Speedgoat 6 vs Peregrine 15

The Hoka Speedgoat 6 is the do-everything trail running shoe that most runners reach for first, and for good reason. This is a max-cushioned trail workhorse built to swallow big miles on rough ground without beating up your legs. At 278g with a 5mm drop it is not the lightest trail shoe out there, but the deep, protective ride and grippy, aggressive-lugged outsole make it a genuine one-shoe quiver for anything from a muddy local loop to a mountain ultra. We rate it as the safe, sensible pick when you want cushion, grip and durability over outright speed. If you want a plated racer for shorter, faster efforts the Hoka Tecton X 3 is the sharper tool, and the newer Speedgoat 7 refines the same recipe. For most trail runners chasing distance and comfort, though, the Speedgoat 6 remains one of the most trustworthy trail shoes you can buy.

The Peregrine 15 is Saucony's do-everything trail running shoe, and it is one of the most dependable grippers you can buy at this price. This is not a max-cushion ultra sled or a plated trail racer. It is a firm, planted, aggressively lugged all-rounder built to go anywhere from muddy bridleways to rocky technical climbs. With a low 4mm drop and a moderate 267g weight, it keeps you close to the ground so you can read the terrain and react fast, which is exactly what you want when the trail turns loose or steep. The lugs bite into soft mud and wet grass with real confidence, and the underfoot protection shrugs off sharp rocks. In our view this is the trail shoe to reach for if you want one pair that handles a UK winter of mixed, sloppy ground without fuss. It is a proper trail running shoe first, and a comfy cruiser second. If you mostly run hardpack and gravel, a softer ride suits you better, but for genuine off-road grip the Peregrine 15 is hard to beat.