Nike Pegasus 41 ($140)
Introduction
Michael: A couple of years in the past, I in contrast the annual Pegasus launch to Nike’s iPhone unveiling – largely as a result of it’s inevitable, but in addition as a result of it’s an opportunity for every model to showcase its newest tech in its long-running product. If that holds true, then this yr’s Pegasus 41 could be the iPhone X assessment – a major break in previous design (which had held largely fixed for the previous few generations) and a glance into the course the Pegasus line goes transferring ahead.
And, properly… it’s good. Talking as a non-tech-reviewer (however stubbornly insistent Apple person), the iPhone X was most likely a extra foundational change, however the Pegasus’s change over to ReactX (hooray!) paired with twin Air Zoom items is undoubtedly a new and pleasing journey. I used to be additionally happy to see a 4mm enhance in stack top, which features so as to add somewhat extra cushion and assist get rid of the shoe from bottoming out.
However, with so many good trainers available on the market (significantly – after a few years specializing in racing footwear, I believe that is the yr of the coach!), how does Nike’s basic Pegasus stack up?
Execs:
ReactX – extra, please!
Softer than any of the final 3 or 4 fashions
The higher – whereas boring – is sort of comfy and introduced no scorching sports activities
Cons:
But once more… the Air Zoom items current a considerably unfriendly firmness within the forefoot
Feels much less premium than final yr, however comes with a value hike
Most comparable footwear (Michael):
Brooks Ghost 16, Diadora Frequenza, On CloudRunner 2
Stats
Approx. Weight: males’s 9.9 oz / 281g US9
Pattern Weight: males’s 9.68oz / 274g US8.5 ( Peg 40: 9.2 oz / 261 g (US8.5))
Stack Peak: males’s 37 mm heel / 27 mm forefoot ( 10mm drop spec)
Earlier Model: 33 mm heel / 23 mm forefoot ( 10mm drop spec)
Platform Width: 85 mm heel / 65 mm midfoot / 110 mm forefoot
First Impressions, Match and Higher
Michael: My 8.5 Pegasus matches true to measurement – I usually discover the Peg to slender somewhat too severely within the toebox, however didn’t essentially encounter that right here (for what it’s price, I’ll notice I’ve been working within the thinnest socks I can discover as a result of this warmth wave, so issues could change barely come winter working).
The higher of the Nike Pegasus 41, whereas practical, feels considerably unfinished and lacks the refinement of its predecessors. Constructed from light-weight and breathable mesh, it gives a comfortable and safe match that ensures your ft keep cool and cozy even throughout intense runs… however there’s simply nothing flashy to it.
The design feels relatively primary and unpolished, lacking the aesthetic and progressive touches that made earlier fashions stand out. The vast lacing system, though efficient, contributes to a way of utilitarian simplicity relatively than cutting-edge design.
Compared to its opponents, the Pegasus 41’s higher falls quick by way of sophistication and aptitude. It serves its goal adequately, offering the required assist and lockdown for numerous terrains, but it doesn’t captivate or encourage. The breathable mesh, whereas a sensible function, cannot compensate for the general sense of incompletion. This higher feels prefer it was designed to be practical above all else, which, whereas not inherently dangerous, fails to raise the shoe to the extent of pleasure and innovation that runners may anticipate from a model like Nike.
Midsole & Platform
Okay… the midsole. The crux of the difficulty, on the Pegasus – I can put aside a mediocre higher within the identify of performance, if the midsole is price it. Happily… the midsole of the brand new Pegasus is total spectacular, primarily as a result of inclusion of the ReactX foam and 4mm extra total stack top than we’re used to in a Peg to come back in at 37mm heel, 27mm forefoot but with solely a 13g enhance in weight. This materials (which debuted, on the InfinityRN 4, which I didn’t check) provides a bouncy and enjoyable aspect to the journey, making every step really feel vigorous and responsive. It’s not practically as bouncy because the ZoomX slab on the Invincible (I’m guessing you knew this by now) – however the brand new foam does considerably soften the midsole right here, offering a cushioned expertise that long-time Pegasus customers and new runners alike will admire.
