Saucony Triumph 21 Review | One of our favourite cushioned shoes gets an update

Although the Triumph 20 saw a number of updates over its predecessor, the 21’s changes are largely made across the upper. The new design gets a revamped flat knit material to improve fit as well as provide breathability, along with a modified lacing system for better lock-down.
The shoe features the same PWRRUN+ cushioning in the midsole and sockliner - an impressively balanced foam that manages to feel soft while still providing a good level of energy return, and there’s a generous level of outsole rubber to protect that foam and deliver a high level of grip across varied road conditions.
Tom, Kieran and Mike have been testing the shoe to see if it's still one of the best options out there.
Check out The Run Testers podcast: theruntesters.com/the-run-tes...
Jump right in:
00:00 - Intro
00:17 - Stats
00:30 - Design
01:13 - How's the Fit?
04:02 - The Run Test
14:08 - Should You Buy it?
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[@NeillyVille]

Love my Triumph 20. What a shoe

[@doncarlospipely8852]

Same here. Have clocked up over 350km of really enjoyable running in them. Pretty much the perfect daily trainer for me.

[@madrazproductions5776]

I just got a pair for 90 saved money on an amazing shoe im so happy

[@leenicholas5101]

Same..just clocked up 470km’s in mine and still going strong. Just ordered a pair of 21’s so I’m hoping they are as good 👍

[@ayalaharris3092]

Agree they’re excellent for recovery and also some faster runs !!

[@joseordonez9090]

@@leenicholas5101Hi Nicholas, the 21 feel like 20 or a little better? Are softer than 20 version?

[@marcdupont9998]

Love my T20s and with time, came to love them even more than my other daily in my rotation, the Mach 5. They seem to have lasted longer (Mach 5s started bottoming out) and provided more protection that the Mach5s for my Plantar Fasciitis. AM sure to love the T21s now as well, for while the upper was fine, I found it a bit thick, so lightening it this way, for me at least, can only be an improvement (even if just slightly). All that said, while I ordered the 21s, I also picked up another pair of 20s on sale ... Thanks as usual guys !!! Hope you're enjoying your summer.

[@nickman7896]

Thanks for the review. Looking forward to the head to head with the Kinvara Pro, as I'm between those two for replacing my "daily miles" shoes.

[@CSRunner7]

Rumour has it they did invite Nick to appear in this video but he was last seen rocking to himself in a dark room saying “have you considered the Puma Velocity Nitro” 😁

[@tadejdanev5030]

no II to be exact :D

[@palmyarmyswim]

I got nick'ed and brought a pair of the pumas- so narrow, I returned them. Nick needs to wear a disclaimer on his t-shirt

[@i.p2088]

Love the Triumph 20 👍🏻.

[@michaelkelly7701]

Found the laces on the T20 quite short - hard to get a double knot. Just about the only complaint, really. Any better with the 21?

[@CT37BN]

T21's being new is over a hundred Oz bucks over the T20's, so bought the T20's. Had one boring colourway available for mens so went for a womens (a bit worried about sizing but went ahead). They fit really nice and snug. Love Saucony ever since getting the first endorphin speed with the nylon plate.

[@grantmckay7014]

Just coming up on 600km on my second pair of Triumph 20s. Thanks to the 21 I have a third pair from sales waiting and ready. No better shoes for soaking up long, easy runs while maintaining decent durability. Pleasure to run in.

[@PedroLopes-fq3qu]

Hi. Great review! How these compare with Craft Pro Endur Distance ? The midsole material and design is very similar, is the ride also similar? Cheers

[@st4331]

Just bought the Triumph 21 and was really looking forward to running in them after the glowing reports. However, the toe-box area is very tight! Not roomy at all. There is more room in my Speed 2 and Mach 5 shoes. It's not as bad as the Puma Velocity 2, which were unbearable, but still pushes my toes together, and I don't have particularly wide feet. It's a shame as they would otherwise be very comfortable. I wanted these to replace my Tempus, which have been great. Now need to decide whether to swap them for a half size up or maybe the Endorphin Speed 3.

