Pegasus Trail 5 vs Peregrine 16

The Pegasus Trail 5 is Nike's door-to-trail running shoe: a cushioned, do-everything trail shoe built to carry you from the pavement onto gravel, light singletrack and mixed paths without missing a beat. It is not a technical mountain racer and it does not pretend to be. With a soft, forgiving ride and a 9.5mm drop, it feels close to a road trainer with extra grip and protection, which is exactly the point. If your local running mixes a road warm-up with woodland trail and the odd muddy patch, this is one of the most versatile options out there. At 300g it is on the heavier side, so it will not win you a fast trail race, and the moderate lugs give up traction in deep mud and on greasy rock. But as a comfortable, durable trail running shoe for everyday miles, the Pegasus Trail 5 nails the brief. We rate it as a buy-it-and-forget-it daily trail shoe rather than a specialist.

The Peregrine 16 is Saucony's do-everything trail running shoe, and the version most people should start with if they want one pair for the trails. It is an aggressive all-rounder built for grip first: a full Vibram Megagrip outsole with deep lugs that bites into wet rock, mud and loose gravel with real confidence. With a 4mm drop and a moderate 32mm heel stack it sits between a nimble racer and a plush max-cushion trail shoe, so it stays quick and connected to the ground without beating up your legs on longer efforts. Saucony has made this one softer and grippier than the Peregrine 15, which nudges it toward comfort over a wider range of distances. In our view it is the natural rival to the Hoka Speedgoat and Brooks Cascadia at this price. If you run mixed, muddy UK trails and want a dependable shoe that handles almost anything, this is an easy shoe to recommend.