Triumph 23

* Saucony Triumph 23 Wide * New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 (2e) * New Balance 1080v14 (2e) * Asics Novablast 5 Wide

My Triumph 23 was that shoe for me but mine are a bit dead now so I don't really take them out on runs over 10k. But they're super poppy and have a lot of energy return. Just a really fun shoe to run in.

I haven't really been doing this whole running thing for a very long time but I did recently get something dedicated for 'speed work' recently and I will share my thoughts so maybe you can find something useful in there. I've so far been running everything in a daily trainer and I'm pretty slow (LR pace I shoot for a 6~6:30/k, speed work I try and hit a 5:30/k). My rotation of daily trainers includes the Saucony Triumph 23, NB 1080v14 and Asics Novablast5. They're all fairly plush and kind of heavier shoes. It was recommended to me that I get something a bit more 'speed focused' for my workout/higher intensity runs and I thought nothing of it. Until I did a demo in some NB SC Elite v5's. And then I understood it. And while the SC Elite might be a bit too aggressive for routine workout efforts, I did get a Saucony Endorphin Speed 5. I like that it's lighter and has a bit firmer outsole than my 'daily trainer' rotation and I feel like it's a lot easier to do harder work in them. I'm just a dumb guy on the internet so I can't tell you why that is but I definitely like the feeling of it. I'm not sure if it's because there's less loss in the foam compressing or maybe that's just the way then shoe returns energy (or possibly a combo of the two) but it feels like I'm putting in less effort and able to go harder. And that does make me feel good mentally alongside the physical effects of the workout run.

I am a wide foot (2e) heel striker and have the Speed 5. I put off trying these shoes on for so long because I love the Mutant colourway and I didn't want to be disappointed if the upper could not accommodate my wide foot. The toebox is incredibly accommodating and is very comfortable. Obviously I can't give any indication on longevity because I've only got about 80km on mine so far but things seem to be holding up and I don't anticipate any 'hot spot' wear in the upper. I've been taking it on my tempo runs and workouts the last two months and have really enjoyed it. I also took it on one long run where I accidentally ended up setting a couple longer distance PRs. It's just an incredibly easy shoe to run in that feels firm but isn't and has a lot of pop/energy return. Also the wet weather grip has been fantastic. I was nervous given my Triumph 23's were average to below average in the wet but the Speed5's really do a good job on wet asphalt. I haven't ran in the Superblast but I did an Asics demo night last week and did 10k in the Megablast. I assume the fit is similar and the upper also accommodates a wide foot well. Fwiw, I also have a Novablast 5 in wide and my foot swims in it. Knowing what I know now, I would have got that shoe in standard width and probably have been a bit happier with it. I just get the impression that this round of Asics shoes run wide (or maybe that's just what they do, I'm kind of new to this game). Hope there's something helpful in here for you.

Yeah, the Speed 5 only comes in regular width. There was a rumor there was a wide version coming early 2026 but I don't see it happening. As far as figuring out if it was going to work for me, I have a really good relationship with the place where I buy my shoes so as long as I don't wear them outside, I can take them back if they don't work for me so that takes the guess work out of it. When it came to actually getting the Speed 5 though, I had been eyeing them up for several months when I did clinic days and social runs at the shop. So looking at them they do look like they have a very accommodating toe box so I wasn't too worried about cramming my foot into it. I also asked another guy I run with who also has the Speed 5's how he likes them (because he also has big feet) and he reported that the upper and toebox was very accommodating. So I was pretty sure at that point they were going to work for me. Around the end of October there was a really big sale on the Endorphin line so I figured now was the time to actually buy the Speed 5's instead of waiting for a wide version that may or may not actually come. I tried them on and they felt good enough to go ahead with, no hot spots or pinch points. Then took them home and did a few KMs on the treadmill and decided that they were going to work for me. So between reading reviews (specifically Jarrett Weisberg's stuff), asking other runners what they thought of them and actually trying them on is what I do to make sure a non-wide shoe will work for my feet. That and doing brand demo runs kind of gives you a good idea of how things fit. Like I know I can get away with Saucony, Altra and Asics in D width if I have to for the most part. Hoka is hit and miss but they're pretty good about having wide options and New Balance I just don't bother trying on a D when they offer basically everything they make in 2E.

