Details
Brand
Saucony
Heel To Toe Drop
4 mm
Breathability
9/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Trail
Type
Racing
Key Features
• NEW softer, more flexible outsole design• NEW 6mm outsole lugs• NEW mesh upper• NEW PWRFOAM midsole material• NEW thicker toe bumper• PWRTRAC outsole• EVERUN midsole cushioning• Flexfilm upper construction• Attached tongue to keep out debris and dirt
Upper
As for the Peregrine’s upper, the new design features breathable mesh and provides much better air circulation than previous iterations. The TPU overlays from before have been done away with to allow for better ventilation. A Flexfilm layer has been added to the upper – in lieu of TPU – to improve the feel of the upper. The Flexfilm still offers a supportive fit, however. At the tip of the shoe, there’s also a newly thickened toe bumper piece for added protection against trail elements. An attached tongue remains to keep debris out of the Peregrine.;Reviewers liked the secure fit of the upper but noted the fit of the 8 was narrower than previous versions. Others felt the shoe ran large, which impacted stability. Reviewers particularly liked the debris shielding upper design.
Midsole
The Peregrine’s midsole also gets a total makeover. As was previously mentioned, there’s no more rock plate (though, protection doesn’t suffer at all and reviewers seem to agree). Instead of EVA foam and EVERUN, the midsole features a new combination of PWRFOAM and EVERUN cushioning. The EVERUN material is responsive while offering protection against impact. The PWRFOAM delivers smoothness and prominent energy-return. It’s not hard to imagine what the Peregrine feels like underfoot when taken out for a spin.;Some reviewers felt the new cushioning combo felt a bit too soft and would have preferred to keep the more rigid sole of previous versions. Others felt the cushioning just didn’t deliver on its promise of a responsive ride. Still, most wearers were pleased with the feel of the shoe’s midsole.
Outsole
The Peregrine 8 features a totally revamped outsole with softer, more flexible material. The new design promotes better ground-feel and produces a more natural ride. The tradeoff? The shoe feels a little less stable and the outsole is a bit more substantial, which brings the weight of the shoe up a bit. The 8 also does away with the rock plate of previous versions and, instead, utilizes thicker lugs (6mm) to deliver protection and traction. The PWRTAC outsole also feels grippier than before thanks to its new design.;Reviewers noted that the aggressive outsole lugs performed well on various surfaces and provided outstanding traction. Uphill running in a piece of cake thanks to the sticky sole of the 8.
Breathability
The eighth edition of the Peregrine introduces an even more breathable upper made of mesh. Flexfilm overlays are more comfortable allowing for more movement. No more TPU plastic covering the upper also means a more breathable design. Overall, reviewers were happy with the new upper construction, appreciating the balance of ventilation and debris shielding.
Comfort
Can’t complain when it comes to comfort with the Peregrine 8. The fit wasn’t perfect for every reviewer, but the rest of the package is a-okay. The new combination of EVERUN and PWRFOAM cushioning delivers a responsive, smooth ride, that’s super protective. The firmly cushioned trail shoe manages to deliver a protective ride without sacrificing ground-feel, too. Some did feel the cushioning was too soft for their liking – most of these commenters were fans of previous Peregrine iterations. Others liked the feel of the new midsole materials. Even though the 8 is slightly heavier, the design isn’t overly bulky or uncomfortable to wear.
Style
The Peregrine, available in limited colorways features a fairly bland design but comes in dark tones to help hide the appearance of dirt that will no doubt build up after time on the trails. For women, the shoe is available in a burgundy or black colorway. For men, there is a black version or blue/grey/black option.
Durability
Like its predecessors, the 8 is incredibly durable. Thankfully, the shoe is built for repeated efforts in tough trail conditions. The PWRTRAC outsole, now slightly softer and more flexible delivers improved traction and ground-feel. The new design also improves durability slightly, thanks to a thicker construction. While there’s no longer a rock plate included in the Peregrine 8, the shoe still stands up to hard trail debris.;The upper, without TPU overlays, still manages to feel resistant and solid enough to handle repeated use. A supportive heel counter also helps to provide excellent structural support.
Protection
Fear not! The Peregrine 8 is just as protective as before even without the inclusion of a rock plate in its midsole. Instead, the shoe features thick 6mm as a replacement and substitute for a hard midsole plate. The aggressive lugs – in addition to the thickly designed midsole cushioning – offer enough protection against hard trail debris. Users appreciated that even with such a well-protected outsole and midsole, ground-feel didn’t suffer.;The 6mm lugs also manage to provide plenty of traction, perfect for trail runs on all types of terrain. Running uphill or downhill, wearers will feel grounded and able to step forward confidently. Of course, there’s also the new combination of midsole materials. The EVERUN and PWRFOAM cushioning deliver excellent protection from impact, as does a slightly thicker toe bumper at the front of the Peregrine.