Nike says the processing of ReactX reduces carbon footprint by 43% whereas rising vitality return by 13% over the older React foam.
Nevertheless – and this has lengthy been my difficulty with the Pegasus line, and it’s not fairly resolved right here – the incorporation of the Air Zoom items introduces localized sections of firmness that may trigger gentle discomfort. These firmer areas, the place the Air Zoom items are positioned, create an uneven really feel that may be noticeable throughout runs. Whereas the midsole does break in over time, changing into extra comfy with every run, this design isn’t an ideal answer.
Regardless of these minor points, the general efficiency of the midsole stays robust, delivering a mixture of softness and responsiveness that enhances the working expertise, and I do assume that is the best-riding Pegasus we’ve seen in lots of generations.
Outsole
As it’s possible you’ll anticipate, the outsole of the Nike Pegasus 41 actually excels, showcasing distinctive toughness and sturdiness. This has lengthy been a standout aspect on the Pegasus, and there’s no drop-off right here – the sturdy rubber outsole is designed to deal with not solely highway working but in addition mild to medium path working, supplied the circumstances are dry. The waffle sample enhances grip and stability, guaranteeing assured strides throughout numerous terrains. This outsole is constructed to final, demonstrating Nike’s dedication to high quality and longevity.
After greater than 50 miles of working, the outsole of the Pegasus 41 reveals just about no indicators of damage, a testomony to its sturdiness. The flex grooves included into the design provide flexibility and permit for a extra pure foot motion, enhancing the general working expertise. Whether or not you are caught to navigating metropolis streets, or tackling (semi-) rugged trails, this outsole will present dependable traction and sturdiness, making it one of many standout options of the Pegasus 41.
Experience, Conclusions and Suggestions
Highway Scoring Rubric
Michael: In an try to shut the loop on my opening analogy, I want to supply somewhat extra technological context. In 2017. Apple launched each the revolutionary iPhone X (no dwelling button!) and the extra modest iPhone 8, which was a successor to the earlier iPhone 7, however not a complete overhaul – a less expensive, extra acquainted possibility. Soar to 2024. Nike’s Pegasus 41 isn’t fairly the iPhone X I hoped for, and perhaps Nike by no means so supposed it, however I do assume it’s a really full Pegasus. Good, definitely; even excellent!
However right here’s the factor. On the similar time that Nike unveiled the Pegasus 41, it introduced the Nike Pegasus Premium, a 2025 launch bearing all of Nike’s newest and biggest tech together with each Air and ZoomX foam. Ah – there’s our iPhone X. So the place does that go away the P41? It’s sophisticated. That is, to me, the perfect Pegasus in a number of years – my favourite since at the least Pegasus 35. However this components is somewhat drained. ReactX foam is nice, however it’s not remarkably nice, and the Air Zoom items proceed to frustrate, relatively than elevate, the expertise. I’m criticizing the shoe as a result of I care, and since Nike’s different top-end trainers (the Vomero and the Invincible) are each terrifically enjoyable choices that don’t have that irritating “simply wait ‘til it breaks in!” aura.
Even so. When you’re a runner looking for a stable, pleasing, and on a regular basis coach, the Pegasus 41 is, definitively, a good selection. It’s not practically excellent, however Nike has so a few years of enchancment on this shoe, that even incremental modifications are significant, and do elevate the journey.
Michael’s Rating: 9.0
😊😊😊.5/5
Sam’s Video Overview of the Pegasus 41 (14:05)
6 Comparisons
Index to all RTR opinions: HERE
Nike Pegasus 40 (RTR Overview)
Michael: As described above, the imperfect Pegasus 41 is nonetheless a step above the Peg 40 is almost all methods … the “practically” arrives as a result of higher which is lackluster, but practical. What felt premium on the Peg 40 now feels merely pedestrian on the Peg 41, however all the identical, can hardly be thought-about a fabric downgrade. On the clearance costs that Nike tends to push for the outgoing fashions, I wouldn’t blame you for snapping up an inexpensive Pegasus 40, however the 41 is a greater shoe!
