Triumph 22

The ride is soft, smooth and forgiving. Step in and the cushioning feels deep and pillowy, the kind of underfoot comfort that rewards you on tired legs and longer efforts. The transition from heel to toe is gentle rather than snappy, which fits the shoe's job as a comfort-first cruiser. Hold an easy or steady pace and it feels planted and protective, mile after mile. Push the pace and the picture changes. The weight and the soft, deep foam mean it does not have much pop or urgency when you ask for a surge, so tempo work and intervals feel like hard work in it. Run it for what it is, a relaxed high-mileage trainer, and it shines.

Cushioning is the whole point of this shoe and it delivers. There is a generous, soft stack underfoot that protects your legs from impact on long runs and back-to-back training days. The feel is plush and cosseting rather than bouncy or springy, so you get comfort and shock absorption more than energy return. That suits recovery runs and easy miles perfectly, where the goal is to finish fresh rather than fast. Heavier runners and those who feel beaten up by firmer shoes will appreciate how much the Triumph 22 takes the edge off the road. It is one of the more protective rides in its class, and the softness holds up well across the length of a long run.

This is a neutral shoe with no medial post or dedicated support features, so it is built for runners with an efficient, neutral gait who do not need motion control. That said, the wide, well-cushioned platform gives a fairly planted and balanced feel for a soft trainer, and the secure midfoot helps keep your foot centred. Very soft, tall cushioning can feel slightly less precise on uneven surfaces or sharp corners, which is worth knowing if you want a locked-down, ground-connected ride. Runners who overpronate or need genuine stability should look at a dedicated support shoe instead, such as the Saucony Guide 18, rather than relying on the platform here.

The upper is comfortable and well finished, which you would expect at this price. A soft engineered mesh wraps the foot with enough give to feel accommodating while still holding your shape, and the padded tongue and heel collar add to the premium, broken-in-from-the-box feel. Breathability is reasonable for a cushioned daily trainer, fine for most UK conditions and steady efforts, though it is more about plush comfort than airy ventilation on hot days. Lockdown is good once laced, with no notable heel slip for most foot shapes. Overall the upper matches the shoe's comfort-first character and adds to the sense that this is a shoe you can pull on and forget about.