Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide

Tackle tough terrains with aggressive 5 mm lugs and PWRRUN cushioning. The men's Saucony Peregrine 15 trail-running shoes offer protection from dirt and debris in a lightweight, low-profile package.
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Imported.
View the Saucony Peregrine Product LineView all Saucony Men's Trail-Running ShoesBest Use | Trail Running |
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Trail-Running Shoe Type | Rugged-Trail |
Running Shoe Cushioning | Moderate Cushion |
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm) | 4 |
Heel Stack Height (mm) | 28 |
Forefoot Stack Height (mm) | 24 |
Footwear Height | Ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Upper | Recycled high-strength polyester |
Lining | Recycled polyester |
Midsole | EVA |
Outsole | Rubber |
Rock Plate | Yes |
Vegan | Yes |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 3.4 oz. |
Gender | Men's |
Sustainability | Contains recycled materials |
7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 | 15 | |
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U.S. Men's | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
U.S. Women's | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 13.5 | 14.5 | |||
UK | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
EU | 40 | 40.5 | 41 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 | 44 | 44.5 | 45 | 46 | 46.5 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 |
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I’ve been putting the Saucony Peregrine 15 through the wringer on the rugged trails of the Wasatch Mountains, and they’ve proven to be a solid choice for technical terrain. Right out of the box, the fit was comfortable with a snug midfoot and a roomy toe box—great for long days on the trail. Traction is where these shine. The PWRTRAC outsole grips exceptionally well on loose dirt, slick rock, and even light snow. The aggressive lugs provide confidence on steep descents and make uphill climbs feel more controlled. Cushioning and responsiveness are well-balanced. The PWRRUN midsole offers enough protection for long miles while still maintaining ground feel—perfect for technical sections where agility matters. I did notice that the rock plate adds some stiffness, but it’s a worthwhile trade-off for added underfoot protection. Fit and durability: The toe cap and reinforced upper help with durability in rocky conditions. I have about 50+ miles in them so far, and they’re holding up well with no major signs of wear. The fit runs true to size, though those with wider feet might want to try them on first. Final thoughts: These are an excellent choice for runners who want a lightweight yet rugged trail shoe with great grip, protection, and comfort for a variety of terrains. I’d recommend them for anyone tackling technical trails or looking for a versatile trail runner that can handle mileage.
These are nice shoes! Very lightweight and big lugs underneath. The build feels very solid and they have good ankle support. Break in was quick and felt good from the first run. I think I would prefer the wide size if given the opportunity to try again. Typically using Br00ks gh0st shoes and these felt very comparable.
I’ve owned several trail running shoes over the years, and I’ve always found reasons to complain. Often, they’re heavy and due to the materials used for durability and water resistance, or they feel rigid, constrictive, and inflexible. As a result, I’ve usually opted for their less resilient but far more comfortable road-running counterparts. That changed with the Saucony Peregrine. These shoes are comfortable and supportive without the weight or stiffness that has made other trail shoes unappealing. So far, I’ve put about 20 miles on them—mostly on in-city trails and around the neighborhood this winter—and they already feel like a massive step up from anything I’ve worn before. If I had to nitpick, durability is still TBD, and I’m curious to see how the light colorway will hold up over time. But so far, no complaints—just happy to finally have a trail shoe that doesn’t end up collecting dust in my closet.
