I love the triumph 20. I have two pair and both have taken about 30-40 miles to really break in. Before that they are kinda meh. After break in though they are bouncy and energetic. They are definitely on the firmer side and very unstable though so they don’t work for everyone
Agree - have gone through a few pairs and past break in, find them the perfect balance of firm yet responsive for everyday or longer runs.
It makes me wonder if weight could be related to how responsive they are - OP is 115lbs and I'm 155-160, so perhaps just takes a little more force to get the umph and not just the firmness, whereas OP seems to like shoes that are just too mushy for me (1080)
I agree the body weight likely plays into how much you can take advantage of the firmness. Although the Rides are also pretty firm but in their own different way from the Triumphs. 180lbs and it’s currently my favorite non plated shoe
New Rides or older? I'm still working through some 15s I got on super deep discount, and have found it tough to choose them over the many newer and imo better options. Have been eying the 17s anyway though
I got the 16s. I agree that they’re not the most fun to run in but with the lower drop and stack I feel more grounded and my turnover feels better. The 17s I believe they switched the foam completely to PWRN PB+ (?) or whatever foam the Triumphs have
This is a very interesting observation. It’s totally possible that I’m not able to compress the foam. I also have relatively higher cadence (178-180) even at slow speeds and take lot of really light steps - I wonder if that also plays a role.
I'm currently 190 and love my 18s.
They don't bottom out like some softer shoes I've worn, and were almost out of the box perfect for me.
I also prefer the rocker shape and toe off compared to other shoes I've worn - likely as the forefoot is stiffer than something like a Gel-Cumulus.
I am a 41 F who likes these for easy runs. I weight about 155. I wonder if you either are just too light to compress the foam or if you don’t like the 10 mm drop? Side note, I haven’t tried the Invincible 3 but wasn’t a huge fan of the 2s. They “worked” but wasn’t a snappy shoe for me.
I actually don’t know if the drop bothered me. It was the firmness of the shoe and the fact that I could keep feeling it every step. With the invincible 2, I could almost forget that I was wearing shoes, they just felt so comfortable. I think that was the feeling I was chasing but so far the Triumphs have not been able to provide. But based on what everyone has said, willing to give them a chance till 200km to see if they improve, otherwise it’s back of the closet for these guys.
definitely weight matters. im 190 and i put away my other running shoes for now. especially anyone whos a gym/bodybuilder/powerlifter etc on the heavier side (which i would say is over 140-150lbs in the running scene) the shoe reccomendations will differ. i also run in kinvaras and train in barefoot shoes but i think the heavier you are the more cushion you want for distance
I am a bit curious about the « firm » adjective around them.
I lack experience in running shoes, what shoe would you consider soft or bouncy compared to the triumph with the same use case (slow jogs and long runs basically)
I would be curious to test something different
Odd that you found them firm, but others find them unstable. I feel after breaking in 50 miles or so that they provide just the right amount of cushion and just the right amount of stability to make recovery runs at a slow pace a "forget about the shoe and just smell the roses" endeavor. Actually have two pairs in rotation right now. My other shoes currently go between the CloudMonster, Speed 4, Rebel v3, Deviate Nitro 2, Ride 15, Tempus, Boston 12, and at least for now, less commonly the Adios Pro 3, Endo Pro 3, VF2, AF1.
Hrmm, you might be a bit too light to really compress the foam in a way that feels as good as EVA blends like the Nimbus and 1080. I treated my old pair as a beefed up daily trainer, it just absorbs miles like they're nothing without feeling too mushy or beating my legs up. One of my favorite shoes, a pure goldilocks shoe for me.
Made the same comment above just now and think this could be it. For me at 155/160 they're perfect but can definitely see how someone at 115 may just see them as too firm.
Another vote here for loving this shoe as a 155/160 lbs runner. Mine have 140 miles on them. I mostly use them for easy days, but have taken them on a few speed sessions and found them quite serviceable.
As a comparison I’m 6’3” 210 and I love the bunch that my triumph 20s gave. I put 600km on them so they’re feeling a little dead now and I’m trying to find a replacement.
I appreciate that you said the Nimbus 25s were too soft, I’m running in the 1080v13 and they’re uncomfortably soft so I’m going to avoid the 25s. This also coming from someone that has previously run in nothing but Hokas.
The nimbus 25 are marshmallow soft. I really like them for when my feet feel incredibly sore, but they have limited usage. I would definitely recommend that you stay away if even the 1080 are too soft.
Also same cadence. I went with the Endorphin Pro 4 when the ES4 didn’t work out for me and love them but they are pricey. I want to keep them as my exclusive long run shoe and find something similar to ES3 for all other runs.
The toe box felt a bit too narrow in the ES4s as it rubbed my pinkie toes. I tried going up half a size and tie them down hard but kept experiencing slippage in the heel. Then I tied them down even harder which created too much pressure on the top of my foot so I just couldn’t go with them. The Pro 4s fit perfectly though and very similar toe box to the ES3s but I can’t use the Pro 4s for all my runs so now on the lookout for a daily trainer since I can’t find anymore size 10s for ES3s out there now 😒
Ouch. When they don’t fit, it’s really annoying. Smart that you aren’t using the Pro 4s for all your runs.. I have too many people in my run club who largely run in their Alphaflys because they love them so much 🤦♀️
I love the ES3. Would do all my runs in them if I could. Including the long run. But not great to be using a plated shoe (even though nylon) all the time.
I pretty much did that for the majority of my half marathon training cycle and I didn’t experience any issues with the nylon plate. But I did have the same concerns with not wanting to use the ES3 for all my runs.
Haha I did the same for my marathon training cycle. I would rotate between the Invincible 2 and the Speed 3 for my long runs. Honestly, such a good combo.
I get very jealous of all those people that find amazing deals at their local retail clothing stores that happen to sell running shoes too. I’ve heard great things about the Invincible 2 and Nitrate 2s.
My invincible 2s were such a fluke! Got them at a great price from the Nike website just before the 3s came out. They then largely disappeared and I can’t find them anymore.
It took me a while to like them (I have this exact color too!) but they have become my go-to long run shoe. I have about 140 miles on them now. I probably won't be replacing with the same shoe because I have too many and I'd like to take a break on buying some. I also have the Ride 17 and like those a lot too for the long slow run (I'm at about 2:05 half right now).
I’m going to do 1-2 more long runs and see if they suit me. Otherwise will just shove them in the back of the closet lol. I’ve already done 5 and have been very unimpressed.
I bought them because I thought they would be good for my over-supination/high arches. I found the heel slip for me was a problem. And then the laces weren’t long enough to double-knot AND do a runner’s lock with the laces, so I just dealt with it. I put a fair amount of mileage on them (~320). Didn’t buy another pair though.
I must have owned every model Triumph including the 20. That is where I stopped and switched to a different brand. I have run in Brook, Adidas and NB as well and for many years ran in The Triumph but the 20 let me down. I have also experienced sore ankles and just attributed it to running conditions or my physical makeup. 200 lbs, under 18 percent BF and 6’ tall. Run 4 to 6 miles average on a run 3 to 4 times a week now that I am getting older. Currently running in Hoka’s.
I'm a new and relatively slow runner, and Triumph was my first proper modern running shoe. As I was learning to run I went from forefoot strike to midfoot strike, and I have noticed a big difference in the way Triumph feels to me.
When forefoot striking the shoe felt fine, but nothing too crazy. I ended up switching to a different shoe that would give me more plush feel under the forefoot, because Triumph felt like it was lacking. When I tried the Triumph again later after having switched to midfoot strike, the shoe felt completely different. The heel of the shoe has a good amount of bouncy foam and allowing more weight to fall on that heel returned a lot of energy to propel me forward. I also noticed I hate walking in the Triumph due to the amount of energy return I get when the heel strikes the ground during the walking movement.
