In spite of the carbon-plated super shoes hogging all the attention, the trend for high-stack and maximalist shoes continues. The shoe companies continue to innovate the maximalist shoe category, making them lighter and more versatile, and that's highly evident in the Saucony Triumph 20. A lot of attention is being paid to the midsole, and that's exactly where the Triumph 20 shines. 

The Saucony Triumph 20 is a premium neutral max-cushion daily trainer. Triumph is Saucony’s workhouse which offers a plush, luxury upper with soft premium cushioning. Since its earliest iteration, the Triumph series has been acclaimed for its plush cushion, sometimes referred to as the hotel bed mattress, generally soft and springy. Starting from the Progrid Triumph in the early 2000s, to the ISO Triumph between the 12th to 16th editions, until the series was just called Triumph, the series has always offered an 8mm drop. This is where the 20th iteration took a leap step by offering a 10mm drop. But the overall purpose to offer a luxurious softer responsive ride remains the core offering of the series and Triumph 20 is no different. Triumph 20 in fact goes on a diet to shred some weight amidst all the major changes. 

The pair of Saucony Triumph 20 was sent to us for review by Saucony India. That said, stay rest assured about a neutral review since this is neither a sponsored post nor Saucony India has got any say about the review. In India, Triumph 20 is officially priced at ₹15,990.  However, you would find them at a much cheaper price at online stores such as Flipkart and Amazon, or at the official Saucony India online store with [discount code](https://shoegeeks.in/showoffer?brand=Saucony). 

Unboxing the Triumph 20 for me was a major throwback to unboxing Hoka Clifton 8. They both are built like solid block, but they are the lightest and the softest. So let’s dive into the detailed review. 

<InfoCard title="🎧 The World of Running">
Listen to podcast episode <a href="https://geeksonfeet.com/podcast/ep11/">All About Running Shoes</a> to understand the current running shoe trends, choosing the best running shoes and more.
</InfoCard>

<ShoeCard shoeCode="006010020M"></ShoeCard>

##### What makes up Saucony Triumph 20?

Saucony Triumph sees major and notably welcoming updates throughout the shoe. An increase in stack height from 32.5mm to 37mm and a heel drop from 8mm to 10mm are significant updates from the earlier edition. The midsole features a full-length revamped PWRRUN+ foam. The cushion is energetic and responsive on every stride. The forefoot features an early rocker, whereas the shoe overall receives a new geometry to enhance the gait cycle. 

Even with the added stack height, Triumph 20 is the lightest max-cushion shoe I have had so far. It weighs 270 grams for UK size 8 which is lighter than its competitors in the category. 
 
**Midsole**

The Triumph 20 features PWRRUN+ foam in the midsole. The heart of the shoe has been powered by PWRRUN+ since Triumph 17, launched in 2019. PWRRUN+ is a modern e-TPU based midsole made from fused TPU beads, which is similar to Adidas Boost foam. However, Saucony has managed to innovate and reduce its weight significantly when compared to Boost foam.  Triumph 20’s PWRRUN+ midsole has been further tweaked to make it much softer and lighter than before.

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    <LightBox src="/images/triumph20_6.jpg" caption="Cushioning is tweaked for softness" alt="" ></LightBox>
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The softness of the cushion varies significantly from the heel to forefoot. The heel feels plusher, and the forefoot is comparatively firmer. The stack height at the heel is measured at 37mm whereas the forefoot is 27mm, hence offering a 10mm drop. The midsole has a deep groove at the heel, which helps it to compress inwards and makes the shoe stable while reducing some weight. 

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    <LightBox src="/images/triumph20_8.jpg" caption="Softest Midsole we've seen so far" alt="" ></LightBox>
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The shoe has a stack height of 34 mm on the heel and 28mm on the forefoot with a 6 mm heel-to-toe drop. The midsole additionally features M-strike technology, commonly known as a rocker, to promote a midfoot strike and for a quicker transition from heel to toe.

