Saucony - Peregrine 12

I’m hoping to get some suggestions from other runners with wider feet. I absolutely loved the original Saucony Xodus Ultras, but I’ve finally run through my stockpile and need to find a new go-to trail shoe.  About me: I’m a heavier runner (200lbs) with wider feet, so I need a good toe box and enough room in the midfoot (too snug and I end up with pain after longer runs.)  Here’s what I’ve tried recently: * Altra Experience Wild - Good fit, enjoying these so far. * Topo Ultraventure 4 - Also a solid fit, no complaints. * Topo MNT Racer 3 - Too narrow in the midfoot, caused discomfort after a 10-miler. * Saucony Xodus Ultra 3 - Unfortunately too narrow overall for me. * Peregrine 12's (wide) - Good for technical routes and quicker paces.  I’m open to rotating a few models for different distances and terrain. I’m curious about the following shoes but am open to other suggestions. Not a big fan of zero drops. Have caused calf issues in the past. * Brooks Catamount / Caldera / Cascadia * North Face Altamesa 500 * Norda 001 * NNormal Tomir 2.0  Would love to hear from anyone with similar need, especially if you’ve found a solid Xodus Ultra alternative that works for wider feet. Bonus points for shoes that can handle longer miles or varied terrain.

Ever since they significantly overhauled it with the 12 (prior generations, especially the 11, were stiffer, burlier, heavier, and much more durable).

I usually lean towards lower stack and firmer cushioning shoes with at least 4.5+ mm lugs/tread. There used to be more commonly available soft ground options like the Altra King MT and Saucony Peregrine 13 ST but these may be harder to find. I've had good results with the regular Peregrine in the sense that they work better than high stack shoes like the Speedgoat, but they aren't optimized for soft ground.

I'm on my third pair of Endorphin Edges and that's how my first pair looked after around 160 miles/257 km mainly on dry rocky US southwest trails. My second pair looked better at the same level of use on the same trails. My third pair is around 100 km and looks to be close to my second pair. I took them out to 300 miles but was more careful on traction for the last bit. Similar results on both pairs of my Xodus Ultra 2s and Peregrine 12. So normal for Saucony but on the lower end for trail shoes in general. What is particularly concerning for me was the damage and peeling from the outsole cutouts and straight up losing chunks of outsole lugs as opposed to having them wear down like in other shoes. It's a shame, because I love the fit of the Endorphin Edge and it's otherwise very durable in the upper and midsole since I retired them from harder trails but still use them for easier trails and roads. I hope Saucony addresses this and was surprised to see their trail line wane after 2020-2023.

Peregrine are my favorite trail shoes. They just fit my feet very well so I’ve stuck with the line for about 8 years. I don’t remember which design was the 11 but I do know it’s an older model. I think they’re are up to 14 now. I use the 13 currently and it has been one of the more durable models. The 12’s fell apart very quickly for me. I like the low drop, integrated tongue, and tread design. The tread on the 13 is good at giving traction without holding on to mud.

I've run in Peregrines (11, 12, & 13) and I find the Inov-8 Trailfly (The Standard. Not the Speed. Not the Zero (if you're in the UK)) to ride similarly. They're a 6mm drop instead of a 4mm, but they feel very similar under-foot. The mid-sole is on the firmer-side, but with decent energy return. They have a rock-plate. Grip is great where I run (dry, hardpack, a little rocky). Runs on pavement just fine since the lugs aren't extremely aggressive. They have a relatively wide forefoot. I'd size up at least half size, maybe a full size. I've got about 500 miles on mine, uppers are perfectly intact, but horrendously stained because I bought the white ones since I found them deeply discounted. Outsole is more worn, but still completely intact and functional.

The Peregrine rules, I just got my 4th pair the other day.

Yup, I personally have stuck with the model no. 12. They’re getting older so they’re pretty cheap too. They have a relatively small amount of foam compared to most other modern shoes which is why I like them but most people prefer a little more cushioning.

That's crazy, I consistently have pinky toe blisters with my peregrines on. What's wrong with my feet :(

I made the mistake of buying two pairs of peregrine 12 a few years ago. Both got warrantied within 100km and both 13 replacements broke immediately as well. Then they replaced them with one pair of peregrine 14 and between all of them together they lasted shorter than my peregrine 10s

I also have much of the Saucony trail lineup (Peregrine 12, Endorphin Trail, Switchback 2, Endorphin Rift). They work well in the midwest where the trails are mostly grass and mud or just to use in the snow. When I have taken them to the east coast I thought I was going to die sliding on all the rocks.

Yep, I have Peregrine 13’s and I looked at the 14’s at REI last week. They added more thickness to the sole and reduced the open gaps between the lugs, but the open gaps are still there.

Thanks - I’m not crazy 🙏 Do you remember which version failed like this? It looks like they’ve added some sole thickness and reduced the gaps between the lugs on newer models, but not sure I trust it.

Oh cool! Thanks for that. Again really glad I’m not crazy and very interesting to know. Mine were 9’s. I was staring at a pair of 12’s I have and I noticed they’ve kept the gaps between the lugs from models 12-14, but the gaps are much smaller. However, another poster said the split heel on the 13s (which is muted on the 12’s, and the same exact style on the 14s) exploded on them. Very interesting. I guess maybe I’ll take my 12’s out on a fairly challenging trail tomorrow, but hold out for getting Speedcross 6’s on sale, and continue looking for other shoes as well. Speedcross 6 fits well but I have a seriously maligned foot/ankle after a fracture a few years ago. Seems to be a really nice but too flexible shoe.

Thanks, this is really helpful, and your experience sounds like my exact line of thinking for the post. I never noticed the gaps between the lugs on these and now I’ve been closely scrutinizing every shoe. The Speedcross 6’s seemed to have a durable sole for the sharp rocks/boulders I expect to encounter in the San Diego area. It fits alright. I’m glad you have a positive experience with them. I’ll get a pair unless I can find something better at the store this evening. Strangely, the Speedcross 5 doesn’t seem to fit me well at all. I appreciate the other models you listed, I will look at those too

They conveniently broke near the end (at least I didn’t notice the big flaps flopping around till then). I ended up redoing the hike with a brand new pair of Peregrine 12’s I had sitting around. The lugs were attached more strongly on this pair and didn’t come off; however, after 11 hours and 8,300ft elevation on rocks they were pretty shredded. I really hope to eventually find a better option - Speedcross 6 might be it but there is so little cushioning If I was racing, I’d probably just rip the lugs off and race without them. Only lost 6 in 11hrs. If I was surviving backcountry, I’d clean and use superglue