In one embodiment, a perpendicular magnetic head includes a main magnetic pole, a side shield disposed on both sides of the main magnetic pole in a track width direction, the side shield including a material having a saturation magnetic flux density of no greater than about 1.0 T, and a trailing shield disposed on a trailing side of the main magnetic pole, wherein the trailing shield and the side shield are physically separated from one another. In another embodiment, the side shield includes a first magnetic film, and the trailing shield includes a second magnetic film, wherein a magnetic permeability of the first magnetic film is lower than a magnetic permeability of the second magnetic film.