Missing the Saucony Triumph 20? 5 Current Shoes That Capture Its Spirit

Introduction

Some trainers develop a real following for a reason. The Saucony Triumph 20 was one of those shoes: a high-cushion daily trainer that stayed versatile, stayed fun, and simply refused to wear out. When Saucony overhauled the formula in the Triumph 22, many runners who loved the 20 and 21 were left searching for something that felt the same.

This guide revisits what made the Triumph 20 special and rounds up five current shoes that channel parts of that spirit. None of them is a one-to-one clone, but each one captures at least two or three of the qualities that made the original great: versatility, bounce, and durability.

Why the Triumph 20 Still Matters

The Triumph 20 and 21 shared the same midsole: Saucony’s PWRRUN+ foam, a dense but bouncy beaded TPU similar in character to the original adidas Boost. The shoe was versatile, fun, and comfortable, and it handled everything asked of it. At a $160 launch price, it undercut $200 competitors like the Superblast while delivering comparable durability.

The durability is the part that stands out most. This shoe was still in decent shape past 350 miles, with the bounce and impact absorption largely intact even after the outsole had worn through. It is one of the very few shoes worth considering well past the usual retirement point, because PWRRUN+ holds up where softer foams flatten out. For many runners, it was the shoe that taught them they could handle high mileage.

What about the Triumph 22? It is a very different shoe. The upper padding is much thicker, the base is wider, and the overall feel is heavier and bulkier. The stability did improve, and some heavier runners appreciate the extra structure, but for most people it feels like a lot more shoe on foot. If you loved the 20, the 22 is worth trying only if you specifically want that bigger, more supportive build.

ASICS Novablast 4: The Long-Run Value Pick

The Novablast 4 sits at the relaxed, comfort-oriented end of this list. At a $140 MSRP, you get more foam than in almost any other shoe at that price, with as much cushion as some max-cushion trainers that cost $160 or more. It is a touch more stable than the Triumph 20, though not quite as naturally bouncy.

This is a long-run champion. It has carried runners through full marathons and long weekend efforts at easy paces without complaint. The foam is also reasonably durable, so if you valued the Triumph’s longevity and comfort for long miles on your feet, this is the closest match here.

View more details for Asics Novablast 4

Adidas Supernova Prima: Smooth, Set-and-Forget Miles

The Supernova Prima was one of the pleasant surprises of the year. It is a smooth, buttery shoe that simply supports you without demanding attention, and its bouncy DreamStrike+ foam with a touch of race foam mixed in handles strides better than you would expect from a relaxed daily trainer.

The fit and feel land very close to the Triumph 20: similar stack height, a similar narrower platform from the heel, and that same quiet, cruise-friendly character. A firmer EVA piece along the bottom adds a bit of support. Durability is generally a adidas strength, though note there is a thin exposed-foam area at the rear of the midsole.

If you want a cushioned daily trainer with a little pep that you can throw on and just run in, without the fussier character of shoes like the Pegasus or 880, the Prima fits the bill.

Brooks Glycerin 21: The Bouncy Workhorse with a 10mm Drop

The Glycerin 21 might be the closest spiritual match here for runners who loved the Triumph’s bounce. Its DNA LOFT v3 foam is among the bounciest training foams available, and it keeps that resilience mile after mile without flattening out. The stack height is similar to the Triumph 20/21, and it keeps the same traditional 10mm drop.

There are two practical differences worth knowing. First, the heel is more bulbous, with extra foam for landing, which adds stability. If you are a heel striker who found the Triumph’s heel a little wobbly, the Glycerin fixes that. Second, the added heel geometry gives the shoe a slightly more supportive, do-your-job workhorse character, backed by Brooks’ reputation for foam that keeps responding over high mileage.

If you want the comfort, durability, and bounce of the Triumph with a 10mm drop feel, this is the pick on the list for you.

New Balance 860 v14: Versatile, Supportive, and Fun

The 860 v14 is a stability shoe, but do not let that label scare you off. It is one of the most versatile daily trainers of the year, offering a higher-cushioned feel, more get-up-and-go than most stability shoes, and the ability to handle longer efforts exactly the way the Triumph 20 did.

It is fun, bouncy, peppy, and smooth, with one of the best rockers of the year. It has handled 21-mile long runs with alternating pace work and remained comfortable and protective throughout. If you want something supportive but genuinely fun and versatile like the Triumph 20, this is the strongest all-around alternative on this list.

Topo Spectre 2: The Speed Pick

The Spectre 2 is the wildcard and the fastest shoe here. It is the only one with a fully beaded PPEA midsole, meaning 100 percent race foam, which makes it a bit firmer than the Triumph but with a very similar foam character once you start pushing the pace. It takes a few runs to break in and soften up.

It has a 5mm drop, which addresses one of the common complaints about the Triumph 20’s taller heel feel. It is comfortable, supportive, and protective, yet it can genuinely handle fast paces. It is not as fast as a plated race shoe, but if you loved the Triumph because it was bouncy and capable without a plate, the Spectre 2 delivers the same non-plated philosophy with more speed headroom.

How to Choose Between Them

A quick way to narrow it down:

• Long runs at relaxed effort with great value: ASICS Novablast 4
• Classic, smooth, set-it-and-forget-it daily miles: Adidas Supernova Prima
• Maximum bounce with a 10mm drop and high durability: Brooks Glycerin 21
• Supportive but fun and versatile all-rounder: New Balance 860 v14
• Long runs with genuine speed capability, no plate: Topo Spectre 2

If you want something close to the Triumph’s character with even more cushion, Saucony’s own Hurricane line is worth a look too, and a firmer 5mm-drop option with good bounce is arriving as a promising higher-cushion alternative.

Conclusion

The Triumph 20 was never going to be replaced spiritually. But between the Novablast 4’s value and long-run comfort, the Prima’s smooth set-and-forget ride, the Glycerin 21’s bounce, the 860 v14’s versatile support, and the Spectre 2’s non-plated speed, every runner missing that shoe has a credible path forward. Pick the one whose strengths match the miles you actually run.