[@fraac]

I get why you can't just say this but when a brand does a cosmetic update it's a great chance to buy the previous one at less than a hundred quid

[@phongvan628]

My foot 25,5cm x 9,8cm, what size i choose? How wide this shoe? Many thanks!

[@wadduppudidaw4830]

T20 barely on sale in my country :/

[@michealGRuns]

Triumph 21 is nearly perfect. If it had a more breathable upper, i’d race in it 🏆

[@zero_given]

Does anyone know if they fixed the heel of the 20? I found it incredibly overbuilt and suffocating around the achilles with all that padding. The tooling from the 20 would make such a great shoe with a more minimalistic upper, like something from the speed 3, you could make it slightly more luxurious to fit the triumph line maybe a double layer jacquard em without overdoing it and it would just be perfect.

[@MrElectricSkittles]

Just picked these up for €94 Helluva shoe for that price

[@jaysonong6364]

Insta buy when this comes out.

[@sharplez]

Saucony nuts 😎

[@cristian-adrianfrasineanu9855]

No mention of Velocity Nitro? I reckon Nick must be mad

[@jamesb.walker9177]

Is the Glycerin 20 firmer then Triumph 21?

[@Swagalious689]

I have the glycerin 20 just picked up the triumph and I believe they are very very similar.

[@fecardona]

Totally firmer

[@Fozzee.1970]

Bottoms out for me as a heavier runner.

[@HWSNISNW]

What runners do you have at the moment? I'm a heavier runner and considering getting the Triumph 21s. Been rocking the Ride 15s but they're no good for the ol' shins.@@Fozzee.1970

[@danieltay1052]

Which midsole softer, Triumph 21 vs More v4?

[@kingoflund5597]

More v4 is so much softer. Triumph 21 is very firm.

[@danieltay1052]

@@kingoflund5597 do you have velocity nitro 2? Which midsole softer, Triumph 21 or velocity nitro 2?

[@kingoflund5597]

@@danieltay1052No. Dont have that one

[@gianlucatalia9499]

NB by far

[@gianlucatalia9499]

@@danieltay1052still Puma

[@MrMars121]

I need a shoe to slow me down so that i can stay in zone 2 hr during my easy slow runs. I'm assuming this this isn't that shoe..? Also, is anyone not comfortable with the high drop of this shoe for easy runs?

[@gianlucatalia9499]

No it’s not

[@i.p2088]

Nimbus 25.

[@ran6184]

Looking for long run shoes for marathon training, easy to medium pace. Between Triumph 21 and ADIZERO BOSTON 12, which one do you recommend?

[@danielandco.8136]

very different shoes, i would say if you’re a new to intermediate runner, go with the triumph as the technology in the bostons might be too much, especially since ur pace will be easy to medium.

[@ran6184]

@@danielandco.8136 thanks 👍

[@bench175]

​@@danielandco.8136what does technology is too much mean?

[@matthiassventoest6800]

good stuff by everyone here.., budget says, .....

[@gatordonttakenoshiat]

I’ve ran about 40km in a pair of the 21 and can comfortably say they are the worst running shoes I’ve ever owned. I’m honestly confused. The firmest most lifeless midsole I think I’ve ever ran in. I’ve seen countless reviews saying how bouncy and fun to run in they are, so I’m pretty shocked. For something advertised as an easy day/recovery shoe they offer no protection or cushioning underfoot whatsoever, running downhill is incredibly sloppy and uncomfortable. Really feeling every bump in these, especially in the heel with that 10mm drop. Lock down is awful as well with the stretchy laces plus stretchy knit upper. Done some research and seems as though Saucony have some consistency issues with midsoles in different colours. I got the Fog/Bough colourway so be careful if that’s what you’re looking at ordering. Will hopefully be able to get a return

[@gianlucatalia9499]

Same shoe. Not improved. 10 euros more. 190 is a joke. C’mon.