Saucony Peregrine 11 Trail Running Shoe
Editor’s Conclusion
The Saucony Peregrine 11 is a tried and tested trail running shoe that brings a lot to the table, but it isn’t without its flaws. It boasts an overall styling that looks like a sleek and modern road running or gym shoe with a ton of hidden features to keep your feet protected on the trails.
Is it the best trail runner out there on the market? Probably not, especially for those that want a good deal of cushioning and a more lightweight ride. However, it does boast some smart features that may make your trail runs a little more pleasant. If you like to stick to modest trails and want a good deal of protection without stiff and unforgiving materials, this shoe is certainly worth checking out. Personally, I love the style and performance of this shoe, but I realize that it may not be for everyone.
Below, I wanted to take a deep dive into all of the features that make the Saucony Peregrine 11 a great option to take out on the trails.
Is it the best trail runner out there on the market? Probably not, especially for those that want a good deal of cushioning and a more lightweight ride. However, it does boast some smart features that may make your trail runs a little more pleasant. If you like to stick to modest trails and want a good deal of protection without stiff and unforgiving materials, this shoe is certainly worth checking out. Personally, I love the style and performance of this shoe, but I realize that it may not be for everyone.
Below, I wanted to take a deep dive into all of the features that make the Saucony Peregrine 11 a great option to take out on the trails.
Saucony Peregrine 11 Trail Running Shoe Review Facts
Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
Stylish upper
Incredibly durable
Tacky PWRTRAC rubber outsole
Aggressive lugs
PWRRUN midsole with a rock plate
Cons
Upper is not very breathable
Narrow toe box
Heavier than expected
Key Features
Key Features
MIDSOLE
I found the feel of this PWRUN midsole to be slightly underwhelming. The bright and easy upper and the thickness of the midsole led me to believe that this midsole would be light and squishy, but I was mistaken. This midsole doesn’t offer that plush step-in feel I had come to expect, but it really shines out there on the trails. While it feels hard and stiff at first, this midsole offers up a tone of protection when running over jagged rocks and gravel, and also offers a good deal of energy feedback to put an extra spring in your step.
It is also important to note that on top of a thick and dense midsole that protects your feet from the trails, it also boasts a rock plate found in the midsole as well. This TPU rock plate adds another layer of protection from sharp and jagged rocks, while also helping to even out your gait cycle on rough trails. It may feel a little stiff and clunky initially, but as you start to move this shoe offers up excellent energy feedback as well as impact absorption.
UPPER
This design boasts Saucony’s FormFit upper for maximum control and lockdown. This stretchy upper contours to the shape of your foot to prevent the shoe from shifting around on your foot as you run up and down steep hills. It is composed of a breathable mesh material that feels a little like plastic and works to wick away moisture and mud while helping to lift hot air up and away from the shoe to keep your feet cool and dry.
When compared to previous models in the Peregrine lineup, the redesigned upper is a little more durable and offers a lot more protection. The trade-off for this increased level of protection is that this design isn’t quite as breathable as previous designs. While this shoe is still fairly breathable, especially when compared to other trail runners out there on the market, it is just slightly less breathable than Peregrine fans had expected with this updated model. It’s not a deal-breaker, but worth mentioning.
OUTSOLE
I found that you either love or hate the aggressive lugs on the outsole of this shoe. One thing that all runners can agree upon is that the tacky PWRTRAC rubber outsole does a great job at really sticking to the ground under your feet. Whether you are running on easy trails, mud, slush, or gravel, this rubber outsole provides a good deal of stability that allows you to run with confidence.
Some runners love the deep and aggressive lugs found on this outsole, and others find that they are a little too intense. It boasts deep chevron-style lugs that are tightly spaced throughout the base of the shoe and are even tighter along the heel and the tip of the toe box for a little added traction at the beginning and end of your gait cycle. Personally, I love the tight-knit lugs because they really grip the ground under my feet to make my runs steady and confident.
PERFORMANCE
Overall, I would recommend this shoe for runners that are ultimately concerned with protection in exchange for comfort. The highly protective midsole and rock plate will protect your feet when running over jagged rocks and gravel and really help even out your gait for a heightened sense of stability. While it’s incredibly protective, it just isn’t as comfortable and some of the other trail runners out there on the market. The midsole is super thick, but it is also very firm.