Responsiveness
While the midsole materials are billed are responsive, reviewers were slightly disappointed by the actual feel of the Peregrine 8. The mix of PWRFOAM and EVERUN felt slightly less snappy according to some reviewers who felt the 8 felt less responsive than its predecessor.
Support
No more TPU overlays mean a more breathable design, but reviewers still felt the Peregrine 8 delivered a secure fit on uneven ground. The Flexfilm mesh upper still manages to hold the foot securely despite a more open, better-ventilated design. Users also liked the supportive heel counter at the shoe’s rear, adding that it delivered excellent support particularly on technical terrain.
Terrain
One glance at the Peregrine 8 and it’s completely obvious it’s meant for trail running. Thankfully, the versatile construction of the Saucony shoe means it’s also fine to take it out for road runs. Really, though, this shoe is tailor-made for runs outside the city.;The new outsole, more flexible and softer than ever delivers improved ground-feel while somehow remaining protective and ultra-grippy. The aggressive 6mm lugs provide wearers with a foothold on anything, slick rocks, fallen logs, or packed dirt terrain. The upper, while not waterproof, is good at keeping dirt out and the dark color hues available help hide the appearance of mud, dust, and dirt you might pick up while running off-road.
Price
The Peregrine 8 is offered at a decent price and the shoe is well-worth every penny. For the trail runner who wants a reliable pair of shoes that can handle all sorts of trail types and conditions, the 8 is just as worth spending your money on as previous versions.
Drop
The Saucony Peregrine 8 features the same drop as its predecessor. A close to the ground 4mm drop height. Coupled with the softer outsole and flexible design, the Peregrine provides better ground-feel and a more natural ride than previous versions.
Stability
The new changes to the Peregrine 8’s outsole include a softer material and a more flexible design for better ground-feel and a smoother ride. Unfortunately, some reviewers noticed that this change decreased overall stability in the Saucony trail shoe. The changes in the midsole seem to have had the same effect. A few reviewers noted that the cushioning felt softer and less responsive than before, therefore reducing stability.;Still, the 8 does feature a supportive and stable rear heel counter. And while some reviewers encountered sizing issues that resulted in a sloppy fitting shoe, most wearers felt they were securely packaged inside the Peregrine and were happy to head out on trail runs regardless of the terrain they might encounter.
Flexibility
While the Peregrine 7 featured a somewhat flexible design, the 8 delivers more flexibility than ever. The outsole, with its softer feel, bends more naturally. The feel underfoot is a bit less structured, but ground-feel is much improved. The removal of the rock plate also helps create a bit more of a naturally-bendy shoe. The upper, also flexible, no longer includes hard TPU overlays. Instead, to maximize airflow, the mesh includes a Flexfilm material.
Traction
The new outsole still delivers an outstanding degree of traction for trail runners. The PWRTRAC material – the same material as the Peregrine 7 – is still as grippy as ever, even more so, according to reviewers. The 6mm lugs help wearers tackle anything underfoot from slippery mud to loose rocky uphills.;Reviewers raved about the new 6mm lugs and greatly appreciated the amount of traction they were able to get on all types of surfaces, even pavement. One reviewer even pointed out the shoe’s ability to deftly handle technical uphills. The lugs really dig into surfaces and allow runners to harness their body’s strength to get uphill fast and confidently.
Bottom Line
The Peregrine 8 may take some getting used to for loyal fans of the previous editions of the Saucony shoe. However, it’s hard to deny that the shoe is a well-thought-out revamp. A softer outsole delivers a smoother ride. A little less stable, heavier, yes, but better ground-feel than before thanks to the eliminated rock plate. Worried about feeling protected from crap you might find on the trails? Not to worry. The thick 6mm lugs will keep you from getting hurt and they’ll keep you moving upright thanks to how grippy they are.;Those are just a few things of note! The upper and midsole – changed as well – feature new materials and technologies that raise the bar for the Peregrine. Reviewers agreed that the new Saucony shoe felt secure, grippy, and performed well on all types of trails. A few sizing issues are nothing to scoff at. The Peregrine 8 is an excellent upgrade and regardless of the fact that the changes are significant, those new to the line and fans of previous versions should consider the shoe for their trail adventures.