**Upper**

The upper of the Triumph also sees a significant change. It features a seamless engineered mesh, which is breathable, while it didn’t feel like one at first impression. The lacing mechanism also sees a big change. The shoe features reinforced eyelets both on the lateral and the medial side and adds an extra strap-based eyelet (a throwback to ISOFIT). This pulls in the sides of the shoes to give you a perfect lock of the midfoot. This is not the first time Saucony has attempted this mode of lockdown in the Triumph series. Triumph ISO 2 and 3, which is technically Triumph 12 and 13 respectively, featured a full-length ISOFIT system. Those who are familiar with Flywire from the Nike Pegasus series can see the similarities here. 

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    <LightBox src="/images/triumph20_7.jpg" caption="Strap based lace offers good lockdown" alt="" ></LightBox>
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Triumph 20 is not just plush in the midsole, but also in the upper. The heel counter and the tongue is decently padded. I assumed they would impact the breathability of the shoe, but I guess I was wrong. 

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    <LightBox src="/images/triumph20_5.jpg" caption="Plush upper also offers good ventilation" alt="" ></LightBox>
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**Heel**

The heel is the reason why the 10mm drop doesn’t feel like one. It feels more like an 8mm drop for two reasons. The primary reason is the softer midsole on the heel. You feel the compression the moment you are on your heel. The more important reason is the heel bevel. The heel bevel here is more aggressive than any daily trainers out there, especially in the max-cushion category. 

The heel counter on the Triumph 20 is rock solid. The overall width of the heel runs narrower, which along with sufficient padding keeps the heel and the ankle locked pretty well. Triumph 20 didn’t bother my Achilles even with my Haglund deformity.
 
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    <LightBox src="/images/triumph20_2.jpg" caption="Well padded heel with good stability" alt="" ></LightBox>
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**Outsole**

The outsole rubber on the Triumph 20 is generously thick. The rubber covers most of the midsole at the bottom.

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    <LightBox src="/images/triumph20_1.jpg" caption="Durable outsole" alt="" ></LightBox>
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##### Why should one consider this shoe?

The fall and winter seasons in the northern hemisphere are when India enjoys the best climate for running, and hence sees the most road races happen. The season holds the World Athletics Elite Label races like the Delhi Half Marathon and the Mumbai Marathon. 

I have been training to build up my mileage to a Marathon later in this season, and Triumph 20 seemed a great choice. If you are someone who's looking to build up mileage, especially for the longer races, The maximalist shoes are rarely versatile, but this is again where Triumph attempts to stand out. You can put in a variety of paces from recovery to tempo. More details about it are in the next section.

##### Ride In Triumph 20

We'll talk about the performance of the shoe here. To test them out, I have run over 100KMs on them with a variety of runs, notably three long runs including a 25K, and a speed interval session. 

The first run was me trying to understand the shoes. The higher stack height was quite felt, however, the foam below the heel is so soft that you feel it's compressing just when you are on your feet. Even with all the softness in the midsole, the ride felt firmer on the forefoot, and I'm not complaining. The rocker geometry on the forefoot to help your foot to transition faster is something I'm yet to experience, which means the rocker is very mild. That said, I neither expect such propulsion from a max-cushioned shoe. Having a rocker probably defeats the purpose of having all those softer elements in the midsole.

The long runs in them felt refreshing. There is a humble response on every stride from the PWRRUN+ midsole. Once I'm exhausted, that's when the magic starts. It's a marshmallow ride once you start striking on your heel. It's one of the shoes that is here to break the myth that "heel-striking is bad" in running. __This shoe will work like an absolute charm for heel-striking runners, a big kudos to the heel bevel too.__ The heel bevel on Triumph 20 is aggressive enough to give you an apt gait cycle even when one lands on the heel. The transition from heel to toe works seamlessly.  The shoe works very similarly on your recovery sessions as well. The magic is on the heel, don't look anywhere else!

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    <LightBox src="/images/triumph20_3.jpg" caption="Midsole with nice heel bevel" alt="" ></LightBox>
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The speed intervals on them was a bummer. I was landing on my heel even if I didn't want to. This outright ain't a speed intervals shoe or a tempo day shoe, but I'll stick to the point that it's versatile enough since I have managed to click some tempo paces on them comfortably. If you are a one-shoe guy, who would also like to clock some tempo and interval paces, you might want to consider the Saucony Ride 15, which is more versatile than Triumph 20. Triumph 20 is also great for runners who are on the heavier side,  with all the great cushioning here. 


