Running shoes · owner-verdict comparison

Adidas Ultraboost 5 vs Saucony Triumph 22: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Saucony Triumph 22: 42% of 53 owners recommend it, vs 35% of 34 for the Adidas Ultraboost 5.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Adidas Ultraboost 5

35%of 34 owners recommend

35% recommend · 21% neutral · 44% don't

Owners praise

Many owners call them among the most comfortable shoes they've owned, day to day and out of the box
Durability holds up well for years of regular wear when the pair isn't defective
Well suited to distance running, including high weekly mileage and marathon training

Owners complain about

Sole cracking, peeling, and premature breakdown, sometimes within just 3-6 months of purchase
Comfort and cushioning have declined across generations, with older versions (1.0, 3.0, 4.0) feeling comfier than the newer 19/5
Divisive looks, especially the caged design and redesigned heel cup, which some owners find ugly

Full owner report →

Saucony Triumph 22

42%of 53 owners recommend

42% recommend · 15% neutral · 43% don't

Owners praise

Plush, cushioned feel that owners describe as soft and comfortable underfoot
More stable heel and forefoot than the Triumph 20/21, especially for wider feet
Great daily trainer for easy, recovery, and middle-distance miles

Owners complain about

Noticeably heavier and bulkier than the Triumph 20/21, a jump many owners call out by name
Feels clunky and dense underfoot, described repeatedly as running 'like a brick'
Feet run hot, especially on the forefoot, with some reporting it takes 150km+ to fade and complaints of near-zero breathability

Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Adidas Ultraboost 5 if

✓Casual runners and walkers who won't rack up serious weekly mileage
✓Distance runners who prioritize long-run comfort over sprint responsiveness
✓Buyers who want an all-around comfortable everyday sneaker for gym or casual wear
✓Shoppers grabbing them on sale who value fashion and comfort over ultimate durability

Skip it if

High-mileage runners doing serious weekly distance or fast sprint training
Anyone wanting a shoe to double as regular walking or travel footwear

Get the Saucony Triumph 22 if

✓Daily-trainer runners logging easy/steady miles who want max cushioning and protection
✓Runners with tired legs on recovery days seeking a soft, plush, protected ride
✓Walkers and all-day-on-feet wearers who value comfort over performance
✓Fans of a firmer, wider, more stable heel-strike feel versus the 20/21

Skip it if

Weight-conscious runners chasing speed, tempo, or race-day performance
Anyone prone to hot feet or needing breathable uppers for summer running

What Adidas Ultraboost 5 owners say

“Say what you want about the design, these are insanely comfortable shoes. IMO look better in person.”
— ridukosennin on Reddit

“I have Allbirds and UB 3.0s and I can say definitively my UBs are far more comfortable for me. It’s a treat to wear them haha”
— SunriseMoon on Reddit

“Anyone have the issue of the footbed moving around in their Ultraboost 19s? It makes mine nearly unwearable. (It slides back constantly. No matter how tight or loose they are.)”
— Easy-Lucky-Free on Reddit

What Saucony Triumph 22 owners say

“Still enjoying mine.”
— @thomasn1279 on YouTube

“these have been very comfortable from the start and i love throwing them on on days when my legs feel tired”
— @OGPixelProphet on YouTube

“Sounds like the best thing about the 22sis that the 21s are going cheap now”
— @Onyourtodd on YouTube

Adidas Ultraboost 5 vs Saucony Triumph 22: frequently asked questions

Is the Adidas Ultraboost 5 or the Saucony Triumph 22 better?

Real owners lean toward the Saucony Triumph 22: 42% of 53 owners recommend it, vs 35% of 34 for the Adidas Ultraboost 5.

Who should get the Adidas Ultraboost 5?

Owners point the Adidas Ultraboost 5 at casual runners and walkers who won't rack up serious weekly mileage, and distance runners who prioritize long-run comfort over sprint responsiveness.

Who should get the Saucony Triumph 22?

Owners point the Saucony Triumph 22 at daily-trainer runners logging easy/steady miles who want max cushioning and protection, and runners with tired legs on recovery days seeking a soft, plush, protected ride.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Adidas Ultraboost 5 is sole cracking, peeling, and premature breakdown, sometimes within just 3-6 months of purchase. For the Saucony Triumph 22, it's noticeably heavier and bulkier than the Triumph 20/21, a jump many owners call out by name.