Saucony Triumph 17 Intro
The Saucony Triumph 17 is generating quite a buzz in the luxury trainer category.
The Triumph 17 overhauls and replaces the Triumph ISO 5. The Triumph is a highly cushioned trainer with a stack height measuring 33.5 at the heel and 25.5 at the forefoot.
Incredibly, the heel to toe offset is only 8mm, providing a balance transition that allows the foot to relax within the shoe. The shoe runs true to size and provides a plush sock-like fit.
I tested the Triumph 17 on the treadmill, the road, and crushed gravel trails. They performed well on all three, and are extremely trustworthy on slippery surfaces thanks to a sticky outsole.
The ride is pillow-like, but not sloppy, making it ideal for long runs, recovery runs, and high-mileage training.
Saucony Triumph 17 First Impressions
My first impression of the Triumph 17 was that it was a massive, bulky, block of a shoe. Then I put it on. I was immediately struck by the softness of the midsole.
It felt like running on cloud-like pillows. Every component of the shoe is as plush and sumptuous as the midsole, including the laces. I had to loosen the laces near the toes a fair amount despite having a relatively narrow foot.
After my first few runs in the Saucony Triumph 17, I realized that they are like a deluxe hyper-cushioned version of the Saucony Kinvara.
They are only slightly less responsive, just as natural feeling, and offer a level of comfort that Saucony has earned a reputation for.
As the company puts it, the Triumph 17 puts an end to “running hangovers” by providing a cure to post-workout and race-weary legs. The soft-landing and light bounce of every stride is a welcome feeling for fatigued feet and muscles.
Saucony Triumph 17 Sole Unit
PWRFLEX+ is Saucony’s lightest and most responsive foam ever. It is 25% lighter than EverRun and appears strikingly similar to Adidas Boost foam.
Impressively, it weighs a fraction of what it looks like it should, coming in at 10.7oz (305g) for men, and 9.2oz (261g) for women.
The Triumph 17 is Saucony’s first shoe to use the PWRFLEX+ foam. I look forward to more Saucony models with this innovative material.
The Form Fit insole completes the Triumph experience, providing a ride that is soft, but not squishy. I was pleasantly surprised with the relative responsiveness of a shoe given the amount of cushioning.
The Triumph is certainly not built for speed, but doesn’t hold you back either. Designed for long runs, recovery runs, and high mileage, this shoe delivers comfort without sacrificing your ability to pick up the pace.
I found this shoe to be more nimble and responsive than similar premium trainers like the Brooks Ghost. Saucony states that it is twice as flexible as the previous model.
Personally, I did not find the shoes to be very flexible at all compared to other Saucony models I am familiar with, such as the Kinvara.
The outsole pattern of the shoe differs very little from the Triumph ISO. The shoe retains the same structural components: two types of highly-durable blown rubber cover almost the entire outsole for a sticky, secure grip.
An ultra-grippy rubber compound is used under the big toe and heel for added traction in these high-wear locations. The durability of the outsole helps make the Triumph’s price tag ($150) a bit easier to stomach.
The outsole grip on wet or slippery surfaces is one of the most surprising and impressive features of the shoe. At first, the outsole feels sticky as if there’s an adhesive on the bottom.
I quickly came to appreciate this feature – it rains a lot where I live and the Triumph allows me to approach wet boardwalks and bridges with confidence and without slowing down.
Saucony Triumph 17 Upper Unit
The plush Triumph 17 upper delivers a secure, luxurious fit. Saucony has abandoned the ISO-fit system in this model and the result is a soft, but sturdy upper that extends the cloud-like experience of the midsole to the whole foot.
The thick, tubular laces are easy to manipulate and continue the use of premium materials found throughout construction of the shoe.
The tongue and heel counter are perhaps the thickest, most cushioned that I have ever felt in a running shoe. Runners who suffer from Achilles and flexor tendon issues, will rejoice in the pillowy padding of the heel counter.
The toe box is moderate, affording just enough space to spread your toes.
The first couple of times I wore the shoes, I thought that they ran big compared to other Saucony models, but I realized I had to get accustomed to the feeling of the high stack height and very plush upper.
Typically, I run in lightweight, low-profile trainers and flats.
Saucony Triumph 17 Conclusion
The Saucony Triumph 17 is a neutral, luxury trainer for high mileage and long runs on the road.
It’s sure to be a favorite for runners who prefer a little more cushion for the pushin’ but aren’t ready to commit to the stack height or bulk of Hokas.
Perfect for recovery runs or as your daily trainer, the Triumph 17 offers exceptional durability and premium comfort.
We purchased a pair of Saucony Triumph 17 from runningwarehouse using our own money. This did not influence the outcome of this review, written after running more than 50 miles in them.
Saucony Triumph 17 Price Comparison
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