It’s important to note that you are trading off protection and performance for overall comfort when you select this shoe. It isn’t as soft and supportive as some of the other trail runners out there on the market, but it offers ultimate protection not only in the outsole but in the upper as well. Some trail runners absolutely sear by the performance of this shoe, while others feel that it is a little lacking in the comfort department.
FIT
If you have a narrow foot, you will find no issues with the fit of the Peregrine 11. It boasts a slightly narrow design that boosts overall lockdown but may prove to be a little too tight for some. If you can, I would recommend trying these shoes on at your local shoe store before making a purchase. If you feel that they are a little too tight and narrow, it may be in your best interest to go up a size to ensure that they aren’t too tight.
Another thing worth noting in terms of the overall fit is the construction of the toe box. While the base of the toe box is wide enough for most, it starts to taper as you move farther up the shoe. Some found that as they started to move that their toes started to overlap inside of the shoe. For some, it wasn’t much of an issue, but it proved to be a bit of a problem for those with a wider foot.
The good news, however, is that Saucony offers these shoes in a wide fit as well. Be sure to take ample measurements of your foot and compare them to Saucony’s sizing chart to ensure that you get the right size for your foot!
STYLE
Personally, I love the overall styling of this shoe. It comes in both neutral color options as well as a bright and punchy color palette for those that want something that can be seen from outer space. If you are a big fan of running shoes that look like a bag of Skittles (guilty!) you are sure to love the overall styling and color offered in this newest design of the Saucony Peregrine.
When compared to previous versions on the Peregrine, this model offers up more design choices. Previous versions had slightly more muted color options, while the latest addition dialed the colors up to an 11!
PRICE
The price of this Saucony shoe is slightly higher than your average neutral road running shoe, but it is about average when compared to other trail runners out there on the market. While the price tag may seem slightly intimidating, it’s a great value when you compare it to the overall durability of this shoe. The midsole is slightly stiffer than expected, but it also means that it won’t flatten down into a pancake as you put hundred and hundreds of miles into this shoe.
I found the feel of this PWRUN midsole to be slightly underwhelming. The bright and easy upper and the thickness of the midsole led me to believe that this midsole would be light and squishy, but I was mistaken. This midsole doesn’t offer that plush step-in feel I had come to expect, but it really shines out there on the trails. While it feels hard and stiff at first, this midsole offers up a tone of protection when running over jagged rocks and gravel, and also offers a good deal of energy feedback to put an extra spring in your step.
It is also important to note that on top of a thick and dense midsole that protects your feet from the trails, it also boasts a rock plate found in the midsole as well. This TPU rock plate adds another layer of protection from sharp and jagged rocks, while also helping to even out your gait cycle on rough trails. It may feel a little stiff and clunky initially, but as you start to move this shoe offers up excellent energy feedback as well as impact absorption.
UPPER
This design boasts Saucony’s FormFit upper for maximum control and lockdown. This stretchy upper contours to the shape of your foot to prevent the shoe from shifting around on your foot as you run up and down steep hills. It is composed of a breathable mesh material that feels a little like plastic and works to wick away moisture and mud while helping to lift hot air up and away from the shoe to keep your feet cool and dry.
When compared to previous models in the Peregrine lineup, the redesigned upper is a little more durable and offers a lot more protection. The trade-off for this increased level of protection is that this design isn’t quite as breathable as previous designs. While this shoe is still fairly breathable, especially when compared to other trail runners out there on the market, it is just slightly less breathable than Peregrine fans had expected with this updated model. It’s not a deal-breaker, but worth mentioning.
OUTSOLE
I found that you either love or hate the aggressive lugs on the outsole of this shoe. One thing that all runners can agree upon is that the tacky PWRTRAC rubber outsole does a great job at really sticking to the ground under your feet. Whether you are running on easy trails, mud, slush, or gravel, this rubber outsole provides a good deal of stability that allows you to run with confidence.
