Saucony Triumph 21 vs New Balance Fresh Foam More v4: Which Cushioned Trainer Wins?

Introduction

If you are shopping in the max-cushion corner of the running shoe market, the Saucony Triumph 21 and the New Balance Fresh Foam More v4 are two of the most obvious candidates. Both are built for comfort-first running: easy days, slow long runs, and lots of weekly miles where you want your legs to finish feeling fresh. But they have quietly grown into different tools, and picking between them depends heavily on what you want from your rotation.

We put both shoes through the same tests to see where each one shines, where each one falls short, and which runner should buy which.

At a Glance: Specs and Price

Here is how the two shoes stack up on paper, using men’s size 8 (UK) figures:

• Saucony Triumph 21: 170 pounds / $160, 280 g (9.9 oz), 10 mm drop
• New Balance Fresh Foam More v4: 140 pounds / $149.99, 298 g (10.5 oz), 4 mm drop

The Triumph 21 is the lighter of the two and costs a little more, while the More v4 undercuts it on price and sits on a much lower 4 mm drop. If you are sensitive to heel-to-toe offset, that alone could decide the comparison for you.

Saucony Triumph 21

The Triumph 21 carries a number of updates over its predecessor, and they are concentrated almost entirely in the upper. The new flat-knit material improves fit and breathability, and a modified lacing system delivers better lockdown. There is also a heel lock to hold the foot in place and a pull tab at the rear that makes the shoe easy to pull on and off.

Underfoot, the story is continuity rather than change. The shoe keeps the same PWRTARC and plus cushioning in the midsole and sock liner, an impressively balanced foam that manages to feel soft while still providing a good level of energy return. A generous amount of outsole rubber protects that foam and delivers strong grip across varied road conditions. One trade-off: it is slightly heavier than the previous version.

New Balance Fresh Foam More v4

The Fresh Foam More v4 is a true max-cushion shoe designed for plush, comfortable miles, and it brings several design updates over the More v3. The biggest change is even more Fresh Foam X midsole foam, making the shoe higher and wider than its predecessor, a move that also aims to improve the stability of the ride.

New Balance has updated the outsole with new cushion zones across the length of the shoe, plus flex zones that give the ride a more natural feel. A rocker profile keeps transitions smooth, and a modified engineered mesh upper is built to feel plush while still breathing well. A reflective logo adds visibility for night running, and the outsole is covered with plenty of rubber for grip and midsole protection.

Fit and Comfort

In terms of fit, the two shoes are quite similar: both are roomy, comfort-oriented shoes that avoid feeling restrictive or tight. The Triumph 21 is extremely comfortable with a plush, fairly traditional fit. In a UK size 8 it fits true to size, with plenty of wiggle room at the front of the foot. The new upper is slightly thinner than the previous version, which does not massively change the feel but does make the shoe a bit more breathable.

The More v4 follows a similar recipe. There is nice wiggle room in the forefoot, the shoe holds the foot securely without pinching, and there is plenty of padding throughout. It is very much designed for those comfortable long, slow miles where you never want to think about your feet, and it does that job well. Testers stayed at their usual size in both shoes with no need to size up or down.

Ride Feel and Versatility

This is where the two shoes genuinely part ways. The More v4 is excellent at slow, comfortable miles, and it is hard to beat for exactly that. It has a pleasant rocker action that moves the foot into the right position and keeps you ticking over at a consistent easy pace. The wide base makes landings very comfortable, which is a real benefit when you are tired on a long run and your foot placement is getting sloppy. The caveat: it is not a fast shoe and not a versatile one. You cannot really pick up the pace in it. The Fresh Foam X foam has limited bounce and energy return, but at slow speeds the rocker does enough to move you forward, and that is all an easy-day shoe needs to do.

The Triumph 21 used to live in the same category as the More v4, but over the last two versions it has developed into something more versatile. Thanks to its PWRTARC midsole foam, it remains very cushioned and soft, yet there is noticeable energy return that makes it capable of faster running when you decide to push. It is edging toward daily-trainer territory: a good option for neutral runners who want to enjoy their runs, or even race in them at a comfortable pace, without chasing outright speed. If you could only take one shoe on holiday and wanted to mix easy runs with the occasional interval session, the Triumph 21 would be a strong pick. Its transition is fluid, and the midsole keeps you bouncing along, if only minimally.

Grip and Outsole Durability

Both shoes carry a lot of outsole rubber and both grip the ground well. The Triumph 21 edges ahead slightly: the rubber is a touch stickier and performs a little better on wet pavement. That said, the More v4 is far from poor, with no real grip issues reported, just a slightly smoother feel. If wet-road confidence is high on your list, the Triumph 21 has the advantage.

One more practical note for shoppers: because the Triumph 21’s changes are almost entirely in the upper, the Triumph 20 is essentially the same shoe with a slightly less breathable upper. If you are paying full price for the 21, consider whether the breathability upgrade alone justifies it; the 20 remains a fantastic shoe.

Which One Should You Buy?

The honest verdict is that these are different shoes for different jobs:

• If you only care about easy days, slow runs, and pure comfort, the New Balance Fresh Foam More v4 is still the pick. It manages impact beautifully, cruises you along to the end of long runs, and leaves your legs feeling great.
• If you want one cushioned shoe that can also handle faster days, the Saucony Triumph 21 is the more versatile choice and the better all-round daily trainer.

If you are browsing alternatives, the Puma Magnify Nitro 2 is a little firmer but sits closer to the More v4’s ride, while the Brooks Glycerin 20 is very similar to the Triumph 21. Between those two alternatives, the Triumph 21 still comes out ahead in this comparison.

Conclusion

Neither shoe is the outright winner here, because neither is trying to be the same shoe. The Fresh Foam More v4 remains the benchmark for slow, plush, comfortable miles. The Triumph 21 has evolved into a cushioned daily trainer with just enough energy return to keep things interesting when the pace drops. Match the shoe to your rotation, and both are excellent purchases.