Saucony Peregrine 15 Review: Ready to Fly Again

Introduction to the Saucony Peregrine 15

SAM: I live in Baltimore, and while this city abounds in surprises, one I did not expect was how familiar I’d become with the rhythms of wildlife in my neighborhood. It’s easing into winter here, and cardinals and chickadees are frequenting the trees that line my street. The deer I startle on my runs through the park are getting fatter, their coats shaggier with the onset of the cold. The foxes who live in the alley garden three blocks over aren’t out as much, but when they are out, it’s earlier in the afternoon, not in the morning like in spring and summer. Crows shout from rooftops and treetops, demanding to be ignored. Chevrons of Canada geese migrate overhead and strut with angst through any unused soccer field.

Of course, wildlife around here will explode in the springtime, just like anywhere else. You’ll see foxes with their kits just as the sun starts to peek over the trees in the morning. Birds are everywhere, especially the eponymous robin. Barred owls will fly overhead on soundless wings in the warm dark of early evening, and lean, jumpy doe will lead small fawns across the sidewalks that run closest to roads. Maybe this is all just a function of being in a place for a while. Animals are everywhere, and if you just look and then look again a little later, you’ll start to see patterns. However the science of wildlife populations in urban areas ultimately plays out, all I know is that I take joy in the changing of the seasons and the animals that change in kind.

My most acute joy like this is found in the peregrine falcons that nest in an old fire lookout tower just over a mile away. They roost in spring, and you’ll catch the juveniles on the high ledges, looking to spread their wings for the first time. I thought of those falcons often when testing out this shoe, because of the name (duh) but also because of the distilled potential that comes with any new iteration, just like what comes with new life.

The Saucony Peregrine 15 is maybe one of the last shoes I was expecting to see pay off that potential. The Peregrine line has always been the nimble, tough stalwart of Saucony’s trail line. It has offered consistency, reliability, and sometimes speed, but never much in the way of excitement. I was honestly expecting more of the same with this version.

The specs on paper are familiar if you know anything about Saucony’s trail line: engineered mesh upper with Formfit extended gusseting, PWRRUN midsole with 28 mm of foam in the heel and 24 mm in the forefoot with a PWRRUN Plus sock liner, and the classic Speedroll geometry. It’s all finished off with a full coverage soleplate of PWRTRAC rubber. I saw these specs and figured we’d have another standard trail shoe, but I think I underestimated what Saucony was capable of when each piece of tech was tuned in.

ALLISON: Saucony, pronounced “Sock-a-knee” (a handy reminder printed right on the box!), is a name I admittedly fumbled with at first — so shoutout to that guide for any rookies out there! I was thrilled to get the Peregrine 15 in the mail, as it’s been a while since I’ve worn this classic. I couldn’t wait to see the updates and changes to a shoe I’ve long considered a staple of traditional trail running, much like the Brooks Cascadia. My hope was nothing more than that it stays true to its roots while offering modern improvements, such as the PWRRUN midsole, PWRRUN Plus sock liner, and more, that Sam mentioned above. Let’s dive in and see how it holds up!

What we like about the Saucony Peregrine 15

SAM: The Saucony Peregrine 15 takes the lessons of its 14 prior iterations to produce an upper with one of my favorite fits of the entire year. The engineered mesh is breathable and very durable, and there are extensive overlays for extra protection in more vulnerable areas. Underneath the outer mesh is Saucony’s Formfit gussetting, holding the tongue perfectly on top of your foot. That Formfit is central to creating a perfectly killer fit, almost as if it’s in the name. The last of this shoe is sleek and nimble, but I never wanted for room in the toebox. The Peregrine 15 might just be one of the best technical fits I’ve tried this year. There is no movement in the midfoot or toebox, but endless comfort.

Comfort doesn’t stop in the fit either. I didn’t get to try out last year’s Peregrine 14, but the PWRRUN foam in the 15 feels noticeably softer than what was in the Peregrine 13. Some of that could be the PWRRUN+ sockliner, but it’s even softer on a thumb press. On the first step-in, the foam feels plush and bouncy, but it’s thin enough that it never feels unstable. After about 15-20 miles, the foam settles in a bit, but it still retains a sense of plush comfort that definitely is a marked difference from the feel of the Peregrine 13.

