Saucony Peregrine 12

It is always an exciting time of the year when Saucony drops their new trail shoe for the season. And this year it looks like Christmas came early, very early. The new Saucony Peregrine 12 is an absolute beauty of a trail shoe. There are a lot of features to cover in this article as to why this shoe is such an improvement over last year's model. Let's get stuck in, shall we? 

Features

The Peregrine 12 brings some impressive stats to the table. The 12 is a full 50 grams lighter than its predecessor and that is something you feel instantly when out on the trails. The Peregrine 12 has kept the same 4mm drop from the heel (26.5mm stack) to the toe box (22.5mm stack) as in all the other models so that feels very familiar when you first put on these shoes. The sole of the shoe displays a very aggressive traction thread. And the upper layer of the shoe sports a breathable yet durable mesh with reinforcements in exactly the places where the shoe takes the biggest thrashing. Things are looking really good for this shoe. 

Trails, trails, trails

This shoe is designed for one type of terrain only: trails. The Peregrine 12 is nice and light, very nimble but at the same time strong through the sole with a good response to the terrain. The rock sole is aggressive and will allow you to negotiate steep up-and-downs with comfort and it definitely holds its own on muddy terrain. As the thunderstorms and torrential downpours return to the Land of Smiles, you couldn't ask for better grip than with this shoes' outsole. 

The upper layer is made of a mono-mesh that is breathable but sturdy enough to take any beating the Thai jungle provides. I had no trouble negotiating wet terrain with the Peregrine 12 and water drained quickly from the sole after wading through some rocky river beds. I can see how this shoe easily runs up the mileage and you would probably get north of 750k on this pair without too much wear-and-tear. One thing is clear, it isn't the sole that will run out. If anything, after some serious trail kilo's on rocks, the upper layer might wear out eventually. 

Because the shoe is much lighter than the other Peregrines, you might feel that Saucony sacrificed some comfort for weight in the 12's. This makes the shoe ideal for those trail runners who like to feel the response of the terrain as they go along. The shoe negotiated loose gravel and rocky sections really well. And if the trail is a mudfest, this shoe will get you home safely. The cut weight of the shoe means that it feels less comfortable than some of the other, more cushiony or high-stack trail shoes out there. So if comfort is your main priority, this might not be the shoe for you. However, if you want direct contact with the terrain you are running on, this shoe provides the ideal feedback for your feet.    

Last but not least, the price point of the Saucony Peregrine 12 is very reasonable compared to some of the other trail running shoes out there. Knowing that these shoes will carry a very respectable amount of distance in them, this is a great value-for-money proposition by Saucony. 

All in all a great trail running shoe. It's no secret that I am a fan of the Saucony brand. Their shoes just seem to go well with my personal preferences and running style. Whether it is on road, track or trail. So I have to add a little caveat that I am somewhat biased to the shoe. However, I think you will find that the Peregrine 12 has great potential if you decide to give them a go. They are without a doubt a big step up from the previous model. So kudos to Saucony for delivering a solid shoe once more! 

Happy training!

March 2022 - Erik Bohm, Effortless Running

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Disclaimer: Saucony nor any other brand pays me to review their products. I don't receive compensation for these articles and all of the opinions voiced in this article are my own.