REASONS TO BUY
Familiar fit
Great comfort features
Rugged traction
Very protective
REASONS TO AVOID
Thick lugs can feel a bit unnatural on paved surfaces
Saucony Peregrine 14 - Women's Review
This comfortable and familiar-feeling shoe is perfect for rugged trail runs because of its strength, traction, and flexible rock plate
The Peregrine is one of the highest-scoring trail shoes in our lineup.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Our Verdict
Slipping your feet into the new and very-improved Saucony Peregrine 14 is like finding the best friend you never knew you needed. With updated comfort features and 1 mm drop, this versatile shoe is ready for anything. As with prior versions, runners who love the structure of a traditional road shoe will enjoy the ride that the new Peregrine offers. While not the most responsive trail shoe on the market, adventure seekers in need of a shoe that can handle a variety of adventures will feel right at home in the familiar-fitting, fun-forming, high-octane trail shoe. Our women's trail running shoe review outlines how the Peregrine 14 fared next to its competitors.
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Saucony Peregrine 14 - Women's | |||||
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| Awards |  |  |  | | |
| Price | $139.95 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $145.00 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | Check Price at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $84.99 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $100 List $74.95 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Bottom Line | This is one of our top recommendations for a shoe that's familiar, like a road shoe, but provides everything you need over serious terrain | If a well-tractioned powerhouse of a shoe is what you're after, this 2 mm-drop, stacked-with-tech shoe is the one for you | This is our go-to recommendation for runners seeking a comfortable, well-tractioned shoe for short and long distances alike | Featuring an upgraded upper and a stable zero-drop design, this shoe is a dependable and comfortable trail running option, ensuring comfort even during extended runs | An affordable and functional trail shoe that is great for new runners, budget-conscious runners, any anyone looking to tackle moderate terrain |
| Rating Categories | Saucony Peregrine 1... | La Sportiva Bushido... | Hoka Torrent 3 - Wo... | Altra Lone Peak 8 -... | Brooks Divide 4 - W... |
| Foot Protection (25%) | |||||
| Traction (20%) | |||||
| Sensitivity (15%) | |||||
| Stability (15%) | |||||
| Comfort and Fit (15%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Saucony Peregrine 1... | La Sportiva Bushido... | Hoka Torrent 3 - Wo... | Altra Lone Peak 8 -... | Brooks Divide 4 - W... |
| Sizes Available | 5 - 12 US regular, wide | 5.5 - 11 US regular, wide | 5 - 11 US regular |
5.5 - 12 US regular and wide |
5 - 12 US regular |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 29 mm | 29 mm | 26 mm | 23 mm | 29 mm |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 1 mm | 2 mm | 5 mm | 0 mm | 8 mm |
| Rock Plate | Yes | 1.5 mm Dual-Density compressed EVA Rock-Guard in forefoot | No | TPU | No |
| Measured Lug Depth | 4.0 mm | 3.8 mm | 4.0 mm | 3.2 mm | 3.0 mm |
| Measured Weight | 7.95 oz | 9.11 oz | 7.52 oz | 8.14 oz | 7.82 oz |
| Upper | Mesh | Air Mesh / Thermal Adhesive Microfiber / High Frequency Welded Ripstop Overlays | Mesh | Ripstop Mesh | Mesh |
| Midsole | PWRRUN foam | 4mm LaSpEVA / Compression Molded MEMlex | EVA | Altra EGO | DNA Loft |
| Outsole | PWRTRAC | Bi-Compound FriXion® XT 2.0 V-Groove3 | Rubber | MaxTrac | TrailTack rubber |
| Heel Tab Type | Finger loop | Finger loop | None | Finger loop | None |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
With a weight of 7.95 ounces per shoe in women's size 6.5, 4 mm lugs, and a 1 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
If bitey traction and comfort are what you're after, the updated Peregrine is a perfect shoe to consider.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
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.
If you buy a pair of ankle gaiters at the store, they typically come with a velcro sticker to adhere to the heel of your shoe, which is why many shoes do not include a heel anchor point for gaiters.
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.
Every detail of this shoe has been designed to handle the hefty demands of serious trail running.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
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.
The Peregrine 14 has improved traction that does better than most across subpar trail surfaces.
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.
The sharp edges of the Peregrine's lugs create incredible grip on nearly all terrain types.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
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.
Though the Peregrine isn't the most sensitive shoe in our lineup, it provides plenty of trail information for comfortably flowing down nuanced trails.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Stability
With a total heel stack of 29 mm and a mere 1 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.
When it comes to mimicking the stability of a traditionally-shaped road shoe, the Peregrine hits the bullseye.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
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.
Oh, how we love the updates Saucony made to this shoe. Instead of being a high-scoring shoe because of its fit, it's now a high-scoring shoe across all of our rating metrics.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
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.
The weight of the Peregrine is well distributed and works hard, making it an average-weight shoe that we love to talk about.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
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.
Everything about this shoe makes it perfectly equipped for trail running of all varieties.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
What Other Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?
The Hoka Speedgoat 6 offers nearly the exact same elements as the Peregrine 14, but in a slightly different package. The Speedgoat fits in a slightly softer, more trail shoe-feeling way when compared to the traditional road shoe style of the Peregrine. We appreciate and adore both of these shoes equally because they truly bring a bit of everything to the table without breaking the bank. If rugged traction is what you are after and you want something that outshines the Peregrine, the Salomon Speedcross 6 is a contender that is well suited for the muddiest of efforts.
—
Ally Arcuri
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