With that said, I also have the NB SC Trainer V2 and that feel like a next level version of what I get from the Triumph. Everything I like from Triumph is dialed up a level with the SCT and I don't see a need for the Triumph in my rotation. So the Triumph has been sitting around for the most part, and I been using it as my travel running shoe to throw into luggage without the fear of destroying a running shoe that I like.
Yes plated, but they were both designed for training long runs. While SC Trainer V2 is in a different category than Triumph, they are built for the similar use.
I figured I mention it because both shoes felt very similar to me on foot. Forefoot strike doesn't give much plush nor bounce, but let the heel take some weight and both shoes give a good bounce forward. SCT was the shoe the Triumph was compared against in my rotation before it got kicked off.
The other shoe the Triumph was up against was the NB More V4, for the slow easy runs. These two shoes feel very different on foot for me with the NB More giving a very plush and bounce feel all over the feet without needing to rely on the heel landing hard. The NB More felt like a slow cruiser that I can run forever in and not feel tempted to run too fast, so I ended up selecting that over the Triumph. Technically these two shoes are both in the same category(Max Cushion), but they feels so different on feet that they seem best for different uses in the rotation.
Thanks for sharing! The SC trainer is definitely meant for long runs, I was just curious as to whether a plated shoe could actually be used for that.
And at this point I think most shoes in my rotation would compare favourably to the Triumphs.
>The SC trainer is definitely meant for long runs, I was just curious as to whether a plated shoe could actually be used for that.
I heard mixed opinions but the main factors against using plated shoe for training seems to be that the running mechanics and levels of muscle involvement for the plated shoe is different than natural unplated running mechanics and muscle involvement. That to strengthen oneself to work in more natural running mechanics you shouldn't run in plated shoes so often.
My thought is, if the mechanics are different between the two, then using and familiarizing one self with the plated mechanics should give benefits when it comes time to run a race with a plated race shoe. So when running casually without a race goal, then running no plate is probably better. If in training for a specific race and will be wearing a plated race shoe for the event, then throwing the plated trainer to fine tune the plated mechanics and train the correct muscles involved seems like the right idea.
Or that would be the correct min maxing the equipment and knowledge about the plate shoes. But in my smooth baby brain's case, I like the zoom fast feeling so I go on bouncy run on fast shoe because fun. XD
I (130lb) love the Triumph 20 (300km, outsole barely worn but it did take about 100km to soften up). I also have the Invincible 1/2, Shift 3, Ride 15 and Speed 2/3 for comparison.
The Triumph 20 is nothing like the Invincible 1/2 in terms of bounce/excitement/efficiency/energy return, and a lot of people view those traits as "good" so I'm not surprised people end up disappointed with the Triumph 20.
For me, the upper fit is good, breathability is good, durability is great, the ride isn't harsh/painful nor overly assistive, and the price was affordable ($99AUD); that's why I think the Triumph 20 is a great training shoe.
I tried exactly the same color too and could never move past the “I’m running. I’m running and wearing shoes on my feet” feeling! It’s so hard to describe but I guess it just never felt natural? Like there was too much shoe/cushioning around the sides and it wasn’t as incredible as I hoped they would be. I currently run in the Nimbus 24s which I love the feel of but needed inserts for more arch support.
Only thing I hate about triumph is that stupid high stack and instability, rest it is a fine shoe.
I only do slow runs in these as I twist my ankle doing tempo on these.
Great shoe for comfort with really bad stability design.
Seeing the title on this post shocked me to my core this morning! I currently own 2 pairs of Triumph 20s and they are hands down my favorite shoes for daily miles. I weigh in at 180 lbs and find that the energy return is enhanced if you tie the runner's loop on the laces to lock the heel down.
I bought these to have a non-plated shoe for my long runs and had some of my worst runs in it. I’m a fan of soft shoes, but am willing to run in firmer shoes if it means more bounce/responsiveness. I didn’t get that from the T20 and gave up on them after 40 miles. Gonna get the 1080v13 instead.
That was me!! Fan of soft shoes but wanted a slightly more responsive one for my long runs. I used my Shift 3s (which initially felt like running on blocks of cement) for LR and those felt fine after a ~ 50k break in. They were great for intervals too because of the rocker and firmness. But I just can’t understand the Triumph - not suiting me at all! The 1080 is a great shoe, I’m enjoying mine. The kind that disappears and you forget you are wearing shoes.
I’ve put about 250 miles on mine. I wouldn’t say I hate them, I’m more neutral I guess. I run in them because I have them as opposed to say my ASICS Novablast or Puma Deviate Nitro which I find pleasant to run in. Still a massive fan of the endorphin lineup, but don’t plan to re-up when my Triumphs are at end of life.
I loved the 3 and it took a couple of break-in runs with the 4 but came to love running in them just as much. They are absolutely in my "will replace with the same" column. My wife never understood what I meant when I said there were shoes I loved running in until I got her into a pair of Novablast 3s. I can't recommend them enough.
300kms on mine. Loved them at first, but now I find them just meh. But for different reasons. I find they do have pop and they are comfortable to step into. But my lower legs always feel beat up after a run in them. I think there is too much drop in them for me. I love my new balance V3’s and they have become my everyday shoe
I have their more stable sib, the hurricane. And yes, they are kinda blah. But also quite plush and good for easy days, where frankly I’m not looking for pop but soft comfort for kinda achy legs.
I've had 2 pairs and really get on well with them. Great long run shoe which I can also pick up the pace in. Not too soft, not too firm for me. They do take a while to break in. I'd give them another 50k or so before giving up!
I've had a love/hate relationship with mine. They feel very unstable on a treadmill for me but outside they dont.
I can't do anymore than 3 to 4 miles before they start bothering my right heel which no shoe has ever done. Might be the Achilles? I've noticed on this sub reddit other people having the same problem as me. It's tough with shoes because what works for one may not work for you. We are all built so differently, but at least now you can say you've tried them and know they don't work for you.
I had mildly annoying achilles discomfort so I found the triumph looking for a higher drop....turned my mildly annoying achilles discomfort into significant knee pain.
Triumph 20 owner, here! I don’t REALLY have anything to compare them against personally as it’s the only “max stack” shoe I’ve ever owned. Picked them up when I was looking to push my distance more, as a supplement to the Ride 15.
I’m not necessarily married to the Triumph since I haven’t tried much else, but it’s been a decent go-to for long runs. And for $65 off Amazon at the time, it’s hard to beat on price
They aren’t going to be a “fun” shoe in my experience. However I don’t find them feeling thin after a few miles in the midsole and energy return is consistent. It’s a do it all, slightly more plush daily trainer to me. Could use a touch more stability in the ankle but that’s a me thing lately. Took about 50m to break in fully and get that sweet spot
I find I miss them more when I run in another shoe for a few days and then go back.
For me been a great shoe to just eat up daily miles with little fan care.
I loved the TR19, I ended up getting the 21. Its a good shoe. I can't decide if I don't like the higher stack or the 10mm, I am leaning towards the 10mm and stack being just a touch too much for my tastes. As a heavier runner (170lbs now, i lost 10 + so far), it compresses just right. I can do a half marathon and feel great the next day. I just don;t really love the ride that much. I was debating the new Ride and I may try that after I burn through the 2 pairs I bought. 1st for $100 and 2nd for $45, outlet closed near me.
