Men’s Saucony Peregrine 14 Review

Bottom Line

The Saucony Peregrine 14s are some of the lightest, most agile men’s hiking shoes we tested. Our team at CleverHiker has hiked thousands of miles in these shoes, from over a dozen 13,000’ peaks in the Colorado Rockies to trekking in the Nepalese Himalayas, to exploring Patagonia’s Torres del Paine. They’re tailor-made for active trail runners and hikers seeking out-of-the-box comfort with exceptional traction and breathability. 

With a responsive feel and a secure fit, these are the shoes for fast-paced activities like running, hiking, and backpacking across low deserts in May or chasing mountain summits in August. They’re ideal for summer conditions due to their excellent breathability, quick-drying knit uppers, and minimal break-in period. 

However, they aren’t the most durable shoes out there, since the uppers begin to show major wear and tear after about 350 miles. And, they lack more technical features like toe caps and reinforced uppers that come standard on more rugged footwear. That said, for such a reasonable price and incredibly low weight, the Peregrine 14s are an easy choice the next time the trails are calling.

Comfort

The Saucony Peregrine 14s are comfortable, traditional-fitting trail runners that offer a responsive, springy step right out of the box. The midsoles walk a fine line, with just enough cushion to keep your feet supported through the midsole and arch, but enough ground feel to be nimble and secure with each step. The mesh uppers with thin TPU overlays make these shoes feel airy.

In fact, this is one of the most breathable pairs we tested. They effectively dump sweat and heat when the temps soar.

These shoes have some key details that set them apart. CleverHiker gear tester and analyst, Ian Krammer, loves the Peregrine’s thick and super durable laces that keep the shoes securely tied all day but are easy to undo when needed. The minimalist design allows the shoes to tighten fully around the foot, providing a secure and locked-down feel. We find the fit is true-to-size and consistent with a pleasing, snug feel through the midfoot and heel, and plenty of space in the toe box. The cushy tongue and soft heel cuff are cherries on top.

Their lightweight construction has a downside, though. The Peregrine 14s could benefit from more cushioning throughout the midsole. We like the noticeable ground feel, but a bit more support in the arch and heel would make a world of difference for general foot fatigue after 15 or more miles. Our other observation is the tongue tends to slip down and pile up over hours of use, requiring occasional repositioning.

Traction

The Saucony Peregrine 14s have the tacky, reliable traction you’re looking for. The knobby, triangular lug pattern offers stellar grip on a variety of terrains, from sandy coastal trails to rocky alpine routes. The chunky tread pattern has a pleasant balance of agility and support, which means they feel super stable on trail. The Peregrines have a bit less foam through the midsole than other trail runners we tested, which allows for a great ground feel and a supportive, secure ride.

This Saucony model has a one-piece rubber composite sole. During testing, we found it delivered very uniform wear and consistent grip across the entire shoe. You’ll get a reliable level of traction with every step, and solid performance on both ascents and descents. The grip performance makes these shoes a stellar choice for varied routes and different obstacles like roots, rocks, packed dirt, and scree.

This uniform rubber is our biggest con: it offers consistent performance, but the outsoles don’t have specialized zones for specific situations. More technical hiking shoes often have a super tacky tread area at the heel for braking on steep descents, or a high-performing rubber composite beneath the toes and forefoot for better grip on ascents, but the Peregrines don’t.

As a result, they tend to wear down more uniformly, and faster, than other shoes. We found significant traction loss around the 250-mile mark and significant flattening of the lugs by 300 miles.

Weight

The Saucony Peregrine 14s weigh only 10.5 ounces per shoe, putting them in the top three lightest models we tested. Their airy, breathable mesh uppers and streamlined construction are perfect for anyone whose top priorities are breathability and ultralight footwear. The result of such a featherlight design is a nimble, agile, and fast pair of shoes that perform consistently over long miles. Whether you need the lightest footwear for a weekend backpacking trip or a long-distance hike, the Peregrine 14s are as light as it gets for trail runners.

