By Brian Metzler
Amid the current boom of running participation, more and more runners are discovering trail running. For me, the trails are my main jam, but it’s an exciting transition for those runners who have logged a lot of their mileage on the roads, gearing up for half marathons and marathons. What kind of shoes do you need to buy if you’re eager to get more immersed in off-road running?
Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Having run in thousands of pairs of trail running shoes over the past several decades, I have come across many options that offer a good combination of comfort, traction, protection, and versatility – the key components of a versatile trail running shoe. None has been as consistently good through the years, however, as the Saucony Peregrine, which is now in its 15th edition.
The Peregrine, especially this year’s version (which retails for $140), offers just the right amount of everything while not being too much (too cushy, too high off the ground, or too heavy) or too little (too close to the ground, too frail, or too light) for running over a wide range of terrain. I’ve run more than 100 miles in the new edition since last November, and here’s my rundown and what I think about it.
What’s New: The changes to this year’s Peregrine 15 have been minor, and that’s a good thing. Last year’s edition of the shoe was quite good, so it was smart that Saucony made only subtle changes to the engineered mesh upper (just as durable, but with more support, and more breathability), the midsole (slightly softer), and the outsole (a new configuration of lugs and outsole shape, allowing for more agility and stability on technical trail surfaces). The design specs are almost identical, which has helped this shoe retain the best fit, feel, and run qualities of the previous one.
Fit/Feel/Ride: The Saucony Peregrine 15 fits true to size with a medium-to-narrow interior volume (definitely narrower at the toe box) and a cushy and compact step-in feel. The engineered mesh upper is very similar with slightly updated areas of reinforcement around the toe bumper, heel, and the base of the midfoot, but those updates are largely tied to the slightly different aesthetics, too. It still has a soft, fully gusseted tongue that’s enhanced by Saucony’s Formfit integration technology aimed at keeping your feet secure as you run over undulating terrain. The new PWRRUN sockliner creates a soft feeling under your feet, and combined with the slightly softer durometer of the responsive PWRRUN midsole foam, it just makes the shoe feel a little bit more forgiving overall.
Despite those subtle changes – or perhaps because of them – the ride of this edition of the Saucony Peregrine is as soft, comfortable and reliable as any Peregrine has ever been. While the shoe remains fairly light and agile, there’s noticeably more softness and responsiveness in every stride – especially when you’re running on smooth trails at a consistent pace. On technical rocky terrain, that added softness adds some comfort and protection against the debris under your feet, but it also contributes to the shoe’s improved agility.
Why It’s Great: I’ve probably run more miles in Saucony Peregrines than any other trail shoe over the past 10 years, and this is the best one yet. Some of the changes through the years have taken the shoe too far in one way or another, but this one seems to have mastered the recipe for cooking up a infinitely versatile trail running shoe that can fit the needs of a wide range of runners on all sorts of terrain. This version provides better shock-absorption, a softer feel in every stride, and better traction. Its sweet spot is running over mildly rugged trails (dirt, mud, pebbles, small rocks), but it also runs well on gravel roads and has enough grip, balance, and protection (including a flexible Rock Guard plate under the forefoot) to handle jagged boulders and edgy, off-cambre rocks. You can feel the ground as you run (which is very important!) without getting beat up by it.
Specs
Price: $140
Weight: 8.8 oz. (women’s size 8), 9.8 oz. (men’s size 9)
Heel-Toe Offset: 4mm; 28mm (heel), 24mm (forefoot)
Why You’ll Love It: You’ll love the Peregrine 15 because it’s the equivalent of your favorite pair of daily trainers you lace up several days a week to run on the roads or gravel paths. What does that mean? It’s a shoe that does everything pretty well, and you don’t need to think about it when you go out for a run. It can run at any pace over all types of terrain (though it wouldn’t be my first choice for extended routes on extremely rugged ridgelines in the high mountains), and it’s cushy and resilient enough for runs up to about 2 hours. I have loved running fast on rolling singletrack trails in the Peregrine 15, but I’ve also appreciated (and enjoyed) wearing it to run up and down technical trails in Boulder, Colorado. Mostly, it’s been the ideal shoe for those days when I am heading out the door to a trailhead and then decide when I get there what that run is going to be about.
Pro: The Peregrine 15 has exceptional traction, thanks in part to a reformulated rubber outsole and 5mm lugs that are both grippier and more durable than in the past. The new configuration of lugs rolls easily when you’re running on smooth terrain or short sections of pavement or concrete, and the wider forefoot offers enhanced stability.
Con: The Peregrine 15 has only a few minor detracting factors, in my humble opinion. First, it’s not as cushy as many maximally cushioned trail shoes geared multi-hour runs. If that’s the running you’re going to be doing, you should probably consider a higher-stacked shoe. The other thing is that several runners have complained that the toe box is too narrow—especially those with wider feet. It definitely tapers down at the front, and I’ve smashed my toes a few times on fast descents.
