Saucony Triumph 21 vs On Cloudmonster: Max Cushion Clash
The Saucony Triumph 21 and On Cloudmonster approach the max cushion madness from two different angles. Here's how they run and who should get them.
Max cushioned running shoes are all the rage these days, and that's with good reason. The high stacks of foam provide support, cushioning and comfort for long runs and high mileage weeks during marathon training. Every brand has their take on the max cushioned cruiser, and here we compare the runner's choice Saucony Triumph with the fashion-forward pick the On Cloudmonster. It's trusty versus trendy, and we're here for it. Pull up a foam roller and let's dive in.
Overview: Saucony Triumph 21 vs On Cloudmonster
The Saucony Triumph 21 is a max cushioned trainer that takes a comfort-first approach. The current iteration is the latest in the long-running Triumph series, known for its comfort and reliability.The overall vibe is soft, plush and designed for running in ease. The Triumph has a 37mm stack of foam and weighs 9.7 ounces for a mens US size 9, which is on the heavy side of normal for an everyday running shoe.
Saucony Triumph 21
The On Cloudmonster is the popular Swiss running brand's first attempt at a true max cushion shoe. It has a 30mm stack of Helion foam and weighs 9.7, the same as the Triumph. The current model released in June 2022 and is the debut model in the series, following closely in the footsteps of the On Cloudstratus 2's success but with a modified, stripped down midsole and upper.
On Cloudmonster
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Midsole: PWRRUN+ vs Helion Foam CloudTec
The Saucony Triumph uses the brand's excellent PWRRUN+ midsole compound, a beaded TPU that's similar to Adidas Boost. Saucony's rendition of the formula is softer, bouncier and lighter weight, allowing the designers to stuff a 37mm stack of it in the Triumph and keep the weight below 10 ounces. A slight rocker in the platform combines with a 10mm drop to keep the legs rolling along on easy paced aerobic runs.
The Cloudmonster has a 30mm stack of CloudTec pods which are made from the brand's Helion foam, an EVA blend that's on the firmer side but durable and slightly responsive. The platform is highly rockered, reminiscent of Saucony's Endorphin series shoes the Shift 3 and Speed 3. In the Cloudmonster, the rocker creates smooth transitions and helps the CloudTec pods provide more propulsion and energy return through toe-off. The Cloudmonster also has a plastic Pebax plate between the pods and insole called the Speedboard, which provides rigidity and stability to the platform.
The Triumph and Cloudmonster have a similar step-in feel that's comfortable and cushioned. The midsole of the Triumph is softer and squisher, while the Cloudmonster is more rigid and stable from the plastic Speedboard. While both look like tall platforms, the Triumph puts you up considerably higher with a 37mm stack vs the Cloudmonster 30mm stack—the Helion foam on the Cloudmonster wraps up around the sidewalls of the upper which creates the illusion of a taller stack.
Ride: Soft vs Springy
Out on the roads, the Saucony Triumph 21 has a soft and bouncy ride that's comfortable and fun for easy to moderate paced running. The beaded TPU PWRRUN+ foam is squishy and impact absorbing for slower efforts and mildly responsive when you want to pick up the pace. Because of the large stack of foam underfoot, the Triumph can feel a bit unstable at the heel at slower paces and for heel strikers.
The Cloudmonster's ride is firmer and snappier than the Triumph's. The CloudTec pods provide a uniquely cushioned experience that's supportive for everyday running paces and lively enough for faster marathon paced efforts. The layout and width of the pods provide a mild degree of stability that helps keep the foot in line and planted on landings.
Neither the Triumph nor the Cloudmonster are speed-oriented shoes, but for a one-shoe runner, they're both versatile enough to handle the varied demands of structured training. The Triumph is a touch soft for true speedwork for many runners, but it can handle those fastest paces in a pinch.
Outsole & Durability
The Saucony Triumph uses the brand's XT-900 rubber which is also found on other shoes like the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3, Shift 3, Pro 3, Kinvara 14 and others. It's a grippy and reliable compound for running on both dry and wet surfaces, but it's not the most durable. In most of our Saucony shoes, the material wears through in high-contact areas between 200 and 300 miles. The Triumph has most of the surface area covered with XT-900, which protects the foam from abrasion.
The Cloudmonster has rubber strategically placed on the highest wear areas of the outsole with some areas left uncovered. The On rubber is about as durable as the Saucony XT-900, and we've seen experienced similar wear for the mileage. Our pair of Cloudmonsters has 200 miles on it, plus some gym and casual wear usage, and the lateral heel area rubber is starting to degrade.
Both Cloudmonster and Triumph should last 400+ miles based on the their midsole durability and outsole coverage. Runners who tend to scuff their heels or run offroad on harsh terrain may get closer to 300 and 350 miles, but your mileage may vary. Both shoes are worth their price tag when it comes to durability.
Upper & Fit Comparison
The Cloudmonster and Triumph both have comfortable upper designed to be used for everyday running. The Triumph 21 has a flat knit mesh that's airy, breathable and slightly stretchy. The Cloudmonster has an engineered mesh type material that's a bit stiffer but still comfortable. Both shoes can accommodate narrow to medium-footed runners, though the toebox of the Triumph is slightly roomier.
One quirk of the Saucony Triumph is that the midfoot area is quite narrow compared to other Saucony models. Even runners with typical width feet may find the fit odd given the toe box is roomy. The heel lockdown on the Triumph 20 was also an issue, and we frequenltly had to retie the shoes on the first few miles of the run to get the right fit. Saucony reworked the upper on the 21, so this issue should be resolved. The On Cloudmonster fits true-to-size with no notable fit issues.
Who They're Best For
The Saucony Triumph 21 is best for runners looking for a comfortable and cushioned shoe for recovery runs and everyday running. It lacks stability in the heel and has a narrow midfoot, so is best for neutral runners with narrow to typical width feet. The ride is bouncy and soft at easy paces and can be pushed to faster training efforts—though we don't recommend it as a dedicated speed day shoe.
The On Cloudmonster is a great option for runners who want a comfortable, stylish and supportive shoe that's made for everyday running. The Cloudmonster has a cushioned and mildly responsive ride that feels most at home at those everyday cruising speeds, though like the Triumph it can handle some faster stuff as well. While not a full-blown stability shoe, the Cloudmonster has more inherent stability due to its wider base, pod layout and structured heel area, so it's a suitable options for runners who need mild stability.
Final Thoughts
Though the Saucony Triumph and On Cloudmonster weigh the same amount (9.7 ounces for US mens size 9) and received the same max cushion brief from their designers, their midsole construction gives them different use cases. The Triumph is soft and bouncy, perfect for recovery runs, while the Cloudmonster is a bit firmer and springier, better for daily training. Because of their differences, they would make a great training pair for runners looking to build a rotation.
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