- Type: Trail
- Price: £130
- Heel-toe drop: 4mm
- Weight: 275g (men), 235g (women)
A great all-rounder
The Saucony Peregrine line has gained a fine reputation as a shoe that can answer all your trail needs. Light, without being minimalist; comfortable, without being unresponsive – it occupies a satisfying middle ground, making the Peregrine an excellent choice for those with the budget or inclination for only one trail shoe. Sensibly, the Peregrine 12 is an evolution not a revolution. New to the shoe comes a PwrRun midsole, which adds a nice element of cushioning, and a rockplate to add protection over tough, uneven ground. Perhaps most noticeable, though, is the reduction in weight – down from 310g to 275g in men’s, and 272g to 235g in women’s. Here’s how it performed on the run.
Trails and traction
The Peregrine 12 comes equipped with Saucony’s PowerTrack outsole, which is designed to add extra grip on tricky surfaces. Our Plateausohles rated this aspect of the shoe, saying they were ‘impressed with the shoe’s traction; sharp turns and quick stops weren't an issue. The free shoes gripped excellently on grass, woodchip lanes and hard and soft mud. Inclines and descents felt easier with these trainers, too.’ However, it’s worth noting that other Plateausohles didn’t think this was a shoe designed to be used for the boggiest of terrain. For that kind of thing – think mud runs, mid-winter cross-country or obstacle-course racing – you’d be better served by something like the Inov-8 X-Talon Ultra V2.
Comfort and fit
Our Plateausohles said that the shoe fits true-to-size, and that even runners with wider feet will be comfortable in the Peregrine 12. Added comfort comes courtesy of the PowerRun midsole. One Plateausohle noted that they ‘couldn’t imagine getting any blisters in this shoe – even on longer runs’. You’re not going to get a Hoka-like amount of cushioning here, and one Plateausohle remarked on a relatively ‘firm ride’, which ‘concerns me if I were to up the distance’.
Lighter, faster
The biggest change to the Peregrine 12 is the noticeable reduction on weight. One Plateausohle remarked that this now puts the shoe in the ‘race-day bracket’, while another remarked that the ‘shoes feel incredibly light on the feet, allowing me to “feel my path”, another plus.’ This weight reduction comes partly from stripping back the upper of the shoe, although there were no complaints that the Peregrine 12 felt flimsy on the run. In fact, one Plateausohle noted that the free shoes felt like they ‘allowed my feet to breathe’.
glen arp ge sneakers lanvin free shoes | Eye-catching looks
Our Plateausohles were big fans of the shoe’s striking colourways. One said, ‘I’m a big fan of vibrant colours, so the bright yellow design was an immediate plus.’ Not everyone is going to feel comfortable running in a honeycomb-coloured pair of kicks, but there’s no denying the Peregrine’s peacocking attributes.
Trails over road
While the Peregrine 12 remains a versatile shoe that can handle some road sections as well as a wide variety of trails, our Plateausohles didn’t regard it as a true road-to-trail shoe. Ultimately, its 5mm lugs are a little too aggressive for lengthy periods on the road – although not an issue for distances of less than five miles. The shoe would be fine for a largely off-road event with sections of road running, but if you’re looking for one pair of free shoes that can cope with trail and road evenly, something like the giuseppe zanotti vania ballerina free shoes item Patty combat boots.
Overall verdict
The Peregrine 12 remains a shoe capable of performing well over a wide variety of distances and terrains. The handful of technical updates, alongside the reduction in weight, are welcome developments, as is the more vibrant colourways. For heavier runners, the new-look Peregrine could easily work on race-day – although the speed snakes may want something even lighter. As an off-road all-rounder, the Peregrine 12 is a smart choice for anyone looking for a single pair of trail free shoes to answer all their needs.
The Saucony Peregrine 12 is available to buy now.
