the material around the foot is incredibly lightweight and well-ventilated.
The Triumph hasn’t always offered the most consistent fit, and in the past, it lacked volume and width in the toe box. So we’re happy to report that Saucony addressed these issues, creating a wider, more spacious toe box with plenty of volume. It’s also available in a wide width to accommodate even more foot shapes and sizes.
Shoe Geometry and Overall Construction
High cushion shoes, especially those as soft as the Triumph 24, can often feel unstable or bulky. Fortunately, the new Triumph incorporates several unique features designed to reduce these issues and deliver smooth, efficient strides.
First, the shoe features a subtle but propulsive rocker geometry, a curved midsole design that guides you forward and minimizes strain and pressure as you run.
The wide base is another big plus. While the shoe is neutral, meaning it doesn’t add any corrective support, the wider, flared base adds some inherent stability and sturdiness through each landing.
Shoe drop – the difference between the amount of cushioning in the heel and forefoot – can also play a role in how a shoe feels and who might benefit from a running shoe model. The Triumph 24 has a 10 mm offset, which is one of the highest drops you’ll find in the running shoe world today.
With 10 extra mm of cushioning in the heel, you can expect lots of plushness and protection when your heel hits the ground. It can also take some strain off parts of the lower leg, including the achilles and calf. So if you have past lower leg injuries, or tend to heel strike, you might enjoy this high drop construction.
Value and Durability
Premium cushioning usually translates to a premium price tag, and at $170, the Triumph 24 is on the higher end of pricing compared to standard daily trainers.
However, the Triumph 24 offers long-lasting wear and lots of value for your money. The XT-900 outsole delivers impressive durability, so you can tackle all your long runs and daily training miles without worrying about early wear or breakdown.
The carbon rubber outsole also boosts the shoe’s overall versatility and performance. It provides plenty of traction to keep you safe and secure as you tackle different terrains or runs in slippery weather conditions.
Sustainability
Looking for a more sustainable, environmentally-conscious running shoe? Saucony has your back with the Triumph 24.
The newest model incorporates eco-friendly, recycled components throughout its construction. It’s also made entirely of vegan materials.
Road Test Results: How Does the Triumph 24 Perform?
The Triumph has delivered reliable and consistent comfort across 20+ iterations, and our review team couldn’t wait to see if the newest release lives up to the reputation this high cushion shoe has built over the years.
The shoe is made for long distance runs, so that’s where we started the review process. Members of our review team laced up the Triumph 24 and hit the road for some long, slow, easy mileage.
The immediate standout during these runs was the new IncrediLUX foam. The shoe felt incredibly soft and plush underfoot. As the name promises, it delivers a truly luxurious ride that effectively absorbs impact and protects the legs and feet over the course of long mileage.
While the Triumph has always been a dependable high cushion shoe, past iterations have felt a bit firm and inflexible. The IncrediLUX foam takes the shoe in a whole new direction, creating a soft yet responsive ride that a huge range of runners can enjoy.
Some of our reviewers even did a side-by-side comparison with the Triumph 23 on one foot and Triumph 24 on the other. While both were comfortable, this direct comparison truly emphasized the IncrediLUX foam’s softer, more responsive feel. This new foam really breathed new life into the shoe, offering the dynamic, energetic landings lacking in many of its predecessors.
The rocker was subtle but effective in providing forward momentum and propulsion on runs. The combination of the soft, more flexible foam and this rocker geometry ensured smooth turnover through each stride.
Not only did this new foam boost softness and energy return, but it also makes the Triumph impressively lightweight for such a high cushion shoe. The men’s Triumph 24 weighs 8.8 oz and the women’s weighs 7.6, down from 9.2 and 8.4 oz respectively in the Triumph 23.
This lighter construction is definitely noticeable, and it keeps the shoe from feeling bulky and heavy as the miles add up. And while it wouldn’t be our top choice for speed runs due to the soft cushioning, this lightweight, responsive design definitely gives it enough of a pop for more uptempo run days.
The XT-900 carbon rubber outsole is another standout feature. This outsole design has provided reliable grip on a huge range of Saucony shoes, and the Triumph 24 is no exception. The shoe excels on road runs, but can also handle wet pavement, dirt paths, and even light packed trails.
