Saucony Triumph 18 Review
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By Tara Summerville Editor’s Conclusion
Need a little more cushion for the pushin’? The Saucony Triumph 18 has padding on padding on padding. From the upper down to the blown rubber outsole and even in the laces, the Triumph 18 is one beefy trainer. What I love most about this cushioned daily trainer is that it is packed with comfort features that really contour to the shape of your foot, and provide excellent energy feedback that feels like you are running on tiny trampolines.
It boasts a wide toe box for excellent toe splay for added stability and is composed of insanely durable materials that hold up well over hundreds of miles. One downside is that this shoe is a little on the heavy side, which makes it great for nice and easy runs but may not be ideal for speed or long-distance training.
Below, I wanted to dive deep into the unique features (both good and bad) that may make the Saucony Triumph 18 your next favorite pair of running shoes!
It boasts a wide toe box for excellent toe splay for added stability and is composed of insanely durable materials that hold up well over hundreds of miles. One downside is that this shoe is a little on the heavy side, which makes it great for nice and easy runs but may not be ideal for speed or long-distance training.
Below, I wanted to dive deep into the unique features (both good and bad) that may make the Saucony Triumph 18 your next favorite pair of running shoes!
Saucony Triumph 18 Review Review Facts
Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
Contoured footbed
PWRPRN+ midsole cushioning
Padded upped
Reinforced toe box
Excellent lockdown
Blown rubber outsole is incredibly durable
Cons
Expensive
The footbed is a little slick
Very heavy
The toe box is too wide for some
Key Features
Key Features
UPPER
If I could pick one word to describe the upper of this shoe, it would be luxurious. It boasts an engineered mesh upper that feels nice and cool as soon as you slip your feet inside. It has a semi-gusseted tongue that really locks it in place and a wide toe box that allows your feet to naturally splay inside of the shoe. One downside to this design is that the placement of the 3D print overlays makes this shoe a little less breathable, but enhances its overall stability.
One of the very first things that I noticed about this shoe is that if there is room for extra padding, Saucony shoves it in there! The collar and tongue are composed of a soft and squishy material that cradles your foot in place. Even the laces are lightweight and padded, which reduces that chance of cutting into your feet. Overall, the quality of the foam padding helps to boost lockdown for a snug fit that won’t shift around on your foot as you start to run. If you love ample padding on the upper and are willing to sacrifice overall breathability, this is a great choice!
MIDSOLE
While the overall weight of this shoe is less than ideal, that extra weight is not due to the midsole. Saucony uses their upgraded PWRRUN+ foam cushioning that is 25 percent lighter than the basic PWRRUN foam cushioning. What I love most about PWRRUN+ is that it is not only lighter than the base level foam, but it is also more responsive than previous iterations of their proprietary foam cushioning. It has heightened flexibility which allows for quicker and speedier movements.
The TRIFLEX design also helps to boost overall flexibility as well. This design cradles your foot in place and offers more dynamic movements than your basic pair of stability trainers. Not only is this shoe great for casual runs, but it is also a great shoe to take to the gym or the basketball court.
OUTSOLE
I have a love/hate relationship with the outsole of the Saucony Triumph 18. While the blown rubber is insanely durable (some have clocked in over 700 miles out of this shoe), it is also responsible for the overall higher weight. The rubber of this shoe is much thicker than other shoes in the Saucony lineup, which has its advantages and its disadvantages. First, let’s talk about the advantages.
Running on this blown rubber outsole feels like running on tiny trampolines. It boasts a decoupled groove box in the midfoot that is responsible for that little extra bounce you get at the end of your gait cycle. If you love a bright and springy ride, this outsole really delivers.
Now, onto the disadvantages. While this outsole is super thick and durable, it’s also pretty heavy. Overall, the build of this rubber outsole is responsible for much of the overall weight as well as the bulk of this trainer. When running long distances, the heavier weight of this shoe becomes very apparent and may even hold you back a bit. I recommend this shoe for runners that like to tackle nice and easy runs where distance isn’t your number one goal.
RIDE
It doesn’t get much more comfortable than the Triumph 18. What I love most about this trainer is that if there is room for extra padding, Saucony includes it in this shoe. It provides runners with ample padding along the topside, a contoured footbed that locks your foot in place, and an insanely springy outsole that offers a lot of energy feedback when running on hard surfaces.