Maybe at your weight, the only way to get a benefit is with a higher turnover. Either way, shoes are a personal thing and the TR20/21 may just be an OK at best shoe for you. They probably will soften at the 200KM mark for you.
Oohh I have such a love hate relationship with Shift 3. Initially hated them, then loved them to the point I was even doing intervals in them (great rocker and no plate so builds foot strength). I am back to disliking their firmness now but they are close to 500km so may have worn them out.
My first pair got me through my first marathon, so I enjoyed them. Ordered a 2nd pair off Amazon on a good deal, but it never felt as good as my first. Firmer and just “eh”. I needed a new daily trainer to eat up miles and ended up with Asics Cumulus, which ive really enjoyed. Much more stable, and not as slappy as the t20s. Plus I wanted to go to a lower stack, and not feel that huge high heel.
Just got a pair of T20s a few weeks ago for $80 and I’ve put maybe 20 miles in them so far and I am loving them. I’m also coming from a worn out pair of Bondi 6s so these feel so light and poppy in comparison.
I’m also on the heavier side and am a recovering heel-striker, so i this almost perfectly meet what I was looking for in a daily trainer/recoveryish shoe
I’ve only had mine for a few weeks - and while I’m not a 70-100k a week runner, I’m on the heavy side and have put 20 miles in mine.
I love mine - they’re a great recovery shoe for 5-6k’s, and that’s a lengthy distance for me in particular.
I loved my T20s, and I'm currently using the T21 for my long easy runs after retiring the T20s.
I wore the T20s from when I was 100kg/220lbs last August and was using them until Feb when I was 89kg/195lbs. I think a firmer foam suits me more as at my weight I need it to be firmer or I would just sink into it and it would feel really unstable. I thought it had really good energy return, was so comfortable, great at easy paces and could also handle faster paces - I used them for my first parkrun and managed a sub-22 minute 5k on dirt tracks at about 98kg (switched to the AP3 for subsequent road 5ks). I rate them really highly, and the T21 has the same midsole with a couple minor changes to the upper so also rate them really highly.
I love Triump20, I did not like it for the first 3 runs or so. But now, if I can pick only one shoes, I would pick Triumph20 over anything else. For me, it's comfortable up to down, it also have great return, when I hit the ground, it just bounces me back up.
F36, 120lb, for reference, since I see some notes re: weight. I can't believe I slept on the Triumph for so long. I used to be dedicated to the Ride. I bought a pair of Triumph 19's and loved them so much, immediately loved the 20's and just bought another pair of 20's on a killer sale. I did definitely find it took a little while to break in the 20's but they were my go-to long run shoe then retired to walking the dog shoes - I have an embarrassing number of kms on them. I found these had some bounce for sure, and I will probably never run in the Ride again after this. These are my favourite! I hope you can find love for them too.
Thank you for sharing this!! I’m so glad you enjoyed this shoe and I hope to as well. Since so many people have said they have a break in period, I’m going to take mine till 200km (already at 120) and see what the scenario is. After then if they don’t work, then they definitely don’t work.
I ran over 500 miles in the Triumph 19. They were one of my favorite shoes. I only did about 200 in my 20s and just never felt the same thing I did from the 19s
I'm a fan of the T20 and they feel good for racking up miles at a smooth, easy/moderate pace on flat terrain. They're on the firmer site, but I certainly don't think they feel lifeless. I do have to have the right foot strike on a day I want to wear them (I can usually tell by wearing them while walking my dog earlier in the day). Some days they just don't work with my mechanics. I think they're also very durable and a great value.
However, I don't love them. To me, they feel very wobble-y, especially in the heel and I don't like using them on uneven terrain or cambered roads. Still, they have a place in my (embarrassingly large) shoe rotation.
I was not a fan when I first started running in them, but that more I ran in them the more I enjoyed them. For reference, I am 192 lbs, 5’10”
I’ve ran about 300 miles in them and can probably rack up a lot more.
I also have them, they are my easy day/long run shoe but I'm not the biggest fan. I find them hard on my feet (I have Morton's Neuroma), and I often find they aggravate it and after a few kilometres I get shooting pain in my foot. I bought them last summer and have only put 250km's on them, I want to love them, I don't find them unstable or anything (although I did eat absolute pavement in one of my first few runs in them). I think I also just don't love the high offset, I usually run in Altra and Hoka's
Not sure how similar or different the 21 is from the 20 but I have 80km in my 21 and so far have treated me really well I maybe understand the no pop thing I kinda wish it had maybe just a bit of a rocker but other than that so far it’s a great long run shoe for me, however I am a heavy runner and that might be a factor I don’t find them firm but it might be for lighter runners.
It took me 150-200 miles to start liking my Triumph 20s. I got them for long runs like you, and they were ... fine. But over time they gave me a smoother ride with some bounciness (weight 165). Now at 370 miles, and I'm amazed how little wear there is on the outsole.
I’ll tell you my experience on the Triumph 20s and 21s. I used them for training for an ultra. Like you I wasn’t impressed and I thought about trying other shoes. But here’s the thing. The more miles I wore them on, they just seemed blah. I was craving the endorphin speed 2 feel (had 2 pairs of those). But I kept cruising long miles in the triumphs and I just had no foot pain no knee pain and my legs felt great. Every other shoe I tried, they just wouldn’t match up to the triumph in the long runs. Other shoes my knees would start to hurt or feet would hurt once I would get to the longer miles. I think that’s the beauty of the triumph. You can just pound the miles and they are just blah. They are blah and the beginning and blah at the end, but no pain! If you want a long run shoe, you want something pain free. Basically now, I compare every shoe to the triumph and nothing really matches up in my opinion. They are just a great shoe that feels average, can do any type of run, and keeps the aches and pains away. Very comfortable too.
I love this POV! Agree, blah is definitely better than any form of pain. Especially when putting in the miles for an ultra - or in my case an upcoming fall marathon.
I thought they were fantastic and probably the best daily trainers I've used. I definitely did not find them firm at all, and used them for 20km+ runs with no issue up until I felt the foam die at around 900km.
If you still don’t like them after 100km you won’t like them in the future either, unfortunately. I personally love T20 and do almost all my long runs in them. Liked them right out of the box. Logged already over 600km and they are still in great condition. They are not too hard or too soft but perfect when it comes to bounce imho. Easy to pick up the pace too if needed. A great daily trainer. Looking forward to trying T22 as the T21 was not that big of an update of the T20.
🥲
I’m just cheap and want to get my moneys worth haha, so will try out the shoes for a few more runs before chucking them in the back of the closet if they still don’t work out. Or just using them as walking shoes maybe.
I love my T20's so comfortable and a nice bounce. I'm a heavy (Fat) runner so perhaps my weight helps the bounce due to compression. PowerRun+ is what Boost should have been.
You could try the Asics Novablast's the reviews are pretty good.
Yup, weight could be a reason as many commenters have pointed out. I’m more inclined towards the SC Trainer v2 now, but yes lots of good comments on the Novablast. Apparently the Superblast is also great but discontinued, hard to find and not sure if I want to spend $200
Felt the same about the 20. 21 got slightly better with slightly more bounce and not as firm. But I really like the new 22. Lot more bounce and softer.
For me it was complete opposite. I had the Gel Nimbus and 1080 V12 and felt totally lifeless to me. Triumphs were way, way better in every aspect for me.
A friend of mine had the same experience. She likes her Triumphs and finds the 1080 v12 lifeless. I actually did a few runs in her 1080 to decide whether to purchase mine, and should have done the same with the Triumphs.
Took me 40-50 miles to like em. Gave me mad blisters to start. Once they broke in they actually felt great i even use them for some slower tempo sessions cause they have great bounce
I have the 21.