While we still have lots of miles ahead of us in the Triumph 24, this outsole also isn’t showing any signs of early wear and the cushion feels just as bouncy as the first few miles. With this minimal wear and compression, we feel confident in the shoe’s longevity and durability, particularly as a daily trainer or long run shoe.
Our review team found a lot to love about the Triumph 24’s modern upgrades. However, there are a few features that may not work for every runner or walker looking for their next long run shoe.
The IncrediLUX foam gives the Triumph 24 a more cloud-like step-in feel that’s more reminiscent of standard plush high cushion shoes on the market today. However, some runners may find this updated ride too soft and unstable. The wide base does add some stability, but runners who prefer more structure and groundfeel may want to look elsewhere.
The high 10 mm heel-to-toe offset is another feature to keep in mind when you’re considering adding the Triumph 24 to your running shoe rotation. Several members of our review team found the raised heel was pretty noticeable on runs. This is a great feature for heel strikers or anyone who prefers extra heel protection, but runners who prefer their feet in a more natural position may find it uncomfortable.
Overall, we were impressed with how Saucony was able to revitalize a shoe that’s been around for years with new innovations and technology. The Triumph 24 maintains the same comfort and cushioning that we’ve come to expect from this model, but with a couple key changes that make it a top choice in the neutral high cushion running shoe category.
Pros and Cons
As we uncovered throughout our road testing, the Triumph 24 has a range of features that shine on runs, as well as some areas that could use improvement. Here’s a summary of the Triumph 24’s pros and cons.
Pros
- New IncrediLUX foam feels amazing underfoot. It blends softness and responsiveness for maximum comfort and protection throughout long runs and daily miles
- Subtle rocker geometry and flexible construction improves running efficiency and reduces impact
- Engineered mesh upper is lightweight with extra cushioning for maximum comfort and security around the whole foot
- XT-900 rubber outsole drives exceptional traction and durability
- Very lightweight for the amount of cushioning, giving the shoe more versatility
Cons
- May feel too soft or unstable for those who prefer to feel the ground under their feet on runs
- 10 mm drop can be hit-or-miss, particularly for those who prefer a more natural shoe construction
The Triumph vs the Competition: How Does It Stack Up?
Running shoe brands are trending towards high cushion, ultra plush shoes meant to deliver premium comfort and protection. So while the Triumph 24 is a great option in this cushioned trainer category, it’s not the only option to consider when you’re looking for your next running shoe.
While running in the Triumph 24, several of our team members drew comparisons to the Puma MagMax Nitro 2. The two shoes both have responsive midsole foam, a high stack height, and a wide flared base for extra stability. However, the MagMax Nitro 2 is slightly firmer than the Triumph 24. Anyone who finds the Triumph 24 too soft and squishy may want to consider Puma’s high cushion shoe instead.
But if the Triumph’s softness isn’t an issue for you, consider comparing the Triumph 24 to the New Balance 1080 v15. Like the Triumph, the 1080 has lots of plush yet responsive foam underfoot and excels during long runs. The 1080 is slightly lighter with a more natural 6 mm drop, so runners looking for a versatile all-rounder should consider the 1080 v15.
Ultimately, all of these shoes are great options for runners, walkers, or anyone who spends long days on their feet and wants lots of cushioning. The Triumph 24’s durable design is hard to beat, but if you’re in the market for a new shoe, we always recommend comparing your options to ensure you find the best choice for you.
Final Thoughts: Is the Saucony Triumph 24 Right for You?
Not every shoe is going to be perfect for every runner out there. So how do you know if the Triumph 24 is right for you?
The best way to find your right fit is with a visit to your nearest Marathon Sports. Our dedicated associates are trained to use the Right Fit process to narrow down your options and ensure you leave with a pair of shoes that will help you reach your fitness goals.
But the short answer is that if you want a high cushion, high drop shoe with lots of luxurious foam underfoot, the Triumph 24 could work for you. The shoe is softer, lighter, and more responsive than ever before, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a daily trainer or long run shoe.
Ready to find your perfect shoe? Swing by Marathon Sports or visit our convenient online store. No matter how you shop, we’re here to help every step of the way.