**Fit & Comfort**
Out of the box, the shoe looks huge and heavy. Let me remind you that the Triumph 20 is the lightest one from the series, weighing around 275 grams for UK 8, it is on par with many daily trainers. 

This is yet another maximalist shoe, where I have to warn you to not side with the look of it. The 37mm stack height sounds or feels unstable but offers a lot of comfort along with some stability (we'll speak about that in next section). 

Rest assured, Triumph 20 fits true to size. The shoe is narrower on the heel to avoid any heel slipping, but has a wide toe box to accommodate the widest of the feet. This was my first trainer with a wide toe box, since I prefer narrower shoes. The reinforced eyelets paired with a strap on both the lateral and medial side ensured my mid-foot is well locked. The laces, which are quite thick, could have been a little longer. I barely manage a double knot on this one. I typically prefer a thin lace like the one offered in Skechers trainers, where a single knot works. I tested Triumph 20 with a single knot, and it pulled out within the initial 500 meters.

Breathability is of prime importance in tropical weather. The upper doesn't seem breathable, but Triumph 20 surprised me by working extremely well in the October heat for my long runs with its airy upper. The mesh material used is pretty comfortable and accommodative too. The padding around the heel counter and the tongue is comfortable too. I would be confident to pick them up for my runs on a hot humid day, which is always the case in Mumbai.

**Stability**

Triumph 20 is an out-of-box neutral shoe. Even with all that max-cushioning Triumph 20 is quite stable. The eyelets ensure the locking is perfect in the midfoot, and the wider toe-box ensures the feet stay well in place. The stiff heel counter and deep groove in the heel make sure your ankle is not wobbling around. 

Otherwise, Triumph 20 isn't a stability-focused shoe. If you are looking for a maximal running shoe with more stability check out the all-new Saucony Tempus (upgrade from Hurricane 23).

**Durability** 

Saucony has done a fabulous job with the outsole of the Triumph 20. The rubbers, since they are thick and they cover most of the midsole, make them more durable. Even with the thick rubber, I found them a little slippery on wet surfaces. 

In terms of durability benchmark, I’ll put them on par with the Nike Pegasus series. One should be able to clock about 800KMs quite comfortably with this one.

**Aesthetics**

I personally love the Prospect Glass and the Ocean Restock colorways Triumph 20. The one I received for review is a Twilight Rain variant which looks just fine. But hey, It's all about the performance right? The heel counter and the sides, all carry some reflective elements, making your runs quite safer at night. So look here only for performance. Aesthetics take a backseat even though some of the colorways look fantastic. We do miss out on the gold color variant in India which looks fabulous.

##### Review Summary

<ReviewSummaryCard shoeCode="006010020M"></ReviewSummaryCard>

<ProsCard
  title="PROS"
  pros={[
    "Extremely lightweight and sufficiently cushioned",
    "Breathable upper",
    "Smooth and responsive ride",
    "Durable outsole",
  ]}
/>

<ConsCard
  title="CONS"
  cons={[
    "Responsiveness could have been better",
    "Low Stability",
    "Too much of room for narrow feet",
  ]}
/>

<InfoCard title="RECOMMENDATION">
The Saucony Triumph 20 is a premium max-cushioned shoe with just enough versatility.  Triumph 20 is the lightest max-cushioned trainer amongst its competitors. It is a highly recommended shoe for those building up distances up to the marathon and looking for a comfortable shoe for long runs. 

The shoe is priced premium when compared to similar shoes such as Brooks Glyercrine 20 and Hoka Bondi 8 but is cheaper than Nike ZoomX invincible. The ride comfort, 37mm of cushioning, stability, and fit justify the price though. I would have been skeptical about recommending it, but when you consider the discounts on offer, it is a worthy pick as a shoe that makes your long runs extremely comfortable. If you are a heel-striker, this shoe makes even more sense. 