This is another trail offering from Saucony that employs its Speedroll geometry for a smooth and quick turnover. It isn’t exactly an ultralight shoe, but on the run, it feels most similar to the Hoka Zinal, which is nearly two ounces lighter than this one. Winding trails go down exceptionally easily in the Peregrine 15.

The softer PWRRUN foam and Speedroll geometry are structured on the bottom by a single-piece Saucony PWRTRAC soleplate that is also softer than I expected. The softness of the soleplate rubber hasn’t seemed to affect the durability much, and it results in a dynamic gripping surface that more easily molds to the terrain underfoot. The reliable grip allowed me to maintain speed with confidence, even when trails got soft or technical.

ALLISON: Right out of the box, I knew the Saucony Peregrine 15 was going to be a winner, starting with its thoughtfully designed tongue and Formfit upper. The tongue not only helped position my foot perfectly but also contributed to the snug, secure feel of the shoe—a perfect balance of comfort and support. On the trail, the PWRRUN cushioning immediately impressed, delivering an unmatched level of comfort, particularly in the midsole, an area where many trail shoes tend to fall short.

The toe box was another standout feature, offering ample space for my feet to splay naturally and relax, even with thicker socks—an absolute necessity in these frigid southern temperatures. I also appreciated the protective yet unobtrusive toe cap, which didn’t rub or cause discomfort as some other shoe models I’ve tried have done.

Bravo to Saucony for staying true to the traditions of the Peregrine and maintaining its reputation as a reliable, high-performing trail shoe. At $140, it’s an exceptional value for a shoe that delivers so much in terms of comfort, durability, and trail-ready features. This latest version has exceeded my expectations, and I couldn’t be more impressed!

What we don’t like about the Saucony Peregrine 15

SAM: I think this shoe has a plasticky look to the upper that I’m not in love with. The mesh is shiny, and while they never get in the way or restrict the breathability, the overlays are extensive. The performance is good enough that this is an extremely mild gripe, but it’s a first impression thing I couldn’t get past.

I also got the tiniest hint of rubbing on the very back of my heel. Even after 10-plus miles, this never developed beyond the potential of maybe becoming a hotspot, but it’s the one knock to the fit I found, and it could be specific to my feet.

Lastly, the PWRTRAC outsole compound still can’t cut it on wet wood. Everything else was alright, but boardwalks and roots had me stutter-stepping.

ALLISON: I have very few things that I didn’t like about the Saucony Peregrine, but the one that sticks out is the color. I’m sorry, but neon yellow/green isn’t for the faint of heart. I never understand why some companies decide on the brightest colors especially for trails. Is this so I don’t lose the shoe in the dark as I’m preparing for my morning run? It also doesn’t go with anything I wear (yes, I can be that person). It’s just mind-boggling, or maybe I’m just more traditional when it comes to shoe color.

Final thoughts on the Saucony Peregrine 15

SAM: There’s nothing flashy about the Saucony Peregrine 15. On paper, it’s a thoroughly run-of-the-mill trail runner for daily miles at a perfectly reasonable price. But, on foot and on trail, this might just be the closest thing to a perfect daily trail shoe that I’ve tried out in a while. It’s nimble and lightweight but soft enough for comfort over longer efforts. The fit is dialed precisely and can support technical miles just as well as gravel paths.

It’s weird to say that $140 is close to a steal today, but I can’t think of many shoes that are this good for that price. The Peregrine 15 will take you through daily miles and longer days on technical trails and is quick enough to serve in races 50k and less.

ALLISON: Once again, Saucony’s bread-and-butter trail shoe, the Peregrine, delivers exactly what fans have come to expect: reliable performance, impressive comfort, and top-notch grip for the trails. However, be ready to embrace some vibrant style.

You can pick up the Saucony Peregrine 15 for $140 from Running Warehouse (featuring free shipping and 90-day returns) by using the buttons below.