The Peregrine has always been Saucony’s no-nonsense all-mountain trail shoe; being low, fast, and made for real mountain terrain.
The Peregrine 15 already nailed that formula, but for me, it always felt like it was one small step away from being truly complete and ergo the all mighty trail king for those who want speed and connection to the trails.
With the Peregrine 16, that step has been taken, and it almost feels like Saucony read my review and fixed all the little things I called out.
It feels instantly familiar underfoot; same fit, same geometry, same confident trail DNA, but with two upgrades that change how far and how hard I want to run in it: 1. a softer, higher midsole and 2. a full Vibram Megagrip + Traction Lug outsole.
This is a true refinement, that finally unlocks what the Peregrine has always wanted to be, and what I knew it could be.
Key specifications
- Price: $145 at saucony.com (available for purchase on January 1, 2026)
- Weight: 9.8oz (278g), Men’s US 9
- Drop: 4mm (32mm heel / 28mm forefoot)
- Upper: High-strength engineered mesh with reinforced abrasion zones and integrated D-ring gaiter attachment
- Midsole: PWRRUN foam midsole with PWRRUN+ sockliner
- Outsole: Vibram Megagrip with Vibram Traction Lug design
- Lug height: 4mm
- Extra attributes: Forefoot rubber toe wrap for protection, lace stash loop, rear finger loop, vegan construction, recycled materials used, gaiter compatible
Sizing and fit
Fit is unchanged from the Peregrine 15, which is a good thing.
The Peregrine 16 fits true to size, with a secure midfoot, locked-in heel, and a toe box that gives enough space for natural splay without feeling sloppy.
The upper holds the foot well on off-camber terrain and fast descents, and I’ve had no hot spots or pressure points at all.
It's also very breathable which is what you want from a shoe that pursuades you to push the pace.
If the 15 fit you perfectly, you’ll feel right at home here, and if you never tried the 15, you're going to love how these feel on your feet.
The collars, heel counter and tongue are all well padded and feel dreamy when you slip your feet in.
Performance review
On paper, the changes look small: 4mm more foam, a new outsole, and a fractional weight drop. On the trail, they completely shift how capable this shoe feels.
The midsole is the first thing I noticed.
There’s now 4mm more stack at both heel and forefoot, and the PWRRUN foam has a noticeably softer feel compared to the Peregrine 15.
It’s still responsive and controlled (don't worry, it hasn’t turned into a marshmallow), but the added forgiveness will make a real difference once you get past that 15–20 mile mark.
That old, slightly firm edge that the 15 had after long hours on rock and hardpack? It’s gone.
This version feels far more accommodating for longer mountain runs and even ultras, without losing its nimble character.
Despite that extra foam, it somehow comes in 0.2oz lighter in a men’s US 9.
You don’t feel that difference directly when running, but combined with the softer midsole, the shoe just feels more relaxed and willing to cruise at speed for longer.
Alastair Dixon
Then there’s the outsole...
The jump from Saucony’s PWRTRAC rubber to Vibram Megagrip with traction lug is MASSIVE. PWRTRAC was good. This is elite when it comes to best-in-class traction on the trails.
On wet rock, loose dirt, steep downhill switchbacks, the kind of terrain where you’re testing both your shoes and your nerves, Vibram Megagrip just sticks.
This is one of those outsoles where you stop thinking about grip altogether, which is exactly how it should be. The traction lug chevron geometry also helps it bite harder on climbs and stay composed when braking downhill, especially on loose or dusty trails.
What I appreciate most is that these improvements haven’t bloated the shoe.
It still feels low, stable, and nimble, thanks to the 4mm drop and natural geometry.
There’s no plate, and I’m glad Saucony kept it that way. It means the shoe still flexes and adapts over uneven ground, giving you a better connection to the trail.
Yes, ground feel is slightly reduced due to the increased stack, but not enough to lose that technical precision I have come to love from the Peregrine series.
Control is still excellent, it’s just now backed by more protection.
This is where it really shifts: the Peregrine 15 felt like a brilliant all-mountain shoe for short to medium mountain missions but the 16 feels like a legitimate all-mountain weapon for fast runners who want to go long without losing confidence or control on technical trails.
If you loved the firmer, more direct feel of the 15, the 16 will feel a touch more cushioned and relaxed. But for me, that softer ride is exactly what it needed to become more versatile without dulling its edge.
Alastair Dixon
My verdict
The Saucony Peregrine 16 is what I wanted the 15 to become, and at $145, this is easily the best value all mountain trail running shoe you can buy right now (or at least when it's fully released on Jan 1, 2026).
It keeps the same fit, same connected and nimble feel, and the same all-mountain personality but upgrades the two areas that actually limit long-term performance on intense trails; cushioning and grip.
It’s not a pure race shoe and it doesn’t chase maximalism; It’s a fast, capable, no-excuses all-mountain trail shoe that now feels complete.
If you liked the Peregrine 15? You’ll love the 16, and if you felt the 15 was a bit too firm or limited for longer runs? This is the version you were waiting for.
If you have any questions about these running shoes, just ask me in the comments below and I'll be happy to help you out! Oh and if you haven't already, go subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more reviews like this one. -Alastair
