Brooks Cascadia 17 vs. Saucony Peregrine 13 (2023 Comparison)
The Brooks Cascadia 17 is a versatile shoe favored by many trail runners, including Scott Jurek. The Saucony Peregrine 13, on the other hand, has a reputation for being a more stripped-down shoe with even better traction.
In 2023, the Cascadia 17 is heavier with 11 oz/312 g compared to 9.2 oz/260 g for the Peregrine 13 (the 12 was 9.6 oz/272 g, so there’s a clear improvement!) The Peregrine has increased, but it doesn’t yet reach the level of the Cascadia: 28 mm heel stack height vs. 36 mm for the Cascadia.
In terms of underfoot feel, the Cascadia’s cushioning is softer than the Peregrine’s, which is known to be a firm shoe.
When it comes to the grip, the two shoes are almost equal. The Cascadia’s lugs are more shallow than the Peregrine’s (4.5 mm vs. 5 mm), but this doesn’t significantly impact the shoe’s performance, according to the testers.
Finally, the foot lockdown is tighter with the Peregrine. The Cascadia offers a very effective lockdown but is slightly softer and more comfortable.
Cascadia vs. Peregrine: which one should you choose?
We recommend the Brooks Cascadia 17, which offers a much better cushioning to weight ratio. It’s an advanced yet accessible shoe.
At over 9.2 oz/260 g, the Saucony Peregrine 13 is a bit too heavy. However, it may be more suitable for technical trails with its more aggressive lugs.
In 2023, the Peregrine 13 has improved so much in design and fit that it’s now a matter of personal preference. Runners who prefer firm cushioning will choose this one, while those who want a soft underfoot feel will go for the Cascadia.
Side-by-side comparison
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| Overview | ||
| Description | The Brooks Cascadia 17 is a versatile, protective, and comfortable trail running shoe for daily training or long distance runs. | The Saucony Peregrine 13 is a trail star for runners looking for moderate, comfortable cushioning coupled with excellent traction. |
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| Facts | ||
| Terrain | Trail | Trail |
| Support | Neutral | Neutral |
| Heel stack height | 36 mm | 28 mm |
| Forefoot stack height | 28 mm | 24 mm |
| Heel-to-toe drop | 8 mm | 4 mm |
| Lugs | 4.5 mm | 5 mm |
| Weight (men) | 312 g | 260 g |
| Weight (women) | 278 g | 230 g |
| Features | Available in GTX, Vegan, Recycled materials, Rock plate | Vegan, Recycled materials, Rock plate |
| Athletes | Scott Jurek | |
| Release year | 2023 | 2023 |
| Technologies | ||
| Outsole | Green Rubber TrailTack, Multidirectional Lugs, Trail Adapt System, Reinforced Wear Zones | PWRTRAC |
| Midsole | DNA Loft v2, Balistic Shield | PWRRUN |
| Upper | Monoloop Mesh, Gusseted Tongue, TPU Tip | Reinforced mesh |
| Cushioning | ||
| Cushioning | Balanced | Balanced |
| Responsiveness | Medium | High |
| Use | ||
| Distance | Mid, Long | Short, Mid |
| Speed | Slow, Moderate | Moderate, Fast |
| Workouts | Daily running | Daily running |
