Which should you buy?
Choose the Agility Peak 6 if you run steep, rocky or technical trails and value grip and protection over bounce.
Choose the Peregrine 16 if you want a nimbler, roomier all-rounder for muddy trails and mixed ground.
Its drop is 6 mm against 4 mm. It costs £5 more at full price.
Side by side
| Spec | Agility Peak 6Merrell | Peregrine 16Saucony |
|---|---|---|
| Review score | 86/100 (1 review) | 92/100 (2 reviews) |
| Type | Trail | Trail |
| Weight (men's UK 8.5) | 278 g | 278 g |
| Heel stack | 32 mm | 32 mm |
| Drop | 6 mm | 4 mm |
| Cushioning | Firm-ish | Balanced |
| Bounce | Calm | Lively |
| Plate | No plate | No plate |
| Support | Inherently stable | Neutral |
| Fit | True to size | True to size |
| Widths | standard, wide | standard, wide |
| Waterproof version | Merrell Agility Peak 6 GORE-TEX | Saucony Peregrine 16 GTX |
| UK RRP | £145 | £140 |
Weights are for a men's US 9 / UK 8.5. Prices are UK RRPs; shops often sell for less.
What the critics say
The reviews comparedReviewers praise the grip of both, and RunRepeat's Carlos Sánchez found both toe boxes narrow or tapered. He rated the Merrell Agility Peak 6 dependable on technical ground but found its foam flat, and Believe in the Run's testers found it firm and stiff. iRunFar's Travis Liles praised the Saucony Peregrine 16's extra cushioning and ground feel, and Sánchez found it stable.
Agility Peak 6
- Outstanding grip from the Vibram outsole
- Dependable and protective on technical terrain
- Secure fit through the midfoot and forefoot
- Measured drop is well above the stated 6 mm
- Firm foam with little energy return
- Narrow toe box limits toe splay
Scores from RunRepeat.
Peregrine 16
- Grippier Vibram Megagrip outsole
- More cushioning without losing ground feel
- Durable and good value
- Slightly shorter lugs than before
- Still a fairly firm, low-profile ride
Scores from RunRepeat, Road Trail Run.
Paraphrased from published reviews.
What's new in each
Merrell Agility Peak 6: A new, slimmer last with a better heel, a lighter build and a web-style outsole, though reviewers found the ride firmer than before.
Saucony Peregrine 16: Adds 4 mm of foam for a more cushioned ride, switches to a Vibram Megagrip outsole with slightly shorter 4 mm lugs, and gets a slightly roomier upper.
About each shoe
About the Agility Peak 6
Merrell's Agility Peak 6 is a cushioned, versatile trail shoe for distances from 5K to ultras, and it replaces the Agility Peak 5. The midsole uses FloatPro, Merrell's EVA-based foam, with a rock plate in the forefoot for protection on rough ground.
Grip comes from a Vibram Megagrip outsole with Vibram Traction Lug technology and 5 mm lugs in chevron and butterfly shapes. Merrell gave this version a new, slimmer last, a lighter build and a web-style outsole pattern. The geometry sets a 32 mm heel and a 6 mm drop.
Compared with the Nova 4, which has an 8 mm drop, Merrell's own Quantum Grip rubber and no rock plate, the Agility Peak 6 is the more aggressive, more protective option. Men's sizes come in standard and wide fittings, and a GORE-TEX version, the Agility Peak 6 GORE-TEX, is available for runners after waterproof running shoes.
Specs and features from runrepeat.com, sportsshoes.com, active.com and our own spec data. A factual overview, not a review.
About the Peregrine 16
Saucony's neutral trail all-rounder, the Peregrine 16, is built for moderate, mixed terrain. It is lower and lighter than the long-distance Xodus Ultra 4, which uses a PWRRUN PB midsole, while the Ride TR3 covers lighter road-to-trail use on gravel and towpaths.
The big change for this version is the outsole: Vibram Megagrip with Traction Lug technology, arranged as chevrons that reverse direction between forefoot and heel. A forefoot rock plate with cutouts adds protection underfoot, a PWRRUN+ insole sits on top, and the lightweight mesh upper has a fully gusseted tongue. It has a 4 mm drop and a 32 mm heel stack. Standard and wide fittings are offered, and a GORE-TEX version, the Peregrine 16 GTX, is available for wet conditions, which also places it among waterproof running shoes. It replaces the Peregrine 15.
Specs and features from runrepeat.com and our own spec data. A factual overview, not a review.
Agility Peak 6 vs Peregrine 16
In short
Two grippy, protective trail all-rounders at the same weight. The Agility Peak 6 has deeper lugs and a rock plate for rough, steep ground, but the ride is firm and the toe box narrow. The Peregrine 16 is £5 cheaper, nimbler and a little roomier, with more cushioning than before.
- Better reviewedPeregrine 16
- CheaperPeregrine 16
- BouncierPeregrine 16
Get the full story
MerrellEverything on the Agility Peak 63 video reviews, scores from 1 published review, what critics loved and didn't, fit and sizing advice, full specs and today's prices.Explore the Agility Peak 6
SauconyEverything on the Peregrine 163 video reviews, scores from 2 published reviews, what critics loved and didn't, fit and sizing advice, full specs and today's prices.Explore the Peregrine 16More comparisons
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