If you are in the market for something that is incredibly padded from top to bottom, you really can’t go wrong with this shoe. The ample padding makes this design a little on the heavy side, and the cushioned upper affects breathability a bit. Runners found that while this shoe is incredibly comfortable and responsive when training on sidewalks, it can get a little too hot on intense training days. Plus, the overall weight makes it better for light training than covering serious distance.
LOCKDOWN
One of the most notable features of the Triumph 18 is the enhanced lockdown. The last thing you want is a shoe that shuffles around on your feet as you train. Shoes that don’t lock down to your feet increase the risk of injuries as well as rolled ankles (no thank you). This design walks that lockdown line with ease. The contoured footbed and dynamic cushioned upper with beefy laces fit your feet like a glove without cutting the circulation off to your toes!
STYLE
Personally, I love the style of this trainer. It isn’t breaking any molds or doing anything different with the styling. It boasts a lower profile that sits low on your foot, and it comes in a wide variety of color options. If you are a fan of nice and neutral colors or want something that is bright and happy and can be seen from outer space, there is a color option made for you. Some runners feel that the outsole is a little too big and blocky, and I feel that it walks that fine line between a sleek speedrunner and stability shoe in terms of style.
PRICE
For me, the price tag is a little steep. It is a little more expensive than your average pair of Brooks running shoes or Hoka One One stability trainers, but only slightly. It is by no means the most expensive trainer out there on the market, but it will make a modest dent in your bank account. However, when you take into consideration the overall durability of this trainer, it makes it well worth the investment. You would likely have to replace a pair of budget-friendly stability trainers a few times before it's time to retire your Triumph 18! If you can swing it, these trainers are an excellent value.
If I could pick one word to describe the upper of this shoe, it would be luxurious. It boasts an engineered mesh upper that feels nice and cool as soon as you slip your feet inside. It has a semi-gusseted tongue that really locks it in place and a wide toe box that allows your feet to naturally splay inside of the shoe. One downside to this design is that the placement of the 3D print overlays makes this shoe a little less breathable, but enhances its overall stability.
One of the very first things that I noticed about this shoe is that if there is room for extra padding, Saucony shoves it in there! The collar and tongue are composed of a soft and squishy material that cradles your foot in place. Even the laces are lightweight and padded, which reduces that chance of cutting into your feet. Overall, the quality of the foam padding helps to boost lockdown for a snug fit that won’t shift around on your foot as you start to run. If you love ample padding on the upper and are willing to sacrifice overall breathability, this is a great choice!
MIDSOLE
While the overall weight of this shoe is less than ideal, that extra weight is not due to the midsole. Saucony uses their upgraded PWRRUN+ foam cushioning that is 25 percent lighter than the basic PWRRUN foam cushioning. What I love most about PWRRUN+ is that it is not only lighter than the base level foam, but it is also more responsive than previous iterations of their proprietary foam cushioning. It has heightened flexibility which allows for quicker and speedier movements.
The TRIFLEX design also helps to boost overall flexibility as well. This design cradles your foot in place and offers more dynamic movements than your basic pair of stability trainers. Not only is this shoe great for casual runs, but it is also a great shoe to take to the gym or the basketball court.
OUTSOLE
I have a love/hate relationship with the outsole of the Saucony Triumph 18. While the blown rubber is insanely durable (some have clocked in over 700 miles out of this shoe), it is also responsible for the overall higher weight. The rubber of this shoe is much thicker than other shoes in the Saucony lineup, which has its advantages and its disadvantages. First, let’s talk about the advantages.
Running on this blown rubber outsole feels like running on tiny trampolines. It boasts a decoupled groove box in the midfoot that is responsible for that little extra bounce you get at the end of your gait cycle. If you love a bright and springy ride, this outsole really delivers.
Now, onto the disadvantages. While this outsole is super thick and durable, it’s also pretty heavy. Overall, the build of this rubber outsole is responsible for much of the overall weight as well as the bulk of this trainer. When running long distances, the heavier weight of this shoe becomes very apparent and may even hold you back a bit. I recommend this shoe for runners that like to tackle nice and easy runs where distance isn’t your number one goal.
