THOMAS: Saucony is killing it this year. The quality and breadth of their lineup is as good as any Saucony has ever produced over the years and as good as any competitor. The Triumph fits the traditional daily trainer mold with a nice midsole upgrade. I imagine the runner that wants a bread and butter trainer will enjoy this shoe. The Triumph 18 is of course clearly a highly cushioned road shoe and given its characteristics, one focused on top to bottom on comfort, and not speed or versatility. It succeeds in its mission and very well indeed. It would be too much shoe and weight for my preferences as a daily trainer but for easy days when you don’t want to think too much about form it is a fine option. For heavier runners, new runners, those on the edge of needing some pronation control and max cushion fans, the combination of secure (maybe overly so) comfortable upper, stable platform, and expected durability makes it a top choice if you are not too shoe weight conscious. Some reviewers welcome the use of recycled materialsin this upper. There’s certainly a demand for more carbon-neutral footwear in general (for information, Brooks did it with its Ghost 14,which is carbon neutral, in addition to being 100% vegan). Even if Saucony doesn’t provide the exact amount of ecological materials used in the upper, it’s still a welcome initiative.

The design and brightness of neon orange that dominates the front of the shoe just sells the shoe. The color is called “VIZIPRO.” This color and model have reflective details that help provide visibility in low-light situations. A great choice for those who are early morning or sunset runners. The upper, midsole and outsole have all changed but the Triumph 18 performs only slightly differently to the Triumph 17. It definitely is an overall improvement but a small one. Built off of an award-winning formula, the new Triumph18 delivers Saucony's most luxurious running experience yet. Starting with strategic midsole geometry that sets you up for snappier transitions, there’s a new sense of speed in this highly-cushioned trainer. PWRRUN+ midsole foam provides that plush ride, but with more lightweight spring to help add rebound to each step you take. Lace it all up with FORMFIT, and you have a custom-like feel from heel to toe. With the Triumph, every run is a winner. Ok, after all the praise for this outstanding upper is it too much of a good thing adding to weight and making the shoe less breathable and heavier? I think so. The Omni 19 a support/stability shoe has a similar holding but lighter upper with a less substantial bootie. It is yet more comfortable and breathable. Bottom line, the Triumph 18 has a great upper but maybe more than the stable underfoot platform actually needs. I felt somewhat the same about the Ride 13. Bring on the next generation thinner mesh of the Shift, at pretty much the same shoe price point. My only gripe with the upper is that my pair had a manufacturing defect as the lateral-side overlay on my pair came loose after just one run but it could be that I received a faulty pair.All of the yellow rubber from heel to forefoot appears to be of the same firmness with the green medial piece, for a touch of support firmer. Note also in the picture above that the midfoot cut out to the medial side in the T18 is narrower while its center cavity is also narrower but deeper. In combination with the darker green firmer rubber now at mid foot, replacing crystal rubber, we have a more stable flatter feel at mid foot, less arch pressure and I think a slightly smoother transition if not quite as snappy as T17’s. Again the focus on comfort and cushion through and through here. A smooth, silky material lines the insides of the Triumph 18. It has no irritating seams and caused me no hotspots. This running shoe by Saucony is said to impress with its light, comfortable cushioning. The PWRRUN+ cushioning technology is based on a midsole made of TPU. It is a synthetic plastic known for its elastic, flexible, and durable properties. The compressed TPU beads increase energy return when running, making it particularly reactive. At 274 g, the cushioning is 20 g lighter than its predecessor. The Speed-Roll technology, which is also used in other Saucony models, shifts the body's centre of gravity and brings the hips into a more active running position. It lets you roll forward and thus ensures a more efficient run. Offers a Lot of Grip and Comfort

The great foothold given the slipper-like comfort is very well-done. A fantastic upper in comfort and foothold, though perhaps a bit excessive in plushness given the high weight of the shoe. However, maximum comfort is Saucony’s goal with the Triumph, so it’s understandable why they went this direction. At the rear, the heel counter is rigid and padded, while the heel collar provides a snug fit for a soft foothold. The gusseted tongue is less padded than on the previous version (presumably to shave some more weight), but it doesn’t impact the comfort.

