Women’s Saucony Peregrine 15 Review

Bottom Line

We have been hiking in the Peregrines for years, and this iteration is still a great shoe for all trails. Comfortable right out of the box, the mesh uppers are breathable, fast drying, and have plenty of room for wider feet. The updated outsole on the Peregrine 15 provides excellent durability and traction, while the renovated midsole increases comfort and enhances shock absorption. We enjoyed the slipper-like feel and found these shoes have the right balance between soft cushion and ground feel, making this model adaptable to a variety of trails, from hard-packed surfaces to soft sand and mud.

With its versatility, the Peregrine 15 is a fantastic value, especially for runners who only want to have one trail shoe. While we’re not certain the mesh upper will hold up to prolonged wear in extremely rugged conditions, it will certainly be a great choice for daily training. See more in our guide to the best hiking shoes for women.

How We Tested

We have tested the Saucony Peregrine line over the years and through thousands of miles of trail running and hiking across diverse terrain. This most recent edition was no different. We took them on forested trails throughout Northern California, from rocky, wooded single track to muddy and wet redwood forest floors.

Traction

The extra-grippy PWRTRAC outsole combined with burly 5 mm lugs makes for an extremely aggressive tread on a wide variety of trails. During hikes on muddy trails in the forests of Northern California, we had no problems maintaining traction. We were also impressed with the level of grip on the notoriously slippery wet leaves that cover autumn trails in Michigan.

Unlike some of the other models tested, the Peregrine 15 provides excellent traction without feeling stiff or too confining. They also transition well to harder surfaces such as gravel trails, although there can be an issue of small rocks getting stuck in the exposed midsole. Trail runners or hikers looking for a trail shoe that comfortably goes the distance at a lower-than-average price point will find a lot of value here.

comfort

These are one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes we tested, having a slipper-like feel right out of the box. Available in two widths, these will accommodate the majority of hikers.

While only moderately cushioned, these shoes provide the perfect balance of comfort and ground feel, with the midsole being softer than most models we tested. The soft foam midsole allows you to maintain trail awareness, but still keeps you comfortable on hard surfaces, rocks, and roots.

We also appreciated the secure midfoot and heel, ensuring that we felt confident on all terrain types. We found the narrower platform stable, but it may feel too narrow for some, especially on off-camber or steep terrain. 

Among the shoes we tested, the Peregrine 15 stood out as having nearly the perfect balance between cushion, ground feel, and traction. These shoes do not compromise responsiveness when adding cushion and don’t trade traction for comfort.

The updated PWRRUN foam feels soft underfoot, yet promotes impressive energy return no matter the pace. The Peregrine 15 propelled us down the trail without a loss of connection, while the reformulated PWRTRAC grippy outsole provided us with confidence in every step. The streamlined fit and light weight of this shoe significantly increased our agility on the trail.

Weight

The Peregrine 15 is a lightweight hiking shoe that won’t weigh you down – perfect for those who like to cross train with trail running. This was notably one of the lighter hiking shoes we tested, coming in at just over a pound for the pair. The design and lightweight nature of the materials made us feel nimble, agile, and ready for speed.

Durability

This shoe has a reformulated PWRTRAC outsole for enhanced durability. The outsole feels solid, with the ability to withstand a variety of conditions and environments. The mesh upper has also been reinforced in high-abrasion areas for extra protection. 

However, we have some reservations that – even with the current improvements – the Peregrine 15 will not hold up to extremely rugged hiking conditions and terrains such as off-trail adventuring and scrambling. We would not recommend this shoe for those planning to carry heavy loads on backpacking trips. To prolong the life of these shoes, we recommend avoiding off-trail bushwacking and other high-abrasion situations. We mainly took these on clear trails and paths and did not note any issues with durability throughout testing.

Otherwise, we were impressed by the elasticity of the mesh, which accommodated wider feet without permanently losing shape.

Breathability

The mesh uppers on the Peregrine 14 breathe easily. The excellent breathability and airflow in these shoes outperforms every other model we tested. Our feet were never too warm, no matter the temperature or the intensity of the run, even wearing black shoes in hot weather. Moisture build-up was never an issue either. We never dealt with hot spots or blisters.

The uppers dry rapidly, making them a solid choice for daily runs—even in wet areas like the Pacific Northwest. However, we did note that the thicker padding in the heels was a bit slower to dry than the rest of the shoe, but it didn’t affect our runs. 

The only drawback to the extreme permeability of the uppers was that sand from the singletrack trails in Michigan did manage to work its way in, which could lead to some chafing issues in the long run.

Responsiveness

The mesh uppers on the Peregrine 14 breathe easily. The excellent Among the shoes we tested, the Peregrine 14 stood out as having nearly the perfect balance between cushion, ground feel, and traction. These shoes do not compromise responsiveness when adding cushion and don’t trade traction for comfort. 

The PWRRUN foam feels soft and squishy underfoot. Despite this, it promotes impressive energy return no matter the pace. The Peregrine 14 propelled us down the trail without a loss of connection. We appreciated feeling the trail without feeling like our feet were getting banged up.  

While some runners with very wide feet may find that the sole feels slightly too narrow, diminishing stability; we found it to increase agility and pivot. This gave us confidence on more sinuous singletrack and winding trails in the Pacific Northwest.

Should You Buy the Saucony Peregrine 15?

These shoes are a fantastic value for the casual trail runner or hiker with their high performance and comfort ratings. However, it is important to note that they may not hold up to high abrasion, snags, or rugged terrain. Those who stick to well-maintained trails free of extremely rocky sections or other major obstacles will find these shoes to be ideal. 

With two width options available, most people will be able to find a good fit. Their accessibility and overall performance across most metrics – with the exception of water resistance –  make them an all-around winner.

What Other Women’s Trail Runners Should You Consider?

If the Saucony Peregrine 15 isn’t for you, check out these trail runners that can handle rugged trails.

Brooks Cascadia 18 Review: If you’re looking for more space in the toes and more durability without compromising breathability, these trail runners may be just the ticket. Choose from two widths.

HOKA Speedgoat 6 Review: If you’re looking for an even wider toe box and chassis, check out this former Editor’s Pick. These shoes are at home on rugged trails and have the most room in the footbox of everything we tested. Choose from two widths.

La Sportiva Bushido III Review: If you’re looking for an aggressive trail shoe with a narrower profile, more durability, and less cushion, these trail runners check all the boxes.

Altra Lone Peak 9 Review: If you desire more space for your toes to splay with an overall more natural foot shape, check out the classic Altra Lone Peak. This newer model provides enhanced durability and an updated responsive cushion for hikers and trail runners alike.