The verdict · Saucony Peregrine 13
At 9.2 oz, the Peregrine 13 gives me the ground feel I want without leaving my feet exposed to sharp rock. Its 5mm lugs held firm through mud, water, and wet limestone during 150+ miles and an Austin 50K. There's no stability control, and runners used to soft, thick cushioning may find the ride too firm.
What works
- 9.2 oz weight helps keep the shoe nimble over ultra distances
- 5mm PWRTRAC lugs grip mud, water, and wet rock
- Woven rock guard shields the foot from sharp limestone
- Mesh upper drains quickly after creek crossings
- Low profile helps with precise foot placement on technical ground
What doesn't
- No stability control for runners who need it
- PWRRUN foam may feel firm to runners used to max-cushion shoes
Saucony Peregrine 13 — key specs
| Weight | 9.2 oz / 260 g (men's) |
|---|---|
| Heel-to-toe drop | 4mm (28mm heel / 24mm forefoot) |
| Midsole | PWRRUN foam with PWRRUN+ sockliner |
| Outsole | PWRTRAC rubber, 5mm lugs |
| Protection | Integrated woven rock guard |
| Support | Neutral trail shoe |
| Materials | Vegan, made with recycled materials |
| List price | $140 |
On this page
I've run trails for 15 years and worn more pairs of trail shoes than I can remember. The Saucony Peregrine 13 has earned a regular place in my rotation because it stays light without skimping on traction or underfoot protection. I put more than 150 training miles on this pair, then wore it for a 50K in the Austin Hill Country.
Thick cushioning can mute the trail, while added rock protection often means more weight. The Peregrine 13 balances those tradeoffs better for me than any other trail shoe I've worn.
Where I Ran the Peregrine 13
This pair became my daily trail trainer as soon as I bought it.
- Daily mileage: I averaged about 5 miles a day on all kinds of local terrain, mostly at an easy pace for Zone 2 trail miles.
- Race: I wore the pair for a 50K trail ultramarathon in Austin, Texas.
- Terrain: Most runs covered uneven rock and technical single-track rather than smooth crushed gravel. Austin Hill Country trails mix jagged limestone, sudden elevation changes, and exposed roots.
- Conditions: The shoes went through creek crossings, mud, and dry summer dirt.
They've held up through all of it. Going light hasn't cost the shoe any durability so far.
Ride and Control
Foot Placement on Technical Ground
I like how much control this shoe gives me. At 9.2 oz, it moves with my foot rather than feeling like extra equipment. The low weight and 4mm drop (28mm at the heel and 24mm at the forefoot) keep me close enough to the trail to adjust my footing mid-stride. That's what I want when I'm running faster over rough ground.
Traction in Mud and Water
Saucony's PWRTRAC rubber outsole has widely spaced 5mm lugs. During my 50K, I moved from mud into slick water crossings and expected a few slips, but the lugs dug into the muck and shed it instead of packing up. They also kept my footing secure on loose descents and wet limestone.
Protection From Sharp Rock
Protecting your feet from jagged rock can make a trail shoe stiff and heavy. Saucony worked a woven rock guard into the Peregrine's midsole without making the shoe feel bulky. Late in the 50K, when my form deteriorated and my landings got heavier, sharp stones rarely pushed through to my feet.
Cushioning, Fit, and Drainage
The PWRRUN midsole and PWRRUN+ sockliner take the edge off repeated impacts, but the ride stays firm and responsive. If you're used to max-cushion shoes, you may want more softness. I prefer feeling the trail and getting a quick response when I pick up the pace.
The mesh upper also drains quickly. After water crossings, the shoes didn't hold water like sponges; they dried as I kept moving. That helped me avoid blisters over the 50K distance.
There's no motion control or rigid arch support here to correct overpronation. If you rely on that structure, choose another model. Neutral runners get a shoe that moves naturally underfoot.
Verdict After 150+ Miles and a 50K
My Peregrine 13s are still in regular use.
I'd recommend them to neutral runners who care more about ground feel and secure footing than soft cushioning. When this pair wears out, I'll buy another. On pavement between trail runs, I switch to the Hoka Clifton 10.
