The Saucony Cohesion TR12 is a $60 lightweight and neutral trail running shoe performs well on non-technical terrain, such as dirt or grass.

This is the successor to the Cohesion TR11. This shoe features a Heel Grid system and VERSAFOAM technology for stable cushioning.

Saucony Cohesion TR12 – Pair

This shoe is simple, sleek, and lightweight compared to other trail running shoes that I’ve worn. They fit slightly snug at the toe.

My first run in them felt comfortable, stable, and well-cushioned for a few miles on road and dirt trail.

This is a great shoe for shorter or less technical trails (ie., road, gravel, and dirt) and even more casual everyday wear.

However, they lack protection and the durability required for sustained efforts and rugged terrain.

Saucony Cohesion TR12 – Top

I found the protection on this shoe to be lacking. The upper felt thin and easy to penetrate by abrasion from rocks and other hazards on the trail.

Water and snow easily entered into the shoe through mesh paneling. However, this mesh paneling also allowed the shoe to dry more quickly.

At 29mm at the heel and 17mm at forefoot, the outsoles on these shoes offered protection from sharp objects.

Saucony Cohesion TR12 – Heel

I have seen general wear and tear on these shoes but generally have found them be durable for shorter trail runs (around 3-8 miles).

I would not wear these for longer efforts or on tough mountain terrain because I would not expect the thin upper to hold up with aggressive movements, over trail hazards, or during a longer trail run.

The outsole was softer and quicker to wear down than other trail shoes.

Saucony Cohesion TR12 – Medial Side

These shoes felt light and responsive over most types of terrain. I was able to get up to top speed on most dry surfaces, but the shoe does not perform as well on wet surfaces.

This would be a good shoe for a dry, non-technical trail race. Rubber lugs on the outsole allowed for decent traction on most surfaces on both the uphill and downhill but became slippery when wet.

These shoes were generally comfortable right out of the box. I would consider sizing up a half a size, as the shoe was tight in the toe box.

Thus, I would not wear these shoes for longer efforts because they do not offer very much room in the toe box for feet to expand over longer durations.

The rest of the shoe was slightly narrow but felt more secure than overly tight. The lace system also offered more stability and stayed tied.

Saucony’s Heel Grid system provides good stability and cushioning. Mesh paneling on the upper offered ventilation, keeping my feet cooler.

Saucony Cohesion TR12 – Toe

This is a solid low-cost option for a runner who primarily uses non-technical trails or on drier conditions, or someone who wants to keep a shoe like that in their training rotation.

These shoes really were comfortable and effective in most conditions; but I would not feel confident racing in them or wearing them on a longer trail day with the potential for wet, snowy or icy conditions or seriously rocky terrain.