Saucony Peregrine 14 - Women's Review

With a weight of 7.95 ounces per shoe in women's size 6.5, 4 mm lugs, and a 5 mm heel-to-toe drop, the Saucony Peregrine 14 looks pretty standard on paper. The protective and comfortable elements of this shoe come together to create a magical versatility unicorn that is primed to tackle any adventure you dare to dream up.

Performance Comparison

Foot Protection

The Peregrine 14 has long been known as a versatile and protective shoe that can hold its own under most conditions. We are pleased to report that Saucony maintained this with recent updates.

The Peregrine 14 stands at 29 mm high in the heel, which is stacked enough to be protective without feeling vaulted. Within this shoe is a relatively soft rock plate for ultimate underfoot protection. We love that the Peregrine's rock plate is soft because it allows for a better trail feel, as we will discuss in the sensitivity section. The plush yet rigid heel collar is nothing fancy, but its fit prevents sand and dirt from entering through around the ankle. The Peregrine has a D-ring on the lace bed to attach a gaiter but doesn't offer a rear attachment point.

The simple upper of the Peregrine is made of a single layer of breathable mesh. It isn't the most splash-resistant shoe, but its extended toe cap coating helps make up for this. Saucony also makes a Gore-Tex version of the Peregrine, which is perfect for runners who know they will encounter a lot of water on their runs. We cannot speak to the breathability of the Gore-Tex version of the Saucony Peregrine 14, but its meshy upper appears to provide some breathability beneath its Gore-Tex coating. The standard version that we tested provides some breathability for comfort, but the overall construction feels more geared toward keeping particles out than anything else. The toe bumper on this shoe is tough and protective, further adding to the Peregrine's overall versatility in varied terrain types.

Traction

The Peregrine has always had bitey lugs that excel at digging into the trail beneath your feet. This iteration is no different. While Saucony hasn't boasted any outsole changes, our testers find the slightly softer PWRTRAC rubber to provide an even better grip than that of previous versions.

The result of this slightly softer outsole is that the lugs don't wear down as readily on pavement. While this isn't the best crossover shoe, we spent quite a bit of time pounding pavement in it to ensure it didn't have the durability issues of the 13th iteration. We are pleased to report that even the texture on the lugs made it through these efforts, further cementing the Peregrine 14's spot in the trail running hall of fame.

This awesome new outsole is covered in multidirectional chevron-shaped lugs, all of which are emblazoned with a crosshatch pattern. The sharp edges and placement of the lugs help inspire confidence and agility in mucky, damp, dry, and loose terrain. The balance between a comfortable and simplistic upper and rugged, ready-for-anything traction adds to the magic that is the new Peregrine 14.

Sensitivity

Yet again, the Peregrine 14 comes in with a little something for everyone. Not only is this shoe well-tractioned and ultra-protective, but it offers some sensitivity for trail runners who need to prioritize an intimate trail feel during their runs.

The Peregrine isn't the most sensitive shoe we've tested, riding in such a way that it makes us think that the creators focused their efforts more around protection. That said, the thoughtfully designed, fabric-based rock place allows runners to feel the trail while offering protection. Typically, rock plates are made of plastic or carbon fiber. This departure from tradition makes the Peregrine an excellent example of a shoe that has it all — protection, sensitivity, and ruggedly built traction. All of these elements uphold the sheer versatility that the Peregrine provides.

Stability

With a total heel stack of 29 mm and a slightly below-average 5 mm heel-to-toe drop, the Peregrine 14 definitely feels stable.

Previous versions have felt a bit high in the heel, leading to some instability, but not this time around. The plentiful lateral construction helps provide stability to keep your gait strong even as you fatigue. While not a true overpronation-correcting shoe, the Peregrine feels stable and secure even on trails where the need for agility is high. The balance between comfort and security here is high, so if that is what you are looking for, the Peregrine is a great shoe to consider.

Comfort and Fit

The comfort and fit metric is where our testers have seen the biggest and best updates that Saucony has to offer.

As we've said, the upper of the Peregrine 14 is rather simple but in the best of ways. The upper is constructed of mesh with slightly protective overlays and a gusseted tongue. It truly is as nondescript as that. The moderate volume of the shoe is part of the reason why it feels like your tried-and-true road steed. Saucony makes a wide version, too, which is awesome since the typical Saucony design skews slightly on the narrower side. The FormFit insole of the Peregrine provides lasting underfoot comfort while its ruggedly plush heel collar stays put. The dual-gusseted tongue is soft and stretchy, which comfortably prevents the laces from digging into the tops of your feet. The thickness of the tongue, while deliciously comfortable, can slightly inhibit a strong midfoot lockdown. Otherwise, the Peregrine is our go-to pick for runners who want a shoe that feels familiar but provides plenty of tech to tackle variable, messy, and sometimes chaotic terrain.

Weight

There isn't a ton to say about a comfortable and rugged trail shoe that weighs 7.95 ounces per shoe, in women's size 6.5.

Of course, we love running in lighter shoes. But do lighter shoes always offer enviable traction, seamless comfort, and burly protection? No, which is why the Peregrine weighing just shy of 8 ounces is acceptable. Its user-friendly fit, plentiful cushion, and familiar weight distribution are all awesome, making this a shoe whose weight neither makes nor breaks its appeal.

Should You Buy the Saucony Peregrine 14?

Overall, yes, you should buy the Saucony Peregrine 14. Not only does this shoe provide a bit of everything we covet when it comes to a trail running shoe, but it is on the low end of the price spectrum, further sweetening the deal. Runners seeking a thrilling speed shoe need not apply here, as more responsive trail shoes are currently trickling into the market. But if you are looking for a versatile trail shoe that can handle the heat you throw at it, we do not hesitate to recommend this traditionally fitting, mountain goat-esque trail shoe.

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