Saucony Triumph 18 Sole Unit

Walking around I agree with Jacob there is no sense of mush or over softness but for sure this is a soft shoe. I am sure that full coverage outsole plays a big role in keeping the underfoot out of the realm of oversoft pillow More springy-cloud feeling - PWRRUN+, the next generation of lightweight, springy cushioning, gives you a luxurious underfoot feel that lasts.

Don’t forget to explore the Saucony Triumph ISO 5 women's range on offer here. These shoes come with the ISOFIT technology which gives you the perfect fit by adapting to not just the shape of your foot, but your movement too. A max-cushioned shoe should be soft. Soft enough to provide cloud-like comfort and protection for distances over 30 kilometres. I was hoping the Triumph 18 would keep the enjoyable bounce and smooth, free feeling of the Freedom but provide enough cushion to cruise through runs of any length (20+ mi) will a more relaxed feel underfoot. Overall I was expecting a durable trainer with a fun ride for long runs or recovery runs. The laces of the Triumph 18 are the same as those found on the Triumph 17. They are soft and stretchy and begin to fray and get fluffy over time.The reviewers who tried the T19 are unanimous on the subject: there’s nothing to complain about this simple and effective outsole. The grip is excellent on its favorite playground, the asphalt, and even wet pavement after a good heavy rain. It also works very well on dry trails or gravel roads. Jacob: The Triumph is Saucony’s plush, high-cushion, premium neutral trainer. The previous version 17 was a dramatic update to the Triumph line, introducing Saucony’s flexible and bouncy PWRRUN+ expanded TPU bead midsole and dropping the ISOFIT upper technology. In comparison, version 18 is a minor update, but it still sees some significant changes. The Triumph 18 keeps the big slab of PWRRUN+ but changes the forefoot outsole from the softer, more flexible crystal rubber of the 17 to a more responsive blown rubber. It also trades the 17’s large, highly-padded, unique heel collar for a more conventional heel design. is Saucony’s signature drop and it makes the shoe feel balanced and not heel heavy. It also makes it easier for me to strike towards my midfoot.

Saucony says that the Triumph 18 has been retooled for a faster feel. It has a new midsole design and an upper which is more streamlined and less padded. The Triumph 19 comes with a second set of colorful yellow laces if you want a bit more pizzaz. Not a big deal, but a nice touch. Thumbs up for night running This was a good fix, compared to the Triumph 17. Now, the shoe grips wet surfaces and we have zero complaints about traction. It is solid on all surfaces. Excellent durability

Offers a Lot of Grip and Comfort

There are now reflective strips on the heel and the tongue while the Saucony logos are also reflective for better night visibility. Sam: The outsole replaces the 17’s extensive forefoot to midfoot slippery and I found soft and mushy crystal rubber (orange below) with fairly firm high abrasion carbon rubber with no horizontal cut outs to the midsole as before but with longitudinal ones. The engineered jacquard mesh of the Triumph 18 is more breathable and feels thinner than on the previous version but it’s still one of the warmer shoes on the market and is more suited to cooler climates. Sam: We’ve said it more than once… bottomless soft cushion here with decent bounce from the midsole and response from the outsole. This is not a speed ride. It is a comfort, soft neutral ride with plenty of inherent stability with a smooth and gradual lay down at the heel, transition and toe off. I weigh 162 lbs, 73kg. It is a ride that never had me really bogged down as many heavier softer shoes tend to but I do think the lighter the runner the more ponderous it will ride if you can’t compress the foam to rebound as far as a heavier runner might. This may be particularly in play at slower paces. Could it lose more weight? Sure, but it’s more manageable than past iterations, and even though it’s technically heavier than the Endorphin Shift 2 (10 ounces) we recently reviewed, it feels lighter thanks to its peppier midsole. Durability ok, grip great