4 Best Saucony Trail Running Shoes in 2023

We navigated trail routes with finesse and confidence in the Peregrine 13. Its light weight and flexible midsole made us quick on our feet and its superb traction was relentless in the woods. Our own experience tells us this is Saucony’s best trail shoe.

Its solid grip encouraged us to run faster, knowing its 4.8-mm lugs would handle slippery slopes. Its lug arrangement was cleverly patterned to shed off the dirt. We felt secure knowing the reliable outsole would protect us from any mishaps.

Peregrine 13 felt light and airy on the feet, almost like we could fly. At 9.6 oz (271g), it’s lighter than the average of Saucony trail shoes (10.4 oz / 294g). The upper was breezy, keeping our feet sweat-free. Our breathability test validated this with a higher-than-average score.

Its flexible nature enhanced agility as the shoe easily adapted to uneven terrains. It felt easy to move since the shoe didn’t show much resistance. Upon checking in the lab, the force needed to bend the shoe to 90° was 33% less than the average trail shoe.

Unfortunately, its focus on a flexible midsole means it isn’t the most explosive trail shoe. We recommend checking other options for races.

Saucony Endorphin Edge is always race-ready with its fast and light nature, delightful cushion, and secured ride. It gives the speed and confidence every runner needs, making it our ultimate trail racer among Saucony shoes.

This off-road racer doesn’t drag us down with its feathery 9.5 oz (269g). It’s as light as the average road running shoe and has the benefits of a trail shoe. It’s hard to slow down with this pair because of its snappy carbon plate and rocker structure. Our flex test in the lab confirms the pop of energy we experience, as it’s 76.9% more resilient than average. Every step down launches back with greater energy return.

Endorphin Edge excels in any race distance with its pillow-like cushion that prevents our feet from strain. Our durometer validates that its velvet foam is 27.7% softer than the average trail shoe.

The outsole can withstand any terrain with its 3.4-mm lugs that bite through puddles and loose dirt. We can easily maneuver without any slips because of its grip and without any lateral wobbles because of its wide enough base.

The heel fit may feel loose to some runners, causing heel slippage. We recommend checking other options for a more snug fit in this area.

Endorphin Trail crushes any terrain with its thick, dense midsole, super aggressive lug design, and sock-like upper. It's built like a tank, providing armor and zero ground feel like no other. No doubt, it delivers the best foot protection among the Saucony trail lineup.

Its skyscraper stack rises 36.3/31.1 mm vs. the 31.8/24.2 mm average, making it one of the tallest trail shoes we’ve tested. That’s a lot of material to protect the feet from sharp rocks. It's lined with mesh on the edges to ensure the midsole doesn’t get damaged. Being the first trail shoe to have the renowned PWRRUN PB midsole, it attacks the trails with vigor and energy.

Its robust, full-length rubber outsole serves as an added shield. Our durometer measurement of 87.5 HC shows it’s harder than the 85.1 HC average. This reassures us that it's more resistant to wear and tear. We can confidently take on rocky terrains and even soft mud because of its deep 4.5 mm lugs that increase traction.

Its bootie upper hugs our feet in place and gives much-needed lockdown to prevent smaller rocks from getting in our shoes.

The downside of all the added protection is the added weight. At 11.0 oz (312g), it’s extremely heavy vs. the 10.4 oz (296g) average.

The Saucony Switchback 2 is a versatile, light, and extremely agile road-to-trail shoe with a solid grip. As it is perfect for soaring through the trails, it is our choice for the best minimalist Saucony Trail Running Shoes. 

Being a minimalist shoe, the Saucony Switchback 2 has a very thin midsole and does not provide the plushest ride. It also forgoes the traditional lacing system to go with the BOA fit, making it a breeze to keep snug. Although there was a rock guard present, we felt plenty of ground feel. Runners not familiar with a minimalist shoe should take heed.

The minimalist nature is the main factor keeping the shoe’s weight down. Weighing only 249g (8.78 oz), it is far lighter than the average weight of trail running shoes at 296g (10.44 oz). We had no problem with quick steps and fast foot shuffles with these light shoes.

Traction in the Switchback 2 is very good in mild to medium trails due to its superior outsole and capable lugs. With the average lug depth of trail running shoes at 3.5 mm, these shoes provided more than enough traction to keep us confident on trail runs.

However, it lacks the cushioning that can be helpful for longer trail runs. Runners who prioritize cushion may want to check other options.