Details
Brand
Saucony
Heel To Toe Drop
8 mm
Breathability
8/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Cushioned
Key Features
• 8-millimeter heel drop• TRI-FLEX outsole• EVERUN midsole foam• ISOFIT upper• Neutral running design• Larger eyelets for added stretch• Breathable mesh upper
Upper
The upper of the Triumph ISO 4 is highly adaptive and does an excellent job of conforming to the unique shape of each runner’s foot. This creates a customizable fit and a glove-like feel. Saucony uses their ISOFIT upper. It’s an ultra-stretch material that makes it adaptive to fit the unique needs of each runner. The eyelets are larger and allow for more give as the runner moves. In addition to the ISOFIT technology, the upper is constructed using a breathable mesh that helps air to flow into the shoe. This air flow helps to keep the runner comfortable and keep blisters and hot spots at bay.
Midsole
The midsole is where this shoe shines. Saucony added some of their newest, smartest technologies to give runners a high-tech, high quality running experience. Runners will be pleased to see Saucony’s patented EVERUN midsole. This material runs the entire length of the midsole, providing a highly responsive fit for the runner. This midsole is designed to absorb the shock of each footfall and return that energy to the runner. This helps to protect runners from fatiguing prematurely. The EVERUN midsole material provides a plush cushioning for the runners who are prone to injury found that this material helps to protect them from unwanted joint pain and muscle discomfort. The plush midsole also makes this a good choice for folks who are standing all day due to their jobs.
Outsole
One of the updates to the Triumph ISO 4 from the 3rd version is the redesigned outsole. This outsole now uses Saucony’s TRI-FLEX outsole that is designed to provide added flexibility and a natural running cycle. In addition to this, the outsole design is created to provide added traction for the runner. The added flexibility that is provided via the outsole enables runners to pick up the pace when needed, creating a versatile, all-around shoe that can be used for logging long, slower runs as well as picking up the pace for faster races and runs.
Breathability
The upper of this shoe is made uses a lightweight, stretch mesh. This mesh material helps to keep the runner’s foot cool and comfortable during workouts. A unique feature of this shoe’s design is that it contains perforated ventilation holes along the entire upper. In general, runners are used to seeing ventilation holes along the top the shoe, but the Triumph ISO 4 also has them along the sides and the heel of the shoe too.
Comfort
Runners raved about the overall comfort that the Triumph ISO 4 provides. Runners with a neutral The key to this high level of comfort can be attributed to the redesigned upper and midsole. The upper is made using Saucony’s patented ISOFIT technology. This technology stretches and moves with the foot. Additionally, runners found the full-length EVERUN midsole foam provided a plush landing pad for each footfall. The high level of comfort makes this a great option for runners who spend the majority of their day standing.
Style
These shoes feature the unique Saucony insignia along the side. They are offered in a variety of three different colors, and runners reported that they are both sleek and eye-catching.
Durability
Reviewers of these shoes reported over and over how long lasting their Triumphs ISO 4’s were. This can be attributed to the thicker outsole and midsole material. The full-length EVA midsole can provide supportive cushioning, mile after mile. Due to the higher durability of this shoe, runners found it to be the perfect companion for longer distance runs and races. In addition to the thicker midsole and outsole, the upper is made from a long-lasting material that deflects debris and keeps the shoe looking newer for longer.
Protection
This shoe does a great job of absorbing the harmful shock of each footfall and returning that energy back to the runner. Runners who are injury prone found that this shoe helped to reduce their instances of injury. Another way these shoes help to protect the runner is through their use of reflective details along the upper. These reflective details help to keep runner safe when they are on their evening runs or races.
Responsiveness
The EVERUN midsole foam is known for being highly responsive. Runners reported that even though the midsole foam and the outsole rubber are thicker, they could still easily feel the ground below them. This made it possible for them to make quick and effective changes to pace, direction and terrain. This midsole foam provides cushioned landings and more efficient take offs.
Support
The ISOFIT upper conforms to the runner’s foot, creating a supportive, snug fit. This technology is designed to collapse and expand as the athlete runs providing a glove-like fit that wraps the runner’s foot in support. The EVERUN midsole foam also rises up to meet the arch of the foot, providing additional support for the runner.
Terrain
This shoe is best suited for road running. The underfoot has a unique shape that provides traction and flexibility, but it does not provide enough of a lug system to keep the runner safe and secure on uneven terrain like trails. Additionally, the added cushioning of the shoe doesn’t make for a great shoe to perform weight lifting activities like Cross Fit or Body Pump classes.
Price
The only real concern that runners had with this shoe was the higher price tag. This shoe costs more than the average road running shoe on today’s market. Saucony uses some of the newest technologies to create this high-quality road running shoe, but runners should be prepared to pay for what they are getting. There are lots of really good shoes on the market for runners who are on a tight budget, but this is not one of them.
Drop
This shoe features an 8-millimeter drop. Many runners commented that that with a heel stack of 28 millimeters and a forefoot stack of 20 millimeters, the Triumph ISO 4 had the perfect blend of forwarding motion and balanced distribution of height. Runners will notice with the 8-millimeter drop of this shoe that they are still propelled forward, but not as much as a traditional heel drop of ten millimeters. The 8-millimeter heel drop provides an evener landing pad for runners to have better balance and control on the roads.
Stability
This is a neutral running shoe. It does not come with support for the runner who has issues with over or under pronation. This shoe is better suited for the runner who is looking for a shoe that will promote their natural gait cycle without cumbersome supports in the way.
Flexibility
One of the highest rated categories by runners when it comes to the Triumph ISO 4 is the flexibility offered from the upper to the outsole. The outsole uses the TRI-FLEX technology. That paired with the EVERUN full-length midsole foam provides a ride that promotes a natural movement but also supports the runner through their entire gait cycle. The upper of the shoe, the ISOFIT, bends and stretches with the natural movement of the runner.
Traction
The outsole of this shoe has been redesigned and now has a different pattern. Although this adds a higher level of flexibility, runners commented that the new design created a less grippy feeling. Some runners commented that while this shoe provided enough traction for flat, dry pavement, any addition of moisture to the surface of the road and runners reported that they didn’t feel fully protected.
Bottom Line
Saucony took their best selling Triumph and enhanced the design with new, cutting-edge technologies. The fourth iteration of the model provides even plusher cushioning, a better fitting upper, and a reliable, durable outsole. Runners who are fans of high tech design elements enjoyed the customizable fit that the Triumph ISO 4 provided. Due to the ISOFIT upper and the EVERUN full-length midsole foam, runners reported a snug, adaptive fit. The EVERUN midsole foam rises up to meet the arch of the foot, providing a safe, supportive run. This is a neutral running shoe that helps promote that natural gait of the runner. This shoe is not designed to help runners who are struggling with pronation issues. Due to the plush cushioning and support of the EVERUN midsole, runners reported that this shoe is perfect for their long runs and races. They also noted that this is a good shoe for individuals who spend long hours on their feet each day. The only issue that runners had with this shoe was the higher price tag. This shoe is certainly at the higher end of the price spectrum when it comes to road running shoes, but runners who were able to purchase this item found it to be more than worth the higher price tag.