For me, Triumph 20 will be a shoe for long runs, easy runs, and for recovery days. For rotation, I recommend pairing it with Saucony Endorphin Shift 3/ Saucony Ride 15 for daily training and Saucony Kinvara 13 for speed intervals and tempo runs. 
</InfoCard>

Saucony’s premier max-cushioned daily horse triumphs with a major upgrade

Saucony Triumph 20 Review


Puma Nitro series of running shoes continue to make strides in the endurance running world. Puma is relentless in putting its might behind Nitro, be it  introducing new shoes such as women-specific RunXX Nitro, short distance racers Fast FWD, Fast R Nitro, or lining up the upgrades for the original Nitro series.

The original Velocity Nitro is one of the first shoes that has highlighted the potential of Nitro foam, and what Puma’s shoe designers are capable of. It was universally praised as an excellent daily trainer. In fact, it was our top pick as the [best daily trainers in 2021](https://geeksonfeet.com/blog/bestshoes2021/). 

As a user of the first edition, it piqued my interest as soon as the second edition was released in India.  I ordered it the day it was available online.  Given my experience with the first edition, I have high expectations from Velocity Nitro 2. (Check our review of [the first edition here](https://shoegeeks.in/review/puma-velocitynitro-005003000/)).

_**So how does it fare compared to the first edition of Velocity Nitro? Is it a worthy upgrade?  Has it set the bar for what a daily trainer can do?  Read on…**_

<ShoeCard shoeCode="005003002M"></ShoeCard>

##### What makes up Velocity Nitro 2?

Like the first edition, the Velocity Nitro 2 is designed to be an all-rounder.  It is meant to do speed work, easy runs, long runs, recovery runs, and even can handle short trails; practically anything you throw at it.  It is one of the most versatile shoes on the market.

While the published weight is 252 grams (for UK 8), when we measured for UK 10, it is at 292 grams.  That puts it as one of the lighter daily trainers. See the comparison with other daily trainers below.  When compared to the previous edition, it has shed some weight but is practically unchanged (298g -> 292g). 

<LightBox src="/images/velocitynitro2_weight.jpg" caption="Weights of popular daily trainers" alt="" ></LightBox>

Velocity Nitro 2 has a heel-to-toe drop of 10mm, which is 2mm higher than the previous edition. The increase in drop primarily comes from the increase in stack height, from 32mm to 33.5mm. So more cushioning at the heel and a higher drop makes it more suitable for heel strikers. But this is not great for mid-foot strikers, but the consolation here is the increased stack height.

__Midsole__

The midsole is a seemingly major update from the previous edition.  Like the previous edition, it is made up of two layers of foam stacked.  The top layer is softer and is measured at 28 HA, and the bottom layer is firmer and is measured at 36 HA on Shore Durometer.  The top layer is meant to provide ride comfort, while the bottom layer provides durability and stability to the shoe. Durometers of the previous edition are 32 HA, and 40 HA respectively.  So Velocity Nitro 2 is much softer than the first edition. 

<LightBox src="/images/velocitynitro2_midsole.jpg" caption="Dual layered foam" alt="" ></LightBox>

__Upper__

The upper is one of my biggest complaints with the previous edition.  The updated upper is much softer and elastic and feels more premium. It is an engineered mesh with two layers. The upgraded upper is more breathable. The gusseted tongue is attached to the upper. The tongue has shed some weight, but it still has enough padding. 

<LightBox src="/images/velocitynitro2_upper.jpg" caption="Upgraded upper is breathable and softer than previous edition" alt="" ></LightBox>

__Heel__

As with the previous edition, the heel is supported by TPU based heel counter and it is solid. The heel collar has ample padding and is better than the original in terms of comfort. The heel TPU plate that was present in the earlier edition is no longer present.  But that doesn’t seem to affect the heel support at all.

<LightBox src="/images/velocitynitro2_heel.jpg" caption="Heel support is excellent" alt="" ></LightBox>


__Bottomsole__

The bottomsole is called ‘PUMAGRIP’, and this is where Velocity Nitro really sets itself apart from the crowd.  Like the first edition, it is the best in terms of durability and grip and has plenty of rubber. 

