Saucony Triumph 9 Review
I was lucky enough to be invited to a conference call with the team behind Saucony’s big move towards creating natural running shoes for the masses. Pat O’Malley (Head of Footware), Spencer White (Head of Biometrics), and Chris Mahoney (Designer) took several bloggers any myself through their latest natural (and neutral) running shoe creation, the Triumph 9, and fielded an array of questions that were thrown their way regarding the shoe’s development and testing.
Saucony Triumph 9 Mens
The Triaumph 9 has been almost 2 years in the making. Sucony can usually have a new shoe in stores in about eight months, but the Triumph 9 was such a new concept shoe that it took them 2 years to be sure that they had the design spot on.
So what is so great about the new shoe? Well, Saucny has taken the positive feedback from its Kinvara and Mirage shoe lines and upgraded their three most popular running shoes lines with a lower 8mm heel/toe offset (compared to conventional running shoes 12mm offset). The Triumph 9 is one of the first to feature the upgrade (along with the Guide 5) and should be in stores as we speak.
So why an 8mm heel/toe offset? Natural running shoes are gaining quite a following at the moment and conventional running shoes and their chunky heals are taking quite a beating due to the belief that they encourage poor running technique and actually increase the amount of injury causing vibrations that running generates every time your foot hits the ground. The philosophy by many top athletes sport scientists and biometric experts is that a lower heel encourages you to run on your mid and forefoot, therefore encouraging a smoother running gait and less impact.
The Saucony Triumph 9 Has a 8mm Dropped Heel
I have been running in natural trainers for about six months now and although the lower heel takes a bit of getting used to, natural running trainers haven’t caused me any problems so far in terms of injury. However, the main issue with natural shoes for many people is the lowered heel. The fact that they are more flexible and offer less support is a matter in itself but the lower heel is something that can cause discomfort in the lower leg and calves for the first few weeks that you run. This is why Saucony is onto a winner. Their 8mm models are just low enough to encourage a more natural running style without being so low as to cause discomfort. Therefore the shoes are perfect for anyone looking to make the move to a more natural running style but not wanting to compromise on support and cushioning, or make the jump to a fully fledged 4mm or 0mm heeled shoe.
Saucony provided me with a pair of both the Triumph 9′s and the Guide 5′s for review and at the time of writing this article I have run about 30 miles in each of the two models so can give a good comparison for anyone who is undecided between the two models.
On first impressions, the Triumph 9 seems like a conventional running shoe and you have to look pretty close to notice the flatter heel that gives these shoes away. The triumph 9 has more of a plush cushioning system (PowerGrid compared to ProGrid) than the Guide 5 and so is more suited for those who prefer a little extra cushioning in their training foot ware. The only downside to the PowerGrid cushioning in the Triumph 9 is that it makes the shoes slightly heavier than than their Guide counterparts, but the difference is miniscule.
The Triumph 9 Features Sauc-Fit Technology
The Triumph 9′s have something called Sauc-Fit, which is a feature that keeps your foot securely fixed in place within the shoe. Having run in both the Guide 5′s and the Triumph 9′s the Sauc-Fit is something that is very noticeable and manifests itself as a feeling of greater support and security when running. The Guide 5′s are more flexible and lightweight whereas the Triumph 9′s offer more support and a more solid base to run from. If you are after a more flexible and natural ride then the Guide 5′s are the shoe to go for whereas if you are after something that offers a natural ride but with a little more support and stability then the Triumph 9′s would be more suitable.
The Triumph 9 Features a New IBR Rubber on the Sole for Grip and Durability
An additional upgrade to both the Guide and the Triumph series is the new IBR rubber that features on the outsole of both models. Spencer White (Biometric specialist at Saucony) was keen to emphasise that the fact that although the new 8mm series of shoes have been designed to be lighter and more flexible, there is absolutely no performance tradeoff in terms of durability or lifespan. The new IBR rubber compound is a grippy and durable compound that makes up the tread of the shoe and ensures that the life of the shoe is maximised whilst maintaining its lightweight properties.
I could go on an on about what was talked about in the conference call with the Saucony guys but really the only thing you need to know is that a massive amount of design, development and testing has gone into these shoes and the whole weight of Saucony is behind the move from 12mm to 8mm heel drops. The fact that Saucony are moving three of their best selling running shoe lines (Guide, Hurricane and Triumph) to the new 8mm heel drop shows just how much they believe that this is the future of running. With the advent of the Triumph 9′s Saucony seem to have struck the perfect balance between flexibility, support, weight and durability whilst maintaining the natural running philosophy. If is this balance that makes the Triumph 9′s perfect for anyone who is looking to make the jump to a natural running shoe but doesn’t want to move to a 4mm or 0mm heel just yet.
How do these shoes compare to the Cortana in terms of forefoot striking?
Hi Michael, I have never run in a Cortana but as I understand the Cortana features a 4mm heel toe offset so would encourage more forefoot running than the Triumph 9
I bought a pair of Cortana’s last week and ran a 10k right out of the box. I was a bi worried how they’d tear up my feet without any break in or trial. Not only did the shoes feel like my favourite pair of slippers I actually took just over 2 minutes off my last 10k. I am considering picking up a second pair as I’ve been told I should have a second pair. I have one question. I run roads and treadmill. Should I have a different pair for each?
Thanks
I do not know next year, but now this triumph 9 is my favorite shoe. My last shoes were nimbus, glycerin and triumph 8. CONS=price, roamy toe area, sauc/fit good could be better. PROS= the 8mm heel drop is great, excellent cushioning and light. I am midfoot runner so, 8mm almost any difference for my gait. Great Shoe but pricey.
For me, the space in the forefoot is great. I have only run about 20k in them (had them 2 days), but I find them very comfortable and not too bulky. Calves have definitely felt the 8mm drop but not to an extent that it is a problem. I’m sure it will take a week or so to settle in. At 90kg, I am not exactly a speed merchant. The shoe feels very comfortable and supportive and I eagerly await to see how it wears over time. If it performs well in the long term (and on longer runs) I may have found my “go to” shoe for years to come.