Saucony Peregrine 16 Review
The Saucony Peregrine 16 is a low-to-the-ground, nimble-feeling trail running shoe with some cushioning. The 4mm lug doesn’t give the Peregrine enough lug depth for cross country, but the lively, nimble feel does make them responsive enough for more than just plodding down a disused railway line.
There is a vast array of trail running shoes on the market at the moment. Trail running varies from country to country due to the terrain available and the weather conditions, and as running shoes are usually designed for the global market, most trail running shoes are designed for hard-packed trails. More and more trails are being paved to reduce erosion, so there are fewer and fewer trail running shoes that offer a nimble ride. Which means they are set up to allow the runner to respond to changes in the surface and to negotiate obstacles like roots or rocks. The Saucony Peregrine 16 is one of those versatile, nimble trail shoes that functions well on a variety of terrain.
The midsole is still made from Saucony’s PWRRUN foam, but it is now a few millimetres thicker: 32mm in the heel and 28mm in the forefoot. The foam is also a bit softer. The flexibility in the forefoot is at a similar level, but the torsional flex of the Peregrine 16 is noticeably more. This means that the Peregrine 16 can twist more, absorbing the shape of the ground more easily. This gives the Peregrine 16 a smoother ride on rough ground than the previous version.
Where this comes into play is on muddy paths churned up when it was constantly raining earlier in the year. The ground has now dried in the churned-up state, making it very rough and unforgiving on the ankles. A shoe that is flexible through the midfoot helps negotiate this type of ground much more easily. I found that the Peregrine 16 flowed over this ground well. The soft feel to the cushioning gave a comfortable feel at impact, and the forefoot rock plate protected the feet from harder or sharper stones.
The heel cup is similarly sturdy when compared to the previous version. The padding level around the inside of the heel cup and around the cuff of the shoe remains at a comfortable level, but not excessive, so it doesn’t absorb a lot of water. The material inside the heel cup has changed. This isn’t quite as soft and so far has proved more durable. I wore a hole through the inside of the heel cup of the previous version but enjoyed the shoes enough to repair it with tape. After over 100 miles on the Peregrine 16 there is no sign of any wear, so the new material does look like it will last the life of the shoe.
The tongue is soft and comfortably padded. It is gusseted to reduce the chance of debris getting into the shoes. There are no tabs on the outside of the tongue for the laces to thread through, but there is a strip of elastic. This is there so that you can tuck the laces under it once tied, preventing them from getting caught in the undergrowth or becoming untied.
There is an additional lace hole at the top of the laces which can be used to make the heel fit snugger or to butterfly lace the shoes. I found the heel fit to be snug. The shape, width and sizing are almost identical to the previous version. The upper is made from an engineered mesh that is designed to be resistant to abrasion. Further protection to the upper is supplied by overlays that run around the heel cup and from the midfoot around the toes. The toe bumper is hard at the end, providing a good level of toe protection.
Just like the fit of the previous version, I found that the upper pulled in around my foot and held my feet snugly through the midfoot. This snug fit and the flexibility in the shoes prevented the foot from moving around on broken ground or on steep downhills.
The outsole rubber is now Vibram Megagrip, which is designed to give good traction in both wet and dry conditions. The lug pattern has changed, and the lugs look a touch shallower and a bit less chunky. While reviewing the Peregrine 15 I was blessed with lots of wet muddy ground and the outsole gave better traction than I thought it would. Since I have been running in the Peregrine 16 it hasn’t been that wet. Traction has been good on all surfaces up to now, and the flexibility of the midsole will help to keep a good surface area of the shoe in contact with the ground to enhance traction. I just haven’t had the opportunity to test them on wet muddy ground yet.
Saucony are a similar length to Brooks, 361, Topo and Altra. If you use New Balance, Hoka, Karhu, Inov-8 or La Sportiva, then we would suggest trying half a UK size smaller to get a similar length in Saucony. Eg UK 11 in Saucony is a similar length to a UK 11.5 in New Balance.
I prefer firm, nimble shoes. So initially I was a bit disappointed that the Peregrine 16 had a softer feel and a few more millimetres of stack height. However, having run in the shoes for over 100 miles up to now, I have decided that it is better for me. The slightly softer feel makes the Peregrine 16 that bit more comfortable on harder-packed tracks. I have found that because of this I have used them more frequently than the previous version for runs that have a mile of road to get down to the trails. The previous version would cope with this and was still comfortable, but not quite as plush.
When on the trails, that bit more twist makes them handle broken ground better. What you lose is the feeling that they are a fast shoe. I have happily done threshold loops in the Peregrine 16, but they don’t have the same go-feel as the previous version because they are softer and more flexible. This hasn’t changed how quick I can run in the shoes, just the feeling on my feet. The changes have made the ride less of a fast, nimble feel and more of a cushioned, nimble feel.
In summary, I think that for most runners enjoying a pair of Peregrine 15s, they will also enjoy the Peregrine 16. The changes are noticeable, but they don’t move the Peregrine away from being a nimble, responsive shoe.
Alternatives to Saucony Peregrine 16
Inov-8 Trailtalon Max: A very similar ride in that the midsole is soft and the shoes twist and bend to absorb the contours of the ground. The 6mm long lugs give much better traction on soft muddy ground and offer equal traction on harder drier terrain. The broad rounded toe box gives the feet more room to spread and function inside the shoes. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/inov-8-trailtalon-max-review/
Ronhill Reverence 2: Much better traction on the mud although not as comfortable and smooth on tarmac or harder packed tracks. The upper hugs the feet more and prevents debris from getting into the shoes more effectively. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/ronhill-reverence-2-review/
OMM Trail Shoe: A firmer, stiffer ride makes them feel faster but, less plush. The shoe doesn’t flex to the contours of the ground as well. A less straight big toe line makes the push off less effective. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/omm-trail-shoe-review/
Mount to Coast T1: Not as nimble a more durable cushioning which takes away some of the ground feel. More room in the toe box. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/mount-to-coast-t1-review/
Scott Kinabalu Trail: A similar level of traction. Softer on the road. The upper isn’t quite as snug which makes them less effective on rough ground. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/scott-kinabalu-trail-review/
Inov-8 Trailtalon Zero: A zero drop shoe that reduces heel strike and is a lot more flexible and nimbler. The ride is more natural and together with the broad rounded toe box allows the feet to spread and function more inside the shoes. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/inov-8-trailtalon-zero-review/
VJ MaXx 2: A rounded toe box gives the feet more room to spread and function. The midsole is firmer and more responsive but with a bit of bounce. Traction is good. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/vj-sport-maxx2-review/
Altra Experience Wild 3+: A similar level of torsional flexibility allows the Experience Wild 3+ to ride broken terrain well. Similar level of traction. Broad rounded toe box allows the feet more room to spread and function in the shoes. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/altra-experience-wild-3-review/
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