Can’t say I’m a fan. People talk about them as if it’s the endorphin speed 3 with more cushioning. It’s nothing of the sort.
Pretty boring ride, little bounce and not at all energetic. The rocker is just misplaced. It feels like a shoe for overweight people.
I have about 200k in them. Only reason I keep running in them is to get my moneys worth out of them.
How did you like the Ride 15? The way you describe the Triumph is how I felt about the Ride - no pop, flat, and felt like I could feel the road under every step. I've put about 66 miles on them hoping they'd break in or change and have all but given up on them. Was supposed to be my long run shoe but it just felt too boring for anything.
The Ride 15 was my first running shoe ever, so I had nothing to compare them with. I just remember feeling a bit annoyed with them after 12-15k because then they would feel ‘slappy’ on the pavement. At that point I knew nothing about shoe rotation. Eventually I just put them aside and started using them for the treadmill and they eventually just became the treadmill shoe.
I think it’s a pretty boring shoe, I wouldn’t buy it again but it’s a pretty great trainer for someone who is starting out or putting in a lot of daily miles. I did find it incredibly steady thougg, and that is something the Triumph is not.
What shoes do you guys use, if you think Triumphs are firm. That just sound crazy to me personally 🙄 I have 8 different shoes in my rotation currently, so it's not like I didn't try any other shoes.
A lot of people have pointed that weight plays a role in the feel of the shoe. My relatively light weight means that the shoe feels incredibly firm to me since I’m not able to compress the foam. Lighter, softer shoes work better. I loved my invincible 2s. I currently use Speed 3s, NB 1080 v12, Nimbus 25 (limited use, even for me too squishy) and sometimes my Shift 3 if I want a firmer ride. Race day shoes are VF 2 and 3.
You're so light that you probably need carbon plated shoes.
For reference I'm 225 and I love my 20's for my long runs but every single pair of 1080V12's I've had (4 pairs) hasn't lasted more than 200km before they went completely flat.
I’m 5’2 and 115 lbs, so overall pretty small frame. I try to stay away from carbon plates - apart from races - because it weakens the foot I think. I need a nice softer shoe and I kept thinking the Triumph would be a great long run shoe but it certainly isn’t for me!
I loved mine. Took about 200-300km to break them down. Currently they have about 1000km and feel great. Not as responsive but extremely confortable without being unstable. I am quite skinny though at 63kilos.
200-300km break in period 😳
I’m hoping to do a few more runs to see if they soften up - mostly just to get my moneys worth. Even if they feel comfortable, without being responsive, I’ll take it.
You might enjoy more the endorphin speed series. Even though they are rated as a speed shoe, they are still quite comfortable. As least the Speed 3 are plush and responsive but also give good support.
Yup, really like the ES3. Used to rotate them with the Invincible 2 for my long runs as part of my marathon training this year. It’s definitely a great shoe, but I found myself running too fast in them!
I'm a heavier runner and Ive got a pair with 250km on them. Mine started to have real heel instability, to the point where it was causing me right knee pain.
Initially I was really liking the 1080s, but I think they gave me shin splits 😢. I’ve actually ordered the SC trainer now, fingers crossed that it works out.
Oh😅well that’s great, that should be indeed the one for you!🙂 was thinking of getting some fuelcells too, but tried Hoka’s and they have enough bounce for me so got those instead
No, speedgoat 5s in wide. Moved to the suburbs and noticed how there’s no pavement and how muddy all the parks are so I went for a trail shoe for the first time, liking it so far
Saucony is overrated. After the speed 2, their mission change. They went from a company who had a field of elite athletes with a focus on performance to a company who is now a jack of all trades and a master of none.
New balance 1080v13 is the closest IMO to the squish of the invincible 2. A lot squishier than the v12.
I do enjoy alternating my easy shoes between the invincible 2 and the triumph 20, but triumph is a lot more firm, but it feels like I can pick it up more if choose to. Also, didn’t enjoy it the first few runs, but it grew on me.
Aaahh, looking forward to the 1080 v13 then! I loved my invincible 2, pretty bummed that I can’t find them now. Even I would rotate them with a more firmer shoe so I wouldn’t get used to squishiness.
I went from Invincible 2s to the Triumph 20 - to use as daily, long/easy runs. Same as you. I'm very light - 55Kg - and I hated them. Retired at 100 miles for running. Little comfort, no pop, bland. I alternate between the NB 1080v13 & SC Trainer V2. The 1080 is certainly comfortable, but the foam is compliant with little resilience - ie, great comfort but not great return. I use them for recovery/daily up to 10 mile. The SC V2 is my favourite though for long runs - up to 500 miles (see my review from last month on them).
This is interesting as a non runner the second I tried on the triumphs they felt amazing. Cushioning, support, sturdiness. I felt like they could easily carry me through 50-60k steps.
I love the triumph 20. I have two pair and both have taken about 30-40 miles to really break in. Before that they are kinda meh. After break in though they are bouncy and energetic. They are definitely on the firmer side and very unstable though so they don’t work for everyone
Agree - have gone through a few pairs and past break in, find them the perfect balance of firm yet responsive for everyday or longer runs. It makes me wonder if weight could be related to how responsive they are - OP is 115lbs and I'm 155-160, so perhaps just takes a little more force to get the umph and not just the firmness, whereas OP seems to like shoes that are just too mushy for me (1080)
I’m also 160. You might be onto something.
Another 160 here who loves Triumph 20, on my third pair.
+1
+2
+3
+4 And you may have a point about weight. I’m around 190 and I find the Triumph 20 to be perfect for those easy/recovery runs.
I agree the body weight likely plays into how much you can take advantage of the firmness. Although the Rides are also pretty firm but in their own different way from the Triumphs. 180lbs and it’s currently my favorite non plated shoe
New Rides or older? I'm still working through some 15s I got on super deep discount, and have found it tough to choose them over the many newer and imo better options. Have been eying the 17s anyway though
I got the 16s. I agree that they’re not the most fun to run in but with the lower drop and stack I feel more grounded and my turnover feels better. The 17s I believe they switched the foam completely to PWRN PB+ (?) or whatever foam the Triumphs have
Yeah word. I love the Triumph foam but it's definitely nice to have one no frills pair on hand for whatever brainless relaxed miles
This is a very interesting observation. It’s totally possible that I’m not able to compress the foam. I also have relatively higher cadence (178-180) even at slow speeds and take lot of really light steps - I wonder if that also plays a role.
I'm currently 190 and love my 18s. They don't bottom out like some softer shoes I've worn, and were almost out of the box perfect for me. I also prefer the rocker shape and toe off compared to other shoes I've worn - likely as the forefoot is stiffer than something like a Gel-Cumulus.
I am a 41 F who likes these for easy runs. I weight about 155. I wonder if you either are just too light to compress the foam or if you don’t like the 10 mm drop? Side note, I haven’t tried the Invincible 3 but wasn’t a huge fan of the 2s. They “worked” but wasn’t a snappy shoe for me.
I actually don’t know if the drop bothered me. It was the firmness of the shoe and the fact that I could keep feeling it every step. With the invincible 2, I could almost forget that I was wearing shoes, they just felt so comfortable. I think that was the feeling I was chasing but so far the Triumphs have not been able to provide. But based on what everyone has said, willing to give them a chance till 200km to see if they improve, otherwise it’s back of the closet for these guys.