Unfortunately, the airy construction and minimal use of foam in the midsole can initially contribute to faster foot fatigue compared to shoes with more cushioning. While this provides better ground feel, it can also take away from your comfort on longer hikes. And, we find the Peregrine’s lightweight materials are less durable than those in heavier hiking shoes, and this is especially true for their traction. Despite performing well for the first half of their life, the Peregrine 14s are not the best choice for long-lasting outsoles.

Durability

The Saucony Peregrine 14s are not necessarily built for durability. They’re designed for fast, lightweight movement over long periods of time, so they don’t have technical features like a toe cap, dovetail heel, or reinforced uppers. While we love the lightweight combination of mesh, TPU, and ultralight foams and rubbers when it comes to weight and comfort, these materials are a downside for durability.

We find the Peregrines don’t last as long as the heavy-duty shoes we’ve tested, and show meaningful wear after 200-250 miles. Specifically, the TPU overlays begin to lift and the mesh blows out in the toes and interior of the foot. We also find the tread wears down significantly faster than hiking shoes with more durable rubber outsoles, which seriously reduces the traction needed for rougher terrains. 

That said, we found key details like the lacing harness, laces, heel loop, cuff material, and heels last for the full life of the shoe, which keeps them super functional and secure as long as you wear them. For hikers seeking a lightweight, agile option for moderate trails, the Peregrine 14s can perform reliably for up to 400-500 miles, although they’ll be in rough shape for the last 150 or so miles.

Weather Resistance

The Saucony Peregrine 14s perform best in hot and dry summer conditions. Their mesh uppers are light and airy, which makes for some of the most breathable shoes we’ve tested. These things will keep your feet cool when the sun is beating down and your feet are heating up since they’ll dump sweat and heat with ease. 

They’re also a great choice for hikes with water crossings or during stormy days. Even after wading through knee-deep water, or a torrential downpour, we find the Peregrines dry out in just 45 to 60 minutes, especially when paired with thin socks, and a bit of warmth.

But the Peregrines fall short when it comes to true weather resistance, especially in wet and cold conditions. The thin, airy mesh uppers let water in almost instantly, leaving your feet soaked from even the shallowest puddles. W we don’t recommend these for cold, wet conditions. If your adventure involves wet, snowy, or windy weather, consider a more weather-resistant shoe with features like a tall cuff, Gore-Tex liner, or water-resistant materials like leather.

Should You Buy the Saucony Peregrine 14?

We recommend the Saucony Peregrine 14s for ultralight backpackers, fastpackers, trail runners, minimalists, and hikers who want the best of the best when it comes to lightweight, agile footwear that is comfortable and breathable. They excel in fast-paced activities over varied terrain, from desert trails to alpine routes, and offer a responsive feel and secure fit. These shoes are especially great for summer conditions thanks to their quick-drying uppers and minimal break-in period, making them versatile and easy to love from the first hike and in most summer hiking conditions.

However, if you want long-term durability with features like textile uppers, toe caps, or reinforced prone areas, the Peregrine 14s will not be a great fit. They tend to wear out faster and lack robust construction compared to more heavy-duty hiking shoes. But if you prioritize speed, agility, and comfort for medium-distance hikes or trail running adventures, the Peregrine 14s are one of our favorite shoes – and we think you’ll love them, too.

What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?

If the Saucony Peregrine 14’s seem like your glass slipper, take a moment and check out these other shoes that could be the perfect fit:

Brooks Cascadia 17 Review: Similar to the Saucony Peregrine 14, the Brooks Cascadia 17s offer excellent traction and a comfortable fit for trail running and hiking. However, this Brooks model has a thicker midsole cushioning that makes for a more comfortable ride on longer distances or varied terrain.

Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 Review: Like the Peregrine 14, the Topo Ultraventure 3s offer lightweight construction and breathability. They feature a roomier toe box, a tighter lacing system, and more heel cushioning for an extra comfy ride, although they aren’t as nimble as the Peregrines because of their heavier build.

Altra Lone Peak 8 Review: The Altra Lone Peak 8 is similar to the Peregrine 14 in terms of lightweight design and grippy outsoles. However, these have an oversized toe box and a zero heel-to-toe drop that allows for natural flexion of the foot and a more ergonomic gait on trail.