Men’s Saucony Peregrine 16 Review

Bottom Line

The Saucony Peregrine 16 is so versatile and agile that it lands at the top of our best trail running shoes for men guide and best hiking shoes for men guide.

We’ve trekked thousands of miles in every iteration of this shoe for years, from the Nepalese Himalayas to Patagonia’s Torres del Paine. And despite the changes and evolutions this trail running shoe has undergone, it remains one of the best all-around options.

For the second year in a row, the outsole gets a revamp. This year, it’s more significant as Saucony swapped its proprietary PwrTrc outsole for Vibram’s Megagrip with Traction Lugs. The midsole is cushier than prior versions, making for a more responsive and flexible ride — especially over long miles. 

Saucony keeps the taller cuff and a TPU overlay for added protection. These things are light, fast-drying, and agile — all for a fair price — which makes the Peregrine 16 one of our faves for summer adventures.

That said, even the Peregrine isn’t perfect. The higher cuff and narrower toe box caused a few hotspots and blisters before our feet settled into the fit. The break-in period is longer than prior versions. And we find that longevity still lags behind the competition, with major wear at around 300 miles. But thanks to the stellar balance of traction, low weight, and a comfy fit, the Peregrine 16 earns its keep on our list as a solid all-around trail runner for runners, hikers, and backpackers.

Comfort

With a familiar fit and midsole, the Saucony Peregrine 16 delivers comfort with a bit more bounce. The proprietary PWRRUN foam feels cushier and snappier than the original versions. It’s also impressively responsive, despite Saucony adding 4 millimeters of stack height, getting it to 32 millimeters at the heel and 28 millimeters at the forefoot. 

After 300+ miles of testing, we find these shoes land in the Goldilocks zone for support. There’s plenty of cushioning, plus just enough arch support for everything from flat ground to steep trails.

The details keep us returning to the Peregrines. A large heel loop makes them easy to put on, and the tongue is cushy and well-padded. We also appreciate double eyelets at the ankle to dial in the fit as snug or loose as we like. 

The fit may not work for everyone, though. The 16’s heel structure is more rigid than that of older Peregrines, with a taller cuff and a narrower toebox. Luckily, there’s a fit for everyone, since it also comes in a wide version. 

Our biggest gripe? These factors directly led to hotspots and blistering on our toes and heels during the first few runs. These require a longer break-in time than past versions (about 20 to 25 miles) before the shoes soften up. In our opinion, these changes are a step backward for comfort. That said, this one still gets a good score for comfort because after the break-in period, they felt great mile after mile.

Traction

The most obvious update to the Saucony Peregrine 16 is the new outsole, which builds on improvements made to the 15’s outsole. In versions 13 and 14, a vulnerable foam section under the heel caused the outsole to split down the middle. In the 15s, Saucony replaced the separated rubber sections with a single rubber outsole that has more chevron lugs.

The result? A notable improvement for both traction and durability. And now Saucony takes it to the next level by adding Vibram’s premium trail running outsole, the Megagrip. The 4-millimeter lugs delivered a reliable bite in dirt, sand, and moderate technical sections, and the uniform pattern wears evenly across the whole shoe.

Weight

Looking for lightweight footwear? At only 9.5 ounces per shoe, the Saucony Peregrine 16 are among the lightest on any of our men’s footwear lists. The airy mesh uppers and streamlined construction are perfect for trail runners whose top priorities are breathability and weight savings.

The result is a nimble, agile, and fast pair of shoes that perform consistently over long runs and hikes. When heading out for a half-marathon or tackling a 20 to 30-mile route in the Rockies, these are a go-to for a comfortable, lightweight ride from sunrise to sunset. 

Unfortunately, the airy construction and thin midsole foam lead to faster foot fatigue than in shoes with more cushioning. And for such a low weight, you’ll sacrifice longevity — these are not the most durable shoes out there. But for those who want to move light and fast, we highly recommend the Saucony Peregrine 16.

Durability

Like the 15s, the Saucony Peregrine 16 features a TPU overlay across the toes and sides. This design adds a bit more abrasion resistance, structure, and protection. We also appreciate that the Peregrines include a rock plate. Rock plates disperse impact pressure more evenly on long runs and hikes, adding a bit of stability and durability when moving across sharp rocks and rough terrain.

However, like prior versions, the 16s have less longevity than others we’ve tested. While we haven’t reached hundreds of miles in this version yet, the build is almost exactly the same as the 15s. We already took a chunk out of the midsole by clipping a rock with the front outside of the foot. These shoes won’t last forever — but you’ll have a lot of fun for the first few hundred miles.

Breathability

The Saucony Peregrine 16 performs best in hot and dry summer conditions. Their mesh uppers are light and airy, making them some of the most breathable shoes we’ve tested. When we were sweating on the trail in hot August sun in the Gore Range of Colorado, the Peregrines dumped sweat and heat with ease.

These are also a great choice for hikes with water crossings or warm, stormy days. Even after wading through knee-deep water or a torrential downpour, the Peregrines dry out in just 45 to 60 minutes on days above 75° in Colorado. 

The 16 also has a gaiter hook near the front of the shoe to help keep debris and water out, though it doesn’t have a dedicated attachment point at the heel.

But Peregrines fall short when it comes to true weather resistance. The uppers let water in instantly, leaving feet soaked from shallow puddles and wet grass. If your adventure involves wet, snowy, or windy weather, consider a shoe with features such as a tall cuff, a Gore-Tex liner, or naturally water-resistant materials like leather.

Responsiveness

The Saucony Peregrine 16 has good responsiveness, thanks to the EVA-based midsole foam. We found these shoes to be mostly snappy, responsive, efficient, and fun. While they’re not the most responsive out there, they are definitely a fun and excellent option for their price tag.

Should You Buy the Saucony Peregrine 16?

The Saucony Peregrine 16 is for trail runners, ultralight backpackers, fastpackers, and hikers who want lightweight, agile footwear that’s comfortable and breathable. These excel at fast-paced activities across varied terrain and are especially good in summer conditions thanks to quick-drying uppers. The new traction and outsole are a major step up in grip across different terrain, and they shine on steep ascents and downhills. Anyone looking for a responsive, cushy ride will appreciate the updated midsole in the most recent version. 

However, the updated fit won’t work for everyone, either, due to a narrower toe box and taller, more structured heel, which increases the break-in period. Still, these shoes earn their keep as a balanced ride for hiking and running for most people. When it comes to performance and price, the Peregrine 16 is one of our go-to’s — and we think you’ll love them, too.

What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?

Is the Saucony Peregrine your glass slipper? Check out our guides to the best hiking shoes and best trail running shoes for men to make sure. Also consider these other options:

Mount to Coast T1 Review: The T1’s are another mellow, do-everything workhorse for trail running adventures. They have a slightly higher stack height but less weight, and are also a ton of fun on the singletrack. 

Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 Review: Like the Peregrines, the Ultraventure 4 delivers lightweight construction and breathable uppers. These have a much larger toe box, though, so they’re a killer alternative if natural flexion and flexibility are top priority.

Salomon Speedcross 6 Review: With spaced-out lugs and a uniform tread, the Speedcross 6 grips better in wet conditions. With a comparable weight and price, they’re a great pick for folks who prefer a closer, more contoured fit.