Review: Saucony Triumph 22 GORE-TEX

Designed for ultimate comfort the Triumph 22 features luxurious PWRRUN+ foam cushioning. For those braving the elements, a GORE-TEX Invisible Fit construction helps keep you dry while ensuring breathability no matter what Mother Nature throws your way.

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FIRST IMPRESSIONS 

The first impression straight out of the box was very positive. The upper material and the outsole construction seem high-value and durable. A little visual highlight is the colorway along the outsole. The outboxing definitely stirs anticipation for the first run.

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THE UPPER

The upper material is one of the shining features of the shoe. There are no seams you can feel through the upper along your foot and – thanks to the overall shape of the shoe – also the GORE-TEX membrane is layering over your feet without creating any stiffness or rigidity. The lockdown works perfectly based on the intelligent design of the lacing system and therefore I’ve never had to re-lace during the entire testing period. Based on the seamless transition to the midsole the shoe feels like built in one piece. Another outstanding characteristic is the padded heel counter which does not create any irritations at all, but simply adds up to the overall comfort.

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THE MIDSOLE

The midsole is another stellar element of the shoe and is all about the implemented PWRRUN PB foam by Saucony. This creates outstanding feelings during the run – especially for longer training runs – as the cushioning is always there but never too soft or squishy. As a result, there is some excellent rebound and responsiveness you get with every step (without any plate technology used). That has to be mentioned are the high centre of gravity based on the high sole construction with 34mm at the heel as well as the comparably high drop of 10mm. If you’re rather used to lower drops and direct “flat” shoes you should maybe rotate slowly into the regular usage of the Triumph 22 GTX. All in all, the shoes is my perfect new companion for all distances on the road where I need protection from the elements, cold or wet (or both).

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THE OUTSOLE

The outsole for a road running shoe might be of less importance than in a trail shoe but there are a few lines I would like to mention here. The XT-900 outsole by Saucony provides outstanding grip for all wet and potentially wintery conditions that the shoe is built for given its GORE-TEX membrane. I cannot remember ever having so much grip and security in a road running shoe. The optical pattern Saucony is using is the one we know from winter tyres on our cars – excellent!

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SIZING – FIT AND FEEL

With respect to the sizing I went true to size and this fits perfectly. As mentioned above, the shoe is providing outstanding comfort and also feels excellent on foot even after a few hours of running non-stop. With only 247g it is very lightweight considering all its ingredients for comfort and the great cushioning and so you will receive weightless running sensations and the miles will just keep flying by. The toe box is not too roomy but spacious enough for the long distance fans.

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PERFORMANCE

In the overall perspective there seems to be nothing that the shoes is not capable of handling for you. Only the circulation of air through the upper is reduced minimally by the GORE-TEX membrane (but still there!). Based on that I would not recommend the shoe for hot and dry summer days. But for literally anything else, short or long training runs on flat or hilly courses, punctual sections on buffed out gravel or cobbled streets, I’ve won a new best friend in Saucony’s Triumph 22 GTX. No matter whether you consider yourself a beginner or pro, the shoe will be a great companion. Based on its lightweight construction, it is even an option for raceday in case you want to go without carbon plate technology.

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SUMMARY/CONCLUSION

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The Saucony Triumph 22 GTX in summary;

• The perfect shoe for all road distances

• Great cushioning and responsiveness while being not too soft

• Outstanding grip for a road running shoe thanks to the winter tyre XT-900 outsole.

• Perfect fit and great comfort for hours and hours of running

• Excellent for training and light enough for racing (247g).

• More suited to winter weather and extreme conditions.

• Comfortable, durable, protective and cushioned.

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