Fast-Trac Nitro 3 vs Peregrine 15

The Puma Fast-Trac Nitro 3 is a lightweight, do-it-all trail running shoe built for runners who want one pair to cover most of what the UK throws at them. It is not an ultra cruiser and it is not a stripped-out racer. It sits in the sweet spot between the two: agile enough to feel fast on rolling singletrack, cushioned enough to hold up on a longer day out. At 290g with an 8mm drop, it is nicely balanced, and the nitrogen-infused Nitro foam gives you a lively, springy return that keeps tired legs turning over. The grippy outsole is the real story here, biting confidently into wet grass, mud and loose gravel where plenty of rivals slither. If you want a versatile, well-priced trail shoe for training, mixed terrain and the odd race, we rate it highly. The closest rival is the Saucony Peregrine 16, and the Puma holds its own.

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.