Saucony Triumph 19 Review: Plush Cushioning With a Surprising Bit of Pop

Introduction

The Saucony Triumph 19 is the latest in Saucony’s long line of cushioned running shoes, aimed at runners who want a plush, comfortable ride but still want to pick up the pace now and then. It is priced at £145 or $150, weighs 286 grams (10.1 ounces) for men in a US size 8, and has an 8mm heel-to-toe drop.

The midsole is built on Saucony’s PWRRUN+ foam, a material that balances softness with a light, springy feel. Pair that with an updated mesh upper, a durable rubber outsole, and a wide choice of colorways, and you get a shoe that is clearly designed around comfort first, with just enough bounce to stay interesting.

Who the Triumph 19 Is For

This is a shoe for runners who prioritize cushioning. If you do not like a soft, plush ride, this probably is not the shoe for you. But if you want a comfortable daily trainer that lets you settle into easy miles without pressure, the Triumph 19 fits the bill nicely.

It is also a genuinely good option for someone with a half marathon or marathon on the calendar whose main goal is comfort rather than a personal best: a shoe that keeps your legs feeling good over the distance. There is enough pop in the midsole that it will not slow you down or make you feel sluggish, and one tester even planned to try it over a full marathon to see how it holds up at the end of a long race.

Fit and Upper

Across our testers, fit was consistently reported as true to size, though with a slightly longer toe box than previous Triumph generations. One long-time Triumph user, who has run in four or five earlier versions in the same size, noticed a bit more room at the front of the shoe, but still found it fine in their usual size with a secure fit around the midfoot and heel.

Other testers described the forefoot and midfoot as generous, with plenty of wiggle room. That is a plus if you like a roomier fit, but worth considering if you prefer a firm lockdown feel. The mesh upper is supportive and breathable, the heel collar and tongue carry nice padding, and the thick squishy laces drew mixed reactions, though one tester found they tie down tightly without needing a double knot and never loosen mid-run.

Ride and Performance

The Triumph 19 is at its best at easy paces. It serves as a comfortable easy-run shoe and probably has enough versatility to be a daily trainer for some people, though it would not be everyone’s first choice for speedier work. The ride can feel a bit ponderous at times, and one tester picked up the Ride 14 as a snappier alternative within the same brand’s lineup.

That said, the 19 is about 20 grams lighter than the Triumph 18 in the same size, and testers found it more versatile as a result. Several reported picking up the pace on longer runs and finding the shoe reasonably bouncy, responsive, and fun. The most common complaint was occasional hot spots under the forefoot on longer runs, which never became painful and often faded away, but may matter if you are prone to issues in that area.

On longer efforts, the shoe earns its comfort credentials. One tester running up to 13km during a marathon taper reported legs feeling great by the end of each run, and another logged around 80km, mostly easy miles, with the shoe excelling on every one. The outsole carries a thick layer of rubber that looks barely worn after initial testing, pointing to solid durability.

How It Compares to the Competition

Compared with the New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 V11, which offers a similar level of cushioning, the Triumph 19 is notably softer. The 1080 V11’s cushioning is harder and a bit more responsive, which suits runners who dislike that sinking, squishy feeling. The Triumph’s PWRRUN+ foam feels bouncier, giving back plenty of pop off soft landings, though for some runners it may simply feel too soft.

The closest comparison in feel is the Brooks Glycerin 19: similar cushioning and softness, but the Triumph has a touch more bounce, which helps at faster paces. Even so, one tester still preferred the Glycerin for pure daily-mile comfort. For outright plushness, padding, and step-in comfort, the Glycerin remains the benchmark in this comparison.

Outside those two, preferences shift. The Asics Novablast 2 and Nike Invincible both offer a softer, bouncier, more exciting easy-day feel with more pop when upping the pace. The Saucony Endorphin Shift came off worse: a big, slightly clumsy shoe that the Triumph beats on versatility. Interestingly, the Ride 14 divided opinion, with one tester preferring the Triumph’s comfort and another finding the Ride 14 better for quicker running but otherwise firm and uninspired.

For value, the Puma Velocity Nitro stands out: cheaper than the Triumph, with more versatility. The Puma Magnify Nitro is closer in character to the Triumph, with more padding up top and a bigger, bulkier build, and it is also cheaper. The Under Armour Flow Velociti Wind is another versatile alternative worth a look if you want one shoe that can cover easy runs and tempo work.

Buying Advice

If you want a single shoe to reach for on easy runs, the Triumph 19 fits the bill. It works for short and long distances, looks good with a subtle take on Saucony’s signature design language, and is comfortable enough to wear all day.

If you need more versatility from one shoe, you can definitely spend less. The Puma Velocity Nitro and the Saucony Ride 14 are both better suited to mixing in tempo runs and faster work, and the Under Armour Flow Velociti Wind covers similar ground. But as a plush, easygoing daily companion, the Triumph 19 is easy to recommend.

Conclusion

The Saucony Triumph 19 is a comfortable, well-built cushioned trainer that surprised several testers with how much bounce it delivers for a shoe with this much foam. It is softer than the Fresh Foam 1080 V11, bouncier than the Glycerin 19, and more versatile than the Endorphin Shift. Hot spots under the forefoot on long runs and a ponderous feel at speed are the main caveats. For runners who want their easy miles to feel great, and occasionally fancy going a bit quicker than planned, it is a very good option.