Saucony Peregrine 14 Introduction
The changes this year in the Peregrine are subtle and primarily just in the upper keeping the ride pretty consistent from the 13.
The 14 maintains the same medium profile, 4-mm drop, and PWRRUN midsole compound with 28 and 24 mm heel to toe stack heights keeping it nimble and low to the ground.
The updated upper boasts a new and unique lacing system providing a better lockdown.
Saucony has also addressed some of the fit and durability issues that arose with the previous version making this version more comfortable and adaptable to a wider range of runners.
Saucony Peregrine 14 Impressions
The Peregrine is a shoe that has found a permanent spot in my rotation and one that I have run in several iterations in starting with the first one.
The thing I love about it is the versatility and ride both of which are awesome in this update.
While I certainly put the shoe through everything I spent more time on technical trails with a lot of elevation changes which is the type of terrain I really love in this shoe.
They way they grip everything and the ride isn’t overly bouncy or unstable which makes them nice and nimble underfoot.
To be able to scramble down a rocky technical section and then quickly transition to bombing down the trail once it opens up brings a smile to my face and with the updates to the 14 I have been able to do exactly that but more comfortably and longer.
Saucony Peregrine 14 Protection
Protection is overall really good in this release and still enough for short, middle, and long runs.
The tightly woven kevlar(ish) mesh plate is still in play and continues to be unobtrusive while providing solid protection underfoot deadening all the sharp nasties.
The 14 has taken toe protection up a level from the previous version. The overlay is wider and continuous down both the medial and lateral sides of the foot. The material is also doubled up across the leading edge of the overlay that ties into the toe cap adding an additional layer of protection to the toes. This beefier overlay protects really well with a good blend of softness and rigidity so its not uncomfortable.
The mesh is a tighter weave and along with a gusseted tongue keep debris out while also guarding against the occasional root, stick, or rock that wants to take a jab at you. As with the last few versions there is an anchor point for gaiters if you’re into that sort of thing.
Saucony Peregrine 14 Durability
With the 13 many runners experienced a break down and peeling in the overlays at various pinch points along the upper.
The addition of the continuous widened overlay across the front of the shoe seems to have resolved this problem with no signs of peeling or breakdown so far, but time will tell.
With no changes to the midsole or outsole it should go without saying that it will continue to hold up to a ton of mileage. I have no issue or question about the durability of this shoe.
Saucony Peregrine 14 Responsiveness & speed
This is probably the area that I love the most about the Peregrine. The 13 added 2mm of PWRRUN foam that really helped to improve the ride of the shoe so well that they carried it over.
The 14 has a fairly bouncy ride that is just stiff enough that it adds some snappiness to the shoe.
This snappiness coupled with a forefoot rocker generates a smooth and quick transition that makes picking up the pace easy when I wanted to and the terrain would allow it.
I have found that I absolutely love bombing downhill in these shoes and that there is enough cushion underfoot that I don’t feel like I’m being beaten up while doing it.
The 14 has the same 5mm lugs that are identical to the 13. The consistent and reliable traction gives nothing but confidence to hammer down over any terrain or grade that I want to.
Finally, at under 10 oz. It’s light enough that you can continue to keep the pace without being fatigued by a heavier shoe over the long haul.
Saucony Peregrine 14 Comfort and fit
For myself this is where the latest update shines.
The Mesh of the upper is still fairly standard but with a tighter weave which seems to hold my foot in place a little better than before not allowing for a lot of side to side movement.
This tighter weave is also smoother and not as rough creating a very cozy environment inside that is still very breathable.
The toe box has been opened up just enough that it gives a more medium fit allowing for my toes to spread out a little better than before.
The feel is still athletic and fast but not so narrow that my toes felt compressed or pinched like in the 13.
This change not only opens the shoe up to runners with a higher volumed foot but also the distances they can cover as they a more comfortable and able work in a lot of scenarios.
At first glance the lacing system looks pretty straight forward, however it’s anything but.
The lacing garage has two sets of eyelets a standard set reinforced with overlays and on top are a set of loose webbing ones.
These webbed eyelets run down the inside of the shoe and connect to the midsole.
This system wrapped my foot really well across the top and sides locking it in without overly compressing.
I really love how it allows for different options in how I could lace the shoe depending on terrain or foot swell, and if you’re not particularly fond of the webbed design you can just use the standard eyelets as they are not interconnected. Brilliant!
Saucony Peregrine 14 Conclusions
From 13 to 14 the changes are small but the results of them I think are big.
While a lot feels the same from protection, traction, and ride the durability fit and comfort are measurably better.
The Peregrine has always been a great versatile shoe but with the tweaks made in this iteration the options a certainly greater in different ways.
I feel that this a shoe that I can truly recommend to just about everyone especially for those that want a can do it all type of shoe that wont break the bank, It’s a hard one to pass up.
The Peregrine has certainly been a reliable and trusted partner for me and will continue to sit atop my trail rotation this year and hopefully for many more years to come.
