The last time I stepped into a Peregrine was the version 5—yes, more than ten years ago. Run Oregon’s most recent trail test was the version 11 in 2021. Clearly, we were overdue to flap our Peregrine wings again and take the newest edition for a spin.
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For a trail shoe to make it to its 16th iteration, you know it’s earned its place as a staple. Much like a few of the Saucony models we’re reviewing right now, hitting the high-teen numbers usually means a shoe is dialed, accessible, and consistently trusted.
The Saucony Peregrine lineup—Saucony’s no-nonsense, all-mountain trail workhorse—has long been known for sitting a bit lower to the ground, feeling Falcon-fast, and tackling technical terrain without blowing up your budget. However, from other reviews out there of more recent versions, its perhaps lost a bit of its luster.
So, a relatively significant overhaul in this version perhaps makes some sense.
Construction
Having not run in a Peregrine in nearly a decade, I did a quick dive into what changed from last year’s version. This round of updates appears modest but meaningful: an updated more durable upper, a higher and softer midsole, and a brand-new outsole.
Specs
- Weight: 9.8oz (Men’s 9)
- Stack: 32mm heel / 28mm forefoot (added 4mm stack from V15)
- Drop: 4mm
- Lug height: 4mm
Looks
Honestly, looks are pretty subjective. Sure, there are colorways I gush over in all kinds of running shoes—but at the end of the day, this is probably the least important part of a shoe. Spending $140+ should probably get you something you like looking at (look good, feel good, right?), but as long as the shoe runs well, the colors don’t really matter that much.
I think this is especially true for trail shoes. By design, trail shoes are going to get beat up. They’re going to get dirty, wet, and generally messy. So, the aesthetics are almost secondary—if you’re actually out on the trails, they’re going to end up looking lived-in anyway.
Our version – a bold and fiery orange with neon laces – is probably not my favorite colorway in the bunch, but I will never complain about a colorway in a pair of shoes we were gifted and didn’t get to choose ourselves. The Peregrine 16 launches with 3 colorways – the review orange, a black version, and a fun blue with flashy accents. Thus, it should be relatively easy to find something that matches your vibe.
Upper
For me, the Peregrine 16’s upper feels tough without being overbuilt. It’s made from recycled mesh and has noticeably reinforced spots (i.e. abrasion resistant) where trail shoes usually take a beating. It also has an integrated gaiter attachment if you’re running in terrain that needs to keep rocks and dirt out.
Inside, the fit works well for my foot. There’s padding around the heel and collar, which I personally like—it keeps things comfy and secure. The gusseted tongue does its job in keeping my foot locked in without feeling tight, and the forefoot has enough room for my toes to splay naturally. I wouldn’t say it’s roomy enough for really wide feet, but for me it hits a nice balance: not tight, not sloppy.
Midsole
The midsole sticks with Saucony’s PWRRUN foam and the PWRRUN+ sockliner, but they’ve added 4mm of extra stack. Right away, I noticed it feels softer than I remember from older Peregrines. That extra padding makes a noticeable difference on longer runs— legs feeling less beaten up after a few hours on trail compared with firmer versions.
The ride is still responsive enough that I don’t feel like I’m floating on clouds. There’s a nice balance between softness and support, so you get some give underfoot without it collapsing or feeling mushy. I’ve run on mixed non-technical terrain—bark, hardpacked dirt, even a bit of mud—and the midsole handled it well.
If you’re someone who likes the lower profile Peregrine’s this update has a possibility of feeling a bit plush. But for me, it hits a sweet spot: forgiving over longer miles, yet stable enough when I need it. The extra stack hasn’t made it feel tippy or unstable; lateral support is solid, and I haven’t had any wobble on uneven terrain. Honestly, I think this version is geared toward runners who want a little more comfort on longer outings without giving up the reliable Peregrine technicalities and hold we’ve come to expect.
Outsole
The biggest change I noticed is the switch to Vibram Megagrip. Saucony’s previous rubber has always been fine, but this feels a step up in confidence – especially in a trail shoe. I’m not spending hours on technical singletrack, but for the runs I do, it sticks where it needs to.
The 4mm lugs use Vibram’s Traction Lug pattern. For me, they hit a nice middle ground—they grip mud and roots without feeling like a mountaineering shoe. It’s enough bite for most trail runs I do without being overkill.
Conclusion
The Peregrine 16 feels like a meaningful update without trying to be a completely different shoe. The upper, midsole, and outsole all show noticeable improvements, but at its core, it’s still very much a Peregrine.
For me, that’s the sweet spot. If you’ve run previous Peregrines, the upgrades make it more comfortable and versatile for longer trail runs. And if you’re new to the line—or returning after a while like me—it’s not a radical overhaul, which actually makes it feel more approachable.
At the end of the day, the Peregrine 16 keeps what works, improves where it counts, and adds just enough cushion and confidence to make time on the trails that much more enjoyable.
