Saucony is one of the oldest running specific brands around and they have churned through numerous models and iterations over the years from some of the fastest racing flats to the more durable high mileage marathon training shoes. But Saucony also has had a successful run of trail shoes, namely the Xodus and, the shoe you're here for, the Peregrine! The Peregrine ISO is the latest shoe of Saucony to adopt the ISO name, so what does that mean for Peregrine lovers and what does the Peregrine offer to those of you have yet to try them?
Quick Stats:
Price: £110
Cushioning/Type: Standard/Everyday Training
Weight: 295g (Size UK8)
Stability: Neutral
Durability: High (~450 miles)
Offset: 4mm
Stack Height: Medium - 25mm (Heel) - 21mm (Toe)
Surface: Varied Terrain (Road, Gravel, Mud)
Fit: Fitted
Waterproof: No
PK RAVES SCORE: 87/100
Similar Shoes: Saucony Xodus ISO 3, Saucony Peregrine ICE +, Saucony Mad River TR
Overview:
- Excellent value for money compared to similar high durability off-road shoes
- Size range is brilliant, but limited in regards to options in widths.
- Pretty weighty in comparison to other neutral alternatives
- Perfect Stack Height for durability and long miles
- The feel is rather fitted for a secure feel, but not overly tight.
- Heel Offset is just slightly elevated lower than some would like
- A very unique shoe with few alternatives (the only others are also Saucony!), occupying a very unexplored niche for its terrain, durability and cushioning.
Cushioning and Fit:
The cushioning for the Peregrine remains Saucony's premium EVERUN Topsole - foam based technology geared toward spring and energy return. Lightweight, it also provides a layer of plushness to the otherwise fairly firm midsole as a result of the tougher rubber sole and the denser PWRFOAM. But, to be fair, with the shoes being designed for mixed terrain, the shoes don't need much cushioning than its road equivalents as the surfaces are softer and more forgiving than the road. The Peregrine provides more than enough however to get a runner happily through the road portions of their run.
But it is the fit that brings the ISO to the Peregrine. ISOFIT is a dynamic upper construction which allows a secure feel whilst allowing the foot to mobilise freely without obstruction. The shoes are arguably more comfortable than it's predecessor, and there is certainly a dusting of a more premium feel with the cosy upper. The secure element of the fit does make it less roomy though - something standard to narrow footed people may enjoy, but wider feet may need to be more cautious and try it before diving in. But with ones feet sandwiched between Saucony's winning EVERUN and ISOFIT combination, the foot feels like it's been upgraded to 1st class - a rather uncommon and welcome sensation for an off-roader.
Stability:
The Peregrine ISO, like most off-roaders, is neutral in stability. Whilst the firmer yet lightweight cushioning, as well as the secure like feel, gives the illusion of stability, they most certainly don't deliver anythings bio-mechanically altering. Off-roaders don't tend to have much support as the ground the runner is expected to run off road in is uneven. Most traditional support system (midpost support etc.) work best on flat surfaces, so the idea of trying to control ankle mobility on uneven terrain is, at the moment, technologically very demanding and could, arguably, put the runner at a greater risk of injury.
Stack Height and Offset:
The Peregrine has a modest offset of 4mm. This is pretty typical for an off-roader to have a lower offset than their road equivalents - a more natural offset for the more natural terrain. The stack height is also really good; the offset (21mm -25mm) giving you plenty of protection underfoot in addition to the harder wearing, tacky carbon blown rubber (PWRTRAC). The Peregrine ISO has an effective stack height without adding unnecessary weight or being too bare to delivery on the mileage it is expected to achieve.
Surfaces and Durability:
The Saucony Peregrine ISO is designed for Varied Terrain. This means what it says on tin, it can be taken on pretty much any terrain - road, grass, mud, gravel - you name it. However, this also means it's not well adapted to any specific terrain, meaning that long entirely muddy runs or uptempo road runs aren't ideal for this shoe, as it doesn't offer the adequate grip for either and there being far more relevant alternatives available. Ultimately, it's a hybrid shoe, and performs best on runs that cover a range of terrain - a happy compromise for those runners who have routes which take them through a range of surfaces. But, due it's multipurpose use, and also with Saucony's sticky and resilient PWRTRAC outsole (optimised rubber for durability and traction) the Peregrine will cruise you to 450 mile mark - unless you really take through the unbeaten track with thorns!
The Saucony Peregrine ISO is a brilliant update to the chain of solid off-roaders the Peregrines have always been. It is rather a safe update, with few major changes and no new technology that Saucony hasn't already debuted. But, sometimes, why fix what was never broken? A good shoe doesn't need a lot of changes! If you're looking for a comfortable shoe to transition from road to off-road running the Peregrine ISO delivers and is an option for both regular off-roaders and newbies.
You can check out the Saucony Peregrine ISO at the brands website here: www.saucony.com/peregrineISO
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