The Saucony Ride 18 is a crowd-pleaser and has a bit of something for everyone. It makes easy work of long runs, excels at medium distances at moderate paces and can also handle short tempo runs. The Saucony Triumph 22 is the high-mileage king which stays soft and comfortable for marathon distances and beyond. The Triumph 22 is $20 more expensive than the Ride 18 but which of these shoes is the right choice for you?
The Ride has a single-density TPE foam midsole with a thick TPE insole which sits above the midsole. This setup gives the Ride a medium-soft, versatile ride. The Triumph has a single-density PEBA midsole which is soft and plush at the same time. The Triumph has an Ortholite insole for extra step-in comfort.
Both shoes have very smooth rides but the Triumph is much softer than the Ride. The Triumph ride feels modern due to its rocker geometry midsole. The Ride feels flatter in comparison.
The Ride is better for shorter, faster runs due to its firmer ride. It’s easier to pick up the pace in the Ride. The Triumph is better for longer, slower runs due to its plusher ride.
The Ride and the Triumph have carbon rubber in the rearfoot and blown rubber in the forefoot. This setup is extremely durable and the landings are softer compared to previous versions of the Ride and Triumph.
Stability is excellent with the Ride. There are no compression grooves on its midsole so the ride is balanced and neutral. Stability with the Triumph is average but nothing to worry about if you have weak ankles.
The midsoles of the Triumph and the Ride will not lose much cushioning over time and are very durable.
Both the Ride and the Triumph have excellent, plush uppers with smooth interiors. Their heels and tongues are generously filled with foam.
The main difference between the two uppers is that the Triumph has a lot more padding in the heel, tongue and collar. All the padding and thick mesh in these shoes mean that they both run warm so they are suited to colder climates.
Both shoes run true to size and they both come in regular and 2E-wide versions.
With the Ride you get a well-built shoe which can do it all. It has a comfortable upper which won’t cause any problems and it won’t break the bank either.
With the Triumph you get a supremely comfortable upper and a soft, plush midsole which doesn’t firm up in cold temperatures or get mushy in warm temperatures.
The Triumph feels best on long, slow runs at paces over 5 minutes per kilometre. The Pwrrun PB foam of the Triumph keeps your feet fresh and your legs energised for those long, 2 hour+ weekend runs. The Ride has a firm toe-off and can handle short, tempo runs better than the Triumph.
If you’re a runner who wants a dependable shoe that can handle all kinds of runs, the Ride is the shoe for you. If you’re a runner who wants a long-distance, plush warrior which is slightly heavier and you don’t mind paying an extra $20, the Triumph is for you.
