What is it? A running shoe that, to quote its own marketing bumf, “elevates the running experience through performance innovation”.
How much does it cost? About £112.
What does it promise? This is the good bit. I wanted to try the Saucony Triumph because they apparently make you go “Woah” as soon as you put them on. This is because the shoe features something called PWRGRID+ (a system that centres your feet and absorbs impact) and something called Isofit (a soft inner sleeve made of an air mesh that morphs around the shape of your foot like a sock).
What’s it actually like? It’s like a shoe. This is because, despite all the bells and whistles and promises of a custom-moulded fit, it is a shoe. Before I opened the box, I envisioned a super-futuristic sock that symbiotically wrapped itself around my feet and gave me a level of comfort I’d never previously experienced. In actual fact, it’s just quite a cushiony shoe. The marketing bumf should have said that, because it’s actually a pretty good cushiony shoe – OK off-road, decent on treadmills and really quite pleasant on pavements. In fact, two months on, I’m still wearing them.
Best and worst bit I was disappointed to realise that the Triumph wasn’t the huge technological leap forward I’d expected, so the promised “Woah” experience became more of a “Hmm” one. That said, the box played a recording of people saying “Woah” out loud when I opened it. That was great.
Is it worth it? Possibly, as long as you lower your expectations first.