How would you compare the feel of the Triumph 23 to the Mach 6? Thomas Do Canto on the Inside Running Podcast likes both, and I also like the Mach 6 the most out of shoes in my rotation (using for daily/easy runs). Have been thinking about eventually adding the Triumph to the rotation as a second long run alternative to the Superblast 2

The Triumph 21 was so good. Not in a "wow these are exciting!" way, but in a "I can just put them on and not think about it no matter how many miles I do or don't run" kind of way. Just never had a shoe quite like that. It just chewed up miles. The Triumph 23 is fine, but doesn't disappear on my feet quite like the 21 did. The Vomero 18 is sliding into its place in my rotation lately.

Did a bit over 400 on my 21s. They're not totally retired, but are losing their magic a bit. I'm 200-ish pounds and run fast for my size, so they've had hard use. I know people tend to get more out of them usually, but I'm just one of those whose style is hard on shoes. My 23s are still new - just got them a few weeks ago, but haven't been out much since I got them due to being sick and nursing an angry hammy. Only have like 10mi on them so far.

21 is PWRRUN+ vs the new PRRUN PB, - just feels a bit different overall, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Though it's a bit tough to do apples-to-apples since my 21s have so many miles and it's tough to recall exactly how they felt when they were brand new. But overall, I'd say the 21 had a bit more "plush" feel to them, which I now get out of my Vomero 18s. The Triumph 23 is more responsive, so I think will be better for when I'm after a bit faster pace.

Sounds like you got the Novablast with the expectation it would perform like the Superblast. The Superblast (gen 1) is one of my favorites ever. I never jived with the Novablasts though. My dailies rotate between Triumph 23, Vomero 18 and Superblast.

I'm down to 195 from 210 a few months ago - but run fast paces for my size. The Saucony Triumph 21 was my GOAT daily trainer, but the 22 and 23 just weren't the same. RAD UFO, Vomero 18 and Vomero+ are my current go-tos (in that order). All three have been very, very good to me so far.

Triumph 21 was my GOAT - didn't find the 22 or 23 to have the same magic. Current daily rotation for every day runs is Vomero 18 and RAD UFO. Vomero+ is great also, I just find myself reaching for the 18s more.

My one piece of advice regarding the Nimbus is they're a great recovery shoe, but not a daily shoe. Even as a larger runner, that amount of energy-absorbing in your shoes isn't helping you like you think and may even lead to some bad habits in form that get covered up with the extra soft cushioning. For dailies, I'd try the Saucony Triumph 23. Excellent protection without being mushy. Much better ground feel. For something a bit faster, I'd try Vomero Plus, Megablast or Endorphin Speeds. One of those should work for you.

Depends on my plan for the day. But it's a weird combo of these four and I'll answer you differently every day on what my favorite one is 😂 Vomero 18 / Vomero Plus / Triumph 23 / Superblast (first generation)

I'm down to 195 from 210 a few months ago - but run fast paces for my size. The Saucony Triumph 21 was my GOAT daily trainer, but the 22 and 23 just weren't the same. RAD UFO, Vomero 18 and Vomero+ are my current go-tos (in that order). All three have been very, very good to me so far.

Triumph 21 was my GOAT - didn't find the 22 or 23 to have the same magic. Current daily rotation for every day runs is Vomero 18 and RAD UFO. Vomero+ is great also, I just find myself reaching for the 18s more.

You're on the right path. The Ride is a great shoe. I prefer the Triumph, but if you can't find them on sale, the Ride does a very similar job. Out of your list, the only other one I've tried and jived with is the Vomero 18, which is one of my absolute favorites.

Saucony Triumph 23 are damn good and built to last

I was in your position (actually worse, I was heavier) when I started this year. Super flat feet, zero arch. Hard on shoes. Saucony Triumph 22 or 23 (I have multiple pairs of both models) have held up really well for me, are very cushioned, and work well with my flat feet. They also critically come in wide sizes (which helps with the flat foot problem as well, as flat feet are often also much wider than arched feet. Also testing out some New Balance Rebel V5s and Super trainer v3s, also in wide. Jury is still out on the durability (less than 100 miles on both of them), but they both are great as well.

I was in your position (actually worse, I was heavier) when I started this year. Super flat feet, zero arch. Hard on shoes. Saucony Triumph 22 or 23 (I have multiple pairs of both models) have held up really well for me, are very cushioned, and work well with my flat feet. They also critically come in wide sizes (which helps with the flat foot problem as well, as flat feet are often also much wider than arched feet. Also testing out some New Balance Rebel V5s and Super trainer v3s, also in wide. Jury is still out on the durability (less than 100 miles on both of them), but they both are great as well.