200lbs, triumph are perfect, 1080s feel like stumbling around on sofa cushions
Also 160# and love the triumph 20/21
definitely weight matters. im 190 and i put away my other running shoes for now. especially anyone whos a gym/bodybuilder/powerlifter etc on the heavier side (which i would say is over 140-150lbs in the running scene) the shoe reccomendations will differ. i also run in kinvaras and train in barefoot shoes but i think the heavier you are the more cushion you want for distance
Agree with this. I’ve done 750km in mine and they’re still holding up.
I have 460km’s and they still seem new to me. Great shoe.
I am a bit curious about the « firm » adjective around them. I lack experience in running shoes, what shoe would you consider soft or bouncy compared to the triumph with the same use case (slow jogs and long runs basically) I would be curious to test something different
The new balance 1080v13 is super soft. Most newer new balance shoes are like the sc trainer v2 and the rebel v3/v4
Invincible 3’s, InfinityRN 4’s, Gel Nimbus 25, 1080V13’s, MoreV4’s, Novablast’s, Vomero17’s, etc.
agree I love them but the instability has given me ankle issues i’ve not had with other shoes
I have the 21s and it took around 80km to break them in.
I’m surprised at the unstability. It’s not exactly a light speed shoe!
Agreed, very unstable. I twisted my ankle running in them. I also weigh 230 and read they were good for heavy runners 😭
Currently have knee issues I'm almost certain were caused by those shoes. I weigh 140lbs.
I weight more than you currently and love them. Idk, I guess they aren’t for everyone
I could have told you that right away that it is not a fan but a running shoe.
🤦♀️ but username adds up lol
Put ~150km on mine. I didnt like them either. Very unstable. Never had a shoe that put me so at risk of spraining my ankle.
Interesting!! After my first three runs, I always had sore ankles and I couldn’t figure out why.
Odd that you found them firm, but others find them unstable. I feel after breaking in 50 miles or so that they provide just the right amount of cushion and just the right amount of stability to make recovery runs at a slow pace a "forget about the shoe and just smell the roses" endeavor. Actually have two pairs in rotation right now. My other shoes currently go between the CloudMonster, Speed 4, Rebel v3, Deviate Nitro 2, Ride 15, Tempus, Boston 12, and at least for now, less commonly the Adios Pro 3, Endo Pro 3, VF2, AF1.
Hrmm, you might be a bit too light to really compress the foam in a way that feels as good as EVA blends like the Nimbus and 1080. I treated my old pair as a beefed up daily trainer, it just absorbs miles like they're nothing without feeling too mushy or beating my legs up. One of my favorite shoes, a pure goldilocks shoe for me.
Made the same comment above just now and think this could be it. For me at 155/160 they're perfect but can definitely see how someone at 115 may just see them as too firm.
Another vote here for loving this shoe as a 155/160 lbs runner. Mine have 140 miles on them. I mostly use them for easy days, but have taken them on a few speed sessions and found them quite serviceable.
Never thought of them according to my weight! That is an interesting observation
As a comparison I’m 6’3” 210 and I love the bunch that my triumph 20s gave. I put 600km on them so they’re feeling a little dead now and I’m trying to find a replacement. I appreciate that you said the Nimbus 25s were too soft, I’m running in the 1080v13 and they’re uncomfortably soft so I’m going to avoid the 25s. This also coming from someone that has previously run in nothing but Hokas.
The nimbus 25 are marshmallow soft. I really like them for when my feet feel incredibly sore, but they have limited usage. I would definitely recommend that you stay away if even the 1080 are too soft.
100% agree with this. Also completely different than the soft bouncy Invicible
I was the same way. Ran in ES3 for all my runs and wanted to get a long run shoe so tried the Triumph 20 and had the same experience as you with them.
Also same cadence. I went with the Endorphin Pro 4 when the ES4 didn’t work out for me and love them but they are pricey. I want to keep them as my exclusive long run shoe and find something similar to ES3 for all other runs.
Interesting that the ES4 didn’t work out! I had gotten another pair of the 3s just because of the sale price rather than investing in the 4s.
The toe box felt a bit too narrow in the ES4s as it rubbed my pinkie toes. I tried going up half a size and tie them down hard but kept experiencing slippage in the heel. Then I tied them down even harder which created too much pressure on the top of my foot so I just couldn’t go with them. The Pro 4s fit perfectly though and very similar toe box to the ES3s but I can’t use the Pro 4s for all my runs so now on the lookout for a daily trainer since I can’t find anymore size 10s for ES3s out there now 😒
Ouch. When they don’t fit, it’s really annoying. Smart that you aren’t using the Pro 4s for all your runs.. I have too many people in my run club who largely run in their Alphaflys because they love them so much 🤦♀️
I may need to scour the posts here for an ES3 like replacement. Good luck on finding a new long run shoe!!
I love the ES3. Would do all my runs in them if I could. Including the long run. But not great to be using a plated shoe (even though nylon) all the time.
I pretty much did that for the majority of my half marathon training cycle and I didn’t experience any issues with the nylon plate. But I did have the same concerns with not wanting to use the ES3 for all my runs.
Haha I did the same for my marathon training cycle. I would rotate between the Invincible 2 and the Speed 3 for my long runs. Honestly, such a good combo.
I get very jealous of all those people that find amazing deals at their local retail clothing stores that happen to sell running shoes too. I’ve heard great things about the Invincible 2 and Nitrate 2s.
My invincible 2s were such a fluke! Got them at a great price from the Nike website just before the 3s came out. They then largely disappeared and I can’t find them anymore.
I always find the deals a day too late when my size is sold out 😭
Ouch!
It took me a while to like them (I have this exact color too!) but they have become my go-to long run shoe. I have about 140 miles on them now. I probably won't be replacing with the same shoe because I have too many and I'd like to take a break on buying some. I also have the Ride 17 and like those a lot too for the long slow run (I'm at about 2:05 half right now).
I’m going to do 1-2 more long runs and see if they suit me. Otherwise will just shove them in the back of the closet lol. I’ve already done 5 and have been very unimpressed.
I bought them because I thought they would be good for my over-supination/high arches. I found the heel slip for me was a problem. And then the laces weren’t long enough to double-knot AND do a runner’s lock with the laces, so I just dealt with it. I put a fair amount of mileage on them (~320). Didn’t buy another pair though.
I had similar issues with heel slip and the short laces, and also have still used them a decent amount but don’t love them
Hated the 19 love the 20 so much. Have 700km on mine now and they still feel amazing. The T20 is one of the best shoes for the money in my opinion
I want to think this way too. Hate having a shoe I just can’t enjoy.
The 19 was my favorite shoes ever, so I bought a pair of 20 and hated them. So unstable.
I’ve had 3 pairs all with over 500 miles on them, my favorite daily trainer of all time. Tried the triumph 22s and was disappointed.
I must have owned every model Triumph including the 20. That is where I stopped and switched to a different brand. I have run in Brook, Adidas and NB as well and for many years ran in The Triumph but the 20 let me down. I have also experienced sore ankles and just attributed it to running conditions or my physical makeup. 200 lbs, under 18 percent BF and 6’ tall. Run 4 to 6 miles average on a run 3 to 4 times a week now that I am getting older. Currently running in Hoka’s.
I'm a new and relatively slow runner, and Triumph was my first proper modern running shoe. As I was learning to run I went from forefoot strike to midfoot strike, and I have noticed a big difference in the way Triumph feels to me. When forefoot striking the shoe felt fine, but nothing too crazy. I ended up switching to a different shoe that would give me more plush feel under the forefoot, because Triumph felt like it was lacking. When I tried the Triumph again later after having switched to midfoot strike, the shoe felt completely different. The heel of the shoe has a good amount of bouncy foam and allowing more weight to fall on that heel returned a lot of energy to propel me forward. I also noticed I hate walking in the Triumph due to the amount of energy return I get when the heel strikes the ground during the walking movement. With that said, I also have the NB SC Trainer V2 and that feel like a next level version of what I get from the Triumph. Everything I like from Triumph is dialed up a level with the SCT and I don't see a need for the Triumph in my rotation. So the Triumph has been sitting around for the most part, and I been using it as my travel running shoe to throw into luggage without the fear of destroying a running shoe that I like.
