SAUCONY PEREGRINE 6
I tested the Saucony Peregrine at Bootleg Canyon in Nevada during several 4-10 mile runs, with my second run in them being a 10 miler. I was impressed with how the shoe felt on my foot, especially right out of the box. The afternoon I received them I put 4.5 miles on them along rocky, compacted trails with no issues. I really like this shoe, and it is amongst the best trail shoe that I've run in. Recently I've run in over two dozen different trail shoes ranging from Hoka to Altra and Montrail to Brooks, and this shoe continues to be my go to shoe when I head out for a run on the trail.
I love the way the Peregrine fits my foot. The wider toe box gave my foot the room it needs, without feeling too bulky or big. I was surprised at the flexible toe area, as most trail shoes have a rigid toe guard. The sole is firm enough to protect the foot from rocks, yet it is supple enough that I could turn the shoe over and run at a faster pace. The rock protection is on par with other max cushion shoes I’ve run in.
As I just stated, this shoe enabled me to run at a quick clip. I’ve been running in Hokas, and the Peregrines were so much faster. This included my 10 mile run, which I was able to knock out in the fastest pace I’d run that route yet. The 4mm drop fits my running style, and the shoe’s low profile design enables you to move along the trail quickly. If you're running in a max drop shoe you'll notice moving into this shoe, but if you're used to running in Altras or other zero drop shoes, these will be a great choice.
I loved the way these fit out of the box. Straightforward lacing system, heel locked into place, wide toe-box, and a good insole. I didn’t experience any slippage on downhill portions at the end of my run. I ran the last three miles downhill at a 7:20 clip and my toes didn’t feel the end of the toe box once. The upper is padded well enough that it is comfortable, yet it isn't bulky. The upper material is incredibly lightweight and running in the desert heat in these shoes doesn't cause any issues.
The sole seems to be holding well, the lacing eyelets are beefed up, and the upper is well constructed. My concern is the toe as there is no toe guard. Well, what is there is nearly non-existent. If you’re like me and run in really rocky terrain you’ll want to look at the toe guard. I prefer something more covering my little sausages while I run, but that’s just me. In reality though, the lightweight toe guard wouldn't stop me from buying these shoes over and over again.
As I stated, these shoes are fast. I enjoyed running in them because they remind me of a track shoe. Even on the pavement, with their big mean tread, they felt fast. Cornering in these wasn’t an issue, and I didn’t have any ankle issues while running in them.
In short, the Saucony Peregrine 6 is a great trail shoe. It is ready to run in right out of the box, it is comfortable, has a great sole, and is cushioned without being too tall or too thick. This is one of my favorite shoes and I hope that others find this shoe to be as great as I have. If you have questions about this, or any other recently released trail shoes, please let me know.