RIDE
It doesn’t get much more comfortable than the Triumph 18. What I love most about this trainer is that if there is room for extra padding, Saucony includes it in this shoe. It provides runners with ample padding along the topside, a contoured footbed that locks your foot in place, and an insanely springy outsole that offers a lot of energy feedback when running on hard surfaces.
If you are in the market for something that is incredibly padded from top to bottom, you really can’t go wrong with this shoe. The ample padding makes this design a little on the heavy side, and the cushioned upper affects breathability a bit. Runners found that while this shoe is incredibly comfortable and responsive when training on sidewalks, it can get a little too hot on intense training days. Plus, the overall weight makes it better for light training than covering serious distance.
LOCKDOWN
One of the most notable features of the Triumph 18 is the enhanced lockdown. The last thing you want is a shoe that shuffles around on your feet as you train. Shoes that don’t lock down to your feet increase the risk of injuries as well as rolled ankles (no thank you). This design walks that lockdown line with ease. The contoured footbed and dynamic cushioned upper with beefy laces fit your feet like a glove without cutting the circulation off to your toes!
STYLE
Personally, I love the style of this trainer. It isn’t breaking any molds or doing anything different with the styling. It boasts a lower profile that sits low on your foot, and it comes in a wide variety of color options. If you are a fan of nice and neutral colors or want something that is bright and happy and can be seen from outer space, there is a color option made for you. Some runners feel that the outsole is a little too big and blocky, and I feel that it walks that fine line between a sleek speedrunner and stability shoe in terms of style.
PRICE
For me, the price tag is a little steep. It is a little more expensive than your average pair of Brooks running shoes or Hoka One One stability trainers, but only slightly. It is by no means the most expensive trainer out there on the market, but it will make a modest dent in your bank account. However, when you take into consideration the overall durability of this trainer, it makes it well worth the investment. You would likely have to replace a pair of budget-friendly stability trainers a few times before it's time to retire your Triumph 18! If you can swing it, these trainers are an excellent value.
Comparisons to Previous Versions
Comparisons to Previous Versions
If you want to save a bit of money and invest in an older version of this shoe, you may want to reconsider. While many of the advanced features between the 17 and 18 are relatively the same (such as the ample padding and responsive midsole) the upgraded 18 far outshines previous iterations of this shoe.
Previous versions of this trainer don’t quite have the sleek styling of the 18. The 17 is a lot more bulky and boxy, and it is actually a little bit heavier than the newer version. This is due to the change in the outsole. The 17 uses a crystal rubber outsole that adds to the overall weight. While the blown rubber in the 18 is heavy, it isn’t nearly as heavy as the 17.
Previous versions of this trainer don’t quite have the sleek styling of the 18. The 17 is a lot more bulky and boxy, and it is actually a little bit heavier than the newer version. This is due to the change in the outsole. The 17 uses a crystal rubber outsole that adds to the overall weight. While the blown rubber in the 18 is heavy, it isn’t nearly as heavy as the 17.
Verdict
Verdict
If you are anything like me and love a ton of padding, the Saucony Triumph 18 is worth checking out. This trainer provides runners with 360 degrees of padding that span from the top to the bottom of their feet. The responsive EVA cushioning in the midsole and blown rubber outsole give your feet that classic bounce that helps to take the pressure off of your knees and joints. While comfortable, it is also insanely durable. Many runners report clocking in well over 700 miles in this shoe before the materials start to wear down.
I would suggest this trainer for runners that like to go on nice and easy tempo runs. While it is built with durable materials that last hundreds of miles, the overall weight of their trainer may make trekking out for long distances a bit of a slog. The build of the outsole boasts modest lugs that make this shoe great for taking out on modest trails, and the structured upper helps with wick away water and moisture. The flexible midsole and cushioned low-profile upper also make this trainer versatile enough to take to the gym or wear at your next CrossFit session!
I would suggest this trainer for runners that like to go on nice and easy tempo runs. While it is built with durable materials that last hundreds of miles, the overall weight of their trainer may make trekking out for long distances a bit of a slog. The build of the outsole boasts modest lugs that make this shoe great for taking out on modest trails, and the structured upper helps with wick away water and moisture. The flexible midsole and cushioned low-profile upper also make this trainer versatile enough to take to the gym or wear at your next CrossFit session!
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