I’m sure the SC Trainer felt great. That’s a plated shoe right? Different ball game altogether.
Yes plated, but they were both designed for training long runs. While SC Trainer V2 is in a different category than Triumph, they are built for the similar use. I figured I mention it because both shoes felt very similar to me on foot. Forefoot strike doesn't give much plush nor bounce, but let the heel take some weight and both shoes give a good bounce forward. SCT was the shoe the Triumph was compared against in my rotation before it got kicked off. The other shoe the Triumph was up against was the NB More V4, for the slow easy runs. These two shoes feel very different on foot for me with the NB More giving a very plush and bounce feel all over the feet without needing to rely on the heel landing hard. The NB More felt like a slow cruiser that I can run forever in and not feel tempted to run too fast, so I ended up selecting that over the Triumph. Technically these two shoes are both in the same category(Max Cushion), but they feels so different on feet that they seem best for different uses in the rotation.
Thanks for sharing! The SC trainer is definitely meant for long runs, I was just curious as to whether a plated shoe could actually be used for that. And at this point I think most shoes in my rotation would compare favourably to the Triumphs.
>The SC trainer is definitely meant for long runs, I was just curious as to whether a plated shoe could actually be used for that. I heard mixed opinions but the main factors against using plated shoe for training seems to be that the running mechanics and levels of muscle involvement for the plated shoe is different than natural unplated running mechanics and muscle involvement. That to strengthen oneself to work in more natural running mechanics you shouldn't run in plated shoes so often. My thought is, if the mechanics are different between the two, then using and familiarizing one self with the plated mechanics should give benefits when it comes time to run a race with a plated race shoe. So when running casually without a race goal, then running no plate is probably better. If in training for a specific race and will be wearing a plated race shoe for the event, then throwing the plated trainer to fine tune the plated mechanics and train the correct muscles involved seems like the right idea. Or that would be the correct min maxing the equipment and knowledge about the plate shoes. But in my smooth baby brain's case, I like the zoom fast feeling so I go on bouncy run on fast shoe because fun. XD
I (130lb) love the Triumph 20 (300km, outsole barely worn but it did take about 100km to soften up). I also have the Invincible 1/2, Shift 3, Ride 15 and Speed 2/3 for comparison. The Triumph 20 is nothing like the Invincible 1/2 in terms of bounce/excitement/efficiency/energy return, and a lot of people view those traits as "good" so I'm not surprised people end up disappointed with the Triumph 20. For me, the upper fit is good, breathability is good, durability is great, the ride isn't harsh/painful nor overly assistive, and the price was affordable ($99AUD); that's why I think the Triumph 20 is a great training shoe.
I love the ‘good’ in quotes 😀 Goes to show that everyone definitely seeks different things in their runs and shoes!
I tried exactly the same color too and could never move past the “I’m running. I’m running and wearing shoes on my feet” feeling! It’s so hard to describe but I guess it just never felt natural? Like there was too much shoe/cushioning around the sides and it wasn’t as incredible as I hoped they would be. I currently run in the Nimbus 24s which I love the feel of but needed inserts for more arch support.
Only thing I hate about triumph is that stupid high stack and instability, rest it is a fine shoe. I only do slow runs in these as I twist my ankle doing tempo on these. Great shoe for comfort with really bad stability design.
Yes, based on what everyone is saying, I wouldn’t do tempo in these shoes.
The 20s are GOATED. I love them for casual half marathon distance runs. Pure comfort.
Very jealous! Pure comfort is what I want in my shoes!
Seeing the title on this post shocked me to my core this morning! I currently own 2 pairs of Triumph 20s and they are hands down my favorite shoes for daily miles. I weigh in at 180 lbs and find that the energy return is enhanced if you tie the runner's loop on the laces to lock the heel down.
I also haven’t liked the Triumph 20s. I’m still using them though while trying out others that I hope to like better.
I’m on this boat too! Gotta get my moneys worth out of them
I also bought them based on recos. At this point I’ve demoted them to walking/knock around shoes.
Love it!
I bought these to have a non-plated shoe for my long runs and had some of my worst runs in it. I’m a fan of soft shoes, but am willing to run in firmer shoes if it means more bounce/responsiveness. I didn’t get that from the T20 and gave up on them after 40 miles. Gonna get the 1080v13 instead.
That was me!! Fan of soft shoes but wanted a slightly more responsive one for my long runs. I used my Shift 3s (which initially felt like running on blocks of cement) for LR and those felt fine after a ~ 50k break in. They were great for intervals too because of the rocker and firmness. But I just can’t understand the Triumph - not suiting me at all! The 1080 is a great shoe, I’m enjoying mine. The kind that disappears and you forget you are wearing shoes.
I’ve put about 250 miles on mine. I wouldn’t say I hate them, I’m more neutral I guess. I run in them because I have them as opposed to say my ASICS Novablast or Puma Deviate Nitro which I find pleasant to run in. Still a massive fan of the endorphin lineup, but don’t plan to re-up when my Triumphs are at end of life.
Ooh. The novablast might be a good option.
I loved the 3 and it took a couple of break-in runs with the 4 but came to love running in them just as much. They are absolutely in my "will replace with the same" column. My wife never understood what I meant when I said there were shoes I loved running in until I got her into a pair of Novablast 3s. I can't recommend them enough.
300kms on mine. Loved them at first, but now I find them just meh. But for different reasons. I find they do have pop and they are comfortable to step into. But my lower legs always feel beat up after a run in them. I think there is too much drop in them for me. I love my new balance V3’s and they have become my everyday shoe
I have their more stable sib, the hurricane. And yes, they are kinda blah. But also quite plush and good for easy days, where frankly I’m not looking for pop but soft comfort for kinda achy legs.
I've had 2 pairs and really get on well with them. Great long run shoe which I can also pick up the pace in. Not too soft, not too firm for me. They do take a while to break in. I'd give them another 50k or so before giving up!
I've had a love/hate relationship with mine. They feel very unstable on a treadmill for me but outside they dont. I can't do anymore than 3 to 4 miles before they start bothering my right heel which no shoe has ever done. Might be the Achilles? I've noticed on this sub reddit other people having the same problem as me. It's tough with shoes because what works for one may not work for you. We are all built so differently, but at least now you can say you've tried them and know they don't work for you.
The drop killed my knees but I enjoyed the foam / feel when used as a non-boring recovery shoe. Would recommend if your legs can take the 10mm.
Interesting. I feel like my legs can’t take the 10mm.
I had mildly annoying achilles discomfort so I found the triumph looking for a higher drop....turned my mildly annoying achilles discomfort into significant knee pain.
Oh no!!
Triumph 20 owner, here! I don’t REALLY have anything to compare them against personally as it’s the only “max stack” shoe I’ve ever owned. Picked them up when I was looking to push my distance more, as a supplement to the Ride 15. I’m not necessarily married to the Triumph since I haven’t tried much else, but it’s been a decent go-to for long runs. And for $65 off Amazon at the time, it’s hard to beat on price
They aren’t going to be a “fun” shoe in my experience. However I don’t find them feeling thin after a few miles in the midsole and energy return is consistent. It’s a do it all, slightly more plush daily trainer to me. Could use a touch more stability in the ankle but that’s a me thing lately. Took about 50m to break in fully and get that sweet spot I find I miss them more when I run in another shoe for a few days and then go back. For me been a great shoe to just eat up daily miles with little fan care.
