Saucony Peregrine 10 - Women's Review
Our Verdict
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Saucony Peregrine 10 is a high-value competitor. As one of the most moderately priced competitors with a high score and amazing performance on the trail, it's a favorite that we whole-heartedly recommend. Its fit is great for most women's feet. You'll love the trail biting performance, that sheds mud better than ever! We love this trail shoe, and it's a great purchase for any runner, whether you're attempting your first trail or finishing your 50th race.
Performance Comparison
Foot Protection
This shoe will keep your feet protected, whether you're trying them out on a dirt road, or plowing through “Gods Stairmaster” of uphill sand traps. Underfoot is responsive cushioning that isn't bouncy, but soft and comfortable for all-day wear. It is absorptive of impact, while the embedded rock plate offers force distribution and additional protection underfoot.
The bulk of the cushioning comes in the form of this cushion. In the forefoot, it is stacked with 17mm, while the heel has 21mm of cushioning. When running in slushy snow, over rocks, and technical terrain, we can feel the trail, but it doesn't take a toll on our skin or muscles, even at mile 20.
The upper also offers good protection from particulates, while keeping feet cool when it's hot outside. The mesh is quite fine and doesn't allow silt or sand inside of the shoe. It also does a good job of wicking away water and the upper is quite water-resistant because of its use of welded textiles. There are not, however, any drainage holes for heavy water tromping or river crossings. While the mesh offers some drainage capacity, it is a shoe that'll slosh for a mile or two before completely drying out.
Sensitivity
Balanced is what this shoe truly boasts. While it offers fantastic protection, it doesn't seem overly cushioned of thick, keeping it sensitive while you tread over treacherous terrain. The 17mm of cushioning doesn't feel overdone or “super-cushioned”, but just right.
The body of the shoe is quite flexible (not too firm), which allows you to tiptoe through obstacles while descending steep trails. It's not nearly as sensitive as barefoot running shoes, or even some of the thinner options out there. But for the average trail runner, you'll be able to feel changes of the trail underfoot, but not so much that you feel every single rock or root.
Traction
The biggest update to his shoe is in the outsole. Over the years, Saucony has stood alongside its previous design that features several sets of sharp-toothed tread built close together. Previously, this was fantastic for dry, steep trails, but mud and small rocks would get stuck in the outsole, especially when dealing with clay.
The newest update is still an aggressive outsole, but with much better performance in mud, over snow, and when handling small rocks. The lugs are now spaced out so it doesn't hold onto the mud.
It still puts the iron grip on steep trails and provides undeniable confidence when heading down through slippery surfaces. Kudos to Saucony for this great update that we love. Also, since the lugs aren't super long and quite durable in construction, this is a shoe you can easily cross over from the trail to the road for some stints. The ride is good, with nice transitions that aren't compromised by long lugs.
Stability
The stability of this shoe is up to par for any trail shoe. It offers a good level of cushioning while making you feel like you're floating close to the ground. We had no problems with rolled ankles or even issues of instability. Keep in mind, this is not a rigid trail runner, so its stability is found in its flexible nature.
When running from snow to mud to the hard-packed trail, we found ourselves all over the place. This isn't because of the shoe, but because of the terrain. In the midst of it all, we didn't roll an ankle and the shoe helped us to stay upright.
Comfort and Fit
Plush and comfortable! This trail runner is suited for runners with all different types of feet. It features a 5mm drop, which offers a touch more cushioning in the heel, with a neutral construction. It doesn't feature any arch support, but the shoe hugs your foot, offering a great fit for most.
This iteration has a different fit than before. We find that the heel cup is much more narrow and the fit itself feels a bit smaller. So, if you are a Saucony Peregrine lover who has all the new versions, know that the fit will feel a bit different than the Saucony ISO.
In terms of comfort, it's a great choice for all-day wear. This was a shoe we wore day-to-day as well as on the trail. The cushioning is soft underfoot, while the collar of the shoe offers a little extra cushioning in the Achilles, which we appreciate. The upper wraps the foot to keep it in place when running both up and downhill.
Weight
At 9.80 oz, this trail shoe is still considered quite lightweight. The upper does a good job at wicking away moisture and it's not ready to absorb water then you go tromping through a puddle. There are many other options that are lighter out there, but none with such a superior level of protection and comfort for taking on the trail.
Value
Of all the trail shoes tested, we believe this one presents the best value for those seeking high-quality performance. While the price doesn't seem much different than some of the contenders, it supersedes the competition in its overall use cases, durability, and performance. There are other Best Buy award winners that offer a lower price, but those options compromise comfort, fit, and quality. If you're seeking a shoe with a low profile, great protection, at a good price, know this one will last you many miles on the trail.
Conclusion
This shoe offers superior value with its excellent score and price. The Saucony Peregrine 10 features a low-profile design with an updated outsole that'll tackle all terrain. Snow, mud, zoomy singletrack, the works! It's one of the most versatile shoes we've tested, and it comes at a price that won't completely empty your wallet.