Saucony's trail running shoe range is extensive and includes models for terrains of all types. Here, we're taking a look at that comprehensive Saucony range, and checking out the technologies behind them.
The Saucony brand has been around for over a century. And for a long time it's been one of the big names in running. Its range of trail running shoes builds on decades of experience, resulting in superb options for runners of all types and levels.
Saucony Peregrine 13, Peregrine 13 ST and Peregrine 13 GTX
Weight: 260g (men's)/ 230g (women's)
Drop: 4mm
Lug depth: 5mm (13 and GTX, 6.5mm ST)
Support: Neutral
This shoe is named after the fastest animal on Earth for a reason. Lightweight and yet fantastically comfortable, the Saucony Peregrine 13 is for blistering speedy trail runs.
Shaving even more weight off the already lightweight Peregrine 12, the Peregrine 13 helps deliver more speed than ever before in the range. Weighing just 260g for men and 230g for women (across an average size curve), this model is one of the lightest shoes in the pack.
This updated version of the classic Peregrine trail shoe has a redesigned lug pattern with deep 5mm lugs. And the Peregrine 13 ST (soft terrain) shoe provides the most aggressive grip of all the Saucony trail shoes at 6.5mm. It also features an in-built gaiter for added protection against debris. In short, there should be no amount of rugged terrain you can’t tackle.
Saucony Peregrine 13
Terrain: A versatile shoe for lightweight speed and versatility on variety of terrain; from forest paths, to grass, to rocky trails.
Technology & key features: PWRTRAC rubber outsole (grip), PWRRUN cushioning (midsole), a protective rock plate, and deep 5mm lugs for tackling mud.
Distance: Short- to middle-distance runs.
Feel of the shoe: A lightweight, nimble trail shoe with good grip and cushioning.
Saucony Peregrine 13 ST
Terrain: Designed specifically for providing the most grip in soft ground conditions.
Technology & key features: PWRTRAC rubber outsole (grip), PWRRUN cushioning (midsole), a protective rock plate, and aggressive 6.5mm lugs for tackling mud.
Distance: Short- to middle-distance runs.
Feel of the shoe: Nimble and lightweight with an aggressive outsole.
Saucony Peregrine 13 GTX
Terrain: For the same terrain as the 13 but keeps feet dry in wet conditions.
Technology & key features: PWRTRAC rubber outsole (grip), PWRRUN cushioning (midsole), a protective rock plate, deep 5mm lugs for tackling mud, and invisible fit GORE-TEX upper material to keep your feet dry.
Distance: Short- to middle-distance runs.
Feel of the shoe: Nimble and lightweight. The GORE-TEX upper doesn’t change the fit - choose your usual size.
Shop all Saucony Peregrine 13 trail shoes on SportsShoes here
Saucony Endorphin Trail and Endorphin Trail Mid
Weight: 275g (men's)/ 235g (women's)
Drop: 4mm
Lug depth: 4.5mm
Support: Neutral
The Endorphin shoes feature revolutionary SPEEDROLL technology, which aims to propel you forward effortlessly towards that athletic edge, so you can run faster and not harder. Delivering an off-road running experience like no other. This lightweight, yet maximally cushioned, shoe is designed to carry you up, down, and over even the gnarliest of trails, taking speed to a whole new height.
Made to provide incredible spring and return from a thick bed of ultralight PWRRUN PB cushioning, the midsole used works to cushion the foot on impact, reducing the stress and strain your feet endure, which translates to reduced risk of injury as your feet are protected.
The midsole also works to provide a springy rebound, utilising the force from your last step to power you into your next one. The intended result is less energy loss and a reduced rate of fatigue, meaning you can go further and faster. A net mesh also covers the midsole area to protect it from the rugged terrain.
Saucony Endorphin Trail
Terrain: The propulsive shoe suited best to hard-packed trails.
Technology & key features: SPEEDROLL technology to allow you to roll over the trails, PWRRUN PB cushioning to give you a light and fast feel, and an ultra-grippy PWRTRAC outsole.
Distance: Short- to middle-distance runs.
Feel of the shoe: Soft cushioning with SPEEDROLL technology aims to push you onto your toes and help propel you forwards.
Saucony Endorphin Trail Mid
Terrain: The protective shoe for the same terrain as the Endorphin Trail but with a more protective upper suited to dusty paths and gravel.
Technology & key features: SPEEDROLL technology to allow you to roll over the trails, PWRRUN PB cushioning to give you a light and fast feel, and an ultra-grippy PWRTRAC outsole. A mid-cut upper for a more protective fit.
Distance: Short to middle-distance runs.
Feel of the shoe: Soft cushioning with SPEEDROLL technology pushes you onto your toes and helps propel you forwards. The higher-fitting upper makes your feet feel more protected.
Saucony Endorphin Edge
Weight: 255g (men's)/ 221g (women's)
Drop: 6mm
Lug depth: 4mm
Support: Neutral
Break boundaries and release your inner trail seeker with the Saucony Endorphin Edge - a shoe designed to be super-fast, lightweight and cushioned for next-level performance.
The Endorphin Edge is packed with PWRRUN PB foam cushioning and a Carbitex™ carbon-fibre plate that helps propel you forward. This flexible carbon-fibre plate should provide speed and efficiency, and despite featuring a high-stack cushioned midsole, you can still enjoy a close connection to the ground. Featuring 4mm lugs on the outsole for ample grip on rugged terrain.
With both higher absorption and faster evaporation, the lightweight mesh of the upper helps pull moisture away from your foot, which means you keep cool and stay dry.
