Saucony Triumph 22 Review: PWRRUN PB Without a Plate

Saucony Triumph 22 Review: PWRRUN PB Without a Plate

Disclosure: TrainingPlan has not hands-on tested this exact model. This research-based review uses Saucony's exact-model regional specifications and independent wear reviews. No Amazon US listing is currently verified for publication.

Quick Verdict

The Saucony Triumph 22 is a neutral road trainer built around PWRRUN PB, the PEBA-based cushioning family also used in Saucony's faster Endorphin shoes. Here, however, the foam sits in a broad platform without a plate. The result is not an Endorphin race shoe with more padding; it is a comfort-oriented daily and long-run trainer whose geometry and upper are designed around ordinary training.

The audited figures are 37mm at the heel, 27mm at the forefoot, a 10mm drop, 10.1 ounces for men, and 8.8 ounces for women. Launch MSRP was MSRP: $160, and standard and wide variants were sold. Triumph 22 arrived in May 2024 and has since been superseded.

Key Specifications

Saucony's exact men's product page provides the complete gendered weights, geometry, midsole, and wider-midfoot description. The Japan product page corroborates the 10mm drop, 37/27mm stack, PWRRUN PB, Ortholite sockliner, and XT-900 outsole. WearTesters' launch review dates the release and confirms the MSRP: $160 price.

What Changed

The previous catalog listed 10.4/9.0 ounces and 39/29mm. Those figures were not supported by the strongest exact-model evidence. The corrected entry uses 10.1/8.8 ounces and 37/27mm. The former broad claims about plushness and responsiveness were also replaced by identifiable construction and tradeoffs.

The audit records May 2024, marks this generation as superseded, and removes an Amazon URL that was not reverified as an exact Triumph 22 listing. Triumph numbers matter: a page for Triumph 21, 23, or a Triumph lifestyle variant cannot support this product's specs.

Ride and Intended Use

PWRRUN PB is a bead-based PEBA formulation associated with high energy return, but material name alone does not determine ride. The Triumph 22 uses a broad base, substantial sidewalls, and no plate. That structure controls a large volume of foam and produces a different experience from the stiffer Endorphin Pro or Speed lines.

Independent opinions are mixed in a useful way. Believe in the Run's review found resilient cushioning but a denser sensation than expected from race-oriented PWRRUN PB. Runner's World highlighted the wider base and all-around comfort while noting the shoe is heavier than Triumph 21. Those reports support a steady, protective trainer role without promising that every runner will experience dramatic bounce.

What Works Well

Triumph 22 is classified neutral because it does not use a medial post or a formal correction system. Its broad midfoot and raised sidewalls can still make it feel more controlled than a narrow, soft platform. That is inherent platform guidance, not a medical treatment and not proof that it will suit every runner who prefers stability shoes.

The 10mm drop is conventional and noticeable compared with low-drop trainers. Runners changing from a flatter shoe should judge comfort across several short outings rather than assuming a higher or lower number is universally safer. The shoe-selection guide covers the practical role of geometry and fit without attaching injury guarantees to either.

Tradeoffs

The same construction that makes the Triumph substantial also limits its appeal for runners seeking a light, flexible trainer. The men's reference weight is 10.1 ounces, the padded upper can run warm, and independent testers do not uniformly experience PWRRUN PB here as exceptionally soft or bouncy. It is a comfort-led daily shoe, not a plated speed shoe in disguise.

Fit and Sizing

Saucony gave the Triumph 22 a padded tongue and heel collar around an engineered mesh upper. That supports the comfort-first positioning, but several testers found the upper warm. Runners in hot climates or those who strongly prefer minimal uppers should treat breathability as a decision point.

Standard and wide versions were offered. Start with the appropriate width rather than adding length to escape side pressure. Check heel hold, midfoot volume, and toe clearance with the socks used on long runs. A broad platform does not automatically mean the upper will fit a broad foot.

Who Should Consider This Shoe

Triumph 22 makes the strongest case for daily aerobic runs, recovery-paced outings, and long steady mileage. It can handle strides or moderate progression work, but the 10.1-ounce men's reference and substantial upper make minimum-weight speed sessions a secondary use. Runners who prefer one comfortable shoe for most non-race running may value its broad range more than rotation-focused runners do.

The phrase “long-run shoe” is not a mileage promise. Outsole wear, foam response, body mechanics, surfaces, and storage all affect usable life. Inspect the shoe and replace it based on condition and changing ride, not a universal odometer number.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

Runners prioritizing minimal weight, a highly flexible forefoot, a low heel-to-toe offset, or a cool and sparse upper have better matches. The Triumph 22 is also unnecessary for someone who already has a heavy comfort shoe and needs a distinct speed-day complement.

Cross-Brand Comparison

The ASICS Gel-Nimbus 26 and Brooks Glycerin 21 occupy similar comfort-led territory with different foam and fit approaches. Choose among them by fit, ride preference, and actual training role. Foam branding is only one part of the decision.

Same-Brand Comparison

The Saucony Ride 17 is a more conventional daily trainer with PWRRUN+ rather than PWRRUN PB. The Endorphin Speed 4 is lighter and uses a nylon plate for faster work. Triumph 22 is the comfort-first choice of the three.

Value

At MSRP: $160, Triumph 22 launched at the normal premium-trainer level. As a superseded shoe, a meaningful discount can improve value, provided the listing identifies version 22 and includes workable returns. A low price does not compensate for the wrong width or an upper that feels too warm.

Final Verdict

The corrected Triumph 22 is a 37/27mm, 10mm-drop, unplated PWRRUN PB trainer with verified 10.1/8.8-ounce references. Its strengths are cushioning, broad platform, and width availability. Its tradeoffs are weight, upper warmth, and a ride that may feel denser than the foam's racing reputation suggests.