It has been about 5 months since I used Saucony Peregrine 12 Trail Running shoes.
During this period I only used one pair, colored in orange.
Overall, I have collected about 350 km and 23,000 meters of altitude gain and loss.
Therefore, I think it is a good moment to generate this review, which aims to provide some personal impressions and technical details, in addition to the general features that can be found in internet or at the retailer High-Performance Running Shoes & Running Apparel | Saucony.
In particular, after the good experience with the Saucony Peregrine 11 (Saucony Peregrine 11 Trail Running shoes | EmigranTrailer) I wanted to evaluate if there had been any improvements or worsenings.
Introduction
When it comes to shoes, however, it is very important to give more information about the person wearing them. Therefore, for the analysis and the impressions in the following paragraphs take into account that in these months:
- My weight fluctuated between 69 and 72 Kg;
- My standard shoe size is EU43, UK9, US10;
- My motion control is neutral;
- Usually I wore Thyo or Mico socks;
- Usually I wore anklets, because of past/recent injuries;
Moreover, as usual, following the next paragraphs, please consider that I have been practicing Trail-Running for about 10 years: My Trail Running Experience – Emigrantrailer | EmigranTrailer.
Saucony Peregrine 12
After the positive experience with the Saucony Peregrine 11, I decided this spring to buy a pair of the new version: the Saucony Peregrine 12.
At the first, I immediately noticed a strong similarity with the previous version: excellent grip, reactivity, and stability.
In fact, the drop (4 mm) has also remained unchanged from the previous version.
However, inside the midsole structure the shoe has new features such as: the PWRRUN elastic cushioning for maximum reactivity and comfort and the new ROCKPLATE plate, which in addition to protecting the sole of the foot offers more flexibility and helps to breathe better by dispersing moisture.
During the first trail-running sessions, I noticed a greater comfort and lightness, compared to the previous version. This is perhaps the result of these technical innovations, in addition to the weight of the shoe (270 grams).
Very similar to the previous version are the heel (very protected) and the outsole (made of PWRTRAC rubber lugs).
As for the previous version, the lace system is the standard one. I continue to appreciate the presence of the rubber band to lock the tied laces. It is a little detail, but very important for me, that sometimes is completely forgotten by other brands, which still use the standard laces.
All positive feedback as for the Saucony Peregrine 11?
Unfortunately not. If we analyze the top layer and in particular the vamp part, we can observe the complete breakage of the upper (which began after only 250 km on absolutely non-rocky or technical terrain).
I was very surprised because I noticed that the problem was present on both shoes (more evident on the left one) and because the Peregrine 11 instead showed excellent durability of the upper. So I initially thought of a factory problem, of just this pair of shoes. But then I compared myself with other friends who were using them and it emerged that almost all (more than 70%) had had exactly the same problem. After 2-300 km the upper, the vamp part, had started to wear a lot and break (as in my case).
Therefore, I assume it’s a structural design problem. Perhaps trying to increase comfort and lightness has drastically penalized durability.
General Recommendation
In my opinion, similarly to the previous version, these shoes are perfect for short and medium distance trails (up to 50 km). However the damage of the vamp part is a strong limitation on the absolute mileage of these shoes.
Summary table and additional information
The following table summarizes the main impressions about these pair of Saucony Peregrine 12 Trail Running shoes. Please use the link below in case you want to have a better reading of the table.
If you want more information or technical details related to this review, please do not hesitate to ask or comment below.
Last but not least, I hereby confirm that I have no personal or professional connections with Saucony. Everything I wrote, it is based on a transparent feedback of my experience, without any prejudices for or against.
Enjoy Trail-Running! 🙂
Andrea De Filippo
Original post in english language. For other languages, please open with a web browser (i.e. Chrome) and apply the automatic translation.
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