Bottom line up front: a good, grippy, lightweight "dad shoe" 1. Weight - These are deceptively lightweight. They feel about 25% heavier than my regular running shoes, but as far as a trail shoe goes, they are definitely in the upper percentile for lightweight. 2. Comfort - This is always a little subjective, but I always have two criteria for my trail runners: The tightness of the heel cup and the arch support. To me, the heel cup feels great on inclines and the sole is flexible enough to not cause rubbing on the heels. The arch and mid-foot fits about right and provides some impedance on the foot on declines which I find helps to prevent my toes jamming into the toe box when going downhill. On flat sections of the run, I don't notice any tilting to one side or another. 3. Performance: I find these to be grippy without being unbalanced. Sometimes a trail shoe has so much grip its like running in cleats. For these, I felt the grip was well balanced. Also, the second top lace hole is much better for keeping these tight across the ankle. After taking pics at the top of my run, I did eventually stop and relace the top. It's a matter of preference but I liked the fit better that way. 4. Trail Appeal: These are a little chunky, and mine are white, which just means they immediately looked muddy after the first run. Stylistically, they look a little like "dad shoes". I don't mind looks that much for trail running because everyone would just be distracted by me half-dying out there to notice the shoes. But I do like these better than the bright colors and textures that was popular a few years ago. 5. Other points: I almost knocked a star off for this but I'm not sure this is a problem yet. The bottom of the shoe has little "holes" in it. I can imagine for some trails, that might really help with airflow, but for the mud I have to run through right now, it is clear it won't keep feet dry from puddles. Jury is still out, but if you run in drier climates these might give you better performance than the slop in the midwest.
I bought this pair for a trip including trail runs in Portugal. It’s not my first pair of Peregrine. I ran with the version 12 in Yellowstone and in the Canadian Rockies for a whole summer in 2023. The midsole on the last version (#15) is completely inadequate for trail running… it’s still a great shoe, comfortable, polyvalent, with good grip, but the durability is SO DISAPPOINTING 😫 My wife ran with me this summer with the Salomon Ultra Glide 3. Her shoes are dirty but still totally good for hundreds more KM, while my Peregrine 15 are done after 204km on the Portuguese & Azorian trails. Really sad to say that this product is NOT good enough for trails. I’m kind of angry because my feet feel always great in those shoes….😐 On the photos : Peregrine 12 (orange) and the 15 (yellow) side by side…my old pair of 12 looks so much more runnable, it’s almost funny… Anyway… I guess I’ll start buying from other brands for trail running shoes 😑
Good urban/groomed trail running shoe. Very comfortable. Good lugs. Lace eyelets are not reinforced. The best way to describe the shoe for me is that it’s a combination of a HOKA speed goat, and a road running shoe. I’ve been wearing it for a few weeks every day, and I’m very happy with it in most cases, though I wouldn’t rely on it for any kind of rugged trail, side-hilling, slick rock. This is best for groomed, trails or light duty backpacking. If you’d like HOKAs, but want something a little more geared towards an urban environment than these are great.
They fit as expected, and are very comfortable. They’re a bit too soft for my liking as trail running shoes. I like my trail running shoes a bit more stiff, so that’s just my personal preference, nothing wrong with the shoe. I did end up wearing them for a few days where I spent a lot of time standing and moving around, and I was really happy with how my knees and back felt after long days, so they’re a keeper for that purpose.
I have been satisfied with the Peregrine 13, and was looking forward to the 15 with the improved sole and thicker tongue. Unfortunately, the toe box in the wide version of the 15 is not as wide as the 13 and slightly more pointed. Also tried the 14 and it’s even worse. We’re only talking about 3mm or so but when you are on the trail as much as I am going from no ‘hotspots” to two potentials is unacceptable. Hoka did the same thing with the latest “upgrade” of the Speedgoat. You don’t have to be as open as an Altra or Topo but I wish their design teams would invite comments from experienced trail runners/hikers that could lead to the right shape for a wide shoe.
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I’ve tried a lot of trail shoes: Altra, Hoka, Brooks, Salomon, La Sportiva, Nike. For me, these are the best! The balance of comfort, stability, grip, and trail feel blend excellently. I have a moderately wide foot and they fit perfectly. I use them in northern and southern Utah on a lot of hard, technical trails, and they have held up very well. They were a great companion last weekend on the Speedgoat 50k!
First off Saucony PLEASE make the men’s version in the Bloom Quail colorway, my Fog Ridge is a little too monotone. This is my first pair of Sauconys, wanted to try something to rotate with my Altra Lone Peak 8. Fit is perfect for me, I have a wide forefoot and mid foot but with average foot volume so I’m swimming in most wide model shoes. These feel like an extension of my foot, just did 4 miles out of the box effortlessly. Already eyeing a second pair!
Excellent! Thank you for sharing your experience!