<LightBox src="/images/velocitynitro2_bottomsole.jpg" caption="The best outsole that we have tested so far" alt="" ></LightBox>


##### Why did I buy it?

If you have read my review of the first edition of Velocity Nitro, it is obvious that I was in love with it.  Since then, I have clocked more than 600 km in it.  While the shoe is still in excellent condition, I could feel that the midsole lost its pop, and runs in it feel more ordinary.  I have been looking to replace it with another daily trainer of the same caliber. The announcement of Velocity Nitro 2 was at the right moment, and I grabbed one right away. 


##### Ride in Velocity Nitro 2

I have run more than 140kms so far.  I have used it for all kinds of runs - easy, speed work, tempo, and long runs.
The shoe definitely is at its best when you run in at easy to moderate paces. The softness and breathability just make it easy to get things going.  This is the reason why it is my go-to shoe for daily training. I often include short-speed work (such as strides) in my daily runs.  Velocity Nitro 2, does an equally good job when you speed up.  It does have enough bounce and is light enough to support speed work.  

I have used the shoe for short and tempo intervals.  It is definitely not great at speed, and don’t expect a bounce like one.  But it works reasonably well as a speed trainer, given its primary job is a daily trainer. 

I have used it for a few long runs of about 20km. The shoe has enough cushioning and more to take you that distance.  While I haven’t tried it for distances beyond 20km, I have no doubts that it can handle them well.
In summary, this is the most versatile shoe that is available in the market right now.

__Fit and Comfort__

The fit of the shoe is one of the best I’ve ever experienced. It hugs your feet the right way and gives plenty of confidence in tackling your run workout. The breathable mesh is better than the previous edition. There is plenty of toe-room to wiggle the toes and is extremely comfortable over long distances.  

<LightBox src="/images/velocitynitro2_forefoot.jpg" caption="The fit is one of the best, and good toe room" alt="" ></LightBox>

__Stability__ 

Like the previous edition, it has very good stability and works for most runners with neutral and even slight over-pronation.  I was worried about that given the increased stack height, but the landing is very stable even on uneven surfaces, probably a tad better than the previous edition. 

__Road Grip__

No review of Velocity Nitro is complete, without mentioning its legendary road grip. The first edition of the PUMAGRIP outsole has got rave reviews, and the second edition is even better. It is my go-to shoe to run on the mud-filled roads of Bangalore. 

__Aesthetics & Ergonomics__

The upgraded upper has not only increased the function, but also its aesthetics. The dual-colored midsole is a nice touch. There are reflective elements at the back of the heel, on the lateral side, and also on the tongue, making it one of the safest shoes to wear in the dark.  The Fizzy Light/Nitro Blue colorway that I have while looks great, it collects dust fairly easily, and is not so easy to clean. That is my only gripe.

<LightBox src="/images/velocitynitro2_aesthetic.jpg" caption="Dual-colored midsole is a nice touch" alt="" ></LightBox>

### Review Summary

<ReviewSummaryCard shoeCode="005003002M"></ReviewSummaryCard>

<ProsCard
  title="PROS"
  pros={[
    "Added cushioning is softer and  balanced and works well for any run",
    "Excellent fit that is both comfortable and makes you feel confident for any run",
    "Well padded heel supports the rear foot very well", 
    "Bottomsole’s road grip is legendary and works well for any surface",
    "Highly breathable upper", 
    "While there is plenty of cushioning, it’s on the lighter side of the weight",
  ]}
/>

<ConsCard
  title="CONS"
  cons={[
    "Heel-to-toe drop of 10mm may not work for everyone."
  ]}
/>

<InfoCard title="RECOMMENDATION">
  Velocity Nitro 2 is the most versatile daily trainer currently on the market. It has set high standards for what a daily trainer should be; the fit, cushioning, comfort, and durability. <br/>
  If you are looking for an all-in-one daily trainer, Velocity Nitro 2 is highly recommended and is a worthy upgrade from its predecessor.
</InfoCard>


Reviews

Saucony Triumph 20 Review

Puma Velocity Nitro 2 Review