Nike Vomero 17 (RTR Overview)
Michael: I went into the Vomero testing course of nearly with dread. Not that I anticipated the Vomero to be a foul shoe (I definitely didn’t), however that I anticipated to be let down by Nike’s high-cushioning, on a regular basis miles coach. I used to be undoubtedly not let down – the Vomero proved to be one of the enjoyable, runnable footwear that Nike has put out in years, and I’ve to say I’m somewhat dissatisfied the Pegasus didn’t “wow” me in the identical means. Positive, the Pegasus 41 is an improve in most methods over its predecessor, however man… the Vomero is simply so enjoyable and so dynamic, whereas the Pegasus is simply, properly, “higher than it was.” Vomero it’s.
Nike Pegasus Path 5 (RTR Overview)
Michael: I discovered the Peg Path 5 a way more competent highway shoe than I anticipated, and in the end a very compelling door-to-trail possibility… however, Nike additionally assaults this from the opposite course with the Pegasus 41, which is a highway shoe that basically can maintain its personal on (mild) trails. Look, in the end, I believe you could know your self and your (working) environment on this one – when you’re a path runner, then the Peg Path 5 is a terrific possibility. When you’re a roadrunner, the Peg 41 is a lot appropriate. These in between, I’d actually simply consider which you do extra, with the caveat that anybody usually working technical stuff ought to have a look at least on the PT5, if not the Zegama (which I didn’t assessment).
Brooks Ghost 16 (RTR Overview)
Michael: I’ve such a love-hate relationship with the Ghost; what was as soon as a no brainer light-weight coach possibility has someway grow to be fairly muddled in Brooks’s lineup, and fails to face out towards the competitors. That’s to not say it’s dangerous – in any respect – and I personally actually admire the numerous (10mm) heel offset. However the Ghost is simply boring now, and whereas the Pegasus is a bit within the shadow of its upcoming Premium brother (and its superior Vomero cousin!), it’s nonetheless a greater, extra enjoyable shoe than the Ghost. Boo!
Diadora Frequenza (RTR Overview)
Michael: I needed to measure the Pegasus towards the lighter Frequenza as a result of each are mid-weight, high-mileage, non-plated trainers. I loved the Frequenza, however in the end did discover the journey somewhat on the mushy aspect – respectable for on a regular basis runs, however missing in actual pop. The ReactX of the Pegasus provides it a bit extra upside, and the Nike could be my advice, however I’ll notice that the Frequeza – which isn’t one of many Made in Italy choices from the model – does really feel a bit extra polished. For getting the miles in, although, go Nike.
Nike InfinityRN 4 (RTR Overview)
The RN4 has the next 39mm heel 30mm forefoot stack of ReactX foam and a thick and heat Stretch Flyknit higher. It’s a lot heavier than the Pegasus 41 with the identical foam and with no Air within the combine at 11.16 oz / 316g in US9. It has a wider platform at 90/75/115.
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Tester Profiles
Michael is a patent lawyer and graduate of Northwestern College Regulation College. Previous to legislation faculty, he competed collegiately at Washington College in St. Louis (10,000m PR of 30:21). Michael’s PRs embrace a 67:43 half-marathon (Chicago Half-Marathon) and a 2:21:19 marathon PR on the 2023 Grandma’s Marathon. Michael continues to race on the roads, and is chasing a sub-2:20 marathon and potential OTQ sooner or later.
Samples had been supplied at no cost for assessment functions. RoadTrail Run has affiliate partnerships and will earn fee on merchandise bought by way of purchasing hyperlinks on this article. These partnerships don’t affect our editorial content material. The opinions herein are fully the authors’.
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