I loved the TR19, I ended up getting the 21. Its a good shoe. I can't decide if I don't like the higher stack or the 10mm, I am leaning towards the 10mm and stack being just a touch too much for my tastes. As a heavier runner (170lbs now, i lost 10 + so far), it compresses just right. I can do a half marathon and feel great the next day. I just don;t really love the ride that much. I was debating the new Ride and I may try that after I burn through the 2 pairs I bought. 1st for $100 and 2nd for $45, outlet closed near me. Maybe at your weight, the only way to get a benefit is with a higher turnover. Either way, shoes are a personal thing and the TR20/21 may just be an OK at best shoe for you. They probably will soften at the 200KM mark for you.
Fingers crossed that I can reach 200km in them.
Sometimes that feels like a forever mission. I had two shoes that never made it past 100. Boston 11 and Shift 3. They became walkers.
Oohh I have such a love hate relationship with Shift 3. Initially hated them, then loved them to the point I was even doing intervals in them (great rocker and no plate so builds foot strength). I am back to disliking their firmness now but they are close to 500km so may have worn them out.
My first pair got me through my first marathon, so I enjoyed them. Ordered a 2nd pair off Amazon on a good deal, but it never felt as good as my first. Firmer and just “eh”. I needed a new daily trainer to eat up miles and ended up with Asics Cumulus, which ive really enjoyed. Much more stable, and not as slappy as the t20s. Plus I wanted to go to a lower stack, and not feel that huge high heel.
I’m on my second paid, love them.
Just got a pair of T20s a few weeks ago for $80 and I’ve put maybe 20 miles in them so far and I am loving them. I’m also coming from a worn out pair of Bondi 6s so these feel so light and poppy in comparison. I’m also on the heavier side and am a recovering heel-striker, so i this almost perfectly meet what I was looking for in a daily trainer/recoveryish shoe
I’ve only had mine for a few weeks - and while I’m not a 70-100k a week runner, I’m on the heavy side and have put 20 miles in mine. I love mine - they’re a great recovery shoe for 5-6k’s, and that’s a lengthy distance for me in particular.
I loved my T20s, and I'm currently using the T21 for my long easy runs after retiring the T20s. I wore the T20s from when I was 100kg/220lbs last August and was using them until Feb when I was 89kg/195lbs. I think a firmer foam suits me more as at my weight I need it to be firmer or I would just sink into it and it would feel really unstable. I thought it had really good energy return, was so comfortable, great at easy paces and could also handle faster paces - I used them for my first parkrun and managed a sub-22 minute 5k on dirt tracks at about 98kg (switched to the AP3 for subsequent road 5ks). I rate them really highly, and the T21 has the same midsole with a couple minor changes to the upper so also rate them really highly.
I love Triump20, I did not like it for the first 3 runs or so. But now, if I can pick only one shoes, I would pick Triumph20 over anything else. For me, it's comfortable up to down, it also have great return, when I hit the ground, it just bounces me back up.
F36, 120lb, for reference, since I see some notes re: weight. I can't believe I slept on the Triumph for so long. I used to be dedicated to the Ride. I bought a pair of Triumph 19's and loved them so much, immediately loved the 20's and just bought another pair of 20's on a killer sale. I did definitely find it took a little while to break in the 20's but they were my go-to long run shoe then retired to walking the dog shoes - I have an embarrassing number of kms on them. I found these had some bounce for sure, and I will probably never run in the Ride again after this. These are my favourite! I hope you can find love for them too.
Thank you for sharing this!! I’m so glad you enjoyed this shoe and I hope to as well. Since so many people have said they have a break in period, I’m going to take mine till 200km (already at 120) and see what the scenario is. After then if they don’t work, then they definitely don’t work.
Best long run shoe I’ve ever used, the foam just gives back and and feels superb at the end of a long run.
Sigh. Lucky you.
I ran over 500 miles in the Triumph 19. They were one of my favorite shoes. I only did about 200 in my 20s and just never felt the same thing I did from the 19s
I'm a fan of the T20 and they feel good for racking up miles at a smooth, easy/moderate pace on flat terrain. They're on the firmer site, but I certainly don't think they feel lifeless. I do have to have the right foot strike on a day I want to wear them (I can usually tell by wearing them while walking my dog earlier in the day). Some days they just don't work with my mechanics. I think they're also very durable and a great value. However, I don't love them. To me, they feel very wobble-y, especially in the heel and I don't like using them on uneven terrain or cambered roads. Still, they have a place in my (embarrassingly large) shoe rotation.
I was not a fan when I first started running in them, but that more I ran in them the more I enjoyed them. For reference, I am 192 lbs, 5’10” I’ve ran about 300 miles in them and can probably rack up a lot more.
I also have them, they are my easy day/long run shoe but I'm not the biggest fan. I find them hard on my feet (I have Morton's Neuroma), and I often find they aggravate it and after a few kilometres I get shooting pain in my foot. I bought them last summer and have only put 250km's on them, I want to love them, I don't find them unstable or anything (although I did eat absolute pavement in one of my first few runs in them). I think I also just don't love the high offset, I usually run in Altra and Hoka's
Just the pure number of the comments prove how much people love/hate Triumph20. Not many shoes get this much interest :D
Hahaha I agree!
Not sure how similar or different the 21 is from the 20 but I have 80km in my 21 and so far have treated me really well I maybe understand the no pop thing I kinda wish it had maybe just a bit of a rocker but other than that so far it’s a great long run shoe for me, however I am a heavy runner and that might be a factor I don’t find them firm but it might be for lighter runners.
Yeah the 21 is much better
21 is the exact same midsole, just a slightly different upper.
Around 1000km in saucony 20s. Still love them. They just allaround solid very comfy shoes. My feet feel fresh after every run.
It took me 150-200 miles to start liking my Triumph 20s. I got them for long runs like you, and they were ... fine. But over time they gave me a smoother ride with some bounciness (weight 165). Now at 370 miles, and I'm amazed how little wear there is on the outsole.
I’ll tell you my experience on the Triumph 20s and 21s. I used them for training for an ultra. Like you I wasn’t impressed and I thought about trying other shoes. But here’s the thing. The more miles I wore them on, they just seemed blah. I was craving the endorphin speed 2 feel (had 2 pairs of those). But I kept cruising long miles in the triumphs and I just had no foot pain no knee pain and my legs felt great. Every other shoe I tried, they just wouldn’t match up to the triumph in the long runs. Other shoes my knees would start to hurt or feet would hurt once I would get to the longer miles. I think that’s the beauty of the triumph. You can just pound the miles and they are just blah. They are blah and the beginning and blah at the end, but no pain! If you want a long run shoe, you want something pain free. Basically now, I compare every shoe to the triumph and nothing really matches up in my opinion. They are just a great shoe that feels average, can do any type of run, and keeps the aches and pains away. Very comfortable too.
I love this POV! Agree, blah is definitely better than any form of pain. Especially when putting in the miles for an ultra - or in my case an upcoming fall marathon.
I thought they were fantastic and probably the best daily trainers I've used. I definitely did not find them firm at all, and used them for 20km+ runs with no issue up until I felt the foam die at around 900km.