Some runners love the deep and aggressive lugs found on this outsole, and others find that they are a little too intense. It boasts deep chevron-style lugs that are tightly spaced throughout the base of the shoe and are even tighter along the heel and the tip of the toe box for a little added traction at the beginning and end of your gait cycle. Personally, I love the tight-knit lugs because they really grip the ground under my feet to make my runs steady and confident.
PERFORMANCE
Overall, I would recommend this shoe for runners that are ultimately concerned with protection in exchange for comfort. The highly protective midsole and rock plate will protect your feet when running over jagged rocks and gravel and really help even out your gait for a heightened sense of stability. While it’s incredibly protective, it just isn’t as comfortable and some of the other trail runners out there on the market. The midsole is super thick, but it is also very firm.
It’s important to note that you are trading off protection and performance for overall comfort when you select this shoe. It isn’t as soft and supportive as some of the other trail runners out there on the market, but it offers ultimate protection not only in the outsole but in the upper as well. Some trail runners absolutely sear by the performance of this shoe, while others feel that it is a little lacking in the comfort department.
FIT
If you have a narrow foot, you will find no issues with the fit of the Peregrine 11. It boasts a slightly narrow design that boosts overall lockdown but may prove to be a little too tight for some. If you can, I would recommend trying these shoes on at your local shoe store before making a purchase. If you feel that they are a little too tight and narrow, it may be in your best interest to go up a size to ensure that they aren’t too tight.
Another thing worth noting in terms of the overall fit is the construction of the toe box. While the base of the toe box is wide enough for most, it starts to taper as you move farther up the shoe. Some found that as they started to move that their toes started to overlap inside of the shoe. For some, it wasn’t much of an issue, but it proved to be a bit of a problem for those with a wider foot.
The good news, however, is that Saucony offers these shoes in a wide fit as well. Be sure to take ample measurements of your foot and compare them to Saucony’s sizing chart to ensure that you get the right size for your foot!
STYLE
Personally, I love the overall styling of this shoe. It comes in both neutral color options as well as a bright and punchy color palette for those that want something that can be seen from outer space. If you are a big fan of running shoes that look like a bag of Skittles (guilty!) you are sure to love the overall styling and color offered in this newest design of the Saucony Peregrine.
When compared to previous versions on the Peregrine, this model offers up more design choices. Previous versions had slightly more muted color options, while the latest addition dialed the colors up to an 11!
PRICE
The price of this Saucony shoe is slightly higher than your average neutral road running shoe, but it is about average when compared to other trail runners out there on the market. While the price tag may seem slightly intimidating, it’s a great value when you compare it to the overall durability of this shoe. The midsole is slightly stiffer than expected, but it also means that it won’t flatten down into a pancake as you put hundred and hundreds of miles into this shoe.
Comparisons to Previous Versions
Comparisons to Previous Versions
There were some pretty big changes made to the outsole and midsole when the Peregrine 10 hit the market, and Saucony retained many of those design features in the Peregrine 11. The construction of the PWRUN midsole and PWTRAC outsole remain unchanged. Many of the changes made to this newest model lie in the upper.
The upper of the Peregrine 11 hosts a slightly lower profile than previous versions, while will allow for a high range of motion and an overall more comfortable fit. It also utilizes a more protective upper that helps wick away moisture and mud. The upper of this design runs slightly hotter than previous versions but offers up a lot more in terms of protection.
The upper of the Peregrine 11 hosts a slightly lower profile than previous versions, while will allow for a high range of motion and an overall more comfortable fit. It also utilizes a more protective upper that helps wick away moisture and mud. The upper of this design runs slightly hotter than previous versions but offers up a lot more in terms of protection.
Verdict
Verdict
At the end of the day, it’s important to note that the Peregrine 11 isn’t built for everyone. If you love a plush and squishy ride with modest lugs and a lightweight frame, this may not be the shoe for you. However, many runners really appreciate the overall durability of this shoe, as well as the intense foot protection from jagged trails and incredibly responsive PWRUN midsole. Runners also love the breathable upper that offers excellent drainage and protection from rock and debris.
It may not be as breathable as some of the other trail runners in the Saucony trail running lineup, but it offers the most protection.
It may not be as breathable as some of the other trail runners in the Saucony trail running lineup, but it offers the most protection.
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