In comparison to other models, it's the only one to feature a 3-quarter length plate carbon-fibre plate and is the lightest and fastest Saucony trail shoe in the range. It also has a higher drop (6mm) than the Peregrine 12 and Endorphin Trail, which are both 4mm.
Saucony Endorphin Edge
Terrain: The light and fast shoe for hard packed trails and forest paths – the kind of ground you can run fast on.
Technology & key features: Carbitex™ carbon-fibre plate to propel you up hills and along the trails, Speedroll technology to allow you to roll over the trails, PWRRUN PB cushioning to give you a light and fast feel and an ultra-grippy PWRTRAC outsole.
Distance: Short- to middle-distance runs.
Feel of the shoe: Lightweight, fast and plenty of cushioning.
Saucony Xodus Ultra
Weight: 293g (men's)/ 259g (women's)
Drop: 6mm
Lug depth: 4.5mm
Support: Neutral
For those who see the horizon and dare to explore further, meet the Saucony Xodus Ultra. Built for long trails, this shoe is made to go the distance.
Specifically designed for the long-haul, the Xodus Ultra aims to provides the ultra-comfort you desire for the ultra-distance you demand. Featuring a new design that’s been formulated to give you more room and more comfort as you take on extra miles. Get maximum spring with ultralight and ultra-plush PWRRUN PB cushioning and added durability and support, with a resilient PWRRUN Frame to help revive your stride and a stable feeling.
This shoe aims to provide maximum energy return and has a redesigned 3-piece PWRTRAC outsole for traction on off-road terrain. This shoe has a 6mm drop and 4.5mm lugs for superb grip.
Enjoy more comfort with a roomier toe box and a contoured sockliner which hugs your foot for a perfect fit. a more minimal upper should decrease irritation hotspots and a new debris shield keep out mud and loose stones. It also features a rock-plate in the midsole for added protection against sharp rocks underfoot.
Saucony Xodus Ultra
Terrain: A cushioned shoe for covering a variety of terrain over a long period of time.
Technology & key features: A max cushioned trail shoe without any extra weight. PWRRUN PB cushioning combines with a durable PWRRUN Frame to help revive your stride and an ultra-grippy PWRTRAC outsole. Durable protection with an improved rock plate.
Distance: Ideal for long runs and ultra-distances.
Feel of the shoe: Soft, ultra-plush cushioning, with a roomy toe box allows your feet to spread.
Saucony Ride 15 TR and Ride 15 GTX
Weight: 261g (men's)/ 241g (women's)
Drop: 8mm
Lug depth: 3.5mm
Support: Neutral
Built using softer cushioning and grippy tread, the Saucony Ride 15 TR road to trail shoe has more foam, a durable feel, and everything you need to go further.
The Ride 15 TR has a PWRTRAC outsole and lightweight and durable upper, with a FORMFIT design and supportive webbing, which aims to hug your foot to provide a more personalised feel.
The soft PWRRUN cushioning formula gives you more cushion and less weight for springy trail and road runs. A higher stack and a PWRRUN+ sockliner give you an extra layer of cushioning to help deliver an easy stride from heel-to-toe.
Like the Excursion TR16, this shoe has the highest drop of any Saucony trail shoe at 8mm, which means it's more suitable for heel strikers.
Saucony Ride 15 TR
Terrain: The road to trail shoe suited for mixing road and trail in one run.
Technology & key features: PWRRUN cushioning for comfortable road miles coupled with a PWRTRAC grippy tread for light trails. A FORMFIT design for a more personalised fit.
Distance: Short- to middle-distance runs.
Feel of the shoe: Feels like a road running shoe with extra grip.
Saucony Ride 15 TR GTX
Terrain: The waterproof shoe for the same road to trail terrain as the Saucony Ride 15 TR but with a Gore-Tex upper.
Technology & key features: PWRRUN cushioning for comfortable road miles coupled with a PWRTRAC grippy tread for light trails and an invisible fit GORE-TEX upper to keep your feet dry when mixing road and trail.
Distance: Short- to middle-distance runs.
Feel of the shoe: Feels like a road running shoe with extra grip. The GORE-TEX upper doesn’t change the fit - choose your usual size.
Saucony Excursion TR16 GTX
Weight: 286g (men's)/ 241g (women's)
Drop: 8mm
Lug depth: 4.5mm
Support: Neutral
The springy, comfortable Excursion TR16 GTX trail shoes are designed for all-round performance on the trails and are made to be suitable for both walking and trail running. Featuring GORE-TEX membrane in the upper material which provides protection against, rain, mud and moisture, meaning you remain comfortable and dry in all-weather conditions.
This shoe has a thick and responsive Versarun midsole which gives long-lasting, high performing cushioning, for protection and comfort to last a long day on the trail. This cushioning offers a soft landing with every step, absorbing heavy impacts but also dispersing energy evenly for a smoother ride.
The durable outsole features an XT-900 carbon rubber for outstanding performance and grip, with 4.5mm carbon-rubber lugs to provide the best traction. Whether you are clambering through muddy terrain or grassy grounds, you should feel unstoppable.
Like the Saucony Ride 15 TR GTX, this shoe has an 8mm drop, which is the highest heel-to-toe offset in the Saucony Trail Collection.
Saucony Ride 15 TR GTX
Terrain: The all-rounder trail shoe for a mixture of walking and running on grass and light trails with a GORE-TEX upper to keep your feet dry.
Technology & key features: Featuring VERSARUN Cushioning and GORE-TEX upper to keep your feet dry from your morning walk to your trail run.
Distance: Short walks and runs.
Feel of the shoe: Comfortable cushioning and a rugged outsole.
Shop all Saucony Excursion TR16 GTX shoes on SportsShoes here
Header image credit: SportsShoes
This article was originally published on SportsShoes.com