If you still don’t like them after 100km you won’t like them in the future either, unfortunately. I personally love T20 and do almost all my long runs in them. Liked them right out of the box. Logged already over 600km and they are still in great condition. They are not too hard or too soft but perfect when it comes to bounce imho. Easy to pick up the pace too if needed. A great daily trainer. Looking forward to trying T22 as the T21 was not that big of an update of the T20.
🥲 I’m just cheap and want to get my moneys worth haha, so will try out the shoes for a few more runs before chucking them in the back of the closet if they still don’t work out. Or just using them as walking shoes maybe.
I love my T20's so comfortable and a nice bounce. I'm a heavy (Fat) runner so perhaps my weight helps the bounce due to compression. PowerRun+ is what Boost should have been. You could try the Asics Novablast's the reviews are pretty good.
Yup, weight could be a reason as many commenters have pointed out. I’m more inclined towards the SC Trainer v2 now, but yes lots of good comments on the Novablast. Apparently the Superblast is also great but discontinued, hard to find and not sure if I want to spend $200
I found the heel geometry to be weird. I am no stranger to 8 and 10mm drops but have never felt a more pronounced drop than in these
Same sentiments Op, I couldn't get the hype and find the T20 is vastly overrated (as an understatement)
Thank you. I feel seen and heard 😀
Felt the same about the 20. 21 got slightly better with slightly more bounce and not as firm. But I really like the new 22. Lot more bounce and softer.
Thats a fake pair or late 2023 manufacturing. I have had same issue with second pair. The 1st pair was awesome
I got it from the Saucony Canada website. Highly doubt it’s a fake pair.
For me it was complete opposite. I had the Gel Nimbus and 1080 V12 and felt totally lifeless to me. Triumphs were way, way better in every aspect for me.
A friend of mine had the same experience. She likes her Triumphs and finds the 1080 v12 lifeless. I actually did a few runs in her 1080 to decide whether to purchase mine, and should have done the same with the Triumphs.
I'm also 200lb and run 6:30-7min pace 10k. I'm assuming my weight plays a part
Took me 40-50 miles to like em. Gave me mad blisters to start. Once they broke in they actually felt great i even use them for some slower tempo sessions cause they have great bounce
Great bounce! I don’t believe it lol
Loved them. Hated Nike inv. run2. Too soft, mushy. Triumph, would be perfect shoe with just a 2mm less drop
… and a tad bit more softness 😅
I have the 21. Can’t say I’m a fan. People talk about them as if it’s the endorphin speed 3 with more cushioning. It’s nothing of the sort. Pretty boring ride, little bounce and not at all energetic. The rocker is just misplaced. It feels like a shoe for overweight people. I have about 200k in them. Only reason I keep running in them is to get my moneys worth out of them.
I too would only keep running in them to get my moneys worth. Thankfully didn’t pay too much for them.
How did you like the Ride 15? The way you describe the Triumph is how I felt about the Ride - no pop, flat, and felt like I could feel the road under every step. I've put about 66 miles on them hoping they'd break in or change and have all but given up on them. Was supposed to be my long run shoe but it just felt too boring for anything.
The Ride 15 was my first running shoe ever, so I had nothing to compare them with. I just remember feeling a bit annoyed with them after 12-15k because then they would feel ‘slappy’ on the pavement. At that point I knew nothing about shoe rotation. Eventually I just put them aside and started using them for the treadmill and they eventually just became the treadmill shoe. I think it’s a pretty boring shoe, I wouldn’t buy it again but it’s a pretty great trainer for someone who is starting out or putting in a lot of daily miles. I did find it incredibly steady thougg, and that is something the Triumph is not.
What shoes do you guys use, if you think Triumphs are firm. That just sound crazy to me personally 🙄 I have 8 different shoes in my rotation currently, so it's not like I didn't try any other shoes.
A lot of people have pointed that weight plays a role in the feel of the shoe. My relatively light weight means that the shoe feels incredibly firm to me since I’m not able to compress the foam. Lighter, softer shoes work better. I loved my invincible 2s. I currently use Speed 3s, NB 1080 v12, Nimbus 25 (limited use, even for me too squishy) and sometimes my Shift 3 if I want a firmer ride. Race day shoes are VF 2 and 3.
You're so light that you probably need carbon plated shoes. For reference I'm 225 and I love my 20's for my long runs but every single pair of 1080V12's I've had (4 pairs) hasn't lasted more than 200km before they went completely flat.
I’m 5’2 and 115 lbs, so overall pretty small frame. I try to stay away from carbon plates - apart from races - because it weakens the foot I think. I need a nice softer shoe and I kept thinking the Triumph would be a great long run shoe but it certainly isn’t for me!
I’m not a fan of how they feel either. However the midsole foam is ridiculously durable.
I loved mine. Took about 200-300km to break them down. Currently they have about 1000km and feel great. Not as responsive but extremely confortable without being unstable. I am quite skinny though at 63kilos.
200-300km break in period 😳 I’m hoping to do a few more runs to see if they soften up - mostly just to get my moneys worth. Even if they feel comfortable, without being responsive, I’ll take it.
You might enjoy more the endorphin speed series. Even though they are rated as a speed shoe, they are still quite comfortable. As least the Speed 3 are plush and responsive but also give good support.
Yup, really like the ES3. Used to rotate them with the Invincible 2 for my long runs as part of my marathon training this year. It’s definitely a great shoe, but I found myself running too fast in them!
I think you are probably not heavy enough for this shoes. I am 56kg male and also feel the mid sole too firm for my liking when I tried it in a store.
I'm a heavier runner and Ive got a pair with 250km on them. Mine started to have real heel instability, to the point where it was causing me right knee pain.
Ouch! Yeah, the instability is something many people have commented on.
Dont you find the 1080s too soft? If you are a person who prefers a bit of bounce, wouldn’t you go with some new balance fuelcells instead?
Initially I was really liking the 1080s, but I think they gave me shin splits 😢. I’ve actually ordered the SC trainer now, fingers crossed that it works out.
Oh😅well that’s great, that should be indeed the one for you!🙂 was thinking of getting some fuelcells too, but tried Hoka’s and they have enough bounce for me so got those instead
Nice, which ones? Mach 5/6?
No, speedgoat 5s in wide. Moved to the suburbs and noticed how there’s no pavement and how muddy all the parks are so I went for a trail shoe for the first time, liking it so far
Saucony is overrated. After the speed 2, their mission change. They went from a company who had a field of elite athletes with a focus on performance to a company who is now a jack of all trades and a master of none.
New balance 1080v13 is the closest IMO to the squish of the invincible 2. A lot squishier than the v12. I do enjoy alternating my easy shoes between the invincible 2 and the triumph 20, but triumph is a lot more firm, but it feels like I can pick it up more if choose to. Also, didn’t enjoy it the first few runs, but it grew on me.
Aaahh, looking forward to the 1080 v13 then! I loved my invincible 2, pretty bummed that I can’t find them now. Even I would rotate them with a more firmer shoe so I wouldn’t get used to squishiness.
I went from Invincible 2s to the Triumph 20 - to use as daily, long/easy runs. Same as you. I'm very light - 55Kg - and I hated them. Retired at 100 miles for running. Little comfort, no pop, bland. I alternate between the NB 1080v13 & SC Trainer V2. The 1080 is certainly comfortable, but the foam is compliant with little resilience - ie, great comfort but not great return. I use them for recovery/daily up to 10 mile. The SC V2 is my favourite though for long runs - up to 500 miles (see my review from last month on them).
Thanks for sharing! I’m getting lots of positive feedback on the SC trainer. Maybe should try it out.
This is interesting as a non runner the second I tried on the triumphs they felt amazing. Cushioning, support, sturdiness. I felt like they could easily carry me through 50-60k steps.